Prayer is our greatest privilege – we have friendship with God

Paul prayed continuously

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

– Ephesians 6:18

7 Instructions on Prayer

Pray in the Spirit

At all times

With all kinds of prayers

About everything – requests

Always be ready – alert

Never give up

Pray for everyone

Develop Two Key Habits

Keep a running conversation with God

Like breathing – son’t think about it, just do it.

Like any habit – with practice you get better at it

Pray on every occasion, as the Spirit leads

Occasion – talk with God about anything, anywhere at any time

Leads – When you get an impression or idea – pray about it

If I don’t feel like praying, it means I’m not praying what I feel

Pray continually

– 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Schedule prayer times throughout the day

This has been common practice for 1000’s of years-

Jesus prayed at set times through the day – fixed hours for prayer

Daniel prayed 3 times a day

Roman cities had bells in the forum to help them keep time through the day

6:00am – 1st hour: Beginning of business for the day

9:00am – 3rd hour:

Noon – 6th hour: Lunch time

3:00pm – 9th hour: back to work

6:00pm – 12th hour: End of work

Christians used these bell times as prayer times throughout the day

Monks added bells in the monasteries to help them keep their times of prayer

Monks were the first to invent mechanical devices to ring the bells

Old Latin word for bell is CLOC – clocks were created as reminders to pray

Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous laws.

– Psalm 119:164

A Daily Schedule of Prayer – Built around the Lord’s Prayer

Get up with Gratitude

Not with grumbling, griping, groaning, growling or grunting!

Doctors: the healthiest human emotion is gratitude. APPRECIATION

– To get started, make a gratitude list & keep it by your bed! (SHOW)

– Make a Playlist of songs of thanks – & Wake up with Worship!

Start the day by focusing on the goodness of God

Bless God’s name at breakfast (Praise)

To bless means to honor, give respect, and to praise (ADORATION)

It’s the 2nd phrase of LP

Hallowed be your name

– In Psalms, God’s Name is praised about 80 times!

– What’s the big deal? Bible: Your name is your character

o I review God’s names & the promises they imply (few examples)

GOD SAYS “I AM…”

Abba I am Your Loving Father!

El Deah I’m your God who knows you & knows everything

Jehovah Rapha I’m your God who heals you!

El Shaddai I’m Almighty God – with all the power you need!

Jehovah Jirah I’m your Provider

Jehovah Shalom I’m your Peace

At midmorning remember what matters most (Dedication)

Is it easy to get distracted by busyness? Forget your priorities? lose your focus & miss the big perspective?

Your Kingdom come and your will be done

I align myself with God’s purpose and plans for my life

God has promised to help you with your work you do this!

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

– Matthew 6:33

List my needs at lunch (Petition)

You may be eating a sandwich and that can remind you of the 4th phrase

Give us this day our daily bread

Bread represents everything that you need to live

So what do I do? 2 things:

– I ask for ANYTHING I need.

– I ask for what other people need too. (Intercession) 
Note – Give us not give me

Sometimes, by noon, you’re already stressed out:

Ask for forgiveness in the afternoon (Confession)

Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who have sinned against us

LISTEN: there is no rational reason for carrying around guilt!

Just confess it!

Ask God to help you make wise decisions

And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one

I don’t know about you, but my worst temptations come in the evening

through the refrigerator and the TV. Maybe computer for you)

But God has given us a great promise:

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not le