Praying with Precision [Pt2] By Pastor Shari Stephens 0

[Excerpts from the book, Praying with Precision available Fall 2018 on Amazon]

He Knew the Will of The Father God

“Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.” John 17:1-5

For our study, let’s look at the elements of the prayer, instead of His actual prayer.

The first thing that sticks out is the fact that Jesus says, “the hour has come”.  He was well attuned to what was going on concerning God’s will for His life and God’s timing.

When we pray, we need to know what season we are in and what God is trying to do with and through us.  God will tell us where we are at times.  Maybe it’s time for us to be at rest, or it’s time for us to build ministry, or maybe it’s time for mission’s work.  Whatever the season, we need to know what God is doing and pray according to it. He will honor it.

The second key element of this prayer is that Jesus says,

“I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do.”

Jesus acknowledges to God that He had already done what was previously assigned.  When was the last time you told God you completed an assigned task?  “You told me to share my lunch with John, and I did Lord,” “You asked me to share my faith with the lady down the street and I did,” or “you told me to give to that cause, and I did.”

When we are given an assignment, it is okay to confirm with God that not only did we receive the instructions, but we completed them.  Christ did this in His prayers a lot and I think we need too as well.  It confirms our receipt of instructions and completion of them.

For the third element in this prayer about His life and purpose, Jesus says,

“And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.”

Jesus was praying about the next phase of the Father’s will for His life.  He knew it was time for Him to leave.  What is the next phase that God is doing for you?  What is it that God wants from you?  Where is He trying to go?  By communing with Him, you will sense the next thing so that you can stay attuned to God’s will through prayer.

This can be as simple as, you feel like it’s time for you to go back to school, or maybe God is saying to “start a ministry for unwed mothers.”  Or it can be as grand as, “leave everything behind and going into foreign missions.”  He will prompt, confirm and direct your steps and all you must do is be aware, so you can pray in accordance with His will.

By applying these elements to our prayer life, we will be more effective and find ourselves centered in His purpose.

1. Know what season we are in.
2. Acknowledge what was previously assigned and completed successfully.
3. Be aware of what the next phase or assignment will be and pray for its success.