[Matthew 26:36-40 KJV] “Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?“
One thing that the Lord finds appalling is a believer who cannot wait for an hour. In the garden of Gethsemane, the Lord was surprised that His disciples could not wait with Him for an hour. Our aspiration is to wish and desire that that we could wait at least for an hour. 60 minutes in the presence of the Lord must be fundamental.
Now there are techniques to pray for long and effectively without vain repetition:
Use prayer songs
When I first started I used songs to pray. I always inserted a 60 minutes tape and allowed it to play, while I pray along with the lyrics. I mainly used prayer songs, called them atmosphere creators.
Go for prayer walks
You can always use prayer walks, if it’s safe in your community. So you walk for an hour while praying. You greet no man nor respond to any greeting. Keep it purely prayer and meditation. The danger is the devil will send a person of the opposite sex to distract you. If you are not very disciplined person, you may fall for it and loose your prayer life.
Pray through scriptures
You can also pray through scriptures. You will have a list of scripture, you desire to see fulfilled in your life, then craft them as prayer topics and pray them.
Pray with a prayer list
The fourth technique is to have a prayer list, at least a list of twelve points you pray for 4 minutes each, interspersed with worship singing. This format works better for intercessory prayers. You make a list of the things you desire to see happen.
Pray with the Lord’s prayer
The fifth is to have a prayer patten; most workable is the Lord’s prayer. This pattern always work for devotional prayers. See Matthew 6:9-13
In all this you need a book and pen to journal ideas and prophecies; a clock or watch to keep time; and a Bible to read in waiting!
#1 Start with adoration and worship and singing
#2. Pray for kingdom advancement on earth. Pray for missions, missionaries, and the people in the field. Pray that the word of God would have it’s free course and be believed.
#3. Pause and worship. Minister to the Lord and listen to hear His voice directing you.
#4. Pray that the will of God will both be revealed and done in your life, family, church, community, city, and around the world.
#5. Pray for divine provision and providence. Pray for daily supply and food! Pray that God will supply all of your needs according to His riches in glory.
#6. Pause and minister to the Lord in songs and adoration.
#7. Pray that the Lord will forgive and cleanse you from all unrighteousness. Pray that any curses that have taken effective as a result of sin and poor choices shall be broken. Pray against any access the devil might have gained because of your sins and poor choices.
#8 Pray that the Lord will not lead you into temptation. Pray that the Lord shall deliver you from situations that could trap you. Pray for the leading of the Holy Spirit. Pray that the Lord will order your steps in safe places.
#9. Pause and minister to the Lord again. As you minister to the Lord, He will speak to you.
#10. Pray that the Lord Lord shall deliver you from evil. Wickedness is real but more real is the power of God to deliver. Pray that the Lord will deliver and protect you from the evil that hurts.
#11. Submit yourself into the Lord; acknowledge that all the power, the glory, and the honour belongs to God. Acknowledge that you need the power, the glory, and grace to make it. Pray for the release of grace and strength to continue.
#12. Finish by thanking God and worshipping till you feel His touch.
Praying in the Holy Spirit
“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
(See Romans 8:26 KJV)
stay blessed
