Weekly Public Prayer Meetings

How To Meet God In Your Weekly Prayer Meetings[1]

See these meetings as a relationship journey with God, not a program or formula

As you pray and read God’s Word, ask God to shine His light on what He wants you to change. When He reveals a sin, immediately confess it and trust Christ for victory over that sin. Above all, do not be discouraged if you discover many areas of needed change. Growth is a lifelong process, not a one-time event. God will definitely give you the grace to experience victory and He accepts you through the whole journey—struggles and all!

Use a prayer notebook or journal

As God reveals areas of sin, note it in your journal and be specific. Be sure to identify specific ways to overcome the sinful patterns God reveals. Remember, it is not enough merely to confess a sin, it must also be forsaken (repentance). For each sin you identify, find a Scripture passage that promises victory and strength. Replace sinful patterns with a specific godly pattern. Use Scripture to resist the enemy. The Word of God is the sword of the Spirit and your weapons of warfare are mighty for the pulling down of strongholds! (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)

Specifically ask God for deep conviction of sin and clear spiritual discernment

According to John 16:3 and 1 Corinthians 2:11, only God can bring true conviction and spiritual discernment. According to Jeremiah 17:9, we cannot even begin to know our own hearts without God’s illumination. Above all, don’t approach this journey as a mere mental exercise

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See the time of confession and repentance as a daily relationship with God, not a one-time experience

Daily confession and cleansing are the essence of walking in the Spirit. This type of continual cleansing is the very essence of discipleship, growth and sanctification. Bible centered cleansing and prayer are the primary ways we are sanctified into Christ’s image.

Approach the times of confession with great assurance of God’s mercy and blessing

(Isaiah 1:18) Don’t be afraid of what God might show you. Whatever He reveals, Christ already died for it! And God already knows about it anyway. God doesn’t convict you to condemn you, but to set you free! (John 8:36)

Be prepared for spiritual warfare

(1 Peter 5:8) You need to be aware that Satan hates what you’re setting out to do in this journey. He is terrified you might get clean before God and fully empowered by the Holy Spirit. He knows you will then discover awesome power in prayer and spiritual service. At all costs, Satan will fight to keep you from finishing your personal journey of revival.

[1] Adapted from Returning to Holiness: A Personal and Churchwide Journey to Revival, by Gregory Frizzell