Basic Instructions for Praying Together Course

Welcome to some basic instructions and helps for the class ‘Praying Together Course'. The course is designed as an online conducted with a lesson and provides opportunity of Peer to Peer contribution. The Teacher/Facilitator will be also commenting and asking individuals follow-up questions.

The following section is written to give some technical basics on the ‘Praying Together Course’—ie facts that will help when actually on Pray!Network.

Some of you have been regular users of facebook and other social networks. Pray!Network is a private social network, set up by Nav Press. NavPress in the past published a specialty magazine called Pray, which is no longer being published. Pray!Network has been a followup to their publication. The network started last spring and now has about 2500 members from all over the world, including some of the major prayer leaders in the United States. A Person has to be a member of Pray!Network to participate. That can be accomplished by contacting me at Prayer@Wheatlandministries.com. I will then follow the network procedures and see that you are extended an invitation to join. Generally, this takes only a few days, but at times may be a bit longer.

Where to find the course and how to participate:

Once you have been invited to join, you will be provided a link to www.Pray!Network.org or you can choose to go to it’s location the web location of Pray!Network. You will have to sign in, so a user name and a password are needed. Don't forget them.

The course is being offered in a group titled ‘Praying Together Course’. Near the top of the web page, just under what I will call the network title block, there is a menu bar. One of the words on that menu will have the word ‘groups’. Click on it. It will take you to the section where you can find all the groups in the network.

Once you get to the section containing the groups, look for the picture used for this group, the ‘Praying Together Course’. It has a light yellow background. There are three pages of groups currently on the network, so you may have to page through them to find it. Once you find it, click on it. The membership is open to all so you do not have to wait for approval to join the group. As the group leader and facilitator of the course, I encourage you to join.

When you start participating you will find the format contains a section that has discussion questions. This is where the class lessons will be presented. Then there is another section just below it to use for comments. Just type your comments to the reflection questions in the comment block and when finished, click reply. It is that easy.

Here is a diagram:

Discussion Question
Lesson Material just below and right after the Discussion Question
Then a section open for comments by those in the class.

Notes: Sorry—you will not hear me lecture on this course. I will present the lesson by posting it after identifying the lesson, providing a lesson in outline form and adding some reflective questions to think about after the lesson. – It should help you learn the material. I encourage obtaining the texts and reading the lessons. Taking time to read and study the lesson, and take time to comment on some of the reflective questions. This is designed to be a 'Peer-to Peer' course with comments and follow-up questios from the teacher/facilitator. There is much to be learned and gleamed that may help you in your personal time with the Lord and in praying with others.

Oh—another thing, don’t jump for glee, but there are no written papers due from the students in this course.

The course is ideal for leaders who are already teaching Sunday School and do not have time at church to take a class due to their activities. You can also take it at you own pace.

Initially, it is envisioned that a class will be presented each week for about 18 weeks. We make take a little more time between classes, if there is a lot of discussion on an area, allowing for time to allow the discussion to come to a reasonable end before moving on.

My role as a leader is, after having written the lesson material, is to be a facilitator and to help others discover for themselves, truths that are in God’s word concerning prayer. I will work to help us stay on course.

This class has been presented twice in a classroom, and now it is a challenge to present the class in this manner. I am looking forward to the Lord guiding the course. It is His course.

Remembering Christ's Birth at Christmas

To Remember Christ’s Birth,
It doesn’t matter which Day it is.
To Remember about the Angels who sang that day;
To Remember the purpose for which Christ came;
To Remember the Love Christ showed us,
Especially when He died for you and me.
To Remember how He rose again –Love conquering death.
To Remember He wants us to accept that Love and to believe in Him.
To Remember to show that Love to others-not just on Christmas day - but always.
That is what Christmas is about.

Today, Let us Celebrate Jesus’ birth with Carols
May we from our heart believe in Him.
May we from today forward -- show and share the Love
Jesus has for all of us.

