Rather than focus on negative views about our young people, I invest more time now in prayer for them than I ever have. When you focus and pray the positive, positive things will result; negativity only breeds negativity. What would happen if we imagined a group of young people today as they can be instead of what others have deemed them to be? We can change statistics. We can pray.

Pray:

• That youth would see their God-given plan and purpose. Ask God to reveal the identity He wants them to have, instead of what their circumstances have dictated. (Jeremiah 29:11; Psalm 139:13-16; 2 Cor. 5:20; Jeremiah 1:5; John 14:13; Rom 8:28-29)
• That they will have wisdom and develop good friendships. We often become like those we hang out with. (1 Cor 15:33; Heb 10:25; 1 Thess. 5:11; 1 Sam 16:7)
• That they would develop good character, having their lives transformed by the Spirit of God, and living godly lives. (1 Tim 4:12; Rom 12:1-2; Psalm 24:4)
• That they would develop a hunger for righteousness and purity, keeping themselves from sexual immorality. (John 8:32; 1 Peter 1:5; Heb 13:4; 1 Cor 6:18; 1 John 4:4; James 1:12-14)
• That they would develop a passion for the anointing of God, and be witnesses of God’s truth and love to others. (Acts 1:8; Luke 4:18-19; 1 Peter 3:15; Matt 28:19-20; Gal 5:24)
• That they would be submissive to their leaders and God, and have accountability to mentors in their life. (Eph 6:2-3; Heb 13:17; Mk 12:17)
• That they would find hope for their lives and the world around them, and encouragement in their hard times. (Gal 6:9; Eph 6:13; Phil 4:8; 2 Tim 2:13; Heb 10:23; 1 Peter 5:8-9)
• That they would have discernment of truth to know when the enemy is trying to deceive them or alter the Word of God. (1 Tim 3:9; 2 Cor 2:11; Jn 17:17; Eph 6:14)
• That they would passionate about their spiritual growth and work in ministry. (Luke 2:52; Gal 2:20; 2 Cor 5:17; Eph 3:16)

Colleen Clabaugh
Kids & Youth Prayer Coordinator
World Network of Prayer

1. Pray for a spirit of Humility. “The willingness to submit” (James 4:10).
2. Pray for a spirit of Reverence. “The fear of the Lord” (Proverbs 9:10).
3. Pray for a spirit of Purity. “A desire to be clean” (Matthew 5:8).
4. Pray for a spirit of Purpose. “A wisdom to set goals” (Proverbs 4:25).
5. Pray for a spirit of Simplicity. “A lifestyle uncluttered” (Romans 12:8).
6. Pray for a spirit of Commitment. “A dedication to the ‘cause’ ” (Joshua 24:15).
7. Pray for a spirit of Diligence. “A willingness to work hard” (II Peter 1:5).
8. Pray for a spirit of Servanthood. “The ministry of helps” (Galatians 6:9,10).
9. Pray for a spirit of Consistency. “The quality of faithfulness” (James 1:8).
10. Pray for a spirit of Assurance. “A depth of faith” (Hebrews 10:22).
11. Pray for a spirit of Availability. “A willingness to go.” (Isa. 6:8).
12. Pray for a spirit of Loyalty. “A zeal for fidelity” (Ruth 1:16).
13. Pray for a spirit of Sensitivity. “Openness of heart” (Luke 10: 30-37).
14. Pray for a spirit of Compassion. “Love in action” (Mark 8:1,2).
15. Pray for a spirit of Tenderness. “A willingness to weep” (II Kings 22:19).
16. Pray for a spirit of Maturity. “The capacity to grow” (Hebrews 5: 12-14).
17. Pray for a spirit of Holiness. “Christ-like behaviour” (I Peter 1:16).
18. Pray for a spirit of Reliability. “A depth of dependability.” (I Corinthians 4:2).
19. Pray for a spirit of Revelation. “Learning to listen” (Ephesians 1:15,18).
20. Pray for a spirit of Denial. “A sacrifice to surrender” (Luke 9:23).
21. Pray for a spirit of Confidence. “The strength of the Lord” (Phillipians 4:13).
22. Pray for a spirit of Integrity. “The quality of truthfulness” (Romans 12:17).
23. Pray for a spirit of Repentance. “A willingness to change” (Luke 3:8).
24. Pray for a spirit of Trust. “A fearless reliance” (Psalm 125:1).
25. Pray for a spirit of Submission. “Choosing to yield” (Ephesians 5:21).
26. Pray for a spirit of Teachability. “A quality of meekness” (Titus 3:2).
27. Pray for a spirit of Prayer. “A longing to wait” (Isa. 40:31).
28. Pray for a spirit of Unity. “A respect for others” (I Corinthians 1:10).
29. Pray for a spirit of Restoration. “A ministry of healing” (Isa. 61:1,2).
30. Pray for a spirit of Authority. “A capacity to command” (Matthew 16:19).
31. Pray for a spirit of Giving. “The desire to give” (Matthew 10:8).

