SEVEN PAULINE PRAYERS IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

 

THE SEVEN PAULINE PRAYERS

Praying God's Will Into Our Lives

MINI INTRODUCTION

The Apostle Paul did not only teach believers how to live; he also taught us what to pray for. His prayers reveal God's priorities for the believer: spiritual understanding, inner strength, love, holiness, fruitfulness, steadfastness and a life worthy of Christ.

These prayers are more than Bible passages to read. They are Spirit-inspired patterns of prayer that we can personalise and continually bring before God.

We are not praying to persuade God to want these things for us. We are praying because He has already revealed that these are His desires for His children.

Therefore, let us learn to pray Paul's prayers—not mechanically, but personally; not once, but continually; not merely with our lips, but with faith and obedience—until what Paul prayed becomes increasingly visible in our lives.

1. PRAYER FOR WISDOM, REVELATION AND ENLIGHTENED UNDERSTANDING

Ephesians 1:15–23

“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened...” — Ephesians 1:17–18

What Was Paul Praying For?

Paul was praying that believers would know God more deeply.

He was not primarily asking God to give them information, intelligence or worldly success. He wanted their spiritual eyes opened so they could understand who God is, what He has done in Christ, what they have received in Christ, and what God is calling them to become.

A Christian can have a Bible and still lack understanding. We can hear sermons and still fail to see Christ. We can know Scripture intellectually without having its reality revealed to our hearts.

Paul therefore prayed for wisdom and revelation.

Why Do I Need This Prayer?

Because many Christian struggles are not caused by the absence of God's provision but by the absence of our understanding of what God has already provided.

When revelation comes, faith becomes stronger.

When our eyes are opened, our identity becomes clearer.

When we understand Christ, we stop living like spiritual orphans.

Paul specifically wanted believers to know:

• the hope of God's calling;
• the riches of God's inheritance in the saints;
• the greatness of God's power toward believers.

In other words, Paul wanted them to understand what God has called them to, what God has given them, and what God's power is working in them.

Personalise the Prayer

Do not simply say, “Lord, give them wisdom and revelation.”

Say:

“Father, give me the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Christ. Open the eyes of my understanding. Help me to know You, not merely know about You. Help me understand my identity, inheritance, calling and spiritual resources in Christ. Let Your Word become clear to me, and let revelation change the way I live.”

Pray It Until It Becomes Your Reality

Pray this when you study Scripture.

Pray it when you do not understand something.

Pray it when you feel spiritually confused.

Pray it when you are making important decisions.

And pray it when you think you already know enough.

There is always more of Christ to know.

Personal Prayer

Father, open my spiritual eyes. Give me wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Jesus Christ. Remove spiritual blindness, confusion and ignorance from my understanding. Help me see what You have given me, understand what You have called me to, and know the greatness of Your power working in me. Let revelation become transformation in my life. In Jesus' name, amen.

Faith Declaration

My spiritual eyes are being enlightened. I am growing in the knowledge of Christ. I understand my calling, my inheritance and God's power at work in me.

2. PRAYER FOR INNER STRENGTH, CHRIST'S INDWELLING, LOVE AND FULLNESS

Ephesians 3:14–21

“That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man...” — Ephesians 3:16

What Was Paul Praying For?

Paul prayed that believers would be strengthened inwardly by the Holy Spirit, that Christ would dwell deeply in their hearts through faith, that they would understand the greatness of Christ's love, and that they would be filled with all the fullness of God.

This is a prayer about inner transformation.

God is not only interested in changing what is around you. He wants to strengthen what is inside you.

Why Do I Need This Prayer?

Because outward Christianity without inward strength eventually collapses.

We need strength to resist temptation, forgive people, endure trials, remain faithful, love difficult people and continue following Christ when life becomes difficult.

Paul knew that believers needed something deeper than human determination.

They needed the Holy Spirit strengthening the inner person.

And beyond strength, they needed to become rooted and grounded in Christ's love.

