The High 5 Prayer by Brandon L. Smith

Recently my church has been going through 21 days of prayer. A time specifically set aside for the body of Christ to engage in prayer together. The church has set up times through out the week for worship and prayer along with encouraging us to go on prayer walks around a local community to see the advancement of the Gospel of Christ. I for one, have been extremely encouraged and challenged during this time. 

I've had the privilege of growing up in a praying family. I've heard my parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins pray mighty prayers using their relation with Christ and Scripture as their guide. But during these past couple of weeks my eyes have been opened to praying in a new way. Well I guess it's not really new at all. I have known about praying in this manner for as long as I have known how to pray. Remember, based on my family history I should be an expert prayer warrior guy. It seems however that I had forgotten some key elements in my prayer time. Here's a few things I've learned in the past couple of weeks from my church that I think we should remember, recount and reengage in our prayer time. These points have inspired my prayer time and I have seen the fruits of my prayer. Yes, fruit, meaning that they have been answered.

Pray the Word

• Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
• It is the best source material for our prayers.
• Pray the scripture back to God.

Pray in Jesus Name

• John 14:12-14 Very truly I tell, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
• You have the authority of Jesus when you pray.
• You belong to the family, you can use his name.

Pray in the Holy Spirit

• Romans 8:26-27 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God's people in accordance with the will of God.
• Pray under the influence of the Holy Spirit.
• Pray in your prayer language.

Pray Out Loud

• Matthew 18:19-20 "Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them."
• The power of agreement is in the relationships.
• Engage your whole person (body, soul and spirit) in prayer.

Pray Continually

• 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
• The time for prayer is now and always.
• We should go about our lives with an attitude of prayer.