I stumbled across a phrase in a book I am reading that set my mind and heart on fire, and I want to share it with you. “Crafted prayers.” Does that stir your heart like it does mine? The moment I read it, I recognized a concept that I wanted to invest in more deeply. Crafted praying is a phrase that expresses how I desire to live. It gave me ‘vocabulary’ for the passion of my heart–that is learning I believe in and love to share!
Terry Tykel, a self-described ‘emissary for prayer’ uses it in his book, divine strongholds. It is a beautiful term depicting the prayers of Scriptures and the timeless prayers recorded in Christian books through the ages. It is a tool we can employ individually and corporately in seeking the vision of God.
Crafted praying is the essence of communion with God. It flows from worship of who He is and from understanding His desire to commune with us. Teykl offers some key questions to help readers develop their own crafted prayers for situations they are facing—or situations God has placed upon their hearts.
- What do you want to teach me through this situation?
- How should I pray about this?
- What do you want to do in and through this situation?
- How do you want us to change and grow?
To help me grasp the depths, I added these:
- What do I not see or understand in this situation?
- What more can I know (do I need to know) about God’s glory in the context of this situation?
- How do I personally play into this situation (or a mirror of it in my own life)?
A vital component of ‘crafted prayers’ is the Word of God. There is nothing that weighs upon our heart that God has not addressed in His Word. Crafted prayers weave the Word of God into prayer—because both flow from His heart. Seeking God’s heart in worship and prayer combined with seeking His heart in His Word provides the content for crafting words into prayers.
As Teykl says, this praying is ‘praying the answer’ from the beginning. It is exciting; it is grounding…it is powerful. God spoke the world into being with Words…we have the privilege of using words as we live out our lives. Let’s use them well…for the good of others and the glory of God!
In this day and age where constant crises abound, deep prayers are so needed. The immigration horrors, the political biting and devouring, this culture of shaming and disrespect that destroys people, the devaluing of life…the list is nearly endless. Prayer IS participation.
Should God lead you to craft a prayer, won’t it you share it for others to join with you in storming the gates of heaven? Post it as a comment here, email it to me or post in on the Heartsong Facebook page!
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