You’ve tried to pray but things just aren’t working out. There’s been no answer, and frankly, you are frustrated and annoyed with God.  You question yourself as to why He doesn’t care enough to take care of your need. Or perhaps you feel abandoned or depressed, wondering why you aren’t good enough for Him to pay attention to.

Your mom told you to pray. Your grandma was a prayer warrior. Your youth pastor said it would work. Your pastor preaches about it all the time… and for what? ‘Why does God pick and choose who He will answer,’ you ask? Why does He ignore you? Why can’t He understand what you need? Why keep talking to a wall and looking foolish? Why, why why?

Seriously…. why?

The questions keep going on until you aren’t just questioning why your prayers aren’t being answered, but you question God’s love for you, or perhaps, even His existence. ‘Is His Word even true?’ you ask, because He doesn’t seem to be abiding by it Himself. What’s the use? Why them and not me? Why even try? Your heart burns within you, as anger, resentment, frustration, and hopelessness suffocate you. Then you simply, walk away, and resolve that God is just not an answer for you. So many questions, and no answers.

We all face these struggles from time to time during our lives. There is frustration when we can’t seem to get the answers we need, and so we being questioning. Often our questions though are pointed toward God’s supposed fault instead of our misunderstandings. God is perfect. But we don’t really understand perfection; we understand immediate need and gratification. When God doesn’t meet that immediate gratification, we often lay the blame on Him instead of us.

As you develop your prayer life, you will have times your prayers are not being answered. Instead of getting angry at God, consider the prayer you are requesting.

Here are some things that will hinder your prayers from being answered:

(from the World Network of Prayer)

Not fellowshipping with God: Fellowship means to have a partnership, or to spend time with.  Why would God answer the prayers of someone who never speaks to Him?

Not praying in Jesus’ Name: Jesus instructed His disciples on how to pray.  He said to pray in the name of  Jesus.

Not asking or asking with the wrong motives: If you don’t ask, your prayer won’t be answered for sure.

Don’t pray selfishly.  God wants more than your grocery list.  Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss  (amiss defined as WRONG)  

Not asking according to God’s will: God’s will is learned by reading His Word.  God will not answer a prayer that is against His will. Here are some examples:

          God make Sally fail her final in Biology.
          God strike Johnny in the head with lightning.
          Lord, let me get this job even though it will keep me out of church.
          God please help me pass this test I didn’t study for.
          Lord I hate my parents; they don’t understand me. Please help me run away.
          God I need money to get an abortion.

Not having God’s Word in you: John 15:7 – “If you abide in Me and My words abide in you, ask what you desire   and it shall be done for you.”

Doubt & Unbelief: James 1:5-8 tells you to ask God in faith without doubting for your request to be fulfilled.

Giving Up: Luke 18:1 tells us to pray and faint not.  

Not being in agreement: Matthew 18:9  – “if any two of you agree, it will be done.”

Unforgiveness: “if you forgive men their trespasses, your father will forgive yours.”

Unconfessed Sin: Psalm 66:18 – “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:”

Don’t give up on prayer. God always answers, even if the answer is, ‘No.’ And when He answers, ‘No,’ remember that He knows your situation and your future… and He works all things out for our good. Pray for His understanding.

