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.