Now when it comes to prayer Jesus is the open door to the throne and it is through His finished work that we may enter in boldly to the manifest presence of God.
The sacrifice of prayer is about laying aside the weight of sleep, a mind full of things to do or the anxious thoughts we have and looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. He said, “come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you shall find rest for your souls” that’s in Matthew chapter 11 verses 28 thru 29. That rest is found as we humble our hearts in prayer, laying everything at the cross to seek God.
The message of the cruciform life is that you must die and find rest in the power of the risen Christ. If we want to be effective in prayer then we have to understand that it is no longer us praying, but simply the Spirit of God working through our lives. Our solid foundation of prayer is based on the work of our High Priest. Jesus Christ who came by "water, blood...and it is the Spirit who bears witness I John chapter 5 verses 6 thru 7.
As a holy priesthood we enter into prayer based on the pathway found in the cruciform life of the cross intertwined with the three-fold cord of the covenant of Christ.
Prayer is about learning to partner with the Spirit. Its living lives tethered to the cross and empowered by the throne of grace with the river of God’s Spirit flowing through us. Prayer allows us to place ourselves before God so that he can transform us. Prayer is sowing into the spiritual realm and building up the inner man of the heart.
Paul the apostle taught us that he who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. The sacrifice of prayer is about sowing to the Spirit and complete dependence on the creator of heaven and earth. Look at the farmer as an example. He is helpless to cause grain to grow. All he can do is provide the right conditions for the growing of grain. He cultivates the ground, he plants the seed, he waters the plants and then the natural forces of the earth take over and up comes the grain.
Offering up our daily sacrifice of prayer is providing the right conditions for the Spirit to work within.
Our priestly service is about sacrifice which could be called the path of disciplined grace. It is grace because it is free, it is ‘disciplined’ because there is something for us to do. Grace is free, but it is not cheap. The grace of God is unearned, but if we ever expect to grow in grace, we must pay the price through willing sacrifice.
It is through daily spiritual sacrifices that spiritual growth and character formation happens. It’s why we are studying the pattern of the tabernacle and the cruciform life.
If you want to fulfill the will of God for your life, then you have to do it His way. If you don’t allow the formation of Christ in you to form then when the temptation of fleshly desires comes your way you will be taken captive. We have to dig deep foundations of Christ in us through prayer and personal devotion.
Let’s go back to the pattern of the tabernacle so that I can remind you of how we can use this as a pattern for our daily devotion as we offer up the morning and evening sacrifice of prayer. I want you to see yourself walking as a priest through the temple and offering your daily sacrifices because you are a priest.
The pattern of the tabernacle is a heavenly pattern of the cruciform life. It’s the joining together of God’s space and man’s space - the intersection of the heavenly realm and the earthly realm. In previous lessons we have talked about the Bronze Altar which was the beginning place of entering into the Tabernacle of Moses. It was the place of blood sacrifice and symbolized the blood of Christ shed for us on the cross.
Prayer is always about the cruciform life of sacrifice where we stand in the power of grace. It’s all about grace, forgiveness, reconciliation and a heart free from the guilt of sin. It’s the starting place of prayer. As we pray, we must acknowledge the power of the blood of Christ, dedicating our lives to the cruciform way, accepting His forgiveness and forgiving others.
Once you acknowledge the blood sacrifice at the Altar of burnt offering and are cleansed from a sinful conscience then you proceed to the Bronze laver to be washed. We need this daily cleansing as we approach the Father in prayer. The Bronze Laver is the place
of baptismal identification seeing ourselves accepted in Christ and joined to him. It’s completely identifying with Christ through the water of the word of God. This is when we begin to meditate on the word so that our minds are renewed and we build up the inner man.
We are now ready to enter into the Holy Place behind the first curtain. The only light you had inside the Holy Place was from the oil burning in the Golden lamp stand. Inside the tabernacle behind the first curtain was also the table of Shewbread and the altar of incense.