Personalise the Prayer

“Father, strengthen me with Your Spirit in my inner being. Let Christ become deeply established in my heart through faith. Help me understand how wide, long, deep and high Your love is. Root me so deeply in Your love that circumstances cannot easily shake me. Fill me with Your fullness.”

Pray It Until It Becomes Your Reality

When you feel weak, pray it.

When you are tempted, pray it.

When you are discouraged, pray it.

When you struggle to forgive, pray it.

When you feel spiritually empty, pray it.

Do not merely ask God to change your circumstances. Ask Him to strengthen you within the circumstances.

Personal Prayer

Lord Jesus, strengthen me from within by Your Holy Spirit. Let my heart become Your dwelling place. Root me deeply in Your love. When I am weak, strengthen me. When I am discouraged, establish me. When I am tempted, empower me. Fill me increasingly with Your presence, Your character and Your fullness. Amen.

Faith Declaration

I am being strengthened in my inner man by the Holy Spirit. Christ is being formed deeply in me, and His love is becoming the foundation of my life.

3. PRAYER FOR ABUNDING LOVE, DISCERNMENT AND FRUITFULNESS

Philippians 1:9–11

“And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment...” — Philippians 1:9

What Was Paul Praying For?

Paul prayed that the believers' love would increase, but he did not want love without wisdom.

He prayed for love accompanied by knowledge and discernment, so that they could approve the things that are excellent and live pure and blameless lives, filled with the fruit of righteousness.

This teaches us something important:

Christian maturity is not merely loving more; it is learning how to love wisely.

Why Do I Need This Prayer?

Because we can be sincere and still be wrong.

We can love people and make foolish decisions.

We can have zeal without understanding.

We need a love that is governed by God's truth and spiritual discernment.

Paul wanted believers to become people who could recognise what truly matters and choose what pleases Christ.

Personalise the Prayer

“Father, let my love increase more and more. Give me knowledge and spiritual discernment. Help me recognise what is right, what is excellent and what truly matters to You. Keep me sincere and pure. Fill my life with the fruit of righteousness through Jesus Christ.”

Personal Prayer

Father, increase Your love in me. Teach me to love people without compromising truth. Give me discernment to know what to accept, what to reject and what to pursue. Help me choose what pleases You. Make my life fruitful in righteousness, so that Christ may be glorified through me. Amen.

Faith Declaration

My love is growing, my discernment is increasing, and my life is producing the fruit of righteousness through Christ.

4. PRAYER FOR KNOWING GOD'S WILL AND WALKING WORTHILY

Colossians 1:9–14

“That ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing...” — Colossians 1:9–10

What Was Paul Praying For?

Paul prayed that believers would know God's will and then walk according to it.

Notice the order:

KNOW → WALK → PLEASE → BEAR FRUIT → GROW

God does not give us understanding merely to make us knowledgeable. Revelation is intended to produce obedience.

Why Do I Need This Prayer?

Many believers ask:

“Lord, what is Your will for my life?”

Paul shows us that God's will is not only about discovering a career, ministry or marriage decision.

It is also about becoming a person who walks worthy of the Lord.

Paul prayed for believers to:

• bear fruit;
• increase in the knowledge of God;
• be strengthened with God's power;
• have patience and endurance;
• give thanks to the Father.

Personalise the Prayer

“Father, fill me with the knowledge of Your will. Give me spiritual wisdom and understanding. Help me not only to know Your will but to walk in it. Let my life please You, bear fruit and continue growing in the knowledge of You.”

Personal Prayer

Father, show me Your will and give me grace to obey it. Deliver me from walking according to my own understanding. Teach me to recognise Your direction through Your Word and Your Spirit. Let my life please You, bear fruit and grow continually in the knowledge of Christ. Strengthen me to remain faithful even when obedience is difficult. Amen.

Faith Declaration

I am growing in the knowledge of God's will, and by His grace I am learning to walk in it. My life will bear fruit that pleases Him.

5. PRAYER FOR COMPLETE SANCTIFICATION

1 Thessalonians 5:23–24

“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless...” — 1 Thessalonians 5:23

What Was Paul Praying For?

Paul prayed that God would sanctify believers completely.

