I believe a lot of what the church has taught us about prayer has left us powerless and exhausted. I have witnessed and heard many leaders indicate burnout in these years since Covid, because they have lost sight of the supernatural power of intercession that comes with joy.  If it has become an obligation, it is time to admit that and seek refreshment.  Sitting on a Deliverance team for six years helped me confirm the unction or voice of God if I basically said, “this is what I think I’m hearing or seeing, I’m lifting it back to you.  If it comes back to me than I’m trusting it as confirmation, if it doesn’t return, than Ill keep praying for insight”.  This worked until it didn’t because it was basic, boring and effortless.  I already got words of knowledge and prophecy was easy, so I became stale. 

So many believers are aimlessly praying when a problem is presented because fear or anxiety has brought them to their knees and the scramble for words to change the problem ends in defeat. I get it, I have been spinning just as much as the next girl, so I started seeking the assurance from heaven in a different way. A friend of mine purchased me a small pamphlet from Graham Cooke titled, “Crafted Prayer”, which brought me to a deeper revelation of our purpose as Christians.  Jesus follower’s weren’t created  to beg for help out of desperation or to “burden bear” on behalf of another with heaviness as a badge of honor, we were created to ‘minister to The Lord’.  While I was interceding for so many people who I knew had come under the cloak of defeat, complacency, or unbelief, I realized that my inability to be consistent with Thanksgiving and speaking the word, caused disruption in my faith for them.  Graham gives a small outline that says to craft a prayer you first give thanks in your problem, actually thanking the Lord for his solution. Next, you praise him for how he’s going to be God in the situation and then be quiet in His presence so whatever shows up in your mind; pictures, scriptures or prophetic words, can be written down. Then look up some scriptures that you can minister back to him that might relate to what he showed you when you were still. Finally, ask him to help you pray from the problem into the solution so that you align with His answer and will. This is my first attempt, but here goes,  and if you wanna fill in the blanks to make them personal for you, please do.

Dear Lord ,

I give thanks for the situation for you already know it. Thank you that you are with me in this. I don’t know how you’re going to work it out, but I know that you’re with me and that’s all I can ask for. Your word is proof enough that you are compassionate and concerned over the things that I am. Before I ask, I’ll give thanks. I praise you and I love you. I worship you and long to see your view on the situation. I thank all confessing negative voices and anxious parts for speaking, but I seek stillness in the presence of the Lord at this time. I need a rhema word from Him instead of focusing on what I see in the natural.  Hide me in the secret place, so I can be strengthened before battle and trust your lead through this storm. Make me brave. Cloak me from the enemy as I am still under your refuge, my fortress, my deliver, my Redeemer, my comfort through Holy Spirit, my Father who I trust, and my Savior who intercedes for me.  I want to live in this communion with you in the secret place with unceasing prayer that marks my life with your peace, anointing, favor, wisdom and consuming love.  Holy Spirit what are you interceding for me for?  And Jesus, are you in agreement? I thank you both for going to the Father on my behalf. I want to partner with the answer instead of trying to find it. If I forgive quickly, then I can stand, free of judgment and refuse to see people as enemies. May your peace which surpasses all understanding, prevent anxiety and my heart. Through this process I hope to discover something profound about myself and the love you have for me. What is heaven saying to my spirit about this problem? What say you three in this situation? What else do you need me to focus on because your ways are higher than my own?  Let this circumstance be a steppingstone to greater favor and trust as you teach me to intercede joyfully in this.

More Lord, from glory to glory, I want to go where you go. Give me a scripture to start with a base to build upon. Any previous prophecies, dreams, impressions, or signs you want to highlight to me? Help me flip the negative for good. I know if anything matters that everything matters. so teach me how to laugh and find joy in your power to battle the enemy on my behalf in every detail.  Help me to trust you, and forgive my unbelief and help me to take baby steps in expecting an outcome of inner growth and closeness to You. I expect to be more like Jesus through this. Help me craft a prayer from my humility and concern, knowing you are the only one who truly gets me and let my hearts cry call upon you for answers. Awake my heart to hope without fear of disappointment. to superimpose strength in my inward parts and to acknowledge their need of safety, security, and wholeness.  I praise you for doing for me what I cannot do for myself. I minister your word back to you because it cannot return void. Fill me up Lord fill me with your praise and love for all involved. Encourage me with reminders of how you have gotten me through things before. I will bestow upon you a prayer worth fitting of all you have done and want to do. I will praise and fall before you ministering to you for all you are. May others witness you through this trial that turns triumphant.

Then, I lift it all up to Him and listen for clarification and strategy. What returns to me is His confirmation that I am understanding His will no matter how challenging. Then I bless Him with praying in back.