An Encouragement to Pray for Our Veterans

Veterans have given of themselves to serve our country. Some were physically hurt during their tour of duty. Some were psychologically hurt in Vietnam by the actions in our country. There has been some healing here—but scars remain. Some have what is called Post Traumatic Syndrome. Some of our pastors are veterans—and that includes some of you and others are Veterans too. I too am a Veteran and share this request as a Veteran.

Why don’t we ask God to be close to all our Veterans and their families and to Bless them with a knowledge of His Word. That the Lord may be especially close to those who have survived battle and give them an understanding of His protection to them during the battles. Also, thank God for their service to this Nation. In Jesus’ Holy Name, AMEN!!!

May we through God’s help show the Love of Christ to all of our veterans – a love that lifts up Christ. Christ said that if He be lifted up He would draw all men to Himself!! John 12: 32 It was love that made Jesus go to the Cross and on the Cross was He was literally lifted up. When we show the Love of Christ to them -- What a way to reach them for Christ!

Precepts of Prayer

1. Foundation of prayer is based on God’s love. I John 4:8 says “God is love.” If God’s is love, then our prayers should be based on God’s love.

Why? The greatest two commandments are: To love the Lord our God and to love our neighbor as ourselves. Matt 22:38.

Prayer should reflect that love.

Let’s briefly look at this concept further. These two commandments are relational. God’s desire for us is that we operate in His love, which is His law is based on love- that love for others will bring kingdom action. ‘By this shall all men know you are my disciples if you have love one to another’ John 13:35. When we show that love, we are lifting up Jesus. Lifting up Jesus is lifting up God’s love. When Jesus is lifted up, a wonderful thing happens. He draws men to Himself. John 12:32 says ‘And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.’ That is a wonderful promise.

Because of the Love Christ showed to us on the Cross, that love has made a relationship with God possible and can help our prayers. Therefore, if we want to see of God’s love, then we must let God’s love must be a motivating factor behind each prayer we pray. When we do, prayer is an act of love which lifts up Christ, and we will se many people drawn to Christ.

2. Humility: Humility is an area that many of us often overlook, and it is one the Lord keeps reminding us about. Humility for many people might be compared to penance or contriteness. However, humility is much more, and penance and contriteness are only one part of humility. In addition, humility also includes confession, cleaning of issues, and learning to submit to Christ. Humility also includes building up, and serving. I would encourage studying the resource on humility at www.wheatlandministries.blogspot.com and also II Chronicles 7:14.

3. Forgiveness: In Matt 6:12, 14, & 15, and Mark 11:25 the Lord instructed us to forgive when we pray. Why? Unforgiveness is sin, and sin can block our prayers. If we want to see our prayers be effective, we must clear sin and forgive. Justification of our position is an excuse not to forgive. Christ said to forgive.

Note: To many people, forgiveness means letting people off the hook. This concept of forgiveness is not completely true. The Bible teaches that we reap what we sow (Hos 10:13). There are consequences to sin. Therefore I do not believe that forgiveness let’s us off the hook of consequences. If you smoke all your life and ask the Lord for forgiveness, He will forgive, but you may still develop lung cancer because the smoke was detrimental to you. The consequences are still there.

If forgiveness is not letting off the hook, then what is it? It is the releasing from the bondage of sin. Prov 5:22. The sin still occurred, but we choose not to bring it up again. That is what Christ did when He removes our sin (Transgressions) as far as the East is from the West. Ps 103:12,

There is another attitude I have seen which people have about forgiving. People often tell me that they equate forgiving with forgetting. When you forgive, you will not forget, but with true forgiveness there is a releasing from the bondage of the offense. Releasing from the bondage reduces the urge to bring up the past item that was forgiven. Fortunately there is a way that that urge can be further reduced if it keeps coming up. That way is to bless the other person personally, or in prayer. A good source of prayers that contain blessings are Paul’s prayers found in Eph 1 and 3. As you further study scriptures, look for blessings that can be prayed. Use them as appropriate and as the Lord leads you. They will help reduce the urge to bring up past issues. I have to admit, I do not understand how or why it works, but blessing others does work. You may find more about blessing others in RT Kendal’s book “Total Forgiveness”.