Colleen Clabaugh
WNOP Kids & Youth Prayer Coordinator

When we are angry the one thing we want is resolution or justice. Rarely do we want to be sweet and even less do we want to pray. However, prayer works and though we can find alternative ways to help our anger, prayer works best. Here are some ways that can help you pray through your anger before anger gets over on you.

Jesus gave us a great example: “In the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables.  Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle.  He also poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables.  He told those who were selling the doves, “Take these things out of here!  Stop making my Father’s house a market place!” John 2:14 -16

Breathe slowly…act slowly. When Jesus became angry, he didn’t automatically start reacting. He did an activity that slowed down his actions and calmed his nerves some and gave him proper focus to teach a spiritual lesson. Often when we are angry all we can think of is immediate resolve, which can skew our rational thinking. When the adrenaline is flowing fast, it’s hard to not respond. Slow down. Think about your situation and what you are going to do before you do it.  Breathe deep and slow. Pray for God to show you how you should respond. Think about what He would do.

Be rational. If you are going to speak at that moment ask yourself if your action are rational, and can help the situation. If they will not help, then don’t do it, or say it. Many arguments and situations are made worse by the way people react in their anger. Saying hurtful words in response will not help. Hitting someone will not help. Doing abusive behavior to that person or to you will not help. Again, ask God how you should respond. Walk away, if necessary, and then come back to the situation when you can think straight.

Weigh the problem. Ask yourself if the problem is really that big in light of all of life or eternity. Too many relationships are damaged over small things that really don’t matter.

Write it down.  If you can’t discuss or address a problem calmly, try to write down your feelings and thoughts. Putting your words on paper is much better than throwing them at another individual. Writing will often release emotions and help us clarify what is bothering us. Emotional responses can be communicated wrong and often one wrong word can permanently damage. After writing down your response, pray for God to help you share what you’ve written in a calm manner.

Accept responsibility. If you are partly or fully the cause of the problem, accept responsibility; don’t try to cover it or justify your behavior. Covering your shortcomings doesn’t help anything. Responding in anger because someone addressed a wrong you did won’t fix the wrong or help you to change. We can only change when we accept our fault. Ask God to help you be true and accountable. We all make mistakes but God can help us overcome them when we ask for help.

Accept that others make mistakes. None of us are perfect. Give grace to others when they mess up, like you want them to show grace to you. Forgive them, as you want them to forgive you. If you do not forgive, God cannot forgive you. Pray for God to help you to forgive and let go of wrong doings instead of letting it become a bitter poison in you.

Tell God you are mad. It’s ok to tell God how you feel, even when you are really mad. Be honest. When we are open, and don’t hold things in, then we can heal and become more rational. Hiding anger will only cause bitterness and a revengeful spirit.

Here is a sample prayer you can pray when you are dealing with anger:

Lord, I’m really angry. Things seem unfair and things aren’t right. Right now I want to say things I shouldn’t, or do something to get revenge. I want to scream at the world or at person who hurt me, but that won’t do any good. Please, I need help to deal with this. I don’t want to think these bad thoughts; help me to dwell on the good and the positive things in my life. Help me get rid of this burning inside my heart.

Lord, I know to hold anger in my spirit is wrong. I have some bitterness and unforgiveness in me. I’ve reacted wrong to others and said some things at times that I shouldn’t have. I’ve hurt others and not just myself being this angry. I confess this, and ask You to forgive me and take this anger away. Heal any wounds that I have inflicted, through my words and actions, in others and myself. Help me to speak kind words and forgive. Help me to make things right with those that I have been angry with.

 I ask you to help me think good thoughts. I don’t need revenge; that is your job. I need peace and I want this situation to make me a better person. Help me to learn something from it that is good.

 As Your Word says; “You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee.” I will react right. I will make amends. I will not let my emotions control me. I will respond as You did… with love and forgiveness.

