This is an article I wrote for North’s recent prayer retreat. I’d love to hear what you guys think about it (granted there are any guys out there who still look at this). Also…I’m gonna try to post a few more things on here. I’ve just been too busy to think lately!
Prayer and worship are intricately woven together. Throughout the Psalms, it’s often hard to separate and categorize which phrases are prayer and which are worship. David often begins with thanksgiving for God’s saving hand from previous hardships and ends with pleas for deliverance in current struggles (Psalm 9). Other times, he starts with praise to God for His unchanging attributes of character and finishes with cries for God to search him and lead him into new places of personal truth and freedom (Psalm 19; 139). Even the apostle Paul tells us to mingle our prayers and supplications with a foundation of thanksgiving (Phil 4:6). Prayer and worship are deeply connected. In my own life, I find a consistent pattern at work within my worship and prayer. Prayer is always the end result of worship.
The process of my personal worship times generally consists of a time to reflect, a time to respond, a time for God to reveal, and a time for request. They sometimes follow exactly in order and sometimes blend seamlessly together. I generally begin by taking time to reflect and meditate on who God is (Ex 34:6-8) and what He’s done in my life. I recount the testimonies recorded in scripture that give ageless examples of what God is like and how He responds to people and situations. I then remind myself of the state of my heart when Jesus found me, rescued me, and restored me. I remind myself of how He first loved me and gave Himself for me, so I could have communion with Him. Out of that reflection is immediately sparked a response… a spring and overflow of thanksgiving and love. Through song or word or thought, my entire being rises up to worship. As I remember His benefits, I respond and bless the Lord (Psalm 103). It is always in the midst of this, that I am overwhelmed by a new revelation of who God is, or a new emphasis on an aspect of His character, or a deeper understanding of His goodness. As I fix my eyes on Jesus (Heb 12:2), I am faced with the reality of who He is and who I truly am. As I behold His glory, I am transformed (II Cor. 3:18). I am then left with nothing except to request, to beseech, to inquire. I ask for God to save me. I ask for God to change me. I ask Him to increase, and that I might decrease (John 3:30). I cry for him to free me from every weight, sin and hindrance and to bind my heart to His cross (Heb 12:1). I ask to know Him deeper and to love Him more completely. As God reveals Himself to me, I always desire to be more like Him. My worship always ends in prayer.
Take the time to lead your heart into this journey:
reflect, respond, reveal, request
