Welcome back to week two of our Breakthrough Disciplines series. Today, we’re going to start with probably the most fundamental spiritual discipline. A discipline that’s so easy a three year old can do it, but is so rich and powerful that we’re still growing in it even when we’ve been a follower of Jesus for 50 or more years - the spiritual discipline of prayer. We’re going to talk about how to pray for breakthrough.
I can imagine that some of our listeners can be a little uncomfortable when it comes to prayer. If that’s you, I want to read a verse that may encourage you.
Luke 11:1 - One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray”
Jesus’ own disciples, the men who followed him around, who were able to see his miracles first hand, who were able to hear his teaching, said, “Teach us to pray”. It’s so encouraging to me that they were humble and honest. They said, “Jesus, we don't know how to pray. Teach us.” Maybe that’s you today. Perhaps you’re thinking, I want to have breakthrough in my life from anxiety, anger, bitterness, depression, but if prayer is the answer, I’m not sure I even know how to pray. Well, you’re in good company because even Jesus’s disciples weren’t sure how to pray - so this is relevant for you, and I think you’ll be encouraged.
Schedule It
Find a time and place that works for you. Start with 5 minutes a day and work towards longer times with God.
We’re talking about the discipline of prayer. This is prayer that is intentional and consistent. This isn’t just about lifting a prayer of desperation when you’re in a difficult situation. God certainly listens to those prayers, but remember, we’re talking about the spiritual discipline of prayer.
Mark 1:35 Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray.
Luke 6:12 One day soon afterward Jesus went up on a mountain to pray, and he prayed to God all night.
Several verses in the Bible that say, “as was his custom” when talking about Jesus and prayer. This was a habit. This was consistent. Even Jesus had a time and place. If he needed that, how much more do we need it?
When you hear start with 5 minutes some of you are probably thinking I already pray more than five minutes a day - that’s great. Some of you probably thought, “Five minutes, how am I going to concentrate in prayer for five minutes.”
Find a place that works for you. For my wife, it’s at the kitchen table. For me, it’s in my bedroom or in the upstairs office at the church. Using the same place frequently helps your mind to settle in to the fact that this is where I pray. Find a place that is free from distraction or at least where distractions are limited.
Find a time - put it on your calendar. I think there is something powerful in starting the day off in prayer. Asking God for strength to get you through the day. Asking him to set divine appointments for you throughout the day where you get to help people pursue him. But again, if you’re not a morning person, maybe you just quickly pray to give the day over to God and then spend more time in prayer in the afternoon or evening, or whenever you’re at your best. Start small, especially if you’re new at this. Give God this small sacrifice. Schedule it and you’ll find over time you can start spending 10 minutes, 20 minutes, even an hour or longer in prayer.
PRAY
Use music and scripture to get focused on God. Start by praising or thanking God before you ask him for things. Using the PRAY acronym can help prevent your prayers from just becoming a wish list to God.
Psalm 145:1-3I will exalt you, my God and King, and praise your name forever and ever.2 I will praise you every day; yes, I will praise you forever.3 Great is the Lord! He is most...
