Each time before you intercede,
be quiet first and worship God in his glory.
Think of what he can do
And how he delights to hear the prayers
of his redeemed people.
Think of your place and privilege in Christ
and expect great things!
We can EXPECT great things? That news gets my heart beating a little faster. How about you?
I also find Reverend Murray’s affirmations raising important questions–questions like:
How do I quiet myself?
My thoughts can jump from one thing to another until they’re on another continent from the subject of my prayer. What’s a scatterbrain like me to do?
I researched solutions for that problem a couple of years ago, and six suggestions became a blog post, “The Drift into Distractions.”
Since then I’ve encountered two more ways to still my mind:
1. One, shut the door.
Sounds a bit silly, I know. But that simple action can alter my mindset, reminding me that unimportant concerns and the ever-present to-do list can wait until later—outside the door.
2. Two, breathe a breath prayer.
With a slow, deep inhale I might whisper, “My hope is in You, God.” On the exhale I can conclude with, “I am trusting you.”
A few repetitions help focus my mind on the Almighty One to whom I pray and the anticipation of serious, life-changing intercession.
How do I “worship God in his glory?”
First I need to understand that God’s glory includes all his splendorous attributes: his creativity and power, goodness and mercy, wisdom and love and more. Taking a moment to remember who my God is, prepares my heart to pray with confidence.
One such prayer might be:
O Lord, the magnificence of your Personhood renders me speechless with wonder. You are all-knowing, all-wise, and all-powerful.
You perfectly attend to the immense totality of your creation, and with compassionate love you care for your children.
“Your splendor is above the earth and heavens” (Psalm 148:13b)!
Why is it beneficial to think about what God can do?
Reviewing God’s miracles and wonderful works of the past is like a warm-up before working out. It prepares our faith muscles to pray with conviction and endurance.
Does God really delight to hear our prayers?
Oh, yes!
“The Lord…delights in the prayers of his people” (Proverbs 15:8b NLT). Can’t get much clearer than that.
Why should I consider “my place and privilege in Christ” before praying?
First, I am in Christ because I accepted his offer to pay for all my wrong thoughts, attitudes and actions—a supreme, sacrificial payment he made on the cross. God the Father made that exchange possible so I might have the gift of eternal life with him in heaven.
Second, Jesus’ painful sacrifice also provided a place and privilege in God’s family, with access to his presence anytime, anywhere. (Ephesians 3:12).
Prayer is a precious privilege; I’d be foolish to ignore it.
* * * * * * * * * *
Thank you, Lord Jesus my Advocate. Because of you I can approach our Father, the King of the universe, and receive his mercy and grace to help in my time of need and that of others.
I praise you for all your scripture promises assuring us that high expectations in you are not misplaced.
Help me to wait in patient confidence upon you, the only One who can accomplish great things—even above our expectations.
(Hebrews 4:16; I John 5:14-15; Ephesians 3:20)
(Art & photo credits: http://www.rawpixel.com; http://www.pxhere.com; http://www.heartlight.org; http://www.scripture-images.com; http://www.dailyverses.net.)
What helps you expect great things as you pray? Please share your thoughts in the comment section below!
From the Inside Out 
This came at a perfect time when, as you know, I have so much on my mind. Following your advice, I will close the door to outside concerns and be in communion with our God.
Praise God you found encouragement in this post at just the right time. May his peace will fill your heart and mind, Grace! Many are praying…
Nancy, what arrests me most today is “First close the door.” It speaks to the kid in me, and I imagine chalking a magic circle around myself, encapsulating my whole being in the priceless time at hand. So easy to assume openness is optimal when, in reality, a simple boundary like a door gently closed is often just the act of consecration, or setting apart, that is needed. Thank you!
Beautiful imagery, Laurie. Thank you for adding your helpful (as always) insights–like a chalk circle delineating and consecrating a time set apart for prayer. Love that!
I really loved this post, Nancy.
