Dear Radiant Church, Some may ask why Radiant begins each spring and fall semester with a call to spend an appointed period of time in prayer. Our response is that we take Jesus’ words seriously. John 15:6 states: “For apart from Me, you can do nothing.” We realize that as the church, we are God’s people. We will fail if we seek to do anything apart from Jesus. Therefore, we start our spring and fall semesters by showing our commitment to this principle in a practical way. This journal will provide useful tips on how to pray. We have found that many people have never been taught how to pray! When the disciples were alone with Jesus, they didn’t ask Him to teach them how to cast out demons, or how to heal the sick. Instead, they asked Him to teach them how to pray (Luke 11:1-4). These pages will offer practical ways to engage with our Heavenly Father in prayer. As you embark on this journey, we encourage you to see this as a relational time with your Heavenly Father, rather than a duty. He is deeply in love with you. He sent Jesus so you can become His child. He wants to hear from you, speak to you, and pour His love on you. Expect these upcoming days to be great, because God is great! Pastor Aaron Burke

How to Spend Time with God Some feel that spending time alone with God in prayer can be awkward. Before we get into the specifics of how to pray, let’s look at a few basic principles learned from the life of Jesus. These will help to cultivate a fruitful time of prayer. “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where He prayed.” (Mark 1:35) Set a Specific Time

Jesus got up very early in the morning to spend time with His Heavenly Father. In order for prayer to be effective we should follow this example. Make a daily appointment with God and keep it.

Find a Particular Place

Jesus had a place to pray. Your prayer space needs to be an undistracted environment where you can pray out loud. Some people like to sit; others kneel or stand; still others like to walk while praying. Find a place where you can spend time alone with God in a way that’s natural for you.

Follow a Clear Plan

Our minds can easily wander in prayer. Having a clear plan can help focus our minds on Jesus and minimize distractions. You have the freedom to change the plan as the Holy Spirit leads. We do not want to become slaves to a ritual. This journal offers a few ways to help enhance your prayers.

24 Minutes of Prayer The Scriptures encourage us to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17). Practically, we cannot walk around with our heads down in prayer, but we can have a continuous attitude of prayer. Therefore, we encourage you to set aside 24 minutes daily for focused prayer. This symbolically represents the desire to have an attitude of prayer 24/7. Using the acronym A.C.T.S. will be helpful during your 24 minutes of prayer. Begin by spending 6 minutes on each topic. You can spend more time, but we encourage you to stay consistent for the first week. Let the 6 minutes develop your prayer muscles. Once the consistency is set, the length can be varied according to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Adoration (6 minutes)

Jesus calls us to worship the Lord God with all our soul, mind, heart, and strength (Mark 12:30). This is your time to pour out your love for God. Sing praises to Him (if you desire, use music to help). Raise your hands, kneel, bow down, each as expressions of your love. Engage your heart, body, and mind during this time.

Confession (6 minutes)

Ask the Lord to search your heart for areas where you need to claim Christ’s forgiveness. You may have spots where you know you have not followed God’s path. Confess that you believe in His forgiveness. State your desire to turn from these ways and follow God’s good path for your life. Confession also entails claiming your belief in the promises of God. Use the section “Scriptural Confession” to acknowledge the truth of God’s Word. Profess these truths over troubled areas in your life. Declare the promises of God.

Thanksgiving (6 minutes) To combat the negative influences of the devil and this world, speak thankfulness to the Lord for all the good in our lives. Spend time thanking Him for family, friends, food, forgiveness, and all the many blessings in your life. Verbally commit to an attitude of gratitude.

Supplication (6 minutes) Supplication is defined as “the action of earnestly asking for something.” During this time seriously share the desires of your heart. Stand in the gap for lost family and friends; seek favor over your health, finances, and career. Even though the Lord knows what you need, He tells us to ask in Jesus’ Name, showing trust and dependence on Him.

The Lord’s Prayer

This model of prayer by The Church of the Highlands is another guide to help focus prayer. One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When He finished, one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray...” (Luke 11:1). “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one, for Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever” (Matthew 6:9-13).

“Our Father in heaven...”

Connect with God Relationally

You have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when He adopted you as His own children. Now we call Him, “Abba, Father” (Romans 8:15 NLT).

God loves for us to call Him our Father. Establish your intimate relationship with Him and thank Him for the relationship you have with Him.

“...Hallowed be Your Name…”

Worship His Name

God’s name is a place of protection—the righteous can run there and be safe (Proverbs 18:10 MSG).

His Names: Righteousness – He makes me clean, Sanctifier – He has called me and set me apart, Healer – He heals all my diseases, Banner of Victory – He has defeated my enemy, Shepherd – He speaks to me and leads me, Peace – He is my peace in every storm Provider – He supplies all of my needs.

“...Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven...”

Pray His Agenda First

He will always give you all you need from day to day if you will make the Kingdom of God your primary concern (Luke 12:31 TLB).

God’s priorities: ● Saving the Lost ● Guiding those in authority – parental, spiritual,

governmental, workplace ● His will in us

“...Give us this day our daily bread...”

Depend on Him for Everything

I look up to the mountains—does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth! (Psalm 121:1-2 NLT).

Ask God for what you want and need and then trust Him for the answer.

“...Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors...”

Get Your Heart Right with God and People

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). Ask God to check your heart and motives. Receive His forgiveness for any area that He brings to mind. Forgive anyone who has offended you in any way. You can even forgive people in advance.

“...And do not lead us into temptation but deliver us from the evil one...”

Engage in Spiritual Warfare

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:12).

Take your stand against the enemy and fight the good fight of faith. Every lie that the enemy has told you should be replaced with the truth of God’s Word.

“...For yours is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory forever.”

Express Faith in God’s Ability

“Ah, Sovereign LORD, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for You” (Jeremiah 32:17).

End your prayer time by reminding yourself of God’s ability. Return to praise and make your faith declarations.

“Yours is the Kingdom” – All rule belongs to You!

“Yours is the Power” – All mightiness flows from You!

“Yours is the Glory” – Your victory shall be complete!

Prayer Targets I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the Truth. (1 Timothy 2:1-4) Pray for those in authority and those under your authority:

My Government

The President

National leaders

State leaders

City leaders

My Family

My Spouse

My Children

My Parents

My Siblings My Extended Family

My Church My Pastor Small Group Leaders Small Group Members

My Life My Employer My Employees My Co-Workers My Teachers and Instructors Those I Influence My Close Friends

My Needs

My Prayer Requests

Those Who Need God Pray that the Father would draw them to Jesus.

No one can come to Me unless the Father Who sent Me draws him (John 6:44).

Bind the spirit that blinds their minds.

The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel in the glory of Christ, Who is the image of God (2 Corinthians 4:4).

Loose the Spirit of adoption (Sonship).

For you did not receive a Spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of Sonship. And by Him we cry, “Abba, Father” (Romans 8:15). Pray that other believers will cross their paths and enter into positive relationships with them.

Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field (Matthew 9:38).

Loose the Spirit of wisdom and revelation on them so they may know God Better.

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better (Ephesians 1:17).

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