Sanctification means being set apart for God and increasingly transformed to reflect Christ.

Paul's prayer reaches into the whole person:

spirit, soul and body.

God does not want only our church attendance. He wants our thoughts, desires, attitudes, words, relationships, decisions and bodies to increasingly belong to Him.

Why Do I Need This Prayer?

Because salvation is not merely about going to heaven.

God is forming Christ in us now.

There are areas of our lives where we may sincerely love God but still need transformation.

So we can pray:

“Lord, make me holy—not just outwardly, but from the inside.”

Personalise the Prayer

“God of peace, sanctify me completely. Take possession of every area of my life. Sanctify my spirit, my thoughts, emotions, desires, words, habits and body. Preserve me blameless and prepare me for the coming of Christ.”

Personal Prayer

Father, sanctify me completely. Purify what is impure in me. Correct what is wrong in me. Heal what is broken in me. Bring my thoughts, desires, words and actions under the lordship of Jesus. Make me increasingly like Christ. I trust You to complete the good work You have begun in me. Amen.

Faith Declaration

God is sanctifying me completely. He is transforming every area of my life and faithfully completing the work He began in me.

6. PRAYER FOR A LIFE WORTHY OF GOD'S CALLING

2 Thessalonians 1:11–12

“That our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power...” — 2 Thessalonians 1:11

What Was Paul Praying For?

Paul prayed that believers would live in a way that matches the calling they have received from God.

He also prayed that God would fulfil every good desire and every work of faith with His power.

This is important:

God does not merely call us; He supplies the grace and power necessary to live out His calling.

Why Do I Need This Prayer?

A calling is not simply a title.

Being called to follow Christ means being called to represent Christ.

Paul therefore prayed that the believers' lives would become worthy of the calling they had received.

We need God's power because good intentions alone cannot accomplish God's purposes.

Personalise the Prayer

“Father, make me worthy of the calling You have given me. Fulfil Your good purposes in my life. Let my faith produce corresponding works. Empower me to become the person You have called me to be, so that the name of Jesus will be glorified through me.”

Personal Prayer

Lord, help me live worthy of Your calling. Do not allow my life to contradict the faith I profess. Fulfil Your good purposes in me. Give me power to obey You, serve You and remain faithful. Let my faith become visible through my life and actions, and let Jesus be glorified through me. Amen.

Faith Declaration

I will walk worthy of God's calling. His power is working in me to fulfil His good purposes, and Christ will be glorified through my life.

7. PRAYER FOR THE ADVANCE OF GOD'S WORD, PROTECTION AND STEADFASTNESS

2 Thessalonians 3:1–5

“Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified...” — 2 Thessalonians 3:1

What Was Paul Praying For?

Paul asked believers to pray for the advancement of God's Word, protection from evil and that the Lord would direct their hearts into God's love and Christ's patience.

This prayer moves beyond ourselves.

Paul teaches us to pray not only:

“Lord, bless me.”

but also:

“Lord, let Your Word advance through me and through Your people.”

Why Do I Need This Prayer?

Because the Christian life is not self-centred.

We have received the Gospel so that the Gospel can move through us to others.

We also need God's protection because opposition to God's work is real.

And we need our hearts continually directed toward God's love and Christ's endurance.

Personalise the Prayer

“Lord, let Your Word have free course through my life. Use me to spread the Gospel. Let Your Word be honoured wherever I go. Deliver me from evil and strengthen me to remain faithful. Direct my heart continually into Your love and the patient endurance of Christ.”

Personal Prayer

Father, let Your Word run freely through my life. Make me a faithful witness of Jesus. Let my words, character and actions point people to Christ. Protect me from evil and keep me from being distracted or discouraged. Direct my heart into Your love and give me the endurance of Christ to remain faithful to the end. Amen.

Faith Declaration

God's Word will have free course through my life. I am protected, established in God's love and strengthened to remain faithful to Christ.

