Welcome back! I hope that you had a good week and that maybe something fun is planned for the weekend! Because who doesn't LOVE to just chillax and re-collect themselves for the coming week? I know I do!
This weekend I am actually getting together with some other ladies that want to start blogging and so we are throwing a "blog start up party!" It should be really fun and I am looking forward to it! I will make sure to share about it afterward! :D
Speaking about having that time over the weekend to renew ourselves for the coming week, this is the last weekend of the 21 Days of Prayer. :( But don't be alarmed! Even though there won't be a video to watch, you can still continue this rhythm in your everyday life. In fact, I pray that you do.
Today I am going to share with you two different prayer outlines that God gives us in the Bible and that we can use every day to have that time of renewal and strengthing.
1. The Lord's Prayer
The first outline that I am going to share with you is the Lord's Prayer. I shared this outline in one of my previous posts called Camel Knees. Please check out that post to learn more in depth about using the Lord's Prayer outline in your prayer time.
Jesus gave this prayer to His followers as not only a standard prayer to pray but as a guideline of WHAT TO PRAY.
He wants to know our hearts and our hearts long to know His.
This is a great prayer outline to start out with, as it is simple to remember and easy to use.
*The picture above is a sneak preview of my new journal Bible, that I am excited to share with you in an upcoming post!
2. The Tabernacle Prayer
Second, I want to share with you a more in-depth outline for prayer that was formed from the design of the tabernacle. The tabernacle in the Old Testament was basically the Israelite's portable Church; a place where they went to worship and offer sacrifices to God. Even though we do not practice most of the Old Testament's old ways, the truth and principals that are found within its pages still hold true.
Hebrews 9:1-9 recounts in short what the tabernacle was and how it was set up, but if you want to dig deeper, look up Exodus chapters 35-38.
To come into and dwell in the presence of God, there is a protocol that needs to take place, and it always starts with praise and thanksgiving.
The Outer Court
Psalm 100:4 tells us to enter God's gate with thanksgiving and His courts with praise.
Start your prayer time with praising God's name (just like we have been doing in the 21 Days of Prayer). This gets your mind set on things above and focused on who God is and who we are in Him.
1. The Brazen Altar
The next stop in the tabernacle was the altar where the priests made the sacrifices but because of the ultimate sacrifice that was given on your behalf we no longer have to make the daily sacrifices. I am so thankful for that!
Take time to reflect on this wonderful gift, because it is ONLY through God's Son that we are able to come into God's presence and have a more personal relationship with Him!
2. The Laver
The laver was a bowl of water for cleansing. From their reflection, the priests would see their imperfect selves, but at the same time, they were letting God wash them clean and strip away any negative aspect of their lives that would prohibit them from fully enjoying God's presence. Check out Romans 12:1-2.
In this moment, also take the time to pray through the Fruits of the Spirit. Ask God to help grow you in certain areas of the fruit that you might be lacking or if there are areas where you feel pretty good, ask God to continue igniting those areas.
The Holy Place
Now you are able to meet with God more intimately.
3. The Candlestick
The candlestick represents the Holy Spirit and it is the Holy Spirit who fills us with God's Spirit and desires. Ask Him to take out your own desires and replace them with the desires of God's heart.
4. The Table of Shewbread
Bread in the Bible represents God's Word and God will sometimes use His Word to speak to you. Use this time to be still and listen.
5. The Altar of Incense
The altar of incense was the last step of the priest before he would go into the Holy of Holies. Here he would bring the burning coals from the brazen altar to ignite the incense. This is another time to remember who God is and what He has done for us. Worship in this moment and because this is an intimate time, do whatever your heart calls you to do. Break out that instrument you play, listen/sing worship music, or thank God for who He is by calling upon His various names.
A few of God's names are:
Jehovah Jireh - The Lord will Provide
Jehovah M'Koddesh - Who makes me holy
Jehovah Jireh - The Lord will Provide
Jehovah M'Koddesh - Who makes me holy
Jehovah Rapha - My healer
Jehovah Shalom - The Lord is peace
Jehovah Tsidkenu - My righteousness
Jehovah Tsidkenu - My righteousness
Holy of Holies
Directly in God's presence.
6. The Mercy Seat (the Ark)
Because the veil was torn on the day Jesus died on the cross, we are now freely welcomed into God's presence.
The priest went into the Holy of Holies only once a year to intercede for the Israelite's sins.
Intercession: to work with God on behalf of other people
Use this time to pray for those who have authority over you and for those around you (1 Timothy 2:1-4):
- pray for our nation's leaders, state leaders, and local leaders
- pray for your family, those close to you, and those that need to see God's love
- pray for your Church, its needs, and the leaders there
- lastly, pray for your own needs
The priest went into the Holy of Holies only once a year to intercede for the Israelite's sins.
Intercession: to work with God on behalf of other people
Use this time to pray for those who have authority over you and for those around you (1 Timothy 2:1-4):
- pray for our nation's leaders, state leaders, and local leaders
- pray for your family, those close to you, and those that need to see God's love
- pray for your Church, its needs, and the leaders there
- lastly, pray for your own needs
End your prayer time with more thanksgiving and just enjoy the time that you just spent in God's presence!
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Click on the picture below to print (or save for later) a summary of the Tabernacle Prayer.
*This printout was put together by Church of the Highlands
You can also check more resources on prayer here
You can also check more resources on prayer here
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Wow! That was a lot of information and if you are reading this then you are totally awesome and I commend you for wanting to grow your relationship with God!! :D
Stay Tuned for next week as I will be sharing some tips/ways that I have found help me to keep God at the center throughout my day and to bring Him into my morning first!
Stay Tuned for next week as I will be sharing some tips/ways that I have found help me to keep God at the center throughout my day and to bring Him into my morning first!
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