The Table of Shewbread had 12 loaves of bread that were daily replaced and represented the diverse twelve tribes united together as one nation of Israel. As the priest daily partook of the loaves it was a demonstration of them being a living representation of the entire nation. It’s at this time that we devote ourselves daily to being a dedicated
follower of Christ. It’s identifying with the cruciform life of Christ living in us and taking up our cross by eating the flesh and drinking the blood of Christ. As we are praying, we are completely surrendering our lives.
We now come to the golden candlestick which was daily filled with oil and gave light to the Holy Place.
The Golden Candlestick represents the need for us to rely on the Spirit of wisdom, understanding and power of the Spirit for daily living. It’s at this time that we are asking to be filled with the Spirit. The anointing oil of the Spirit brings light, healing and restoration. The anointing of the spirit flows from the cross giving us wisdom and power to fulfill the call of God upon our lives.
The Altar of Incense was right before the curtain entering into the Holy of Holies where the Ark of the covenant was placed. The Altar of Incense is about carrying the presence of God through prayer, praise and our lives dedicated to worshiping in spirit and truth. It’s at the Altar of incense that we spend time communing with the Father. I cannot overemphasize how being filled with the Spirit and having the anointing upon our lives is important. It’s about the vertical life of worshiping and loving God with all of our hearts so that truth is in the inward parts.
The cross is the only pathway to having a Spirit filled prayer life.
It’s a simple message and we need to stay focused on that simplicity because it is the key to freedom, purpose, fulfillment and our mission. Dr. R.A. Torrey in his book The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit writes, the Spirit guides in the details of daily life, and service as to where to go and where not to go, what to do and what not to do. It’s possible for us to have the continual guidance of the Holy Spirit at every turn of life.
The priests in the Tabernacle were anointed with oil before they performed their works of service. The anointing oil was made according to divine guidance and instruction given to Moses just like the tabernacle. Hebrews chapter 8 verse 5 says it was all just a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, see that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain.
Hebrews chapter 9 verses 21 thru 24 says that Moses sprinkled the tent and all the vessels used in worship with blood. Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. Thus, it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these rites, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf.
A principle you can find is that anywhere the blood is applied the Spirit will rest.
Jesus the lamb of God when being baptized came up out of the water and the Spirit rested upon Him. In Exodus after the tabernacle was dedicated with the blood it was then anointed with oil. Exodus chapter 40 verse 9 thru 15 says then you shall take the anointing oil and anoint the tabernacle and all that is in it and consecrate it and all its furniture, so that it may become holy. You shall also anoint the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, and consecrate the altar, so that the altar may become most holy. You shall also anoint the basin and its stand and consecrate it. Then you shall bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance of the tent of meeting and shall wash them with water and put on Aaron the holy garments. And you shall anoint him and consecrate him, that he may serve me as priest. You shall bring his sons also and put coats on them, and anoint them, as you anointed their father, that they may serve me as priests.
It’s this simple pattern of the blood, water and Spirit. Now the anointing oil was to be made out of 5 ingredients. Each of these ingredients represented God’s power, truth, service, surrender and wisdom. If we examine these five ingredients, we find a recipe to living an anointed life of prayer. It’s a life that God can pour out His Spirit upon and use to accomplish His will and purposes. Let's take a quick look at what each of the anointing oil ingredients represents.
The first ingredient was myrrh. It’s a fragrant oil that's actually mentioned in the Bible 152 times. Myrrh represents meekness. Moses was called the meekest man on earth. Meekness is a spirit of surrender and submission to the will of God. Meekness is not being weak...It’s actually power under control harnessed in service to be used by God. Myrrh comes from the trunk of a tree in the form of a gum it. Alcohol is added to remove impurities and then it is steamed. As the steam passes through the gum, it’s melted into oil, and that oil becomes a perfume.
Meekness is the raging river no longer flowing wide and wild, but submitting to the dam so that from it might come hydroelectricity which is power harnessed and tethered to the cross.
The second ingredient is cinnamon. The sweet-smelling spice also comes from a tree that grows straight and firm to 30-40 feet tall. Its symbolic meaning is standing for what is right because you are standing in the spirit of truth. It’s staying true to the foundations when everything around you is being shaken. At this moment in history, when so many are being shaken from the truth because lies, deception and delusion run rampant we are called to simply stand.
