www.praytimer.org

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Chapter 4-6

• www.praytimer.org

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Chapter Four Christian InterventionBecoming an
Intercessor/Prayer Warrior

• Every believer should include something eternal
  in every day.
• Believers have priestly responsibilities
  including prayer (see 1 Pet. 29).
• Church leaders should model the role of a prayer
  warrior.
• What could happen through a daily, personal quiet
  time with God? The postmodern culture desperately
  needs each believer to become a prayer warrior.

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Becoming a Prayer Warrior

• Most believers are blessed to know a prayer
  warrior.
• Every believer should be such a blessing.
• Five characteristics for those who wish to become
  prayer warriors

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1. Prayer Warriors Remain Connected to the Vine.

• Becoming a prayer warrior begins and matures
  through our relationship with Jesus.
• Jesus is the vine and His followers are branches
  (see John 151-11).
• Jesus alone embodies the complete will and
  purpose of God.

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• Pruned to bear fruit (see John 152).
• A believers purpose is to bear fruit.
• Fruit of the Spirit Love, joy, peace, patience,
  kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness,
  self-control (Gal. 522-23).
• Eternal fruit of helping people meet Jesus
• Believers will be pruned to bear more fruit.
• We should be willing to be pruned.

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• Abide in Jesus.
• Jesus says, Abide in Me, and I in you. As the
  branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it
  abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you
  abide in Me (John 154).
• John 157 adds, If you abide in Me, and My words
  abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall
  be done for you.
• Abiding in Gods Word shows us how to pray
  effectively.

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• Jesus as our example.
• Do not replace Gods Word with the opinions or
  teachings of other people.
• Theological errors often develop because it is
  easier to ask someone their opinion than research
  the biblical text.
• Read carefully. Listen carefully.

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• Ask whatever you wish.
• The privilege of asking is determined by abiding
  in Christ.
• To ask whatever you wish, you must abide in the
  Word (see John 154-6).
• Love and joy are missing from the postmodern
  culture (see John 159-11).

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2. Prayer Warriors Remain Grounded in the Bible.

• Helps detect decoys and false teaching.
• Below are seven characteristics of biblical
  prayer
• Recognize the struggle between emotion and
  knowledge.
• Emotion and knowledge struggle in almost every
  prayer and spiritual warfare movement worldwide.
  We can focus too much on emotion or knowledge.

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• The issue is to discover, teach, and practice
  biblical truth.
• In Genesis 47, the Lord warns Cain that sin is
  crouching at the door and its desire is for you,
  but you must master it.
• For where jealously and selfish ambition exist,
  there is disorder (Jas. 316).
• Luke explains that jealousy caused conflict with
  kingdom activities (see Acts 1345).

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• Balance is needed between Gods sovereignty and
  human responsibility.
• Even professional ministers succumb to using
  manipulation to advance their personal agenda.
  Now they are unhappy and are begging God to
  rescue them. Or worse, they are making life and
  ministry miserable.
• People must train their emotions or they will be
  led captive to every passing impulse or reaction.
• Be careful that knowledge doesnt replace faith.
• It is very important for believers to approach
  prayer, spiritual warfare, and ministry with
  loving, biblical knowledge instead of untrained
  emotional reaction.

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• Pray in Jesus name.
• Jesus instructs believers to ask in My name
  (John 1413-14). Praying in Jesus name means
  asking anything that is consistent with His
  character, nature, and personality.
• If people do this, Jesus serves as the mediator
  for that request.
• Jesus paid our sin debt.
• Praying in Jesus name flows from a believers
  heart. Unbelievers do not have access.

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• Intercede with righteous prayer.
• James 516 (NKJV.) reads ...pray for one
  another. . .The effective, fervent prayer of a
  righteous man avails much.
• Religion often calls for people to act good.
• Christianity calls for us to become holy (see 2
  Tim. 19).

