How To Pray
Dick Eastman is the International President of Every Home for Christ, headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado. With his book, The Hour that Changes the World, he has developed a practical way for ministers and laypeople to pray for an hour a day with amazing results. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to revolutionize their church, community, and world! Dick has graciously allowed me to include some of his practical prayer helps for you in this book. Below you will find a couple of articles Dick has written that include the basic format adapted from The Hour that Changes the World.
Practical Prayer
How to Spend An Hour That Can Change Your WorldBrother Lawrence, the 16th-century French monk whose life goal was to “practice the presence of God,” said succinctly. “There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet and delightful than that of a continual conversation with God. Those only can comprehend it who practice and experience it.”
Brother Lawrence’s observation suggests that the best way to effectively experience prayer is to practice it continually. My observation is that the best way to practice prayer continually is to make it practical!
Practical prayer cannot happen without the practice of prayer, and practice of prayer is something that must be developed. Andrew Murray wrote, “There can be no converse with a holy God, no fellowship between heaven and earth, no power for the salvation of the souls of others, unless much time is set apart for it.”
Years ago, a single verse of Scripture powerfully prompted me to pursue the practice of daily prayer—and resulted in what I offer here as well as in my book, The Hour that Changes the World.
In Ephesians 6:18, we read, “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints” (KJV).
A Practical Plan for an Hour of PowerHow can we design a practical prayer experience? Based on Paul’s challenge in Ephesians 6:18, let’s consider twelve biblical steps for practical prayer. To spend just five minutes in each step will help you spend an hour in prayer.
Step One: PraiseThe first thing Christ taught His disciples in His model prayer (Matthew 6:9–13, NIV) was praise. “This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.’” Simply stated, praise is the act of recognizing divinity, acknowledging God for who He is. Applied in prayer, it is to verbalize God’s nature (see Psalm 50:23).
Step Two: WaitingWaiting might be defined as the act of soul surrender (see Psalms 52:9; 62:1). It is a time of intimate adoration of our Lord. It is to love God silently during prayer.
Step Three: ConfessionConfession is the act of declared admission. In both the Old and New Testaments, the word “confess” means “to agree with.” Confession is humbly to agree with God when confronted with or convicted of issues of sin. Admit the failure (Psalm 139:23,24; 1 John 1:9).
Step Four: Scripture ReadingCharles Spurgeon preached, “Every promise of Scripture is a writing of God, which may be pleaded before Him with this reasonable request. ‘Do as thou hast said!’” I call Scripture praying “the act of faith appropriation.” Simply applied, it is to employ God’s Word—which appropriates faith—during prayer (Jeremiah 23:29; Romans 10:17).
Step Five: WatchingWatching is the act of mental awareness. Watchman Nee wrote, “We must not only be watchful in keeping the time of prayer, but also be watchful during the time of prayer so that we may really pray.” Thus, to watch in prayer is to develop holy alertness (Matthew 26:41; Colossians 4:2).
Step Six: IntercessionIntercession is the act of compassionate involvement. It is to step into someone else’s battle through prayer and contend for them (Romans 15:30; 1 Timothy 2:1,2). E. M. Bounds wrote, “Prayer must be broad in its scope—it must plead for others. Intercession . . . is the hallmark of all true prayer.”
Step Seven: PetitionPetition means personal supplication. Charles Spurgeon said, “Whether we like it or not, asking is the rule of the kingdom.” Simply stated, it’s to pray personal needs (Matthew 7:7–11).
Step Eight: ThanksgivingThanksgiving simply means to express appreciation. In prayer it is the way we confess our personal blessings (Psalm 116:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:18). “Thanksgiving will draw our hearts out to God and keep us engaged with Him,” said Andrew Murray. “It will take our attention from ourselves and give the Spirit room to move in our hearts.”
Step Nine: SingingSinging is the act of melodic worship. Martin Luther said, “The gift of language combined with the gift of song is given to man that he should proclaim the World of God through music.” During prayer, worship Him in song. Sing praises, hymns, choruses, Scriptures, or even “new songs” as the Psalmist described (Psalm 144:9; Ephesians 5:19).
Step Ten: MeditationMeditation is the act of spiritual evaluation (Joshua 1:8; Psalm 119:15). In prayer, it’s an occasion to ponder spiritual themes, search God’s heart, or probe deeply into the Word.
Step Eleven: ListeningListening might be described as the act of mental absorption. Fenelon wrote, “O how rare it is to find a soul quiet enough to hear God speak” (see Ecclesiastes 5:1,2). In prayer, listening enables us to receive daily instruction from God.
Step Twelve: PraiseWe end at the beginning—with more praise! Remember the Lord’s Prayer? It begins with “Our Father” and ends with “for thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory.” We might call this concluding time of praise the act of divine magnification. Obviously, as A. W. Tozer wisely suggests, there’s no way we can make God bigger; but we can certainly see Him bigger. That’s what praise is all about. So end prayer by verbalizing God’s glory again—with a final burst of joy!
A final interesting thought: One hour daily for 12 months is 365 hours, or 45 eight-hour working days. That’s equivalent to spending a month-and-a-half of eight-hour days over the course of a year ”practicing” prayer. I’d say that’s a pretty good way to make prayer practical.
