Preparing to Pray - BS October 31, 2007, Attendance - 15

Ten Steps To Preparedness in Prayer

1. Appropriate God’s Grace Leviticus 16:3 – 11
Acknowledge God’s Holiness, turn away from your sins and be cleansed through the blood of Christ. Ask the following questions:

a. Am I in a position to approach GOD in Holiness?
b. Have I examined my own life?
c. Have I been involved in things that are contrary to His word and His law of love?

Read Hebrew 10:25. This is a command.
Read Malachi 3:8-10 Asking for Financial Blessing without tithing.
Read 1 John 1:9 God’s faithfullnes to forgive sins.
Read Isiah 59:2 Iniquities
Read Psalm 19:12 Hidden sins
Read Psalm 103: 11-12 God’s promised on forgiveness.
Read Hebrew 7:27; 1 John 1:7
GOD is serious about holiness and obedience. We can’t live in sin and unbelief if we want our prayers answered.

2. Put on Rightneousness

The priest was to wear the right clothes- the clothes God said to wear. Ephesians 4:24
Why was the priest to wear Linen? Linen is a fabric that breathes, there was to be no perspiration in God’s presence, Why? It is because sweat represents rebellion against GOD, read Gen 3:17-19.
Sweat represents any attempt to reach GOD on our own merits. It means trying to work ourselves into God’s presence.
Isaiah 61:10 when we put on God’s righteousness, we can rejoice before the lord.

3. Put on Truth and Honesty

Be Transparent and clean before the Lord, desiring truth in the innermost parts and living with integrity.
Leviticus 16:4 He is to tie the linen sash around him. The sash covers the most delicate areas of your life, the parts you don’t like to talk about. The secret life only you know about. Read Psalm 51:6; Ephesians 6:14; Psalm 24:3-4

4. Cleanse with Word

Before you come before GOD, make sure that you’ve read the WORD, that the WORD is in you, and that you are obeying the WORD.
Leviticus 16:4 . These are sacred garments; so he must bathe himself with water before he puts them on.
Read John 15:3; John 17:17; Ephesians 5: 25-26 Psalm 119:9-11
You need to make sure your are in the word when you come before GOD, that the word is in you and that you are obeying the word. Otherwise, you will enter God’s presence with your own Ideas and attitudes.
Collosians 3:9
You become what you listen to. You become what you think. You become what's in your mind. If your mind is filled with the Word of GOD, then you will start becoming what it says. It will wash you.

5. Worship and Praise GOD

Honor and worship GOD in spirit and in truth (John 4:19-24), acknowledging HIM as your All in All.
Leviticus 16:12-13 Incense is the symbol of worship.

6. Separate Yourself

Remove yourself from your normal environment, activities and distractions. Find the place in GOD where He meets you by coming to him with the right heart, attitude and motives.
Leviticus 16:17
Jeremiah 29:13
God has prepared a place in HIM just for you, and you need to enter that place. If your heart, your attitude or your motives aren’t right – if there are things in your life that aren’t right – GOD says, "You are not yet in the place where I want to be."
When you make it to that place in GOD, everybody will know it because you are sparkling, Isaiah 58:8

7. Believe

Have faith in God’s power to do what He has promised and in the effectiveness of Christ’s sacrifice.
Leviticus 16: 18-19
Horn represent Power.
When you feel spiritually dry, when you are not experiencing God’s power, examine your life. Check to see if you are right with God.
Hebrew 7:27; Romans 3:25; Hebrew 9:11-14; 1 john 2;2

8. Give God the Glory

Confess that GOD is the ONE who accomplished your atonement, forgiveness, and reconciliation with HIM and is worthy to be praised. Give to Others out of the abundance GOD has given you.
Leviticus 16:25
Fat is a symbol of glory because fat is excesses.
Read Isiah 42:8 48:11
God loves Glory.

9. Wash in the Word

Ask GOD to fulfill His purposes based on HIS will and the promises of His Word
The first one is for cleansing and the second one is appropriating GOD’s promises.
Leviticus 16;26
Read Philippians 4:6
Wash yourself in the Word by asking GOD to fulfill His purposes based on his will and promises.

10. Remain in the anointing
Remain in a state of preparedness for prayer. Honor the Lord by reflecting His nature and character in your life.
Leviticus 16: 32-34
Remember to Follow his instructions and ways to remain in HIS presence.

BS October 31, 2007 - led by Elmer, Attendance - 15