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TWENTY MINUTES WITH GOD 1. Make an appointment with God at a specific, regular time - each day in a specific place (without Interruption) 2. Don't break the appointment HOW TO PRAY PRAISE & WORSHIP 3-5 min. Begin your time together with God by worshiping and praising God. Tell Him how you feel about Him. Sing praise & worship songs to Him. If you don't want to sing, listen to praise & worship tapes. Read praise & worship Scripture to Him. Suggestions: Psalm 5, 9, 18, 23, 25, 135,138, 139,144, 145, 147, 148,149,150. Make the scriptures you pray personal. Eg. Lord, "You are my shepherd" "Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord for He is good; His love endures forever." Psalm 106:1 CONFESSION 5-7 min. Spend time agreeing with God about things you've done that are wrong (Sin) and ask his forgiveness. If you aren't sure they're wrong, ask God to show you from His Word. "If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1John 1:9). THANKSGIVING 3-5 min. Spend time thanking God for who He is and what He has done for you and for others. Keep a prayer diary and record prayers that are answered. Be specific when thanking God and remember also to thank Him for things like: good health, food, clothing, family, friends, His creation, Jesus, His love, etc., etc. "In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God for you, in Christ Jesus." (1 Thess: 5:18) INTERCESSION 3-5 min. Spend time praying for others: Friends, family, people who are sick, unsaved friends, countries or other parts of the world, etc. Pray specifically - keep these requests in your prayer diary. Break up the week, Monday - pray for your family, Tuesday - pray for friends, etc. Record when God answers - it will give you ammunition for thanking God. "Then the king said to the man of God, 'Intercede with the Lord your God and pray for me that my hand will be restored, ' so the man of God interceded with the Lord, and the King's hand was restored and became as it was before." (1Kings 13:6) SUPPLICATION 3-5 min. Now, talk to God about your own needs, desires, fears, etc. Again, be specific and also record these requests in your Diary. Be honest with God and tell Him how you are really feeling. Close by telling God that you love Him. "Until now you have asked for nothing in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete." (John 16:24) TOTAL 17-27 min. Please note The indicated times are suggestions only - with a little practice these times can easily increase. As you can see, you can easily spend meaningful minutes with God, assuming you want to. Putting these simple suggestions into practice, however, can dramatically change your prayer time and therefore your life. HINT: Do all of the above, OUT LOUD. |
