Who Really Controls Your Prayer Life?

Breaking Free from Emotional Patterns:

Hey There, let's get real for a minute. How often does your prayer life feel like a rollercoaster in today's hustle and bustle? You know what I mean? When life throws you curveballs, you're on your knees, seeking God's intervention. But when things are smooth sailing, does your prayer routine fade into the background? Honestly, we've all been there.

This inconsistency is a real struggle, and it keeps us from experiencing the deep, transformative prayer life God intends for us. So, let's ask ourselves a tough question: Who really controls your prayer life—you, your circumstances, or your emotions?

Many of us would confidently say, "I do!" But really and truly, for many, our emotional reactions to life's ups and downs dictate when and how we pray. Think about it: Do you find yourself rushing to God more when facing trials, feeling like He's your only lifeline? And when things turn around, does your prayer time dwindle? Or maybe it's the opposite.

The truth is, prayer should be a constant, a lifeline, no matter what's happening. But because we're human, our prayer life can be... well, let's just say inconsistent.

The Holy Spirit and a disciplined approach should guide our prayer life, not our feelings.

Learning from Jesus in Gethsemane: A Model for Disciplined Prayer

One morning during my prayer time, I reflected on these patterns, both in my life and the lives of those I serve. So, when I taught Learn How To Pray In The Secret Place, I emphasized the importance of structured, disciplined prayer.

I've witnessed countless people approach God fervently during trials, only to drift away when those trials subside. It's that human tendency to seek God for what He can do, rather than for who He is.

Then, I read Matthew 26:36-46 NLT, "36 Then Jesus went with them to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and he said, "Sit here while I go over there to pray." 37 He took Peter and Zebedee's two sons, James and John, and he became anguished and distressed. 38 He told them, "My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me." 

39 He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, "My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine." 40 Then he returned to the disciples and found them asleep. He said to Peter, "Couldn-t you watch with me even one hour? 

41 Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!" 42 Then Jesus left them a second time and prayed, "My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will be done." 43 When he returned to them again, he found them sleeping, for they couldn't keep their eyes open.

44 So he went to pray a third time, repeating the same things. 45 Then he came to the disciples and said, "Go ahead and sleep. Have your rest. But look—the time has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Up, let's be going. Look, my betrayer is here!"  

Something hit me: Jesus, facing the ultimate sacrifice, showed us what disciplined prayer looks like when everything is on the line.

Three Keys to Disciplined Prayer That Will Transform Your Prayer Life:

One: Your Deepest Battles Must Be Fought Alone with God:

• When Jesus needed His disciples most, they fell asleep. This highlights that our deepest surrender happens between us and God alone. He chose three to come closer, but even they couldn't stay awake. The reality is, at the deepest level, it's just you and Him.

• Those midnight or early morning prayer sessions when everyone else is asleep? That's your Gethsemane moment. That's when breakthrough comes. Are you willing to press in even when no one else will join you?

• Scripture Reinforcement: Matthew 6:6 "But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."  

Two: Everyone's Prayer Journey Looks Different:

• What was merely an hour to Jesus seemed impossible for His disciples. Really and truly, you can't expect people to do what you do. To the Lord an hour of prayer was nothing. But clearly, to his disciples, it was a long time.

• This means others may not have the same prayer stamina as you. Don't compare or have that expectation of them. Honestly, we need to stop judging others by our own prayer standards. The Holy Spirit works differently in each person's life.

• Have you been frustrated because your prayer partner, spouse, or church family doesn't pray with the same intensity as you? Release that expectation today and focus on your own prayer assignment.

• Scripture Reinforcement: Romans 14:4 "Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand."  

Three: Persistent Prayer Leads to Complete Surrender:

• This stood out to me the most. Jesus prayed once, twice, then three times. Each time, He went deeper into submission, giving over what He wanted most.

• Like never before, we need to understand that some battles require multiple rounds of prayer. Jesus—the Son of God Himself—needed three intense prayer sessions to fully align with the Father's will. What makes us think we can pray once and be done?

• Scripture Reinforcement: Luke 18:1 "Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up."

I say all that to say that disciplined prayer isn't about feeling inspired; it's about committing to communion with God regardless of our emotional state.

Making The Gethsemane Prayer Model Work For You: Practical Steps

• Create Your Gethsemane/Secretplace Space: Designate a specific place and time for uninterrupted prayer. This is your sacred meeting place with God. Make it comfortable and conducive to focused prayer. Consider adding a bible, journal, or anything that helps you connect with God.

• Start With Small Prayer Commitments: If an hour seems daunting, start with 15 minutes of focused prayer. Build your prayer stamina gradually, like training for a marathon.

• Pray Through To Breakthrough: When facing major decisions or struggles, commit to praying until you reach surrender. Don't just pray once and move on.

• Journal Your Prayer Journey: Record how your prayers evolve from "take this cup" to "Your will be done." Note your feelings, insights, and scriptures that spoke to you. This will encourage you in future challenges.

Checklist for surrender points:

• What situation is causing you the most anxiety?

• What outcome do you want?

• What would it look like to fully surrender that outcome to God?

Building a Prophetic Prayer Foundation

In this season, God is calling His people to a higher level of prayer discipline. In Jeremiah 29:12-13, God declares, "Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." This promise reveals God's desire for a relationship that goes beyond superficial interaction.  

The prophetic dimension of prayer isn't just about receiving divine messages; it's about developing the spiritual discipline to consistently remain in God's presence.

What's Your Surrender Point?

This week, I want you to search out what you're having a hard time dealing with.

Is it:

• A big move?

• Switching careers?

• The desire for marriage?

• The desire for children?

• Wanting a material possession?

• Wanting a more social life?

• Surrendering to the call of God?

  
  

Honestly, you know what it is. You know what you need to give to God.

A Prayer for Disciplined Surrender:

Heavenly Father, I ask that you would bring your attention to the person reading this right now. LORD, I ask that you would answer their prayers in times of trouble and please attend to every need. I ask you to keep them safe from all harm and send them the help needed for every area of their life.

Father, look at the sacrifices they make daily. Give them the grace to continue on their life's journey. Father, provide them with the discipline to do what must be done even when the desire is not there. In Jesus's Name! Amen!

I prophesy that when it's not easy to do the things that you are responsible for, God will fortify you with the strength to complete those things. May you receive the joy of the LORD, which is your strength in the innermost part of your heart and soul.

Your Declaration of Surrender: Read this aloud and declare it out of your mouth!

God, your plans for me are to prosper me and not harm me. I agree that the blessings you have for me enrich my life. Father, allow me to see that what you have in store for me will not come along with sorrow. But it will come to prosper me.

Lord, I won't be afraid of the life you have planned for me. I won't walk in fear of what your desires are for me. God help me to embrace your plan of prosperity over me. God, give me the capacity to accept that you know what's best for me. Lord, give me a mind to conceive that your ways are not my ways, and your thoughts are not my thoughts.

Prophetic Intercessors Academy:

If you desire to develop a more disciplined, prophetic prayer life, I invite you to join my Virtual Prophetic Intercessors Academy waitlist, which will be launching soon! This comprehensive training will equip you with the tools and spiritual understanding to move beyond circumstantial prayer into a life of prophetic intercession.

Click [Here to Learn More] about this transformative opportunity to deepen your prayer life and answer your call to stand in the gap.

👋 Bye Now!

Prophet Andrea