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• Practice persistent prayer.
• Luke 115-13 teaches more about the intercessor
  than intercession. This is not an example of
  changing Gods mind to agree with us.
• 1) It is a legitimate need,
• 2) He persisted on behalf of others,
  
• 3) He persevered.
• Prayer is not an excuse for our cowardice or
  laziness.
• Luke 181 (KJV) says to pray without fainting.
• Prayer warriors pray unceasingly.

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• Include evangelistic prayer.
• Evangelistic prayer intercedes for lost people.
• Pray to have a broken heart for lost people (see
  Luke 15).
• If we who believe in prayer are not praying for
  lost people, who will?
• There has never been a mighty revival without
  mighty praying.-Torrey

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• Agonize in prayer.
• Praying in Jesus name is hard.
• Agonize (strive) together in prayer (see Rom.
  1530).
• In Luke 2244, the same word describes Jesus
  prayer in the garden.
• Act 12 records the story of the church praying on
  Peters behalf.

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• Pray in unity.
• Praying in Jesus name brings unity.
• Matthew 1819-20 describes the importance of
  unity in prayer.
• God honors unified prayer.
• Praying in unity does not mean compromising
  theological truth.

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• Prayer Warriors Listen for the
• Lord to Speak.
• The Bible often mentions the Lord speaking (see 1
  Kings 19Acts 167).
• Much of our prayer is more talking than
  listening.
• Prayer warriors must carefully seek to hear the
  Lords voice.
• Include Bible study time during every personal
  and corporate prayer time.
• It is difficult for believers to discern the
  voice of the Holy Spirit from the voices of Satan
  or our own desires.

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4. Prayer Warriors Pray in Truth.

• In John 844, Satan is described as a
  murdererand does not stand in the truth because
  there is no truth in himfor he is a liar and the
  father of lies.
• Satan consistently seeks to undermine and dismiss
  the truth.
• Notice how he slowly raises our tolerance of
  evil.
• Our prayer is empowered by walking in the truth.

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• You shall know the truth (see John 832).
• The nature and source of truth should become the
  core of our cultural debate.
• Satan wants us to believe that truth is not
  attainable.
• Satan tries to convince humans to exchange the
  truth of God for a lie.
• Notice how Satan lures the believer into the
  powers of darkness.

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• What is truth?
• The prevailing relativism has many people looking
  for truth.
• Truth is exclusive of error.
• Ravi Zacharias writes that all truth is Gods
  truth, and truth cannot be in conflict with
  itself.
• In John 1248, the Word of God is shown as the
  standard by which humans will be judged.

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? The Truth shall set you free (see John
832).

• Discovering and choosing the truth has become a
  difficult decision for the individual. Jesus is
  the Truth.
• The truth that sets people free is Jesus. It is
  not education, technology, social reform, or even
  autonomy from rules. Jesus is the way, the truth,
  and the life (see John 146). Jesus is not one of
  many ways, part of the truth, or some of the
  life.

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• Satanic influence in the culture wants humans to
  believe that truth is not attainable. This
  eventually can cause even believers to pray
  without faith.
• Truth is not dependent upon opinion polls.

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5. Prayer Warriors Create a Prayer Plan that
Helps Them.

• Some prayer plans become hollow rituals.
• In Matthew 69-13 and John 17, Jesus provides a
  model, not a ritual prayer for believers.

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• A prayer plan can provide direction and focus in
  the believers prayer life. It can help to
  maximize and organize our prayer time.
• The believers desire should be to encounter the
  God who answers prayer.

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Prayer Warriors Help with aComprehensive Prayer
Ministry.

• A comprehensive prayer ministry will cover every
  ministry of the church with prayer.
• It will not happen automatically. It requires
  leadership.
• Great Commission Praying to support Matthew
  2818-20.

