Ways to Grow in Prayer
We desire to grow in prayer, in wisdom and in love for the lost, for our Church (Pastors, Elders, Staff and all who volunteer and attend at The Link) as we agree together to see God’s Kingdom come in our midst.
“Prayer is one of the greatest opportunities, one of the greatest privileges, and one of the greatest ministries available to all Christians. I don’t believe Jesus ever taught his disciples how to preach, but He did teach them how to pray. Any everyone who desires to be a disciple of Jesus Christ should seek to learn how to pray effectively.”
Derek Prince
Here are some Prayer resources and guidance on how to pray for our church and our city.
Who we pray to A Loving Father
God is a loving Father who delights to hear us pray and desires that we pray expecting answers. Be assured of God’s desire to hear our prayers and of His willingness to answer our prayers. We can approach God’s throne of grace with confidence.
"Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16
“Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.” Jeremiah 29:12—13
“the prayer of the upright pleases Him.” Proverbs 15:8
“My dove in the clefts of the rock, in the hiding places on the mountainside, show me your face, let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely.” Song of Songs 2:14
Who we are Priesthood of all Believers
We are all called to be priests before our God. Our prayers are like incense before the throne of God.
“To Him who loves us and has released us from our sins by His blood, who has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father— to Him be the glory and power forever and ever! Amen.” Rev 1:5 - 6
"Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all God’s people, on the golden altar in front of the throne.” Rev 8:3
“For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him…” 2 Chron 16:9
Why we pray God’s Promises
God wants us to call out to him. He wants us to experience the joy of answered prayer, whereby our faith is strengthened.
“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3
“Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.” John 14:13–14 (NASB)
“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” John 15:7
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” Phil 4:19
How we enter Praise and Thanksgiving
We gain access to the Throne through praise and thanksgiving. We want to recognize God’s work in our midst. Spend some time praising God for who he is and what he has done.
Here are some worship songs you can listen to, which have been generously provided to us by Mitch Brown.
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.” Psalm 100:4
“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”Rev 4:11
“Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the one Israel praises” Psalm 22:3
"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thes 5:16–18
How we hear Wait on The Lord
We want to actively listen together for the will of God. If you hear from God and you feel that it is for the Church, we encourage you to share that!
Wait on the Lord; “Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!” Ps 27:14
“But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.” Is 40:31
“Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day.” Ps 25:5
“When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up.” 1 Cor 14: 26
Prayer for healing
Throughout the Bible, God encourages us to call upon him for healing. Take some time to read and pray the Scriptures aloud as you pray for those who have
requested prayer for healing. This simple act of faith can move mountains.
“ . . . I am the Lord, who heals you.” Ex 15:26
“ . . . Jesus withdrew from that place. A large crowd followed him, and he healed all who were ill.” Matt 12:15
“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” 1 Pet 2:24
Prayer for Fruit
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5
Fruit is evidence of an abiding relationship with Jesus. The cry of our heats is to be fruitful in ministry. Use this acronym to pray that the church will be equipped make disciples who can share the good news of the Kingdom with the lost and broken.
- F Fill us with the fruit of our salvation
- R Release revelation and power
- U Unite us together in love
- I Increase the effectiveness of the Word
- T Transform us into the image of Christ
Here are some scripture verses that underlie these five points. You can pray these scriptures over our Pastors, staff, elders, volunteers and all who attend the Link.
Fill Us
Fill us with the fruit of our salvation, the knowledge of Your will, and with joy and peace to overflow with hope
“9 I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. 10 For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. 11 May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ— for this will bring much glory and praise to God.” Phil 1:9-11 NLT
“9 So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. 10 Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.” Col 1:9-10 NIV
“13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Rom 15:13
Release
Release God’s promise to pour out his Spirit. Release supernatural revelation, dreams, vision and prophesy
“In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.” Acts 2:17-18
“We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy . . “ Col 1: 11
Unite
Unite our hearts to Fear Your Name, unite us in love, and unite our voices and hearts in praise
“5 May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. 6 Then all of you can join together with
one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Rom 15:5-6
“Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.” Psalm 86:11
Increase
Increase our numbers and the effectiveness of the Word
“As for other matters, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you.” 2 Thes 1:3
“Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.” Acts 9:31
“Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.” 2 Cor 9:10
Transform
Transform us into your glorious image by the renewing of our minds. Give us a desperation for renewal, personally and corporately; Give us grace to walk in humility and be teachable; Give us perseverance to complete what we have started and the grace to do it. May the Fear of the Lord be a reality in our lives.
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Rom 12:1-2
“But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2 Cor 3:18
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2 Cor 5:17