MINI CONCLUSION

The seven Pauline prayers give us a beautiful picture of what God desires to produce in His children:

REVELATION — that we may know Him.
STRENGTH — that Christ may be formed in us.
LOVE — that we may discern what is excellent.
GOD'S WILL — that we may walk worthy of Him.
SANCTIFICATION — that our whole life may belong to Him.
CALLING — that our faith may become fruitful.
STEADFASTNESS — that we may remain faithful and advance His Word.

Do not merely read these prayers.

Pray them. Personalise them. Repeat them. Believe them. Obey what they reveal.

Return to them when you are strong and when you are weak. Pray them over your life until they become more than words on a page—until their realities are increasingly formed in you by the Holy Spirit.

“Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:24

The goal is not simply to know what Paul prayed.

The goal is to become the kind of believer Paul prayed for.

 

 

THE MINISTRY OF INTERCESSION 

"I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me for the land..." Ezekiel 22:30

Intercession is the ministry of standing before God on behalf of others. It is one of the highest expressions of Christlike love, in which a believer bears people's burdens in prayer, pleads for God's mercy, and partners with heaven to see God's purposes established on earth. 

The true intercessor does not merely react to circumstances but responds to the heart of God.

The apostolic mandate is unmistakable: "Therefore I exhort first of all those supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men; for kings and all who are in authority..." (1 Timothy 2:1-2).

Intercession is not optional for the Church; it is a divine assignment. Before we criticize men, we are commanded to pray for them. Before we expect transformation, we must first travail in prayer.

The Holy Spirit is the divine Helper in intercession. "The Spirit also helps our weaknesses... the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered... according to the will of God." (Romans 8:26-27). True intercession is not powered by human emotion but by the Spirit of God, who aligns our prayers with the Father's will.

Our Lord Jesus Christ is the perfect and eternal Intercessor. Having borne our sins (Isaiah 53:12), "He ever lives to make intercession" for His saints (Hebrews 7:25). 

Every effective intercessor ministers under the heavenly ministry of Christ, sharing His burden for people and His passion for their restoration.

The Scriptures call believers to persevere in intercession.

"Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant... praying also for us..." (Colossians 4:2-4). Paul requested prayer because even apostles depended on the prayers of the saints for open doors and boldness in proclaiming Christ.

Epaphras stands as a shining example of an intercessor. "He is always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God." (Colossians 4:12-13). 

Intercession is spiritual labor. It births maturity, strengthens believers, preserves churches, and advances God's kingdom.

Job also demonstrated the power of priestly intercession. "The Lord restored Job's losses when he prayed for his friends." (Job 42:10).

Sometimes our own breakthrough is released while we are praying for someone else. God often rewards those who forget themselves to seek His mercy for others.

The clarion call remains urgent: let us intercede for kings and those in authority (1 Timothy 2:1-2), for the Church and the brethren (Eph. 6:18; Col. 4:12), for ministers of the Gospel (Col. 4:3-4; 2 Thess. 3:1), for all men and the salvation of souls (Romans 10:1), and even for those who oppose us (Matthew 5:44). 

Intercession releases God's mercy, restrains evil, opens doors for the Gospel, strengthens the saints, and advances His kingdom.

God honors those who stand in the gap. The intercessor enjoys deeper fellowship with Christ, greater sensitivity to the Holy Spirit, increased spiritual authority, and the joy of partnering with heaven in changing lives and nations. 

Those who water others shall themselves be watered (Proverbs 11:25). 

As we faithfully bear others before the throne of grace, the God who sees in secret will reward openly, strengthen our hands, answer our prayers, and make us vessels through whom His mercy flows to generations.

May the Lord raise in this generation faithful watchmen who never hold their peace (Isaiah 62:6-7), clothe every intercessor with fresh grace, strengthen weary hands, baptize them afresh with the Spirit of prayer and supplication (Zechariah 12:10), and reward their hidden labor with abundant fruit, divine protection, spiritual authority, and everlasting joy in Christ. Amen.

 

                                                  

                                                                               

BEWARE OF BEING CLONED: FOLLOW CHRIST, NOT MEN

In Christianity, cloning is a figurative term that describes the intentional, systematic process by which a student (mentee) replicates the character, habits, and mindset of a teacher (mentor). It happens between the congregation and the pulpit, but also between junior and senior ministers. This spiritual or leadership cloning focuses on the transmission of intangible DNA, including values, speech patterns, mannerisms, decision-making processes, and internal convictions.

