The Time Is Now - Developing A Lifestyle Of Prayer

Going Further and Deeper

Dream Notes This exercise is one of many ways to release your imagination to the Lord in prayer, and to seek His heart and mind in an attitude of worship. Consider using it at least once a week, as part of your new journey. Developing a new habit requires focus and determination. If this exercise doesn't appeal to you, please adapt it or choose an alternative (see "1\venty Steps to Daily Prayer," page 147). Feel free to seek your own best prayer pattern as you continue through these studies. 1. Envision yourself embarking on a day trip into the presence of God. Travel as light as pos­ sible, leaving behind the pressing issues of life. Envision yourself approaching God in His glo1y. Read and meditate on Revelation 4:1-4. Stand in awe of the grandeur of God. Revel in the privilege of His presence. Read Psalm 145, preferably aloud. 2. Acknowledge to your Father your desire to offer praise to Him and to dream with Him about His best for you and your life. 3. Ask God to bring to mind any sinful attitudes, words or actions, or any unresolved conflicts that hinder your relationship with Him. Read Psalm 139:13-16, 23-24. As you think of anything needing attention, confess it to God-that is, simply agree with Him about it. Thank God that you are forgiven through the blood of Jesus. 4. Read Psalm 150, preferably aloud. 5. Ask your Father to lift you up to His chart room where He keeps the blueprints of His dreams and plans. Ask Him to open your heart to His desires for you (Psalm 37:4). Throughout the rest of your prayer session, especially during times of silence, write down any thoughts that cross your mind, numbering each thought on a separate line (you will refer back to these at another time). Do not judge or be critical of your thoughts now-just let them flow. 6. Go back and continue to read selected passages from Psalms 145-150 (Also see Psalms 8, 19, 33, and 104). Keep asking God to make clear His desires for you, and continue writing down your thoughts. 7. When your allotted dream time with God has ended, fold your notes and put them in your Bible or prayer journal. Determine to dream with God again within a week (write it into your schedule as an appointment). At that next meeting, repeat steps 1-6, leaving an addi­ tional ten or fifteen minutes free. 8. Take out and review your previous list of dream notes. Circle those dream notes you wish to pursue further. Pray about these circled thoughts: Father, please help me to understand whether this thought is from Yott orfi'om some other source. Help me to discern which thoughts are worthy of Your dream for my life.