Dick Eastman is the International President of Every Home for Christ, headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado. With his book, The Hour that Changes the World, he has developed a practical way for ministers and laypeople to pray for an hour a day with amazing results. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to revolutionize their church, community, and world! Dick has graciously allowed me to include some of his practical prayer helps for you in this book. Below you will find a couple of articles Dick has written that include the basic format adapted from The Hour that Changes the World.
Practical Prayer
How to Spend An Hour That Can Change Your WorldBrother Lawrence, the 16th-century French monk whose life goal was to “practice the presence of God,” said succinctly. “There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet and delightful than that of a continual conversation with God. Those only can comprehend it who practice and experience it.”
Brother Lawrence’s observation suggests that the best way to effectively experience prayer is to practice it continually. My observation is that the best way to practice prayer continually is to make it practical!
Practical prayer cannot happen without the practice of prayer, and practice of prayer is something that must be developed. Andrew Murray wrote, “There can be no converse with a holy God, no fellowship between heaven and earth, no power for the salvation of the souls of others, unless much time is set apart for it.”
Years ago, a single verse of Scripture powerfully prompted me to pursue the practice of daily prayer—and resulted in what I offer here as well as in my book, The Hour that Changes the World.
In Ephesians 6:18, we read, “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints” (KJV).
A Practical Plan for an Hour of PowerHow can we design a practical prayer experience? Based on Paul’s challenge in Ephesians 6:18, let’s consider twelve biblical steps for practical prayer. To spend just five minutes in each step will help you spend an hour in prayer.
Step One: PraiseThe first thing Christ taught His disciples in His model prayer (Matthew 6:9–13, NIV) was praise. “This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.’” Simply stated, praise is the act of recognizing divinity, acknowledging God for who He is. Applied in prayer, it is to verbalize God’s nature (see Psalm 50:23).
Step Two: WaitingWaiting might be defined as the act of soul surrender (see Psalms 52:9; 62:1). It is a time of intimate adoration of our Lord. It is to love God silently during prayer.
Step Three: ConfessionConfession is the act of declared admission. In both the Old and New Testaments, the word “confess” means “to agree with.” Confession is humbly to agree with God when confronted with or convicted of issues of sin. Admit the failure (Psalm 139:23,24; 1 John 1:9).
Step Four: Scripture ReadingCharles Spurgeon preached, “Every promise of Scripture is a writing of God, which may be pleaded before Him with this reasonable request. ‘Do as thou hast said!’” I call Scripture praying “the act of faith appropriation.” Simply applied, it is to employ God’s Word—which appropriates faith—during prayer (Jeremiah 23:29; Romans 10:17).
Step Five: WatchingWatching is the act of mental awareness. Watchman Nee wrote, “We must not only be watchful in keeping the time of prayer, but also be watchful during the time of prayer so that we may really pray.” Thus, to watch in prayer is to develop holy alertness (Matthew 26:41; Colossians 4:2).
Step Six: IntercessionIntercession is the act of compassionate involvement. It is to step into someone else’s battle through prayer and contend for them (Romans 15:30; 1 Timothy 2:1,2). E. M. Bounds wrote, “Prayer must be broad in its scope—it must plead for others. Intercession . . . is the hallmark of all true prayer.”
Step Seven: PetitionPetition means personal supplication. Charles Spurgeon said, “Whether we like it or not, asking is the rule of the kingdom.” Simply stated, it’s to pray personal needs (Matthew 7:7–11).
Step Eight: ThanksgivingThanksgiving simply means to express appreciation. In prayer it is the way we confess our personal blessings (Psalm 116:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:18). “Thanksgiving will draw our hearts out to God and keep us engaged with Him,” said Andrew Murray. “It will take our attention from ourselves and give the Spirit room to move in our hearts.”
Step Nine: SingingSinging is the act of melodic worship. Martin Luther said, “The gift of language combined with the gift of song is given to man that he should proclaim the World of God through music.” During prayer, worship Him in song. Sing praises, hymns, choruses, Scriptures, or even “new songs” as the Psalmist described (Psalm 144:9; Ephesians 5:19).
Step Ten: MeditationMeditation is the act of spiritual evaluation (Joshua 1:8; Psalm 119:15). In prayer, it’s an occasion to ponder spiritual themes, search God’s heart, or probe deeply into the Word.
Step Eleven: ListeningListening might be described as the act of mental absorption. Fenelon wrote, “O how rare it is to find a soul quiet enough to hear God speak” (see Ecclesiastes 5:1,2). In prayer, listening enables us to receive daily instruction from God.
Step Twelve: PraiseWe end at the beginning—with more praise! Remember the Lord’s Prayer? It begins with “Our Father” and ends with “for thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory.” We might call this concluding time of praise the act of divine magnification. Obviously, as A. W. Tozer wisely suggests, there’s no way we can make God bigger; but we can certainly see Him bigger. That’s what praise is all about. So end prayer by verbalizing God’s glory again—with a final burst of joy!
A final interesting thought: One hour daily for 12 months is 365 hours, or 45 eight-hour working days. That’s equivalent to spending a month-and-a-half of eight-hour days over the course of a year ”practicing” prayer. I’d say that’s a pretty good way to make prayer practical.