The next ingredient is calamus, which is a reed that grows in swamps. This plant's head is filled with oil and bends down when it’s time to be harvested. Likewise, the calamus represents bending low to God in humility. In our culture, our corporations, businesses and governments are all built on a pyramid with the leader on top. However, Jesus was a servant leader who turned this structure upside down. When his disciples asked,
“Who will be the greatest in your kingdom?” He essentially said the one who is willing to bow low and serve all since He levels the playing field.
The next ingredient is cassia. Cassia is a laxative... So, what’s the spiritual significance? It represents inner cleansing and surrender. The last and perhaps the most important ingredient in God's recipe for an anointed life is olive oil. Olive oil represents the presence of God in our lives.
In this age like the priest in the tabernacle we are walking dependent on the light of the Spirit.
It requires great humility, faith and wisdom to live a life governed by the Spirit. The only light the priest had as they performed their daily service to God in the Holy Place was the light that came from the anointing oil and without it, they would have been in complete darkness. I could give you numerous examples throughout the years of the gentle guiding, directing, empowering and words of wisdom helping me along my journey.
The Spirit is gentle like a dove. He’s not a taskmaster, but a guide that lights our way. The children of Israel as they walked on their journey had a cloud over them by day and a fire over them by night. The community of the faithful moved as the cloud moved. It was their protection from the grueling desert sun, the fire provided heat, light and the manna from heaven was their daily provision and sustenance. It speaks of our dependence on the Spirit in our daily lives. We need to seek to be filled with the Spirit daily.
The priest daily sacrificed and followed the pattern of the tabernacle, so consistency and discipline are the foundations of being filled with the oil of the Spirit.
Living the Spirit filled life is the key empowering us to be ourselves. Jesus said in Acts 1:8 that you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. The word for power is dunamis in the Greek which means inherent power. It stems from duna which the basic meaning is capable. The Holy Spirit imparts power so that we are capable of doing the will of God.
We are all called to be priests before God filled with the power and wisdom of the cross descending from the throne of the Lamb.
If you look at the life of Christ, and the disciples in the book of Acts, you will see they lived their lives dependent on the Spirit’s power and ability working through them. There is a high priority placed on being filled and empowered with the Holy Spirit in the New Testament. Whole chapters in John are given to help us understand our need of the Holy Spirit and the book of Acts has been termed the ‘Acts of the Holy Spirit’.
We cannot neglect nor under-emphasize the importance the Bible places on being filled with the Holy Spirit. Jesus Himself says, “If any man is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water.’ But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive.”
In the New American Standard they say this verse shows a continuous action, literally saying, “let him keep coming to Me and let him keep drinking.” We need to continually drink in the life-giving power of the Holy Spirit.
There are numerous scriptures which teach us about prayer, however the passage which helped me put the missing link of the puzzle together concerning prayer was Romans chapter 8 verse 26. Paul shows us that we cannot pray by ourselves. How many of you have started out in prayer and then five minutes later, you feel as if you are done? There is a longing to pray, but you don't have the will power, the words or the strength to continue. The truth is you don't, this is exactly why Paul said, “the Spirit helps our weakness for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us.” The problem is that we have not given the Holy Spirit His rightful place in our prayer lives. Paul in Ephesians 5:18, instructs us to be "filled with the Spirit’. It is the Holy Spirit who empowers us with gifts I Corinthians chapter 12 verses 4 thru 11. It is the Spirit's influence upon our hearts by which we are able to display the very nature of Christ character Galatians chapter 5 verse 22.
As we are looking at the Spirit and the sacrifice of prayer, we need to turn back to the book of Romans. Romans chapter 8 is one of those chapters dedicated to explaining and emphasizing the work of the Holy Spirit. There are 16 direct references made concerning the Spirit in this one chapter. This chapter alone should convince us that without the Holy Spirit, we couldn't live, as Christ would have us to live.
The emphasis that I want to focus upon is the needed aid of the Holy Spirit in prayer.
Although we have been placed into Christ and adopted as sons and daughters of God, it is the Spirit who aids us so that we can pray as we should. Jesus has gone away physically as He said He would, however He has not left us.