Thank you, Nicole. Praise God he used this post to touch your heart.
Nancy, I just discovered your blog this morning as I was looking for the Edwin Markham poem about “Defeat letting the glory out” and as I googled those words it brought up your post of this poem. I am so grateful to have discovered your thoughts on prayer! What an inspired and beautiful instrument you are to our Lord. Thank you for being such a force for good in a darkening world. God bless you in your endeavors for good!
Thank you, Heather, for your kind words. Praise God you’ve found inspiration here; I greatly appreciate your encouragement. I’m also delighted you found this post on prayer to be meaningful to you.
Hi Nancy,
I think I expect great things because the Lord wants it, too. He knows the times we are in and what encouragement we need for whatever we face on the road of faith. So many verses in the Bible come to life when you get an enemy, face depression, worry, etc. These are His road signs that let you know you are on the right path.
Thanks,
Gary
Good point, Gary: God WANTS to bless us with great things–not necessarily with earthly goods, but with his strength, peace, joy, contentment, and more. Such gifts DO help us greatly through the troubles we face. Best of all, we experience HIM with heightened awareness. Thank you, Gary, for your thoughtful insights!
Great word Nancy. I have been studying the gospel of John in particular the 10th chapter. It identifies Jesus’ identity in His Father, which gave Him the authority and the pleasure of saying of He says and doing what He does. Since Jesus went to the Father and then made His home in us He tells us how we can intercede and even how to pray because we are in Him…by faith. I just love it when He leads me and reveals Himself and even identifies Himself in me as I do in Him. What a great God we serve.
Amen, Stephen. God is incredibly gracious to lead us, reveal Himself to us, identify Himself through us, include us in what He does through the power of prayer, and MORE. How amazing is all that?! Thank you for stopping by and adding your uplifting comments, Stephen!
Nancy, thanks for being faithful in writing these blogs. Your following section jumped out on me.
(First, I am in Christ because I accepted his offer to pay for all my wrong thoughts, attitudes and actions—a supreme, sacrificial payment he made on the cross. God the Father made that exchange possible so I might have the gift of eternal life with him in heaven.
Second, Jesus’ painful sacrifice also provided a place and privilege in God’s family, with access to his presence anytime, anywhere. (Ephesians 3:12).
Prayer is a precious privilege; I’d be foolish to ignore it.)
I had pretty strong convictions of right and wrong but struggle with thoughts and attitudes… thanks for reminding us that he saved us from that as well.
Sam
Thank you, Samuel for the encouragement. I think we can stand on the promise of 1 John 1:9 for assurance that God even forgives wrong thoughts and attitudes. At the end of that verse John says Jesus will purify us from ALL unrighteousness (emphasis added). Such glorious, freeing truth, isn’t it!
Nancy, I loved this, especially your #1 “close the door.” I have to do the same thing when I really want some alone time–it helps me think and listen better to the Holy Spirit.
The breath prayer….now there’s something I’ll have to remember (I just inhaled and exhaled while I was typing that.)
Your words are always such an encouragement.
And Andrew Murray? None better….
Thank you, Jody. It makes me happy to know you find encouragement here. As always I have to praise God for his inspiration!
Nancy, this part stood out: ‘Reviewing God’s miracles and wonderful works of the past is like a warm-up before working out. It prepares our faith muscles to pray with conviction and endurance.’ Perfect!
Thank you, Cheri. Once again I have to give God the credit, the Creator of every worthy thought!
We are always in a hurry and never stop to breath and be still with the Lord. A lady in my caregiver support group have me a wood small sign that reads Breath. I put it out at every meeting for a reminder. Thanks for your blog. Hugs and blessings.
Hi Laura! What a great idea to have a visual reminder to just BREATHE! Good for our bodies, minds, AND souls. Thank you for stopping by, dear-friend-from-afar!
Reblogged this on Praying for the millennials.
Thank you very much for the reblog; I’m honored you found this post worthy to share with your readers.