GETTING ALONE WITH GOD
FOR AN HOUR OR FOR A DAY
Wayne J. Edwards
Here is a helpful guide to assist you in spending an hour or a day with the Lord in personal prayer. For an hour of prayer, divide the twelve areas into five-minute segments. For a day, use each one for an hour. Obviously, some areas will need more or less time than others, depending upon the specific needs in your heart each day. This is only a guide to get you started.
Some tools you will need:
-
- A Bible—possibly serval translations and/or paraphrases, a concordance (Strongs) and a Bible dictionary. (Ungers)
- A Notebook—a journal for your journey could be a part of the spiritual heritage you hand down to your children.
- A Hymnbook—most of the great hymns of faith are filled with doctrine and theology as they exalt the majesty of God. The reading and singing of these hymns, as well as some of the scripture choruses can help use learn to praise the Lord.
- A Calendar—while this time is se aside for prayer and quiet meditation, God may use this time to prompt you to action in some area of your life—even to re-evaluate your priorities. Be careful not to let it become a time of personal planning.
- A Quiet Place—try to get away from any distractions of interruptions. Let your family know, when they see you in that place, they should not disturb you. On the day of prayer, you might consider a quiet spot away from the house.
Some helpful suggestions:
-
- About your schedule—try to keep the same time each day. Set it aside “as unto the Lord” and ask Him to protect it.
- About fasting—fasting is simply investing the time we would have normally used in preparing, eating an digesting food, in prayer and the study of God’s Word. It’s better to start after lunch , fast for the evening meal, through breakfast and lunch, and then “break the fast” at the next evening meal. Fasting earns no points with God—it just shows Him how much we love Him and how much we really want to spend time with Him. (Be sure to clear this with your doctor)
Some suggested segments:
-
- Praise—All prayer should begin with praise and adoration unto God for who He is—His nature, His character, and His attributes. The reading or singing of a great hymn would help to get you started.
- Patience—“Be still and know”—pause and reflect upon God’s love for you and how much He desires to love you. Isaiah said, “Those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength!” (40:31)
- Personal Confession—Let God search the depths of your heart and surface any sins that may be a hindrance to the intimacy He desires to have with you. Write them down as the Lord reveals them to you. Confess them, repent of them, and make plans for reconciliation and restitution where necessary. Remember, God does not hear our prayers if we are hiding any “iniquity” in our heart.
- Private Study—Take a chapter or a book of the Bible and read it at one sitting. Go back and think it through again, verse by verse and line by line:
- Is there a promise to claim?
- Is there a warning to heed?
- Is there an example to follow?
- Is there a principle to learn or to apply?
Note 1: Devotional books are helpful in letting us know what God said to others about the text we are reading. But the Holy Spirit can give you the ability to understand what the scriptures say as well. He will “guide” you into all truth.
Note 2: We have given you selected texts and questions in this study to direct your thoughts toward personal and corporate revival.
-
- Prayerful Concern—By now, God has probably brought to mind those people in your areas of influence who have some definite needs. Again, write those requests down for review.
- Personal Petition—Ask God to supply your needs from His riches in glory, assuring Him that your total reliance is upon Him. Keep a record of these requests and be sure to include them in your time of rejoicing when they are answered.
- Powerful Prayer—Search the scriptures for prayers of God’s men—David, Moses, Paul, Jesus, etc. Pray those prayers unto God, making notes of their petitions/requests.
- Praise and Thanksgiving—You have already prayed in adoration, confession, petition, and intercession. Now, just pause and thank the Lord for all His benefits, and for the specific things He has done for you, and those you love.
- Praise—Sing the first song that comes to your mind. Read some of the songs you don’t know how to sing. Write your own songs of praise unto the Lord—for He is worthy of your praise.
- Practice His Presence—Try to visualize God’s power and presence in every area of your life and work. Anticipate the difference God could make and wants to make in your life if He had full control. This is more than dreaming, positive thinking or contemplative meditation, as in Yoga! This is living out what God wrought in through your time of prayer. It is putting your “walk” in your “talk”!
- Private Quietness—Let God full you with Himself. Listen for that still, small voice of the Holy Spirit, and allow Him to fill you, afresh and anew, with His power.
- Praise and Glory—Give Him the praise and glory due His holy name—sing, quote scripture, rejoice in the Lord, being refreshed by His Spirit, and refilled with His love.
Oh My Savior, I am wary; the strain of life has exhausted me; the pressure of daily business has robbed me of my former energy. I have no strength even to cast my load. Forgive me for the lack of simple, childlike faith. Come near and rest me. Hush the fears I cannot allay; wipe the tears I cannot keep back. Lift me up, by thy strong arm, above the mists and the darkness of the valley, to stand and walk with thee on the high level of thy manifested presence and glory!—Amen
“Getting Alone With God For An Hour Or A Day”
adapted from the Mature Manual, by Wayne J. Edwards,
printed in the USA, and published by Mature Ministries, ©1987.
Thank you for spending the last month in study with us “REDISCOVERING YOUR FIRST LOVE!”. If you have any questions about the study or our church, please do not hesitate to contact us at heritage@comsouth.net.