(Romans 15:13 NASB) Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
This morning we continue our series entitled, “Re-Energizing Your Prayer Life,” by wrapping up our 10 Steps to Preparedness in Prayer. In our last message I gave you Step 9: Thank God for the answer in advance. Today we will close it out with Step 10: Don’t Stop Believing.
As I shared with you yesterday, the last two steps are not really about preparing for prayer, but rather about what to do after you have prayed. After having properly prepared yourself for prayer and after having prayed in faith (without any doubt), you should thank God for the answer in advance and when you walk away from your prayer session, you must remain in faith. What do I mean by that? I mean that you must remain expectant for the answer to your prayer. You have to keep your faith switch in the ON position, no matter how long it takes. Live in a continual state of communion with God and don’t allow anything to cause you to STOP believing that what you prayed for WILL come to pass.
The Lord, on more than one occasion, has convicted me to saying or doing something contrary to what I prayed. When I made my petition my faith level was high and the anointing on me was strong. However, we all have our lapses. It is difficult to keep our faith switch in the ON position 24 hours a day, but but difficult or not, it is what we must do. We simply cannot afford to allow anything to cause us to give up what we are believing God for. This is where we need “Joy and Peace in Believing” (Romans 15:13). If we maintain the excitement that comes from divine joy and the serenity that comes from divine peace, we will be able to hold on until we see the manifestation of our prayers.
I hope these steps have helped and will continue to help you as you re-energize your prayer life. Here is a recap of the 10 Steps to Preparedness in Prayer:
1. Separate yourself
2. Appropriate God’s grace
3. Remove all blessing-blockers
4. Put on righteousness
5. Put on truth and honesty
6. Wash yourself in the Word
7. Give thanks
8. Believe
9. Thank God for the answer in advance
10. Don’t stop believing
Closing Confession: Father, I Thank You for teaching me about prayer so that I can pray for effectively. I now know the importance of prayer and how to properly prepare for it. I declare, right now, by faith, that I will prepare for prayer on a regular basis. I will separate myself into a quiet place with You. I will appropriate Your grace as I confess all sin before You. I will remove all blessing-blockers (like fear, doubt, and unbelief). I will clothe myself in Your righteousness and remind myself of who You have made me to be. I will put on truth and honesty; coming to You naked, open, and not ashamed. I will cleanse myself with the Word; building my confidence in You and Your promises. I will worship and praise Your Holy Name. Creating an environment for You to dwell in. I will believe that everything I pray shall come to pass, because I pray in accordance with Your Word, Will, and Way. I will give You the Glory, by faith; praising You IN ADVANCE, for what You will do. And I will keep on believing, no matter how long it takes! I will remain IN Your presence, every second of every day. As I learn to prepare for prayer and pray in faith I know that my life will never be the same! In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper!