​When a mentee desires to be "cloned" by a spiritual father or mentor, the process usually involves three distinct stages. First is the observation or blueprint, when the mentee moves beyond just listening to instructions. They study the mentor’s life "in all facets," noticing how they handle pressure, how they treat others, and how they manage their private discipline.

​Secondly, there is the replication, which is the active "cloning" phase. The mentee adopts the mentor’s methods and rhythms. In many traditions, this is referred to as mimesis, where the goal is to produce a result identical to the original through disciplined mimicry.

​Thirdly is assimilation or integration, when eventually, the mentor's external behaviors become the mentee's internal nature. The "clone" no longer has to "try" to act like the mentor; they naturally respond to life situations using the same spiritual and intellectual framework.

There is a dangerous subtlety in discipleship when mentorship shifts from impartation to imitation, and from guidance to cloning. God never designed the Church to produce replicas of men, but reflections of Christ.

Paul said clearly: “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” 1 Cor. 11:1

This is the boundary. Follow men only to the extent that they follow Christ. The moment imitation of a leader replaces transformation into Christ, error has begun.

Many believers today are being unconsciously cloned, not just spiritually, but in speech, dress, gestures, tone, emphasis, and even personal convictions.

While impartation is scriptural (Gal. 4:19), cloning is not. Paul travailed “…until Christ be formed in you.” Gal. 4:19

The goal is Christ formed in you, not your leader reproduced in you.

THE DANGER OF CLONING

Cloning produces:

Dependence on personality instead of Christ

Loss of spiritual originality and identity in God

Transmission of both strengths and hidden weaknesses

Blind loyalty that ignores truth and Scripture

Even the apostles refused this pattern. When men saw Peter and John:

“…they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.” Acts 4:13

Not that they had been with a man, but with Jesus. That is the mark of true discipleship.

 

THE TRUE PATTERN: CONFORMITY TO CHRIST

God’s eternal agenda is clear:

“…to be conformed to the image of his Son…” Romans 8:29

Not conformed to a denomination, a prophet, a pastor, or a movement, but Christ.

And how does this happen?

“…we all…beholding…are changed into the same image…” 2 Cor. 3:18

Transformation comes by beholding Christ, not by copying men.

Peter reinforces it:

“Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps.” 1 Peter 2:21

Christ is not just a Savior. He is the pattern.

 

FOLLOWERSHIP WITH DISCERNMENT

Ephesians gives us the final authority:

“Be ye therefore followers of God… and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us…” Eph. 5:1–2

Not followers of men, followers of God.

So, follow your leader’s faith, not their personality

Follow their obedience to Christ, not their preferences

Receive grace and impartation, but guard your identity in Christ

BE WARNED!

If you are not careful, you may:

Speak like your leader but lack Christ’s nature

Act like your leader but lack Christ’s Spirit

Represent a ministry but misrepresent Christ

Such may unknowingly inculcate their leaders' bad character or even be demonically ensnared through the transfer of demons residing in their leaders. Common ones are love of money, opulence and affluence affinity, sexual immorality, and anger.

God is not raising copies of men. He is raising sons in the image of His Son.

Honor spiritual leaders. Learn from them. Receive from them. But never replace Christ with them.

The ultimate testimony of your life should not be: “I look like my leader,” but “I have become like Christ.”

Because in the end, true maturity is not measured by resemblance to a man, but by conformity to Christ.

In addition, follow your leaders, mentors, and fathers with your eyes open and your discernment sharpened. Refuse to be a clone of any man, no matter how strong their personality, knowledge, grace, and gifts are.

You can imbibe their Christ-like qualities, but be careful not to acquire their vices and pattern of life that are alien to Christ. Samuel was a true and successful prophet from the Lord who failed in family life. The children of Israel requested a king because the sons of Samuel were sons of Belial, just like the sons of Eli were.

