How do you pray?

"Most people define prayer as communication with God. However, that is like defining a jet fighter as air transportation; it describes neither its purpose nor its function. The purpose of prayer, in the spiritual war we fight daily, is to release God’s will on earth; it functions as a weapon delivery system. The writer of Hebrews says, “The word of God is… sharper than any two-edged sword.” Prayer, the arm of spiritual warfare, wields the sword of the Word.

Changing Me, Change the World models these concepts by turning the forty-one chapters in Book One of the Psalms into contemporary and passionate prayers. These prayers look deeply at a variety of topics including confession, joyful praise, healing, the persecuted church, and many others. It solidly connects the Word of God and prayers offered according to God’s will. It will lead another step further in your spiritual maturity. It looks to strengthen your faith and to instill confidence in your ability to pray effectively, molding you into a prayer warrior in the process."

You will discover:

• a deeper, more satisfying prayer life as you meditate on these Psalms and prayers,
• passionate, engaging language that addresses problems you face in your life every day,
• prayers you can pray with confidence because they have a solid biblical foundation,
• a heightened awareness of meaningful issues outside of your daily life,
• a desire to return to Changing Me, Change the World as new situations arise.

Psalm 27

1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

2 When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall.

3 Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident.

4 One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.

5 For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock.

6 And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the Lord.

7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud; be gracious to me and answer me!

8 You have said, "Seek my face." My heart says to you, "Your face, Lord, do I seek."

9 Hide not your face from me. Turn not your servant away in anger, O you who have been my help. Cast me not off; forsake me not, O God of my salvation!

10 For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me in.

11 Teach me your way, O Lord, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies.

12 Give me not up to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and they breathe out violence.

13 I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living!

14 Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!

Getting Past Fear

Father, I want to talk to You about my fears. And the first thing I want to say is that I absolutely know - without doubt - that You are my light and my salvation, that You are my refuge and my protection, so I do not need to be afraid of anyone or anything. My heart and my mind know that truth. My emotions are another problem altogether. Sometimes fear wants to take over completely.

Situations where I am fearful are the times my enemies try to hurt me through either malicious words or acts of violence. You have been so faithful to protect me in those situations. I am beginning to think that I could face a host of enemies - the way Elisha did - and not feel afraid. My confidence is not in my ability to handle the situation. Instead, I have learned by experience that I can trust You to protect me and lean completely on You.

Sometimes I am fearful when trouble unexpectedly pops up: the house floods; my job is at risk; my friend deserts me; the doctor’s report is negative. I always experience a flash of fear. Experience has again taught me to turn - very quickly - to You. I immediately talk to You about the problem, turning the whole experience over to You. I trust You to see me through each day. Then I drive out those fearful feelings by singing praise and worship songs to You. That works every time. If I feel the fear coming back over me, I just pray and praise some more. You are always faithful to hear me and to send Your Spirit to comfort me. I have certainly learned that fear cannot stay around when I am in Your presence!

I do have one irrational fear, Lord. Sometimes I am afraid that I will disobey You so much and make You so angry that You will reject me. I know, I know, that really does not make any sense. You love me so much that You gave Your only Son so that I could be part of Your family. Humor me on this one, Lord. As irrational as it is, it drives me closer to Your side. I need You to teach me Your ways and lead me every day so plainly in Your path that there is absolutely no possibility that I might move away from Your presence.

I hate to think what a fear-filled, miserable person I would be if it were not for You, Lord. Your love and ever-watchful care of me makes it possible for me to function in a hostile world. With You as my God, I can be brave and courageous. With You in my heart, it is strong and enduring. With Your Spirit ruling in my life, fear will not control me. Your perfect love casts out my fear.