P
 
 
 

“But we will devote ourselves to prayer…”
~ Acts 6:4
 
 
 
 
 
Weekly Prayer Gathering  – Wednesdays @ 6:15pm

The 4/4 Pattern of Worship-based Prayer
 
UPWARD: REVERENCE
“Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be Your name . . . “
We call this upward focus the “Reverence” stroke. This is the principle of “worship-based” rather than need-based prayer. It begins with the character of God as we take time to focus our entire being on the wonders of who God is. Ultimately, prayer is my response to the character of God, which leads to praise and thanksgiving.
 
DOWNWARD: RESPONSE
“Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven . . .”
This speaks of our response to God’s character in prayer as we consider His will, from His Word and for the sake of His purposes on earth. This also involves yielding to the control of the Holy Spirit as I respond to His invitations to a fruitful and obedient life. Introspection and surrender mark this time of response. It is a season of pledged obedience to the will and Word of God, desiring the accomplishment of His will in our lives.
 
INWARD: REQUESTS
“Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” – Matthew 6:11-12
This involves a period of heartfelt requests, most often within the themes of resources and relationships.
 
OUTWARD: READINESS
“Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” We recognize our own inability to overcome the temptations and attacks of daily life. We entrust our welfare for the warfare to the delivering force of our Divine Enabler, through the power of His presence and promises. We pledge ourselves to walk in obedience and victory as the fruit of our praying.
The Hour That Changes the World
 
The following is a summary of each of the 12 different aspects of prayer

1. Praise and Worship is an expression of admiration and devotion to God
Psa 115:1 Not to us, O LORD, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.
 
2. Waiting on the Lord is an act of surrender to, and of love and admiration for God, (often wordless worship)
Ps. 46:11 “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
 
3. Confession of sin and humiliation is an act of admitting my sinfulness to God and of cleansing me as the Temple of God, allowing me entrance into His presence.
Isaiah 59: 1-2 Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
 
4. Praying Scripture is to feed myself spiritually and to pray according to God’s agenda and revelation.
 
5. Watching is a time of spiritual observation (perception), to be on the look-out, to be spiritually aware of matters to pray for.
Colossians 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
 
6. Intercession is to pray for others, to concentrate on the needs and distress of other people, to stand in the gap for someone else.
1 Timothy 2:1-2 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
 
7. Petition for your personal needs.
Matthew 6:11 Give us today our daily bread.
Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
1 Chronicles 4:10 Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.
 
8 Thanksgiving is a time to acknowledge our appreciation to the Lord for His care and protection and for who He is.
1 Thess. 5:18. Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
 
9. Song is melodious praise and worship.
Psalm 100 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the LORD is God. It is he, who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.
 
10. Meditation means to reflect upon or examine a matter more closely and to evaluate it spiritually.
Psalm 1:1-2 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked …… But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.
Joshua 1:8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
 
11. Listening is a period in which you receive instruction from the Lord and ask Him to reveal to you the things that He wants you to notice and pay attention to.
Eccl. 5:2 Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.
12. Worship is to exalt and glorify God. To tell Him that you know who He is and to whom you are praying and that you trust Him with your supplications.
Matthew 6:13 “…For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”