There is the possibility that Samuel acquired a dysfunctional family life from Eli, his mentor and spiritual father. Nothing is wrong with mentoring and spiritual fathering. Still, everything is wrong with mimicking the questionable character of some mentors or following a mentor or spiritual father who is not following Christ. When you embrace cloning and not true discipleship, you become an embodiment of both their virtues and vices.

The truth is that the Bible does not promote “cloning” in the sense of copying personality, mannerisms, or identity. What it presents is the impartation of spirit, doctrine, and pattern in God, not personal duplication.
 

 

THE INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE OF INTIMACY WITH GOD

Believers must move from the outer court of service to the Holy of Holies of union with God. It is a room in our hearts where only God enters and resides. It speaks of presence: being with God, not just praying to Him; trusting Him with all of our heart, knowing that He sees and hears us; and surrender: letting go and yielding to His love. Prayer, worship, and God’s word create the space. The more you yield, the more the intimacy grows.

​1. The Distinction Between Ministry and Presence

​The greatest danger to a minister is when believers turn "sacredness into a profession instead of a relationship." We often mistake working for God for walking with God. Service is quite different from friendship, or a servant is different from a friend.

​“Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name have done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Matthew 7:22-23

Jesus dismisses those who prophesied and cast out demons in His name, saying, "I never knew you." The word "knew" here is the Greek “ginosko”, implying experiential intimacy. It is possible to have a successful "public" ministry while remaining a "private" stranger to the Father because of a lack of intimacy and relationship.

​The apostolic factor here is that ministry is the overflow of intimacy; it is not a substitute for it. If your secret place is dry, your public altar is merely a stage. You must dwell and not just visit the secret place of the Most-High.

​

2. The Protocol of His Presence "Panim" (The Face)

​In the Hebrew economy, intimacy is linked to the word Panim (Face or Presence).

​"The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend." Exodus 33:11

The depth here, in the Moses pattern, is that Moses refused to lead the people unless the Presence went with them. He wasn't satisfied with a "Promised Land" (blessing/provision) if it meant losing the promiser or presence of God.

​Many seek the hand of God (provision/power), but the apostolic mandate is to seek the face of God. Intimacy is found when you desire the Giver more than the Gift. Such clamors on being transformed in the inner man rather than displaying the power of God in healing and deliverance.

​

3. The "Yada" Experience: The depth of union with God.

​The primary Old Testament word for knowing is “Yada”. This is not intellectual information; it is the same word used for the physical union [sexual intercourse], between a husband and wife (Genesis 4:1).

​"That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings..." Phil. 3:10

​The apostolic weight is that believers must notice the order. Paul puts "Knowing Him" before "Manifesting Power." Contemporary ministers often reverse this, displaying power before knowing Christ, because the gift of God is without remission.

​However, the truth is that you cannot carry the weight of His glory if you have not been consumed first by the fire of His intimacy. Intimacy is the "womb" where spiritual authority is conceived.

​

4. There are three barriers to intimacy for the minister

First is the symptom, the apostolic correction, and religiosity

Seeking God only when a sermon is needed, seeking God for His delight, not for your "notes." And noise, which happens when a soul is cluttered with the opinions of men.

There is a need for the discipline of silence and solitude. Now I can understand why Paul had to go to the Arabian desert for over three years.

Ministers must not presume or think that past experiences will suffice for today.

 

5. The ultimate goal is to become a "Friend of the Bridegroom."

​John the Baptist did not define the height of ministry by the size of his crowd, but by his proximity to the Voice or the Master.

​"The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice." — John 3:29

​Our ultimate assignment is not to be the "Star" of the wedding, but the "Friend" who ensures the Bride (the Church) is united with the Groom (Christ). You cannot introduce people to a Christ you do not intimately know. You must know Him intimately before you can introduce Him to others.

​

The Call to the Deep

“Deep calleth unto deep…” Psa. 42:7 

​Intimacy is not a feeling; it is a yielding. It is the systematic dismantling of the self until there is no "you" left, only Christ.

“He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:30 

As ministers, our authority is not found in our titles, but in our several encounters with the divine.

