Prayer Habits

In our weekly Tuesday prayer meeting, I had intended to share some habits I have regarding prayer and being led by the Spirit in prayer. However, we were led into praying for some things and I wasn't able to share everything I had.

Here's some of it, there's more coming.... eventually! Might as well avoid giving spiritual indigestion if I can help it! :P

It may be pretty basic, but I like what Charles Cowan, a pastor had to say:

"The secret of a strong faith is hidden in my daily routine"

Likewise, as I practiced these habits that I have, I found that my prayer life improved, tremendously

It's in point form, as if I wrote it out in blog form... it'll be like an essay :P

Habit #1: Keep a prayer notebook

Hab 2:2
Then the LORD answered me and said: "Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it.

- It helps you keep track of things you were led to pray out through the Spirit
- When you see things come to pass that you prayed about, you have a physical reminder that you prayed about it. It gives you the reassurance and confidence that you're hearing accurately from God
- If you know that you prayed things out that are yet to come to pass, you can remind yourself of what you prayed and remind steadfast and immovable on the promise that what you prayed WILL come to pass
- By observing the things you were led to pray about, you may find a specific pattern that God directs you in praying like you continually praying for the Church, Israel, businesses, etc

Habit #2: Expect to hear from God

John 10:2-3
2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his (God's) voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

- Prayer isn't just a monologue (you just rattling out words and talking non-stop to God), it's a dialogue!
- Having a notebook ready at your side is an indicator that you're expecting to hear from God, and that you're ready to write down whatever it is that you get from Him

Habit #3: When praying in other tongues, always keep your faith active for the interpretation

1 Cor 14:13-16
13 Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.15 What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.

- Paul wrote to the church in Corinth encouraging them to believe and trust God for the interpretation to what  they prayed in tongues
- This is different from 1 Cor 12:10 in its function. 1 Cor 12:10 refers to a specific manifestation or operation of the Spirit for that particular moment. We see this from time to time in our prayer meetings. I can't turn this on  or off at my own will, it is as He wills!
- However, when I talk to God and I pray in other tongues, I can ask Him for the interpretation to what I prayed  out in tongues. It may come at that moment, it may come later, but I can trust that I will get the  interpretation to what I prayed out.

The above three habits can be best seen in the life of John G. Lake, possibly one of the greatest healing evangelists ever seen in the early 1900's. Quoting him directly as below:

I want to talk with the utmost frankness, and say to you that tongues have been to me the making of my ministry. It is that peculiar communication with God when God reveals to my soul the truth that I utter to you day by day in my ministry.

But that time of communication with me is mostly in the night. Many a time I climb out of bed, take my pencil and pad [Habit #1] and jot down the beautiful things of God, the wonderful things of God, that He talks out in my spirit and reveals to my heart. [Habit #2, Habit #3]