4. Praying continually: In I Thes 5:17 it says to pray continually. There are many ways that we can stay or be in a mindset or attitude of praying through out the day. What ever works that helps you remember to pray, needs to be encouraged. Above all ask the Lord to help you encourage to continually pray.

Prayer Elements

In addition to the precepts of prayer, prayer can be divided into three elements:

1. HEART - This is probably one of the most important prayer elements. When one prays, it helps to use heart language, not mind logic. God looks on the heart--I Sam 16:7. Praying from the heart is not easy, especially for men. Remember, when we pray for others, we also need to allow God to work on our own heart.

Heart praying also involves heart reverence to God, who has made us His sons, giving us a special relationship of Sonship with Him, because of the work of Jesus on the Cross.

2. PRAISE – The importance of praise in prayer is far greater than most of us have learned. All to often we are too timid to give praise. To overcome this timidness, we need to learn and apply the principle in Phil 4:6-8. “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” Praise and thanksgiving are important for our well being.

3. HEARING –Prayer is not always speaking. It also involves listening for God speaking to us, which is in a still small voice--I Kings 19:12. Listening to that still small voice may require us to be quiet—which is a difficult task for some of us. Also God speaks through His written word. As we listen to God speaking, a test to know if it is from the Lord is asking the following question: is what we are hearing in accordance with God’s word?

Hearing God’s voice allows Him to lead us. “To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice, and He calleth His own sheep by name, and leadeth them out, and when He putteth forth His own sheep, He goeth before them, and the sheep follow Him: for they know His Voice and a stranger will they not follow but will flee from him: for they do no know the voice of strangers”
--John 10:3-5.

To further understand what hearing means, let’s take time to look at a definition about hearing concerning hearing the Holy Spirit of God speaking to us.

It is—a knowing that occurs when our spirit picks up on something spoken by the Holy Spirit. This knowing is similar to an inner conviction about the right thing to do in a situation. It is the Holy Spirit speaking to our spirit, and it will be in accordance with God’s word. When we have an impression during prayer, it would be good to write it down in a journal. Journaling is and excellent way that can help us to hear and see more clearly what God may be saying to us. The Holy Spirit of God always speaks in accordance with the Word of God.

The more we know God’s word, it will help us hear His voice, and know His voice better. God’s word is the standard by which to judge what is being heard in prayer. We need to spend time in God’s word learning it.

When we are so busy that we don’t have time to spend in God’s word, then we also cut our communing time with the Lord that dulls our hearing. It is important to take time with the Lord, listen, and be still before Him. We often spend all our time talking and little time listening—Ps 4:4, Ps 46:10

Learning to Pray with God’s Love

Written by Lewis Turner
October 18, 2010

Key Scripture: Rom 5:5 “the Love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given to us."

The ability to show the Love of God, in our prayers, comes from the Holy Ghost of God which is given to us. Having the Holy Spirit of God, helps us in our quest to seek the Love of God, and let it guide our prayers. That quest also involves help from the Holy Spirit of God to grow in our Christian walk.

A question that has been asked: ‘How do we move and encourage people to seek God’s Love as the focus of our prayers?’ is not an easy question to answer, but in attempting to answer the question I will share one possible way. It comes from my journey which will involve sharing snapshots of my journey in prayer. I will then share keys from those experiences that may of help to others.

Starting with my Journey as an intercessor, time is taken to write thoughts and sometime prayers in a journal. An intercessor is one involved in much prayer. What journaling has done, has been to help me as I studied God’s Word. How has this happened? A journal provided a means to record items learned from Scripture, provided a means to help me to learn to listen to my heart, and to learn to listen to the Holy Spirit of God. It has also given me opportunity to see where I am, and where God has led me. The entries are like snapshot, and from those snap shots I have identified key points of periods of my life that I went through as I grew in the Lord.

