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Pray Up Your Life

BALBOA PRESS

Contents

How to Use This Book.............................................................xiIntroduction.....................................................................xv1. First Things First............................................................32. Pray and Get Ready............................................................73. Stay Positive.................................................................114. Be Persistent—Pray Until Something Happens..............................155. Practice Seeing...............................................................196. Pray for Your Loved Ones......................................................237. Prayer Partners...............................................................278. Bless Your House..............................................................339. Bless Your Business...........................................................3910. Bless Your Pet...............................................................4711. Safe Travels.................................................................5112. Claim Overflowing Blessings..................................................5713. Pleasant Words, Healthy Body.................................................6314. When a Loved One Dies........................................................6715. The Sweet Smell of Answered Prayer...........................................7316. Prayer and Sacred Symbols....................................................7717. Light a Candle...............................................................8118. Add Soul-Stirring Music......................................................8519. The Use of Incense...........................................................8720. Using Precious Stones........................................................9121. Keep a Journal...............................................................9522. Hold a Prayer Vigil..........................................................10123. Healing Waters...............................................................11124. 'Dear God' Letters...........................................................11525. A Few Words on Forgiveness...................................................11926. Money, Money, Money..........................................................12327. A Time to Wait...............................................................12928. The Value of a Spiritual Community...........................................13329. Praying the Psalms...........................................................13730. Fast and Pray................................................................14531. Know Your Spiritual Gifts....................................................15132. Chanting.....................................................................15733. Breathe......................................................................16134. Pray for a Vision............................................................16535. A Time to Keep Silence.......................................................17136. Make a Covenant With God.....................................................17537. Make a Joyful Noise..........................................................18138. Prosperity...................................................................18539. Dance the Prayer You're Praying..............................................19140. 'Go Apart and Rest'..........................................................19541. Raise Your Gratitude Quotient................................................19942. Love and Romance.............................................................20343. The Power of Blessing........................................................21344. The Ultimate Prayer of Service...............................................22145. Pray for World Peace.........................................................22546. Letting Go and Moving On.....................................................23147. Thank God for Friends........................................................24148. Pray and Move Your Feet......................................................24549. Pray up the Life You Desire..................................................24950 Let Your Light Shine..........................................................253Closing Prayer...................................................................259Acknowledgements.................................................................261About The Author.................................................................263Scripture Notes..................................................................265Bibliography.....................................................................273Index............................................................................275

Chapter One

Prayer Anchor: "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." Genesis 1:1 (NKJV)

When we make a conscious intention to pray, it is best to start at the beginning. In the book of Genesis, where the allegorical account of creation is told, a great wisdom is revealed that we can use for our benefit. It unveils the importance of having a conscious place to start. One way to look at this is that the Genesis narrative says God started the creation process at the beginning. Another way to see it is that God is the beginning. From either perspective, whatever we plan to create or to do, the best place to start is with God at the beginning.

When we affirm "In the beginning God" in prayer, we are setting an intention to co-create with God the desires of our heart. We are positioning ourselves at the point where the creative process begins—with God. We are in effect, saying something like, God is the beginning, God started at the beginning, and that's where I will start too—with God as the beginning."

This principle of starting at a specific place called the beginning can be referred to as "first things first." We see this idea modeled for us in nature. The farmer must prepare the soil first before planting his seeds in the ground. To bypass this important step would surely affect the quality and quantity of his crops. His harvest would not bring forth the crop that he desired because he did not honor the rule of first things first.

In spiritual matters, we follow this principle by acknowledging God first. "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."

When we acknowledge God as the foundation on which we pray, we are open and receptive to receive God's direction to the right and perfect answers. This affirms that we want God to be at the core of the outcome. In this way, we make a conscious decision to surrender our personal will to the will of God and therefore to humble ourselves in prayer. Without a little humility, we might make the error that so many folks make, and that is to think that we—apart from God—can achieve the desires of our hearts.

We would do well to remember, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths." "In the beginning God" invites God into our prayers and acknowledges that we know that we need and want divine guidance and assistance.

If we go back and read the creation story, we will...