 In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Colleen Clabaugh
Kids & Youth Prayer Coordinator – World Network of Prayer

Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall. Psalms 55:22

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

…”I will never leave you or forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will uphold you with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:4

COURAGE

Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. Psalms 27:14

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Isaiah 40:29

Be strong and take heart, all you who open the LORD. Psalms 31:24

… “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” Isaiah 43:1

DIRECTION

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21

For this GOD is our GOD for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end. Psalms 48:14

In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:6

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. Psalms 32:8

FAITH

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1

For it is by grace you have been saved through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is a gift of GOD. Ephesians 2:8

You are all sons of GOD through faith in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:26

We live by faith not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13

HELP IN TIMES OF NEED

You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs or deliverance. Psalms 32:7

Why are you downcast, O my soul? why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in GOD, for I will yet praise him, my Saviour and my GOD. Psalms 42:11

Then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. Psalms 91:10,11

Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes, with your right hand you save me. Psalms 138:7

FEAR

For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Isaiah 41:13

“But whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm. Proverbs 1:33

GOD is our refuge and strength, and ever present help in trouble. Psalms 46:1

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John14:27

So we say with confidence, “The LORD is my helper: I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” Hebrews 13:6

HOPE

Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD. Psalms 31:24

… which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Colossians 1:27

… looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ, Titus 2:13

JOY

I have told you this that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. John 15:11

… weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning. Psalms 30:5

You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalms 16: 11

SALVATION

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: John 3:16

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. Romans 10:13

For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”

FORGIVENESS

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

Let all bitterness, and wreath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice and be kind to one another, even as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you. Ephesians 4 31-32

Looking carefully lest any one fall short of the grace of God lest root of bitterness springing up cause trouble and by this many become defiled. Hebrews 12 15-16

Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Colossians 3: 12-15

LOVE

We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19

Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 John 4:8

But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.  And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned,[a] but have not love, it profits me nothing. Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13

GRACE

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Ephesians 2:8

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

Now therefore, I pray, if I have found grace in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You and that I may find grace in Your sight. And consider that this nation is Your people.” Exodus 33:13

For the LORD God is a sun and shield;The LORD will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold From those who walk uprightly. Psalm 84:11

PEACE

I will listen to what God the LORD will say; he promises peace to his people his saints… Psalms 85:8

Now may the LORD of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way… 2 Thessalonians 3:16

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever. Isaiah 32:17

WHEN YOU ARE LONELY

I will not leave you as orphans ; I will come to you. John 14:18

Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. Isaiah 58:9

“I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the LORD Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6:18

PROTECTION

The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. Proverbs 18:10

He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD. Psalms 112:7

The LORD is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? Psalms 27:1

The Lord will keep you from all harm – he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forever more. Psalms 121:7,8

TRUST

Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this. Psalms 37:3-5

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your path straight. Proverbs 3:5,6

God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea. Psalms 46:1,2

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

Use the following scriptures in your prayer time to help you in life situations:

CALLED TO SERVE

Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1

And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ Matthew 25:40

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45

“Here is a simple, rule-of-thumb guide for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then grab the initiative and do it for them. Add up God’s Law and Prophets and this is what you get. Matthew 7:12 (The Message)

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. 9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers, 10 making request if, by some means, now at last I may find a way in the will of God to come to you. 11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established— 12 that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. Romans 1: 8

Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11

MERCY

This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. Lamentation 3:21-23

[Praise to God for His Everlasting Mercy] Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.  Psalm 118:1

Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!For His mercy endures forever. Psalm 136:1

For the LORD is good;His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations. Psalm 100:5

Blessed be God,Who has not turned away my prayer, Nor His mercy from me! Psalm 66:20

But you aren’t a failure.

Your emotions might tell you that you are. Your friends might tell you that you are. Some of your family might even say that you are. And the worse one… you tell yourself that you are. But God never agrees. 

Life is full of mistakes and failures. We measure and compare ourselves with others, living life more for each other than we do ourselves or God. When the mistakes come, we are devastated. Our inner and “other” voices tell us that we will never be good enough.

None of us like to fail, yet, failure can be positive. When we approach our failure as an opportunity to become better instead of a stamp mark of identity, we find ourselves learning from our mistakes instead of being identified by them. Failure can make us stronger, wiser, more forgiving, patient, and humble.

Successful business owners use their failures as stepping stones for change. Often, those who invest in start-up companies pick those entrepreneurs which have already failed, simply because they know the person has already learned a hard lesson that they will try not to repeat.