As we renew our minds with the word of God and allow the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts through prayer, we awaken to the realization that we are seated in Heavenly places with Him. Our spirit, which has been made in His likeness and image, is joined and made one with the very same Spirit, which raised Him from the dead. As I began to realize how much I needed the Holy Spirit, then I began to seek to be filled with more of the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised us that He would baptize us with the Holy Spirit and fire.
We see in Acts 2 that the church was brought to birth through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. From the conception of the body of Christ, it has been empowered with the creativity of the Spirit of life for the fulfilling of its mission. How much more do you think we need the Spirit as we are coming to the end of the age? It is of utmost importance that we tap into the very creative mind of Christ for the fulfilling of His purpose through our lives. It does not matter what we have been called to do, we need his creative wisdom and power at work in our lives, businesses, churches actually all that we do.
I personally do not hold to a traditional Pentecostal theology, which believes the evidence of receiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit is speaking in tongues. I do believe the evidence of the baptism in the Holy Spirit is the evidence of the power of God actively working in our lives and within that package will come the availability to speak in tongues. You may say this is simply a play on words, but I believe scripture puts the emphasis on the power of God actively at work in our lives as evidence that we have been baptized in the Holy Spirit. However:
The Bible also gives importance to the manifestations of the Spirit at work in our lives and the spiritual power of praying in tongues during our personal devotion to our Father.
I understand this is a controversial subject in some circles. I am okay if you take a different position, but I am writing from my personal experience and clearly Paul's personal experience. It has been my personal experience that, aided by the power of praying in the Spirit, prayer takes on a whole new dimension. Yes, we can pray in, by and through the Spirit without praying in tongues, but if you read I Corinthians chapter 14 Paul discusses his use of tongues in both public and private operation. Paul, in his discussion with the Corinthian church concerning tongues, told them:
"I thank God, I speak in tongues more than you all however, in the church I desire to speak five words with my mind that I may instruct others also I Corinthians chapter 14 verses 18 and 19.
Paul in no way was teaching against tongues, but was putting them in their proper place depending on the context. Paul was in no way discouraging the Corinthians from speaking in tongues, but was instructing them for their proper use. He said in verse 14, if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful, and in verse 15, he says, what is the outcome then? I shall pray with the spirit and I shall pray with the mind also I shall sing with the spirit and I shall sing with the mind also. Notice the positive emphasis that Paul puts on prayer in this chapter.
Praying in tongues is for personal edification and it is the aiding power of the Holy Spirit that helps us offer up the sacrifice of prayer.
Romans chapter 8 verse 27 says, He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF GOD. The Holy Spirit joins our spirit in praying the very mind of Christ. This is why Paul said, I pray with my spirit and I pray with my understanding. When we pray in tongues, our spirit is being edified and built up through the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit who helps us pray accurately. We are limited in our understanding, but the Holy Spirit knows the will of God. Every time you spend 30 minutes praying in tongues, you are praying out the purpose of God. At the same time, the Holy Spirit will bring revelation to you so you can pray in your understanding. This takes us beyond our limited understanding of prayer so that by the Holy Spirit, we tap into the very mind of Christ. The Holy Spirit will give us answers to problems in our family, work and ministry endeavors.
We need the revelation of the Spirit of God to see beyond our own understanding since the essence of creativity flows out of our hearts under the inspiration of the Spirit.
Paul in teaching the church in Ephesus about spiritual warfare and prayer told them that with all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit that’s in Ephesians chapter 5 verse 18. There are many different types of prayer, but it is the aiding power of the Holy Spirit, which is the foundation that helps us to pray. It doesn't matter if we are praying the prayer of supplication, prayer of devotion or if we are interceding for others, we need the Holy Spirit to aid us. It is only as we learn how to yield our entire lives to the Holy Spirit, that we are going to have success in prayer.
Successful prayer is praying that helps us to walk in and fulfill God's purposes. It’s prayer that actually hits the target taking us beyond vain repetitions.
