5 Ways to Stay Prayed Up and Prepared
I was determined not to miss a very important phone call this week.
Shame paid me a visit yet again, but I hung up and redialed heaven instead. I refused to allow the bully to rent space in my head.
Instead, I kept my scheduled appointment with a wise woman. My favorite pen in hand, I scrambled to capture every detail on paper.
She has experienced tremendous success, and I wanted to learn her secret.
Where should I invest the bulk of my time? What action plan should I implement to achieve my goal?
Her answer was quite simple.
Stay prayed up.
Are you prayed up?
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The woman who has conquered the mountain more than once informed me to fall flat on my face.
The way up is down.
You don’t need to scheme or plot or maneuver. Prepare on your knees.
No cross. No crown.
I am reminded that on the night before Jesus faced the cross, He flung Himself at the feet of the Father.
We are called to watch and pray, my friends. Why do I forget?
Tonight, I sat at the feet of the Master Teacher and asked Him to school me in Prayer 101. I thought I’d share my takeaways with you in case you need a little refresher course, too.
5 Ways to Stay Prayed Up and Prepared
Face the day early
Jesus started His day before the roster crowed and laid out His plans before the Father. He had a daily agenda meeting with God.
Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray. (Mark 1:35, NLT)
Follow a simple blueprint
Have a list of bullet points handy to corral your crazy thinking. Every soldier has a battle plan.
Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may Your name be kept holy. May Your Kingdom come soon. May Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one. (Matthew 6:9-13)
Focus your heart upward
Invite the Lord to have His way in you. Yield to Spirit and crucify your flesh. Surrender your agenda to His leading.
Father, if You are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine. (Luke 22:42)
Foster a culture of forgiveness
Remember you are a sinner and extend grace to the fallen and the fearful alike. Wounded people will see your witness when you choose not to condemn.
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing…” (Luke 23:34)
Flee to your Defender
Ask God to surround you and your loves ones with His power, provision, and peace. Access the storehouse of His provision and arm yourself with His protection.
I am not praying that You take them out of the world but that You protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth. (John 17:15-17, HCSB)
So here are my marching orders as I prepare for the She Speaks conference:
Before you speak a Word, speak to the Father.
Before you speak a Word, speak to the Father.
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