Prayer is the steady state of awareness of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, creating a constant and seamless union of the heart and mind with the Almighty that SHIFTS earthly perspectives, plans, and purposes as heaven becomes visible. As Louie Giglio focuses on the routine prayers that we pray, we are going to discover fresh words and accurate theology to shift from routine into relationship.

Prayer is a steady state awareness of Father, Son, and Spirit, creating a constant and seamless union of heart and mind with the Almighty that shifts earthly perspectives, plans, and purposes as heaven becomes visible on earth.

To cultivate that constant and seamless union, we have to shift what we think about prayer and what we think about God.  

In Matthew 6:5-8, Jesus points out the prayer routines and the hypocrisy of praying for show. Jesus instructs us to pray in humility, reminding us that the Father already knows what we need before we ask Him. As His children, we can be confident that He is working everything out before we even know what to ask for.

We have a direct access line to heaven. As you go to pray today, stand confident in your relationship with the Father and call on heaven boldly. 

Finish the sentence: “Lord bless _____”
Bless us, bless this gathering, bless this meal — the combinations are endless.

When we turn to the scriptures, we come to understand that we have already come under God’s extraordinary blessing. Ephesians 1:3 refocuses us from “I don’t” to “I do,” “I need” to “I have, “” I’m not” to “I am.” Matthew 5: 3-11 starts every line with blessed. Exodus 33:12-17 is where Moses asks how he will know he has God’s favor, and God says He will give him His Presence. Moses is so certain of the Lord’s blessing and knows he needs it so bad that he tells the Lord, if you’re blessing doesn’t go there, then we don’t go there. God promised His Presence.

Too often, we will move first and ask God to bless it second. What would shift if you realized that you were moving in blessing all along?

So, let’s remix this prayer.

Remix: Thank you, Father, that I am blessed. Let me, in this moment, bless Your Name.

What is the next common prayer that needs to be remixed?

“Lord, be with us, be with me.”

We are really saying that we need to know He is in the midst. We need evidence of this God that dwells within, moving with us in this moment. (So just say that.)

Asking God to” be with us” is ridiculous. Galatians 2:20 tells us that Christ lives IN us. We are asking God, who lives in us, to be with us. If He is living in you, He is most definitely with you.

Remix: Thank you, Lord, that you are here and You dwell in me. Jesus live through me.

“Watch over and protect me.”

We don’t want to pray for hardship or difficulty, and this isn’t to say that we should pray for the Lord not to watch over and protect us. It’s just a shift to understanding that we have a Heavenly Father who always watches over us, and His angels are working on our behalf. He knows what we need before we do.

What is your mission? If your mission is safety and security, this will keep being your prayer. However, if it is to advance the Gospel to the ends of the earth, this probably isn’t going to be your primary prayer. Remember Acts 4:29-30. The prayer was “consider their threats and enable your servants.” at no point did they pray for God to watch over and protect them. Instead, they asked God to stretch out His hand and move in power. They asked for God’s power to be used through them.

Remix: Lord, we commit our way to you. empower and use us.

“Please Forgive Me”

Some people are stuck in this cycle. Colossians 2:13-14 states that God has forgiven all of our sins. Past, present, future. All. What we are really trying to say is it’s good to confess our sins. It clears the air in the relationship. We want to admit our sins and say we’re sorry for doing something foolish even though we are forgiven, Children of God.

Shift out of the routine and express the reality of where you are. It doesn’t honor God to keep asking for forgiveness. Thank God that you’re forgiven.

Remix: Father, I confess my sin to You. I own it. Thank you for the forgiveness I have in Jesus. I receive it, and I choose to turn to you and follow your ways.

Pray the real truth that uses real words that foster a real connection in a real relationship with God, not prayers prayed in rote that do nothing to invigorate the Spirit within us