Prayer Strategy

{Marlys Burgett shared with us during class this week, drawing from her own experience crafting a prayer strategy from this study}

Some of you have asked about the Prayer Strategy Cards that are located in the back of the book.

I’m sure some of you have filled them out. But if not, I thought I would share with you a few of mine to help you get started. There is no right or wrong things to put on these cards. It’s a good way to record how you’ve been encouraged throughout the study – maybe a scripture you want to focus on, something that stirred you in the DVD, a light bulb moment, or perhaps you want to jot down one of God’s many promises.

This first Prayer Strategy came out of the lesson on Truth:

Jesus said in John 8:12 “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of Life.”

Isaiah 8:21 says, “This is the way; walk in it.”

So how do I do this walk? As I immerse my heart and mind and spirit in His Word (it’s my lamp, my light, my truth) I will have the wisdom and power to abide fully, to walk faithfully, to order my life and to trust Him with my decisions. Immerse means to submerge myself, plunge, to engage my entire being.  I want to walk in a way according to truth, not rely my feelings, In the video, you may remember that Priscilla said; “feelings don’t have intellect”. Being a very high feeler, I need to be reminded of this quite often. Acting on feelings alone can bite you in the fanny and cause lots of regret and consequences to deal with later on. Can anyone relate? 

This next Prayer Strategy was inspired by our DVD lesson from this past week on the breast plate of righteousness.

I am to put on the breastplate of righteousness. The breast plate protects my heart! The Holy Spirit works righteousness in me from the inside out! I rely on the spirit to help me look more like Jesus by aligning my life to God’s expectations and standards. This is so hard to do in real life, isn’t it? We learned in Romans 7 where Paul talks about “I want to do what God wants me to do but there is this war of flesh and spirit.”  Proverbs 4:23 “watch over my heart with all diligence for from it flowers the streams of life.”

I pursue truth by aligning my life with God’s expectations. I want to have holy boldness and holy courage to live obediently.Personalizing scripture helps me realize God’s word in a more meaningful way. For example:

Ps 81:13-14 “Oh, Marlys  that you will listen to me, walking in my paths! How quickly I will then subdue your enemies.” I really like the fact God as I walk with Him, He promises to womp on my enemies. Yeah!

And as we move into tonight’s video on peace, here are some thoughts that I wanted to focus on this week.

Priscilla will share that we cannot survive the storms in life without God’s peace.

When God’s peace is locked in your life it will become your guard and protector. Peace means an inner tranquility, to trust, a calmness of my soul, a grateful heart, anchored. If you were a fan Seinfeld, you’ll likely remember the episode where Kremer says “serenity now!” Peace and serenity are something we need NOW!

Thankfulness activates peace! Col 3:15 says,”Let the peace of Christ rule in your heart, to which indeed you were called, and be thankful.”

I can get in the habit of grumbling which doesn’t bring peace, it only increases anxiety and frustration. Then I grumble to others or with others. Recently, I’ve had conversations that stirred my “grumbler”. Rather than grumble I choose to be thankful for responding well on the phone with these individuals, praying as I surrendered the grumbles to God, which in turn encouraged my peaceful heart.

Anything robbing you of your peace this week?

On page 192 in your book, Priscilla gives you other ideas for these Prayer Strategy cards. Again, you don’t need to be an artist, they don’t have to look perfect. It’s all about you and Jesus; in your quiet moments reading His word and in prayer and asking Him to reveal what He wants you to learn or hear or experience.

I put these cards up in my kitchen, on my bath mirror, in my car, my computer at work……anywhere I can  easily be reminded of God’s word.

Mind if I pray for us?

Lord Jesus, thanks for this week’s lesson on Righteousness. May we become women who live by your truth, expectations and standards YOU set for us. Not just in our minds but in our behavior. Not because of a desire to be perfect, rather from listening to your holy spirit from the inside out. Mold us into Christ likeness. Be with us as we discuss around our tables, may your word inspire and encourage us to live lives of faith. In your name, amen.