"I and My Father are one." (John 10:30 NKJV)

Prayer is a communication and connection with God where we express our heart and seek & gain His insight, strength, & direction.

The Goal of Prayer is to hear and to see God clearly so that we transform into what we hear and see. John 5:19, 30; 8:28, 38; 12:49, 50

Humility is essential for effective prayer. It’s the attitude of reverence, submission, & pliability towards God. James 4:7 – 10

We’re not approaching God for Him to give us what we want, but rather our approach is to become what He needs. "I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me. (John 5:30 NKJV)

Don’t make requests in prayer before you’re ready. Seek to become one so that you gain His heart & embrace His will, then begin to make your requests. Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. (1 John 5:14-15 NKJV)

The emphasis is not on the quantity of prayer, but the quality of prayer (that aligns with God’s will). Less talking may be exactly what your prayer life needs. 1 Thessalonians 4:11

Knowing My Father’s VOICE

Learn to be led by the Spirit of God rather than just following rules of God. Therefore take heed how you hear. For whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he seems to have will be taken from him. (Luke 8:18 NKJV)

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. (Romans 8:14 NKJV) Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, "How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly." Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father's name, they bear witness of Me. "But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. (John 10:24-27 NKJV)

"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. "But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. "To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. "And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. "Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers." (John 10:1-5 NKJV)

To hear clearly from God a strange culture can have no part in you. "I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me. (John 14:30 NKJV) “I will not talk with you much more, for the prince (evil genius, ruler) of the world is coming. And he has no claim on Me. [He has nothing in common with Me; there is nothing in Me that belongs to him, and he has no power over Me.]” John 14:30 AMP

6 Ways God Speaks to (Leads) Us: 1.By His Word (the governing force) 2 Peter 1:19 – 21 AMP 2.By an Inward Witness (inspiration) from the Holy Spirit Psalms 18:28; Proverbs 20:27 3.Through other people Romans 10:13, 14 4.By an external audible voice Matthew 3:13 – 17 5.Through dreams & visions Matthew 2:12, 13; Acts 10:1 – 4 6.By angelic visitations Acts 5:17 – 20

Therefore do not be vague and thoughtless and foolish, but understanding and firmly grasping what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but ever be filled and stimulated with the [Holy] Spirit. Ephesians 5:17 – 18 AMP

It’s difficult to be Spirit led until you are Spirit filled. Walking in the fullness of the Holy Spirit is acknowledging His presence and our dependence upon Him for life. It’s accompanied by the habit of praying in the Spirit/tongues. If you didn’t get the message “The Matter of Tongues”, you can download it for free now. Also, stop by the Impact Store to pick-up a free copy of a small booklet entitled “Why Tongues” while supplies last.

Keys for being Led by the Spirit Never make a decision based solely upon money. Matthew 6:24Never make a decision based solely upon money. Matthew 6:24 Never make a decision based upon feelings & emotions.Never make a decision based upon feelings & emotions. Job 1:1-5; Genesis 19:30 Job 1:1-5; Genesis 19:30 Never make a decision without scriptural agreement.Never make a decision without scriptural agreement. Psalms 119:105; Matthew 4:4; 2 Corinthians 13:1 Psalms 119:105; Matthew 4:4; 2 Corinthians 13:1 Never just chose a good decision, even if you believe it’sNever just chose a good decision, even if you believe it’s scriptural. Mark 1:38-45; Matthew 15:21-28; Acts 16:16 scriptural. Mark 1:38-45; Matthew 15:21-28; Acts 16:16 Never allow anxiety/zeal to drive you. Acts 8:9-20Never allow anxiety/zeal to drive you. Acts 8:9-20 Never make a decision based upon how people may feel.Never make a decision based upon how people may feel. 1 Samuel 15:24; Matthew 16: Samuel 15:24; Matthew 16:21-23 Never allow yourself to be pushed into a quick decision.Never allow yourself to be pushed into a quick decision. Mark 1:29 – 35 Mark 1:29 – 35

And it will be, if you shall listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God, to observe and to do all His commandments which I command you today, the LORD your God will set you on high above all nations of the earth. (Deuteronomy 28:1 MKJV)