An Audience of One

Warriors Arise: December 6, 2023

Matthew 6:5 “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.

There are times I check myself on this. I would be mortified if I prayed with the intent to have others look at me. I understand I am in a position in which people may look at me while I pray but I hope they are joining in with me while I pray.

As the worship leader and speaker, there are times when the Lord moves on me to pray out loud in front of everyone. This is not about me being noticed or watched. It is about praying what is on Father's heart. It is about joining Father right at that moment in which He wants words of hope and declaration spoke, at that moment He was the enemy to be removed and the Spirit to be activated.

I have had to learn to hear God's voice and follow His lead. There were plenty of times I errored on the side of hiding. Matter-of-fact, Holy Spirit convicts me more of holding back what God wants prayed than He convicts me of praying to be seen by people.

Over twenty years ago, my spiritual mentor encouraged and prodded me to pray what was going through my mind. It was incredibly awkward. I had to learn to keep my train of thought as the words were being spoken. I actually realized how much my thoughts were spinning round and round without going anywhere because I couldn't keep my mind focused on what I really wanted to be praying. I would start praying in my mind and then thoughts would highjack my prayer. Then I would circle back, trying to remember what I was praying about, and again, my thoughts would highjack the prayer. It seemed I rarely finished a prayer.

I realized at that point, I needed to pray out loud by myself in my prayer closet. I needed to make sure I was completing my prayers. There seemed to be a lot of good intentions as I positioned myself to pray; however, because my thoughts wandered so much I realized I rarely finished a prayer.

Prayer is about listening to the Father and praying what is on His heart. We do not stand at the corner or in a church service or position ourselves in front of a group to pray in order to hear our prayers. I am not praying so I hear my prayers. I am not praying so others hear my prayers. I am praying so God hears my prayers. Sometimes others need to hear what you or I are praying because they are to actively agree with the prayers.

I can't answer my prayers. Others can't answer my prayers. Only God can answer my prayers. I only need an audience of One. God is the audience I am looking to hear my prayers.

Father, I stand before You as I pray. I position myself to listen to You. I want to be available to pray when You say and what You say. I ask for courage. I pray for wisdom and power. I pray You will be done and Your ways be established every time You ask to pray. I will serve You faithfully. I will yield to Your leading. I will minister before an audience of One and You will hear my prayers. I pray for clarity and timing. I pray for direction and Scripture when I pray in Jesus' name amen.

A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,

Veridee Joy Hand

Join together as Believers in Jesus Christ to pray and to push back the enemy as we release God’s power here on earth. If you have any questions please feel free to make a comment or private message me. If you would like this to come to your email directly please go to verideehand.com and subscribe.