Let’s look now at my prayer journey. When I first learned to pray, I prayed from my personal perception. I honestly did not realize that is what I was doing. The approach and focus of my prayers were what one might call ‘the way I see it approach’. I often did not even know what the scripture said on an issue, because I did not know God’s Word. I now know that approach was actually a hindrance to my prayers.

When I took time to study God’s Word regularly and learn it, I began to grow in my Christian life. As I started reading the Bible more, God sent people across my path who encouraged me to base my prayers on scripture. This started to change my focus of prayer to what God’s Word said, rather than “the way I see it approach”. Still I struggled with my own understanding of scripture when I prayed. As I searched for why this was happening, I found that the root problem was that the root was that my heart was still self-focused and the ‘way I see it approach’ kept popping up. Self-focus was also a hindrance to my prayers.

The real issue I faced underneath all of it was I had not really surrendered my heart to the Lord, to seek the Kingdom of God first. There came a point where I had to humble myself and make that commitment. Around this tender point in my life, God also used my wife to help me learn to listen to my heart and seek the heart of God. It is difficult for men to listen to our hearts, but with God, anything is possible. This was a major turning point in my life and I thank God for my wife’s encouragement. Learning to listen to the Lord took humbling myself and also involved surrender and commitment to the Lord. From that point on I have sought Him from my heart, and my walk with the Lord grew. My prayer life started to change and the way I prayed for others.

In time, the Lord taught me much about the prayer direction and focus that He wanted as I prayed for others. That focus was to pray in line with scripture and His Love. Again He provided people who encouraged me to keep moving forward. As I obeyed God, He drew me closer to Himself, and I sensed a desire in my heart to pray that His Love would be seen in others.

Where was this direction of God taking me? The Holy Spirit reminded me, that Love covers a lot of sin. The result was that I could no longer pray in ‘judgment’ or as ‘I saw it’. That manner of praying had to change. Praying in God’s Love does not mean that I overlook and sweep sin under the carpet. No! Praying in God’s Love for others means that God would draw them to Himself and to the cross of forgiveness. Christ said if I be lifted up, I will draw all men to myself. I sense very deeply that praying in God’s Love does lift up Christ Jesus. When I do, old things – old ways of praying have passed away in the way I used to pray in my prayers. That was and is a major change for me in my intercession. I still have much to learn about the Love of God. Now I can say that my prayer focus, of God’s Love to be seen in others, is because of the work of God’s Love in my heart.

In this process there were 5 keys that made a difference in my prayer life. They were:

• To regularly read and learn the Word of God Ps 119:11 --Journal what you learn. It will help you listen to your heart and the Holy Spirit of God and to grow in your relationship with Jesus..
• To seek the Kingdom of God first with my heart Matt 6:33
• To draw near to God James 4:8
• To allow God to change my heart’s prayer focus Ez 36:26
• To learn to listen to my heart and seek the Heart of God

The process of growing in prayer also required humility on my part. God also provided people to help and encourage me to work through of the above points. The growth process does not stop, and I fail at times, but I do not give up. I am still learning about God’s Love and growing in my relationship with God.

If others learn to truly listen to God working in their heart, follow the keys above - out of a heart desire to get to know the Love of God, the Lord will do a wonderful work in their heart and their prayers will come to reflect that Love.

My challenge to intercessors is to take time to learn God’s word. Listen to Him, and seek the Lord with your whole heart. Write down what you sense God is showing you. Allow His Love and His Word to guide you and your prayers of intercession.

©2010 Lewis Turner

The Heart of an Intercessor

Listen for the heart of an Intercessor.
...
It beats with anticipation;
It is troubled in conflict;
It needs nourishment to keep beating;
….When there is none it grows weak.
It has walked alone – for so long;
It is lonely and forgotten;
….It grows weak.
It seeks God’s Wisdom;
It hungers for God’s Love;
It wants hearts to open for God to cleanse them;
It wants only God’s Best;
It only wants to see God’s Perfect Love.


...
Written by Lewis Turner
©2010 Lewis Turner