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Three Goals in a Great Commission Prayer Ministry

• Personal Prayer Goal (see 1 Thess. 517).
• Renew a personal passion for Jesus through
  praying unceasingly.
• 2. Corporate Prayer Goal (see Matt. 2113 Luke
  1910).
• Reclaim the church as a house of prayer with a
  passion for lost people.
• 3. Kingdom Prayer Goal (see 2 Chron. 714
  Matt. 28 18-20).
• Respond to Gods call to unite believers in
  focused prayer for global evangelization and
  awakening.

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A Suggested Process for a Great Commission Prayer
Ministry

1. Select (through prayer) a prayer coordinator
2. Select (through prayer) a prayer council
3. Pastor presents a sermon series on prayer
4. Pastor hosts a prayer banquet
5. Refocus the Wednesday night prayer meeting

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• Provide a prayer room
• Create a prayer chain or watchman network
• Provide many ways to involve people and call them
  to prayer
• 9. Provide ongoing training
• Participate in Campus Prayer Journeys/See You at
  the Pole
• Cover the community with regular Prayer Journeys/
  Prayer Walks
• Encourage individual prayer through resources
  available

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• Launch new prayer groups
• Create praying affinity groups for people in your
  congregation and community
• Develop prayer lists
• 16. Participate in North American and
  International Seasons of Prayer for missions
  and missionaries
• Create Lighthouses of Prayer
• Schedule a prayer time during worship services
• Work with the state and associational prayer
  coordinators

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Conclusion

• The postmodern world needs more believers to
  become prayer warriors. Become a prayer warrior
  by abiding in Christ, staying grounded in the
  Word, and by praying in truth. Create a prayer
  plan that works for you and for your
  congregation. Include the personal, corporate,
  and kingdom goals. Help your congregation cover
  every ministry and person in the church and in
  the community with prayer.
• The next two chapters present more information
  about using the PrayTimer software for personal
  and corporate use.

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Chapter FiveMaximizing Personal Prayer Time

• Personal prayer time. Renew your relationship
  with the Lord.
• Prayer allows you to be involved in making an
  eternal difference.
• Use tools to maximize your prayer time.
• Exceed your comfort zone of prayer.
• Consider using some kind of daily intercession
  schedule to remind you of prayer needs.
• It is not essential to use any software or
  schedule to pray effectively.
• Pray longer than you plan your prayer time

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First, Plan A Daily Prayer Time.

• The discipline of a daily prayer time requires
  commitment.
• Everything in our daily schedule tries to reduce
  or delete our time with God.
• Set a time for prayer least likely to be
  interrupted. This is one reason many prefer an
  early morning prayer time. This requires the
  discipline of going to bed early enough to get
  the needed sleep. It requires replacing our
  entertainment-driven habits with the desire to
  make an eternal difference. Give the Lord time
  when your mind is sharp and you are refreshed.

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Second, Adapt the ACTS acrostic.

• Many believers find they need to
• schedule additional prayer times as the
• prayer request lists grow longer.

• The purpose is to pray for as many specific
  requests as possible in a day.
• Personal and corporate prayer times can include
  all four ACTS components.

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• Adoration This is often overlooked during
  prayer time.
• Worship in Matthew 2817 means to bow the knee.
• Praise and adore the Lord for who He is (see
  Matt. 69).
• Cherish His presence and allow Him to work in and
  through your life (see Matt. 2232-34).
• Be still and know (see Ps. 4610).

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• Confession Do this daily (see Matt. 612).
• Ask the Lord to search your heart (see Ps.
  13923-24).
• Accept His forgiveness and cleansing (see 1 John
  19 Jer. 3134).
• Personal confession time is different from
  corporate confession time.

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• Thanksgiving - Give thanks for all things (see
  Phil. 46-7).
• Thanksgiving differs from adoration.
• Thank God for specific things, such as blessings,
  people, open doors, and serving Him.
• Thank Him for His goodness, loving kindness, and
  faithfulness (see
• Ps. 1004-6).

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• Supplication - We are called as believers to
  intercessory prayer.
• We are to pray for others (see Heb. 1019-25
  Rev. 14-6).
• Spend time praying for specific people, including
  people in states, countries, and involved in
  events, (see Acts 125 Rom. 101).
• Pray for those in authority (see 1 Tim. 21-6).
• Pray for lost people (see John 1720).
• The PrayTimer prayer lists are helpful for
  specific daily supplication.

