Teaching Library of Mike Bickle - Devotional Prayer

How to Develop a Strong Prayer Life

I.INTRODUCTION
A. Prayer has different expressions such as intimacy with God(includes prayer-reading the Word and fellowshipping with the Spirit),interceding for revival, justice, or social transformation (also referred to as contending prayer),providing prayer covering for individuals, and praying for the sick. In this way, we encounter God, do the works of the kingdom, and change the world.

B.A consistent prayer life is essential to the forerunner ministry––only through a lifestyle of prayer can we receive the fullness of what God has provided for us. T he forerunner commitment is to seek to spend at least two hours of prayer a day in any of these four expressions. I also encourage forerunners to pray-read through the book of Revelation once a week.

C. What is prayer? It is talking to God. It is at the same time a great privilege, a fierce struggle, and a powerful miracle of the Spirit who helps us in our weakness in prayer.

D. Prayer is so necessary because it causes our spirit to be energized, releases God’s blessing on our circumstances, and results in real changes in the Church, the nations, and society.

E. Prayer is a place of abiding in Christ or connecting with the Spirit that energizes us to love God (first commandment)which causes us to overflow in love for others (second commandment).

5He who abides in Me...bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. (Jn. 15:5)

F. Prayer was never meant to be duty-based or merely results-oriented. Rather, it is the place of encounter with God where our spirit is energized as we grow to love Him more. It positions us to be energized to love God and people by receiving God’s love as a Father and Bridegroom.

G. We love others better as we encounter God’s heart. We do not have to give up our prayer time to make time to minister to people. We can do both. Most of us can seize time for the kingdom from the time we spend on entertainment or in gaining extra money that we may not really need.

H. Prayer that leads to intimacy with God protects our spirit from burn out as we minister to many people over the years. Our prayer life serves as a buffer against spiritual burnout. Maintaining a heart connect with Jesus is the lifeline that enables us for decades to sustain our ministry of winning the lost, healing the sick, and doing works of justice and compassion.

I. Why does God want us to pray? He wants us to connect with His heart in deep partnership. Therefore, asking God for everything is a foundational principle of the kingdom. We must specifically ask, not just think about our need with frustration and desperation.

6In everything by prayer...let your requests be made known to God...(Phil. 4:6)

J. There are blessings that God has chosen to give, but withholds them until we ask Him. In this way, He protects His relationship with us by not answering until we connect with Him by asking.

18The Lord will wait, that He may be gracious to you...19He will be very gracious to you at the sound of your cry; when He hears it, He will answer you. (Isa. 30:18-19)

Much of this teaching will be used by the English speaking Pastors in the Africa Training Bible School.

Each of these YDT Series includes an audio and handout or study notes to be downloaded as well as a PowerPoint to make the viewing more visual for the youth.

Sessions can be split into two for Junior Youth who may not be able to absorb the entire teaching in one session.

Devotional prayer

Download How to develop a strong prayer life

Download How to develop a stronger prayer life

Download Fellowship

Download Trust

Download How to increase your effectiveness in prayer

Download A person of extravagant devotion

Download Ministry to the Lord

Download Prayer energized by intimacy

Download A table in the presence of my enemies

Download 24/7 Prayer