Though failure is generally looked at negatively, you can chose to view it positively, as God does. Even when Israel failed God repeatedly, His response was:

“Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool”. (Isaiah 1:18)

He took the bad and created good.

There will be times that you feel like a failure… it’s normal. You may mess up a friendship, a promise, a test, a job, a college education, a relationship with a parent, or even your walk with God. But when these times come use the following prayer helps below to help you pray through your struggle, instead of being identified by it.

• Repent and ask God’s forgiveness, if necessary, also forgiving yourself. 
• Ask God to talk to you and help you learn from your situation.
• Pray that you would see yourself as God does, instead of what your emotions are telling you.
• Pray that others, who were impacted by your mistake, would be forgiving towards you.
• If your mistake affected someone else, ask God how you can make things right with them, and then do it.
• Pray that you would be as forgiving with others in their mistakes, as you want them to be with you in yours.
• Pray for peace in your mind, and good thoughts. Don’t allow yourself to dwell on negative emotions or thoughts.
• Pray that God would help you to see your future as He does, instead of how your current situation makes you feel it will turn out.

Failure is only a true failure when we quit trying.

Colleen Clabaugh
Kids & Youth Prayer Coordinator

]]> http://prayingyouth.com/praying-through-failure/feed/ 1 http://prayingyouth.com/prayer-at-exam-time/ http://prayingyouth.com/prayer-at-exam-time/#comments Thu, 07 Mar 2013 00:53:14 +0000 http://prayingyouth.com/?p=306 STRESS!
Most teenagers know this familiar feeling that comes with subject tests, pop-quizzes, mid-terms, finals or other tests such as the SAT and ACT. The stress is even greater when you finally admit… that YOU did NOT study!

A prayer in itself generally won’t get you that A that you are drooling for, the B you might grin at, the C that makes you shrug, or the D that you are sweating to get so you don’t get grounded and the car keys taken away. And for those of you who might consider praying for an F… well… you need prayer for bigger things than that.

So why pray? If the prayer won’t get you the grade, what’s the point? The point is, though God won’t ‘make the grade’ for you, He can help you study better and relax more when taking a test. By praying before a test, you can focus better on what you’ve learned, and God can help you remember the things you studied for.

Here is a simple prayer you can say at exam time:

Ok, so… I’m totally stressed, Lord. I’m so freaked out about this test, my brain is like soggy cereal, and let’s just say I’m really glad I wore deodorant today. Seriously though, I want to do well. I have studied, but tests make me nervous and forgetful. I know it’s probably not the biggest world problem, with people starving, people turning away from you, people in wars, and more. But, Lord, it’s what I’m facing right now, and I need you in this time. So, please, help me remember the things I’ve learned and give me peace so I can focus. 

Lord, I need your help to look at this information so I can remember and apply it well on my exam. I need you to help me feel more confident going into the test and relax a bit so I can concentrate. Lord, please help the people around me to understand that I need to focus and study, so they won’t be a distraction.

Give me the peace, when it is all said and done, to know that I walked in and did my best. I pray, Lord, for your guiding hand as I take the exam, and I ask for your welcome calm when I walk out of the classroom after.

Lord, thank you for all the blessings you have placed in my life. Thank you for being here in this time when I feel a bit overwhelmed. Thank you for always being there and allowing me to rely on you. Praise your name. Amen

I’ve always been able to hold up my end of a conversation without difficulty. Except, that is, when it came to prayer, and particularly when I tried to express my praise to God. Attempting to begin and end my prayer times with praise and adoration, I often found myself flat-out speechless. I wanted to praise God with all that was within me, but I couldn’t think of one sensible thing to say.

I recently read a book called Invading the Privacy of God by Cecil “Cec” Murphey. The book describes how Cec’s prayer life was revolutionized when he settled on the practice of praying God’s attributes as praise. I began imitating that practice in my own times of praise, and over the course of a few months, I developed a “program of praise” that has proven wonderfully helpful. It has opened a door for me, and my praises to God now flow freely from my heart and lips during prayer. I focus on one attribute of my awesome God and Father each day, using the Scripture-based sentences as “praise starters.” At the end of each month, I start the list over, combining traits when the month is shorter than 31 days.

