24-Hour Prayer Chain
Our HOURLY PRAYER CHAIN begins from 12 midnight every first Friday of the month.
Prayer is vital if a church wants to see revival, and that is our earnest prayer, that God revive us. What is revival? “Re”….again; “viva”….life. Or to bring something to life again. Revival starts in the individual and then spreads to a church or community. So for our monthly Friday prayer we will this year be focusing on first getting our own hearts and lives in order, on allowing the Holy Spirit to speak to us, to change us, to challenge us, to revive us so we can be an instrument in God's hands to bring revival.
Our focus will be on 2 Chronicles 7:14.
MAY. "and pray."
2 Chronicles 7:14 NLT
Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.
God is very specific here. Not only are we to humble ourselves before God, but the second thing He requires is that we pray.
What is prayer?
Prayer is talking to God, and we are encouraged to “pray without ceasing.”
HOW DO WE PRAY?
Any Purpose.
thanksgiving, praise, adoration, petition.
Any Posture.
sitting, standing, lying in bed, kneeling, prostrate (stretched out face down on the floor).
Any vocal expression
loud, soft, singing, crying, laughing
Any physical expression
dancing, eyes opened, eyes closed, hands folded or clasped, hands upraised holding hands with others, laying on of hands.
Any place.
privately and individually, corporately in the presence of fellow believers…. at home, at church, while shopping, driving, at the doctors and the dentist!!.
Any time.
Morning, noon, night.
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This is an old song, which I am sure will bless you. Listen to it now. Make it your prayer.
A few thoughts on prayer.
In the Psalms, David used 4 words in his prayers to God.
Hear, Incline, listen, attend.
1. Hear.... perceive with the ear a sound made.
Psalm 5:3 KJV. My voice shalt thou hear[3] in the morning, O Lord ; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.
Picture God in heaven on his throne...Jesus beside him.....They hear a sound.
One of their children is calling. God hears! In the midst of many, many voices, I am confident that He hears MY voice, not just a voice. He knows who is calling… He knows my name!! He knows (“Susan Black”)….put your own name in here.
2. Incline..... a slope; be favourably disposed towards or willing to do something for someone.
Psalm 88:2 KJV. Let my prayer come before you: incline[4] your ear unto my cry;
He inclines his ear, He bends (slopes) His head so he can hear me, as a father would to a child. He is on my level.
He loves me and wants to help..he is favourably disposed to me.
3. Listen......to give one's attention to a sound.
Psalm 61:1 NLT. O God, listen[5] to my cry!
God, this is serious, I need you to listen intently. I'm in a very hard situation.....the pain is too much....God listen to my cry.
There may be thousands praying at that moment, but he hears me and if he hears me he will listen to my prayer.
He listens to me voice my pain, my heartache, my trouble, my joy and my thanks.
4. Attend.....to be present[6] at an event, meeting, or function.
Psalm 61:1-3 KJV. Hear my cry, O God; attend[7] unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.
David was often surrounded by enemies. He knew God was the only one who could rescue him. He wanted God to show up, to be with him in his trouble.
Lord, an answer is
needed here. I can't do anything! I'm in miracle country. Nothing is too hard for you Lord.
And God has promised to be there ....in person. He will deal with the problem. We can put the matter in his hands, He will attend to it.
Are you struggling today? Do you feel the pressure of circumstances? Do you need deliverance from your enemies - enemies of sickness, discouragement, fear?? Then cry out to your Father. He hears your voice. He will respond.
We often come with all our requests and don't wait for His response to us. His word to us is, “Be still and know that I am God.” It's in the stillness that we can hear the quiet whisper of His voice, the voice that speaks peace to our restless heart, and as our mind is stilled we sense His direction, His encouragement to us.
So right now still your mind and heart and receive all you need from your Father.
Pray and Worship as you listen.