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Third, Include Prayer List Categories.

• You cannot cover all of your prayer requests in 5
  minutes a day.
• Prayer list categories allow believers to
  remember important requests.
• Prayer categories can help believerspray
  consistently with the Great Commission.

Personal Spiritual and Physical Needs
Believers
Unbelievers
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Include a Category for Believers

• Many prayers in the New Testament were for
  believers.
• Paul modeled and taught this practice (see Eph.
  115-19 1 Thess. 311-13).
• Believers should intercede for each other daily.
• Include missionaries in your daily prayer time.

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Include a Category For Unbelievers

• Evangelistic praying should include prayer for
  unbelievers.
• Prayer on behalf of lost people is taught by
  Jesus (see John 1720).
• Do not presume that people are saved.
• If we who believe in prayer are not praying for
  lost people, then who is praying for them?

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Pray for unbelievers HEARTS to be changed

• Pray for receptive and repentant Hearts (see Luke
  85-12).
• Pray for their spiritual Eyes and ears to be
  opened to the truth of Christ (see 2 Cor. 44
  Matt. 1315).
• Pray for them to have Gods Attitude toward sin
  (see John 168).
• Pray for the person to be Released to believe
  (see 2 Cor. 103-4 2 Tim. 225-26).

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• Pray for a Transforming life (see Rom. 121-2).
• Pray for God to Send them into His harvest field
  (see Matt. 935).

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Pray for Believers and Unbelievers Involved in
Evangelistic Missions Events

• These events allow God to use His people to
  influence the lost world for Christ.
• Prayer for events focuses on praying for everyone
  involved in those events.
• A biblical mission event will always be
  evangelistic.
• Three ways to pray biblically for outreach events

1. Pray for people before the event. 2. Pray for
people during the event. 3. Pray for people after
the event.
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Pray for Believers and Unbelievers in States,
Provinces, and Countries

• Jesus wept over the people in the city of
  Jerusalem (see Matt. 2337-39).
• God must intervene person-by-person,
  state-by-state, and country-by-country.
• Intercession helps soften hard hearts so that
  unbelievers accept Jesus.
• Pray for revival and spiritual awakening (see 2
  Chron. 714).

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• Pray for the Lord of the harvest to send laborers
  into His harvest fields (see Luke 102).
• Pray for state denominational leaders to increase
  in Gods wisdom, conduct themselves honorably in
  all things, and grow in favor with God and man
  (see Luke 252).
• Pray for open doors for the gospel to be taken to
  the lost (see Col. 42-6).

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Include a Category for Personal, Spiritual, and
Physical Needs

• Jesus prayed for Himself (see Luke 2239-45).
• Jesus prayed for personal, physical, and
  spiritual needs.
• An important personal need is for each believer
  to share Jesus with unbelievers.
• God honors prayers for divine encounters.
• Praying for personal, spiritual, and physical
  needs is not selfish, as long as you are seeking
  Gods face not just Gods hands.

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Biblical examples of personal prayer needs

• Pray in repentance and belief in Christ (see
  Mark 115).

Pray we can forgive everyone (see Luke 114).
Pray in confession of sin (see 1 John 19).
Pray that we will not be led into temptation (see
Luke 114b).
Pray for our daily bread (see Luke 113.
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Include Other Categories

• Under these categories, you can create a number
  of additional sub-categories.
• Create a category for people in your profession
  or interest group.
• It is overwhelming to realize how many people we
  should be praying for.
• If we who believe in prayer are not praying
  consistently, then who is praying?

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Schedule How Often to Pray for Each Request

• The number of prayer requests require prayer
  warriors to set up a prayer schedule.
• Some requests, like the National Day of Prayer,
  are only once a year.
• PrayTimer provides an import file to place
  missionary birthdays on your schedule.