1. God the Creator. “Creator God, I praise You because ’you made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you’” (Neh. 9:6).

2. The Only God. “God, I praise You because You are ’the LORD, and there is no other; apart from [You] there is no God’” (Is. 45:5).

3. The Almighty God. “’O LORD God Almighty, who is like you? You are mighty, O LORD, and your faithfulness surrounds you’” (Ps. 89:8).

4. The Everlasting Father, the Ancient of Days. “I praise You, Lord, as the ’Ancient of Days’ (Dan. 7:9), the ’Everlasting Father’ (Is. 9:6), who lives forever and ever.”

5. A Loving God. “I praise You because You are a loving God, whose very nature is love”(1 Jn. 4:16).

 6. A God of Justice. “Lord, I praise You and magnify You, who is ’just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus’” (Ro. 3:26).

7. A Faithful God. “Heavenly Father, I give You my praise and adoration, because You are a ’faithful God, keeping [Your] covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love [You] and keep [Your] commands’” (Dt. 7:9).

8. A Merciful God. “’You are a gracious and merciful God’ (Neh. 9:31), and I praise You for Your great mercy.”

9. God, My Refuge, My Fortress. “I praise You, Lord, for You are ’my mighty rock, my refuge’” (Ps. 62:7).

10. A Patient, Persevering God. “Father, I praise You because You are ’patient with [Your children], not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance’ (2 Pet. 3:9). Thank You for Your patience with me.”

11. Eternal, Saving God. “I give praise to You, Father, ’the only God our Savior.’ To You ’be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore’” (Jude 25).

12. The Holy One. “Holy, holy, holy [are You] Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come” (Rev. 4:8).

13. A Personal God. “I praise You, God, because You are a personal God, who gives me the honor of knowing You personally, even inviting me to feast at Your kingdom’s table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob” (Mt. 8:11).

14. A Giving God. “All praise and honor be Yours, O God, because You are a generous God, who did not even stop short of giving Your own Son” (Jn. 3:16).

15. A Provider God. “I praise You today, Lord, as my Jehovah-Jireh (the Lord Will Provide), who makes all grace abound in me and generously provides all I need” (2 Cor. 9:8).

16. God, My Shepherd. “I bless Your name and praise You as my Jehovah-Rohi (The Lord My Shepherd), who will shepherd me and guide me in the paths of righteousness for Your name’s sake” (Ps. 23:1-3).

17. God, My Victory. “Praise to You, my God, because You are my Jehovah-Nissi (The Lord My Banner), God, my victory, ’who always leads [me] in triumphal procession in Christ’” (2 Cor. 2:14).

18. God, My Peace. “I praise You with all my heart, Lord, because You are my Jehovah-Shalom (The Lord Our Peace), ’the God of peace [who] will soon crush Satan under [my] feet’” (Ro. 16:20).

19. The God Who Heals. “Father, I praise You because You are the Lord who heals me” (Ex. 15:26).

20. The God of All Comfort. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort” (2 Cor. 1:3).

21. The God of Miracles. “Lord, I praise You because ’you are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples’” (Ps. 77:14).

22. A Forgiving God. “I want to bless You with praise, Father, because ’you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love’” (Neh. 9:17).

23. The Burden Bearer. “Praise be to the Lord, to God [my] Savior, who daily bears [my] burdens” (Ps. 68:19).

24. A Faithful God. “I praise You because ’your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies’ (Ps. 36:5), and ’great is your faithfulness’” (Lam. 3:23).

25. King of Kings and Lord of Lords. “All honor and praise be to You, my God, ’the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light’” (1 Tim. 6:15).

26. God the Liberator. “I will praise You because ’you are my help and my deliverer; O LORD’” (Ps. 70:5).

27. The Lifter of My Head. “Father God, I praise You because ’you are a shield around me, O LORD; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head’ when I am weary or despised” (Ps. 3:3).

28. God of Light. “I praise You, Lord, because You are ’my light and my salvation’ (Ps. 27:1), and because You know ’what lies in darkness, and light dwells with [You]’” (Dan. 2:22).

