prayer

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

Father, we come to you today as your beloved people. Thank you that you are the God who hears and the God who sees and the God who answers the prayers of His people. We want to join with other believers all across this nation and world to humbly repent before you and to ask for your mercy.

We plead the blood of Jesus over ourselves, our families, our neighborhoods, our states and our nation! We declare that the blood of Jesus is supreme over all sickness! There is power in the blood and the name of Jesus to break every chain of fear, sickness and disease!

Though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death we will fear no evil because you are with us! Your rod and your staff will comfort us. You will anoint our heads with oil in the presence of our enemies, our cups will overflow with joy because you hear our prayers.

We cancel every assignment of fear and death that the enemy has released in our world and declare that perfect love casts our all fear! At the name of Jesus every knee has to bow and every tongue confess that you are the Lord.

We declare that no weapon formed against us will prosper. The enemy may come against us one way, but according to your word he has to flee seven ways.  We receive your overwhelming peace into our hearts and we release it over everyone within our sphere of influence and declare that the enemy will not reign in fear and terror but that the Peace of God will overwhelm us as we trust in you. We love you Jesus and declare that we trust you! Thank you for your presence.

In the mighty name of Jesus we pray, Amen!

Steve: “Edith, will you close us in prayer?”
Me: “No.”

I was 18 and in college attending a Bible study as a first time visitor. Steve finished the study and asked me to pray. I had never prayed out loud except for the blessing at family meals. I knew then and there that I needed to learn to pray out loud. Now you will find me ready to pray at any moment – at a Bible study, on the phone, in the parking lot, wherever anyone needs prayer.

Many of us are terrified to pray out loud. We panic and worry. What will I say? Will I use the right words? Do I need to use church/Bible language?

Praying out loud is simply talking to God. 1 Peter 3:12b says, “His ears attend to their prayer.” God wants to hear our prayers!!! He is not interested in church language and right words – He wants to hear what is on our hearts. So if you are unsure about praying out loud, here are some helps.

I have learned to block out everyone around me and to picture just me and God together as I pray.

Pray out loud in your quiet time. This will help you become comfortable in speaking prayers aloud.

Pray Scripture. You don’t have to come up with the words, simply pray the Scriptures inserting the people’s names for whom you are praying.

Use ACTS as your guide. Adoration – pray a reason you and others adore God. Confession – confess that you and others have sinned. Thanksgiving – thank God for forgiving you and for the many things He has done. (This is praise!) Supplication – simply list out the prayer requests that you have written down from the group – no need to elaborate.

Write out your prayer. Practice reading it out loud so that you are comfortable when time comes to pray.

Pause before you begin praying out loud. Ask God what He would have you to say. You will be amazed and blessed as He directs your words.

Include the group in your prayer time. Once prayer requests have been shared, ask someone to open in prayer (check with them beforehand) and then give people the opportunity to pray as they feel lead. Do not worry about silence. Then you close the prayer time.

Above all, remember that you are talking to your Friend who wants to hear your prayers.