We can pray all day long, but if we are not praying the will of God, then it is just useless. Romans 8:27 says He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
The Holy Spirit joins our spirit in praying the very mind of Christ. This is why Paul said, I pray with my spirit, and I pray with my understanding. When we pray in tongues our spirit is being edified and built up through the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit who helps and aids us in praying accurately.
I don't know about you, but I don't want to waste my time praying for things the Holy Spirit is not leading me to pray about.
I John chapter 5 verse 14 says, "This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us." I want that full confidence, which comes from the witness of the Holy Spirit in my heart, as I pray according to the word of God. I want to know that I am hitting the target in prayer.
Jesus is our Great High priest interceding for us and as we learn how to yield to His Spirit, we enter into prayer with Him. This is the rest of God. It is a place where we learn to allow the Spirit to pray through us. He knows how and what we need to pray about. He also knows our weakness in having a prayerful life.
Jesus had to exhort His own disciples to tarry in prayer with Him, yet in the end they all fell asleep. This is one of the reasons the Holy Spirit has been sent and that is to help us in our weaknesses. The word 'weaknesses' refers to our inability to produce results because of the limitations imposed on us by our flesh. So, the Holy Spirit was sent to help us in our inability to produce results in our own strength. It is only as we learn how to yield our lives to the power of the Holy Spirit, which we can be assured of success in accomplishing the will of God.
Prayer is an essential aspect of partnering with God for the release of His grace in every situation.
Now there will be times also, that you will need to combine your prayers with fasting. Many view fasting as an attempt to bend God's arm. Fasting is not an attempt to deny ourselves, so that God will be impressed with our dedication. As if our dedication will somehow cause Him to change His mind concerning situations for which we are praying.
Fasting is a time to dedicate and open up our hearts to more of the Holy Spirit, so that He can change and align our minds to the will of God.
It is not God who needs to change, it is we and fasting is a great aid in helping us through this process. It has been my own personal experience that when it comes to fasting, legalism can easily gain a foothold. It is important to fast, but if you are not careful fasting can become nothing more than a lifeless ritual and dead work. If we will start off on the right foot with fasting, it can greatly benefit our walk in the Spirit.
Jesus never commanded fasting, but he showed us an example as someone who fasted.
At the same time if we look at Jesus' own words, he teaches that after His resurrection his disciples would fast. We see in Matthew chapter 9 verse 4 thru 15 that the disciples of John the Baptist came to Jesus, saying, 'Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast? Jesus answered them by saying, The attendants of the bridegroom cannot mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them, can they? But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. The bridegroom was taken from us when He ascended to the right hand of the Father. He has promised His return, but before we see our bridegroom return, we need to be a people who regularly fast.
The most natural interpretation of the days when Jesus' disciples will fast is the present church age, especially in the light of its intricate connection with Jesus' statement on the new wineskins. These new wineskins are new hearts changed through the new birth, which are able to hold the new wine of the Holy Spirit. It is regular seasons of prayer and fasting, which will help us remain as flexible wineskins to be able to retain the new wine of the Spirit, continually being poured out in our hearts. Our hearts can become hardened through sin and when this happens, holes open up where the Spirit leaks out of our lives.
Regular seasons of fasting are used to help us humble ourselves through repentance and prayer, so that we become soft again.
If we will do this on a regular basis, then we will be wineskins that can hold the new wine of the Spirit. There are many different kinds of fasts and different reasons for which to fast. I want to specifically concentrate on how fasting will aid us in regard to the sacrifice of prayer. When we look at the Bible and the history of the church prayer and fasting are always found in the lives of those that impacted their generation with the gospel. When confronting His disciples who had been sleeping while they were supposed to be praying, Jesus said, the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Our human weaknesses can be a great hindrance to a prayerful life.
Fasting is a key in helping us to press through our own inabilities.
At times, we will find it very difficult to overcome certain ingrained habits, which are causing sin to have a place in our lives. The biblical term used when demonic powers have gained a foothold in our lives is called a stronghold. We may study the word and pray, but it just seems impossible to overcome. Another key, to add to our arsenal for bringing ingrained habits under the power of the Spirit is fasting. Our human cravings and desires are like a river that tends to overflow its banks. Fasting helps keep them in their proper channel.