 

SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES OF THE SECRET PLACE

To the minister, the "Secret Place" is not just a location; it is a spiritual jurisdiction. It is the governing center of your life and ministry. If your public output exceeds your private intake, you are not living in faith; you are living on vapors that will soon disintegrate.

​The secret place is a personal, intimate space with God, away from the world’s noise, where we have solitude, pray, and fellowship with the Presence of God

Here is an apostolic guide to the disciplines required to maintain the fire on the private altar.

​1. The discipline of apostolic worship and adoration of God “Proskuneo.”

​Many ministers enter the secret place with a "to-do" list or “God give me mentality”. True intimacy begins with total surrender and worship.

​Our body, soul, and spirit must be physically and spiritually involved in bowing, eulogizing, and lifting holy hands in humble adoration of God. “Proskuneo” (Greek) means to kiss the hand or to prostrate.

​We must transition from being a "user" of God's power to a "lover" of His Person. We must spend the first 15 minutes of our secret time in silence, acknowledging His Lordship without asking for anything. This kills the "executive or proud spirit" that tries to treat God like a business partner or equal.

​

2. The discipline of holiness, “Hagios,” which means “consecrated separation.”

​The secret place requires a "wall" around it. In Matthew 6:6, Jesus says, "Shut your door."

​This is the discipline of digital and mental fasting. You cannot hear the "still small voice" while the roar of social media and congregational demands is in your ears. You must shut out everything if you want to connect with the Throne Room to hear the still small voice of God.

​Dedicate a specific watch or a time frame of the day when you shut down, or put your phone in another room. This creates a "sanctified vacuum" that the Holy Spirit is invited to fill.

​

3. The Discipline of eating the Word of God “Lectio Divina.”

​As a minister, you must not be tempted to read the Bible only for "sermon points." In the secret place, you must read for sustenance, to know and be transformed into the image of Christ in an ever-increasing splendor.

​"Your words were found, and I ate them..." (Jeremiah 15:16).

​We cannot have apostolic depth if we do not stop scanning chapters. We must start "ruminating, or meditating" on scriptural verses. We do that by taking one verse, and reading, studying, meditating upon, and becoming a doer of it, praying it, and breathing it until it moves from your mental mind into your spirit man.

​The goal is to move from information to inhabitation, where the Word becomes flesh in you, and you live it before you preach it to others.

“… of all that Jesus began both to do and teach…” Acts 1:1 

 

​4. The Discipline of Glossolalia (The Spirit’s Grocery List)

​Praying in the Holy Ghost is the "recharging station" of the apostolic office (Jude 1:20).

There are several functions, levels, and types of prayer; we must know the secret place applications. The place of petition is where we ask for needs. We must keep this brief; He knows our needs. Intercessory prayers are when we stand in the gap for others or labor deeply, laboring for the souls of the flock.

Praying in tongues is for edification, where we build our spirit man. A minister who does not pray in the Spirit for extended periods is like a soldier going to war with a blunt sword. You are sharpening your spiritual sensitivity.

 

​5. The Discipline of Holy Imagination [Theophany]

​Intimacy involves seeing. We are called to gaze upon His glory (2 Corinthians 3:18). We must use our "sanctified imagination" to fix our eyes on Christ. See Him seated on the throne. See Him in His majesty.

​What you gaze upon, you become. If you gaze upon the problems of your church, you become stressed. If you gaze upon the King, you become radiant. Remember, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.

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6. The Discipline of "The Journal of Encounters."

​Do not let the "Rhema" (the spoken word) of God fall to the ground.

“And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that read it.” Habbk. 2:2 

​The apostolic stewardship is that every time you enter the secret place, have a pen and notebook ready. When God speaks to your heart, record it. This isn't for a book or a post; it is a testimony of friendship.

​If God speaks and you don't record it, you are telling Him that His voice is not valuable enough to preserve.

​The Next Step

​Intimacy is a journey from the outer court (Praise) to the inner court (Word) and finally into the Holy of Holies (Silence/Union). Only then can you see and hear supernaturally in the glory place.