29. God of Joy. “I give You praise, O Lord, because ’you have granted [me] eternal blessings and made [me] glad with the joy of your presence’” (Ps. 21:6).

30. The God Who Answers Prayer. “I praise and honor You, Father, because You are a God who loves to answer prayer and who begins to answer even before I pray” (Is. 65:24).

31. The God of All the Earth. “I praise and adore You, Lord, as ’the Holy One of Israel . . . [my] Redeemer . . . the God of all the earth’” (Is. 54:5).

Following this “praise program” has energized my praise life, helping me to worship and adore God more plentifully and purposefully in prayer. It has also enlarged my vision and awareness of the praiseworthy God I love and serve and, I believe, increased the evidence of His godly character in my life. I pray that it may do the same for you.

]]> http://prayingyouth.com/creating-a-vocabulary-of-praise/feed/ 0 http://prayingyouth.com/levels-of-praise/ http://prayingyouth.com/levels-of-praise/#comments Wed, 06 Mar 2013 23:06:34 +0000 http://prayingyouth.com/?p=245 Level One: Creation’s Praise

• Created things like trees, rocks and nature praise by keeping their order.
• This is the most basic level of praise.
• It is done unwittingly or without understanding.
• Remember: Someone or something is going to praise God – Period.

 Level Two: Angelic Praise

• Angels and heavenly hosts were created to praise God.
• They have knowledge and understanding of Who He is and how worthy He is – but they do not experience the miracle of salvation.

 Level Three: “How Great Thou Art” Praise

• Head knowledge is not the same as heart knowledge.
• One can mentally assent to the majesty and power of God and even render some sort of praise at this level.
• Some time ago, there was a cartoon character who was standing on a hill watching shooting stars. He was applauding and saying, “Yeah, God!” This is a summation of level three.
• This still holds God at a distance.

 Level Four: “Osmosis” Praise

• This kind of praise happens when someone nearby enters into the presence of God.
• As they enter into the courts of praise and their vessel becomes full, it overflows and spreads to others.

 Level Five: Praise with Understanding

• This kind of praise is born out of a heart full of thanksgiving.
• “God healed me when I had cancer.” “I was hit by a car and God spared my life.” “God delivered my father from a life of alcoholism.”
• Praise begins to focus on the goodness of God, on the great things He has done, on His mighty acts – to deliver, to save to heal.
• A thankful heart can usher one further into the courts of praise.

 Level Six: “God Focused” Praise

• At some point your mind will start to consider His goodness, His greatness – not just to you, but to us all.
• James says that “the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” (James 5:16).
• There is little doubt that the praise of a righteous man is worth something to God also.
• There are times when the praise of one is joined to the praise of another. This occurs in corporate worship.
• More is accomplished by a joint effort than could be accomplished by one alone.
• This kind of praise invites the presence of the Lord and allows it to flow like a sweet fragrance throughout the room. It begins to minister to those who came empty – to fill and bless them, ushering each one into the Holy Place where His Spirit has free course.

Level Seven: Battlefield Praise

• Fear and doubt are combated and defeated. Those who were entrapped by fear and doubt can now move into the realm of thanksgiving, and from there, into praise. Then this happens, praise is strengthened and moves into yet another level.

 Level Eight: Ordained Praise

Consider the account of the triumphal entry.

• The ministry of Jesus had crescendoed to a level which could no longer be denied. Praise had to occur.
• There is a level at which the foundations have been laid, they have been built upon and “the tower” has reached the heavens – a spiritual tension is at its climax and the result is – something has got to give praise!
• When this level of praise occurs, souls are effected for eternity’s sake. Chains of fear and doubt are loosed. The brokenhearted are healed, deliverance is preached, blind recover their sight, and the bruised are set at liberty.

 Level Nine: Perfect Praise

• Perfected praise, is praise without an agenda of any kind, praise at its most sincere, praise in its purest form, and it is high praise indeed.
• It’s the place where all thought of self is gone and no other remains but the desire to love, exalt and please God.
• It is a holy possibility.

Excerpts from the book Glorify

by Marjorie J. Kinnee