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Create a Daily Intercession Schedule

• These suggestions can be adapted to your personal
  or congregational preferences.
• Schedule daily prayer requests to maximize your
  prayer time.
• The purpose is to help every believer to pray for
  as many specific prayer requests as possible on
  any given day, week, month, or year.
• Use these suggestions to include specific prayer
  requests for individuals by name.

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Conclusion

• Begin seeking ways to maximize and expand your
  personal prayer time. Plan a time for daily
  prayer. Seek to bring balance to your corporate
  and personal prayer time. Consider creating
  category lists to help you pray specifically for
  unbelievers, believers, and personal spiritual
  and physical needs.

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Chapter 6PrayTimer Software Instructions

• The PrayTimer CD-ROM is available at the back of
  this book. For more information and updates visit
  
• www.praytimer.org.

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• The software provides calendar options in daily,
  weekly, and monthly calendar views. It provides
  tools for individuals, prayer coordinators, and
  church staff to manage, print, and distribute
  personal, congregational, or small group prayer
  requests. Page-by-page instructions are included
  in this chapter.

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Motivation for Personal Prayer

• A personal prayer time begins with the motivation
  to grow in Christ. Otherwise, the software is
  just a toy or another program.
• Growing in Christ requires at least three actions
  on our part

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First, choose Gods will over our will.

• Jesus agonized over the impending pain of the
  cross (see Luke 2242). Jesus agreed that Gods
  will was (and is) better than individual will. We
  must choose Gods will.
• Jesus stands at the door of our heart and knocks
  (see Rev. 320).
• When the Holy Spirit moves into our heart, He
  rearranges the furniture (desires, attitudes,
  self-made theology). Choose to exchange your will
  for Gods will.

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Second, growing in Christ requires a change of
heart.

• It is difficult to give the Lord access to every
  room in your heart.
• The New Testament refers to the heart as the
  seat of human will and emotions (see Matt.
  2237).
• There are several benefits to allowing the Spirit
  to change our hearts.

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• First Benefit Purity
• The culture views purity as an embarrassing word.
• Jesus told His followers, Blessed are the pure
  in heart (see Matt. 58).
• Believers need daily time with God for cleansing.
  
• In Matthew 1234(NKJV), Jesus gives an indicator
  of a contaminated heart, ...out of the abundance
  of the heart the mouth speaks.

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• Second Benefit Pray Unceasingly
• 1 Thessalonians 517 encourages believers to pray
  unceasingly.
• Hebrews 412 refers to the Word of God discerning
  the attitudes and actions of the heart.
• Learn the Word of God.

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• Third Benefit Sharing with Others
• Romans 109-10 says that people must believe in
  their heart and confess with their mouth.
• We more easily confess to others that Jesus is
  Lord when He fills and overflows us.
• Fourth Benefit Comfort
• Jesus said, Let not your heart be troubled
  (John 1427).
• Our time with God provides peace that passes
  understanding.
• There is great comfort in knowing God is in
  control.

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Third, growing in Christ requires fellowship with
God.

• The heart must become obedient to God, through
  His Son, Jesus, and in the power of the Holy
  Spirit.
• Devote yourself to learn more about God and to
  fellowship with Him (see Acts 242).
• Publicly identify yourself as a follower of
  Jesus teachings.

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• Every believer should be active in church (see
  Heb. 1025).
• Satan will provide many excuses about why you do
  not need to join or attend church.

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Instructions for the PrayTimer Software

• Visit www.praytimer.org for updated versions,
  updated download files, a Quick Start Guide,
  online help files, answers to Frequently Asked
  Questions, and printable copies of each.
• Load, open, and overview the software.

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Conclusion

• Effective prayer requires a commitment that flows
  from a relationship with Jesus Christ. The
  challenge is to keep prayer as a priority of our
  lives without becoming a lifeless ritual. It does
  not matter what process or material you use.
  Renew a personal passion to pray unceasingly.