BUILDING ON MEN'S FAITH THROUGH PRAYER
I rewrote this book after attending a Promise Keepers Conference. Men have a harder time praying than women and I hoped by gearing prayers just for them it would help. There are comments before each prayer that help explain the verse or provide exhortation to be the men God wants. Some wives, a little frustrated that their husbands were leaving their book on the shelf, have prayed through the prayers on their husband’s behalf. In another church, the men’s Bible study group agreed to pray through the book for themselves and for the others in the group.
This book contains prayers written FOR MEN from the gospel of Luke. I have added a short commentary on the verses in order to give a better idea of what I saw in the verses that led to the prayers. My goal is to lead you to the place where you are turning God's word into your own prayers whenever you read the Bible. A good way to use this book would be to pray through it in conjunction with a thorough reading of the gospel of Luke. Luke is the gospel that talks the most about the prayer life of Jesus. Although this book is geared toward men, anyone can use it.
Sample Prayers
(Sample prayers from Luke Chapter 11 with my comment in normal and the prayer in bold print)
The disciples didn't ask to be taught "how" to pray. They ask to be taught "to" pray. We learn prayer by spending time talking with and listening to God. We can accelerate the learning process if we pray with those who have learned to pray, and by praying God's word back to Him like you are doing. Do you have a consistent prayer life? Do you pray regularly with your wife? Do you have one or more men that you pray with regularly? If not, start asking the Lord to expand your prayer life.
Lord, teach me to regularly spend time with You in prayer. Make my prayer life much more effective than it presently is. Lead me into regular prayer times with my wife and make them very powerful times for us. Give me one or more Christian brothers to pray with on a regular basis. Vs 1
Jesus follows the model prayer with a story about persistence because He knew there will be many time when we will have to hang on until God answers. It's not that we have to convince a reluctant God. Somehow in God's economy, He is able to answer bigger and better if we persevere for a time in prayer. Hunting, fishing, athletic events and our jobs constantly remind us that persistence pays. How much more we need to persist in prayer for things we know He wants us to have.
Father, release in me that urgent persistence in prayer that allows You to do the things You want to do. Keep me focused, encouraged and persistent until You give in the fullest measure the answers You want to give. Vs 5-8
Our job is to keep on asking, seeking and knocking for everything we need for the kingdom. The Father's part is to give, to cause us to find, and to open the way for us.
Father, see to it that I keep on asking and receiving. Make sure I seek what You want me to seek and find it. Cause me to knock so You can open doors for me. Vs 9-10
Our part is to ask as specifically as we know how. The Father will then give what we really need because He knows how to give good gifts. He also releases the Holy Spirit in our lives to make us more like Jesus and empower us for ministry.
Father, stir me to specific, faith-filled prayers that allow You to give the good gifts You want to give. Keep me so surrendered to You that the Holy Spirit can fill me and express Your life through me. Use me to help others give their lives to Jesus and receive the good gift of the Holy Spirit. Vs 13