Biblical fasting is an aid in helping us to buffet our bodies.
Fasting shows us clearly that the stomach is not god! By denying our stomachs the right to control us, it brings affliction to our souls. When we lay aside food and put prayer, the study of the word and worshipping God first, it is suffering to the flesh. David said that he afflicted himself with fasting. Isaiah 58:5 says fasting is a time to humble ourselves before God. Fasting helps us put life in its proper perspective. It is easy to allow nonessentials to take control of our lives.
Fasting is a time to take inventory of our lives and put things in their proper order. During a fast we will quickly see the ugliness of any sins we have become accustomed to. It should be a time of repentance and turning away from the strongholds of sin in our hearts. Fasting helps us break out of the ruts of life. By fasting we are laying aside the obstructions of life and are able to more completely focus in on our true purpose for living, which is God.
The goal of fasting is not simply denying our bodies the right to rule us, but it is the building up of our inner man, Christ in us.
Unbelief so easily sets in upon our hearts. This is what Jesus was saying about the lack of power His disciples had, in praying over the young man in Matthew chapter 17 verses 14 thru 21. His disciples wanted to know why they were not seeing results, as they prayed for this young man, who was possessed by a demon. Jesus told them it was because of their unbelief. He then told them the key to seeing powerful prayers answered. It was to add fasting along with their praying. This text has been interpreted in many ways, but I believe the essence of what Jesus is saying is that those who have a disciplined lifestyle of prayer and fasting, will possess the faith to see powerful prayers answered.
Regular seasons of fasting need to be accompanied with intense prayer and the study of the word.
It is by doing this which will enable you to facilitate a freer flow of the Holy Spirit in you because you have dealt with the sin that causes unbelief. If fasting is accompanied with prayer and the study of the word, it is a means of purifying our faith. Our fasting doesn't move God, it moves us to a place where we can receive from God. I encourage you to find a good book on fasting and incorporate it into your prayer life.
Now let’s end this lesson on corporate prayer and some simple guidelines to keep when prayer together. Developing our personal relationship with the Father in prayer is important, but we must also pray as a community of believers. The church is to be a ‘House of Prayer' and in Acts chapter 2 verse 42 we can see that the church came together devoting themselves to the apostles teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. As we end this lesson lets go over a few keys to corporate prayer meetings.
Key number one is UNITY.
To be in one mind and one heart when we come together is essential.
To accomplish this each person will have to lay down any personal agendas. James chapter 4 verses 2 and 3 talks about those who pray with impure motives because they are seeking their own desires not God's. They are number one, not God and when we have that attitude it will cause a lack of unity. We must lay down personal agendas and submit to one another in the fear of the Lord. In saying this there should be an appointed leader who guides the corporate prayer time. This is not taking away from the Holy Spirit's place, but helping to keep the order of the Spirit and everyone on one focus.
Key number two is AGREEMENT.
When we are praying with others it is important to agree with them.
Matthew chapter 18 verse 19 says if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. When someone else is praying out loud we should be praying in our hearts and agreeing with the prayers being prayed.
Key number three is ORDER.
If you have a prayer language and speak in tongues, then in a corporate setting you should do it between you and God. Praying in tongues should never be a distraction in our corporate prayer meetings.
Key number four is SENSITIVITY.
Learn to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and others as you are praying.
Keep your prayers simple and don't dominate the prayer meeting with long praying. Allow others to participate so they can grow and give their part in your time of prayer.
As a holy priesthood we are called to pray and the way you grow in prayer is to consistently set aside time to pray. God can do anything He wants, but He has chosen to use His body of priests to be His ‘House of Prayer’ in the earth. It doesn’t matter if we are engaging in personal prayer or corporate prayer Jesus told us to pray. Through prayer we become со-laborers with God bringing the kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven. It says of Abraham that through faith and patience he inherited what God promised him. We have to be consistent in our prayer lives and daily offer up the sacrifice of prayer with faith, patience and persistence.
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Next Lesson: Lesson 30 - Part I The Sacrifice of Giving