At my church we've been focusing a lot on prayer. Specifically how our prayer life should be more of a rhythm than random.
I don't know about you, but often my prayers are best when I'm struggling with something, or burdened by something, or consulting the Lord on something, but for certain there is more.
If prayer is boldly going before God's throne, there must be some kind of response to His holiness, His worthiness, and His glory.
Ascribing worth to the Lord in our prayer life, can ignite worship in our hearts!
For sure it's not easy. Often our prayer lives are so seasoned by what we are focused on, that fully devoting our prayers to adoration is a challenge.
Last week, I had the challenge of writing an ascriptive, vertical prayer. As I put time into this prayer that had nothing to do with what I wanted, or what God could do for me, my heart was stirred in worship. I found that writing out this prayer was such a helpful practice that blessed my own prayer time, and challenged me to go beyond the prayers for help, thanks, and intercession.
“Almighty God,
It is you alone who stands above all the rest. There is none that can compare to you. You are high and lifted up, exalted above the heavens, and your renown resounds over all the earth! The gods of this world are worthless idols. You are living, and moving, and acting in our day. The heavens declare your glory; every living creature sings your praise; The universe declares your fame, and you alone are worthy of it all.
Your steadfast love O Lord extends to the heavens; your faithfulness stretches to the skies, and your righteousness is like the mighty mountains. Who can compare to you? You alone are Holy! Sin cannot dwell in your presence. Your light pierces the darkness and evil of our day. You are set apart from all kings, all rulers, and all kingdoms. Every tribe, tongue and nation will declare that you are Holy, Holy, Holy, and the Lord of all!
Your perfect Grace, and abounding mercy is perfectly seen in the manifestation of Jesus; Your only begotten son upon whom you poured out your wrath in order to make a way for mankind! Jesus, YOU are the way, the truth, and the life. You are the radiance of the glory of God. You are the Lamb who was slain, worthy of all the glory, and the honor, and the power, and the praise. May you be glorified. May you be magnified. May you be exalted and lifted up, high above all else that fights for the attention of man, because you alone are God.
Splendor and majesty are yours. Strength and beauty are yours. All the earth is yours because you made it. You were before all things, and in you all things hold together. To you alone great God, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority before all time and now and forever.
In your matchless and mighty name,
AMEN”