How to Spend an Hour in Prayer

How to Spend an Hour in Prayer

You probably are thinking, “Welte, are you nuts! One hour in prayer?” Well actually I am nuts. But then did you ever try it?

We can watch several hours of football? Play an hour of racquet ball? Go to a 2 – 3 hour movie? But really now – spend an hour in prayer?

Well the disciples were asked the same question by Jesus and we know that they struggled like we do.

So if we were to do it, how?

Dick Eastman from World Literature Crusade suggests that we take these 12 categories and spend five minutes of each:

1.     Praise: Psalm 63:3; Hebrews 12:15; Matthew 6:9b

2.     Waiting: Psalm 37:7; Isaiah 40:31; Lamentations 3:35

3.     Confession: Psalm 139:23-24; Psalm 51:10; 1 John 1:9

4.     The Word: 2 Timothy 3:16; Psalm 19:7-8

5.     Intercession: 1 Timothy 2:1-2; Psalm 2:8; Matthew 9:37-38

6.     Petition: Matthew 7:7; Matthew 6:11; James 4:2

7.     The Word: Jeremiah 23:29; 2 Samuel 22:31; Numbers 23:19

8.     Thanksgiving: Philippians 4:6; Psalm 100:4

9.     Singing: Psalm 100:2; Ephesians 5:19; Psalm 114:9

10.  Meditation: Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:1-2; Psalm 77:12

11.  Listening: Ecclesiastes 5:2; 1 Kings 19:11-12

12.  Praise: Matthew 6:13; Psalm 100:4; Psalm 150

Please note that the plan starts with praise and ends with praise!

So if the Lord came to you and said, “Can you spend one hour with me in prayer?” – do you think you would do it? I am asking myself the same question. I sure want to try it! – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick

Team YOU: Exodus 14-15; Proverbs 26; Matthew 17

Motivations: Doest thou indeed say, "Hallowed be thy name" with thy heart? Doest thou study, by all honest and lawful ways, to advance the name, holiness, and majesty of God? Doth thy heart and conversation agree with this passage? Doest thou strive to imitate Christ in all the works of righteousness, which God doth command of thee, and prompt thee forward to? John Bunyan

Practice to Remember: Level 1:Ephesians 2:8-9; Level 2: Ephesians 2:1-10

Powered Up:  That which God abundantly makes the subject of his promises, God’s people should abundantly make the subject of their prayers. Jonathan Edwards