Prayer is one of the most intimate activities we can share with God. We are able to open our hearts and express our deepest longings and concerns with Him as our spirit connects and communes with heaven. During prayer we gain revelation and understanding as well as daily guidance and focus. Relationship with Jesus is built on a foundation of intimacy and relationship as we spend time with Him. We find in Matthew chapter six, Jesus instructing His disciples in what we know as The Lord's Prayer. Today, some choose special forms of prayer while others pray in their spirit language (Ephesians 6:18, 1st Corinthians 14:14). However you choose to pray to God, He knows where you are. He hears you and is with you.
In my early twenties I was greatly impacted by a Pastor named Dick Mills regarding prayer. He taught and shared with me some beautiful truths to pray and speak over myself and my family each day. This has become a part of my prayer time since then, as I meet and enter into conversation with Him. It has brought great peace, blessing and comfort to me, and I trust it will also encourage you.
I first name all my immediate family members as well as my Covenant Center family. I also remember and call out the name of others that come to my mind as I pray. I thank God for His blessings and goodness, as well as His remembrance of us all and His faithfulness.
Next, I declare His twelve redemptive names - all which describe Jesus as our Lord and Savior. There are over 300 other names for Jesus which you may like to add as you declare His nature.
Jehovah-Tisidkenu - The Lord our righteousness
Jehovah-Makaddish - The Lord our sancifier
Jehovah-Rohi - The Lord our shepherd
Jehovah-Nissi - The Lord our banner of love
Jehovah-Rapha - The Lord our healer
Jehovah-Jireh - The Lord our provider
Jehovah-Shammah - The Lord is present
Jehovah-Shalom - The Lord our peace
Jehovah-Sabaoth - The Lord of hosts
Jehovah-El-Yon - The Lord most high God
Jehovah-El Shaddai - The God who is more than enough
Jehovah-Baal-Perazim - The God of breakthroughs
Lastly, I pray and declare the entire armor of God over us piece by piece, as found in Ephesians 6:11-17. Each piece of armor describes a quality and characteristic of Jesus. When we put on the whole armor of God, as described in Romans 13:14, we are putting on Jesus.
I usually pray in the order they appear, but it's not necessary. We put on the Belt of Truth first. Jesus, you are the way, the truth and the life. Next we put on the Breastplate of Righteousness, for Jesus, you are our righteousness. We shod our feet with the Sandals of the Gospel of Peace, and we thank you Jesus that you are the Prince of Peace. We follow next with the Shield of Faith in order to quench the fiery darts of the wicked one, and I thank you Jesus that you are the author and finisher of our faith. We put on the Helmet of Salvation, for you Jesus are the Captain of our salvation. We take in our hands the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God and we proclaim Jesus, you are the Word, according to John 1:1. And We also claim Lord, two extra enhancements: that you would dress us with zeal and clothe us with humility.
Prayer is simply talking with God. I enjoy spending time with Him and find myself more focused and energized when I simply include the above in my conversations with Him. This usually takes me about ten minutes. It's a great start to each morning, bringing peace and reminding me to keep my eyes on Jesus. May you be blessed each day and enriched during your quiet time together as you grow in relationship and intimacy with Him.
In His love,
