How to Spend an Hour in Prayer

How to Spend an Hour in Prayer

"How can anyone possibly pray an entire hour?" Here's how to structure an hour in prayer with twelve scripturally based aspects. Conveniently, each hour can be divided into twelve five-minute "points of focus," allowing specific time for each of these vital areas. Of course, some of these aspects may require only a minute, whereas others – such as intercessory prayer for the world – will require far more than a mere five minutes. -Dick Eastman

1. Praise. Psalm 63:3; Hebrews 12:15; Matthew 6:9b

All prayer should begin with a recognition of God's nature. The Lord's Prayer - our model for all praying ­begins with "Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name." Praise is that aspect of prayer which vocally esteems God for his virtues and his accomplishments.

2. Waiting. Psalm 37:7; Isaiah 40:31; Lam. 3:25

Not only should we begin it with praise, but time also should be given to being "quiet" in God's presence. This is not meditation or just a time for listening; it is simply taking time to let God love you.

3. Confession. Psalm 139:23-24; 51:10; John 1:9

The psalmist asked God to search his heart for unconfessed sin. He knew sin was one of the greatest roadblocks to answered prayer. Early in prayer we need to make time for confession. This clears the way for powerful praying.

4. The Word. II Timothy 3:16; Psalm 19:7-8

"The commandment of the Lord (his Word) is pure, enlightening the eyes," wrote young King David. When we bring God's Word into our prayer, we are opening our eyes to new possibilities in God. At this point in prayer, read God's Word.

5. Intercession. I Tim 2:1-2; Psalm 2:8; Matt 9:37-38

Our prayer now centers on intercession for a lost and dying world. This concerns praying for others who have desperate needs.

6. Petition. Matthew 7:7; Matthew 6:11; James 4:2

This aspect of prayer concerns our personal needs. Petition is included in the Lord's Prayer in the expression, "Give us this day our daily bread." To petition God is to open our needs to God through prayer.

7. The Word. Jer. 23:29; II Sam. 22:31; Num. 23:19

Earlier we suggested you read God's Word. Now, pray God's Word. Here we bring actual Scripture into our prayer. We can never pray out of God's will when we pray God's Word.

8. Thanksgiving. Philippians 4:6; Psalm 100:4

When Paul wrote to the Philippians, he instructed them to offer prayer and supplication "with thanksgiving." Thanksgiving differs from praise in that praise recognized God for who he is, and thanksgiving recognizes God for specific things he has done.

9. Singing. Psalm 100:2; Ephesians 5:19; Psalm 114:9

Melody in its truest sense is a gift of God for the purpose of singing praises unto him. Many Christians, unfortunately, have never learned the beauty of singing a "new" song unto God during prayer. These songs may come straight from the heart with the Holy Spirit creating the melody. Paul spoke of singing "spiritual songs." To sing unto the Lord is to worship God in

10. Meditation. Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:1-2; Psalm 77:12

To wait in God's presence is simply to be there to love him. Meditation differs in that our mind is very active. To meditate is to ponder spiritual themes in reference to God.

11. Listening. Ecclesiastes 5:2; I Kings 19:11-12

Whether through his written Word or by an inner "still small voice" of his Holy Spirit, God speaks to praying Christians. But we must take time to listen.

12. Praise. Matthew 6:13; Psalm 100:4; Psalm 150

We begin our prayer by recognizing God's nature, and we end in similar fashion. Jesus taught this when he ended his prayer with the statement, "For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."

These are just suggestions - everyone has a different prayer life. Developing such a prayer habit will lead you into a ministry that changes you and the world around you as well.

(Source: Dick Eastman, "The Hour That Changes the World: A Practical Plan for Personal Prayer")