Prayer

1. Why is the name, renewal prayer, used?

The name, renewal prayer, is based on Psalm 51:10 and Titus 3:4-7. We are made right with God through the renewing and regenerating work of the Holy Spirit who guides us in each prayer session.

Psalm 51:10 ESV  Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

Titus 3:4-7 ESV  But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

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2. Why do I need a renewal prayer?

All followers of Jesus Christ are promised an abundant spiritual life (John 10:10). However, we can feel stuck, stagnant, anxious, ashamed, or angry, but don’t know why.

God’s Word shows us that confession, repentance, forgiving others, and praising God is a daily practice for Jesus’ followers. Those who neglect these practices will likely feel frustrated in their walk with God and hindered in their prayers (Psalm 66:17-18, Matthew 6:9-15).

Renewal prayer is an opportunity to review our lives, deal with unconfessed sins, and uproot old foundations that have led to the bad fruit in our lives (Matthew 7:18). We do this with the counsel of the Holy Spirit and the loving support of other believers who have gone through similar journeys.

John 10:10 ESV  … I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

Psalm 66:17-18 NLT  For I cried out to him for help, praising him as I spoke. If I had not confessed the sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.

Matthew 6:9-15 NLT  Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one. “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Matthew 7:18 ESV  A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit.

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3. I’ve already asked God to forgive my sins when I became a Christian, why do I need to go through renewal prayer to repent of every sin?

The Holy Spirit is the seal of our covenant with Jesus (Ephesians 1:13). He will convict, guide, regenerate, and renew us (John 16:8, Galatians 5:16-17, Titus 3:4-8). Sin grieves the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30) and gives Satan footholds to kill, steal, and destroy the abundant spiritual life Jesus promises us. We experience barriers in our relationship with God when we sin (Ephesians 4:27, John 10:10).

This is why the Bible tells us to “make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with God” (2 Peter 3:14). We confess and repent of every sin, both past and present, because this leads to spiritual life and keeps us from spiritual death.

Ephesians 1:13 NIV  And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,

John 16:8 NLT  And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment.

Galatians 5:16-17 NLT  So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.

Titus 3:4-7 ESV  But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Ephesians 4:30 ESV  And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

John 10:10 ESV  The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

Ephesians 4:27 NIV  and do not give the devil a foothold.

2 Peter 3:14 NIV  So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.

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4. Are renewal prayers effective for everyone?

Even after accepting Christ, many of us continue in sin either out of ignorance, fear, or deception. We can live with old habits for so long that we don’t realise that some of our attitudes, thoughts, and actions actually grieve God. Renewal prayer is an opportunity to address this so we can be found “spotless, blameless and at peace with God” (2 Peter 3:14).

God wants us to seek Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:23). In renewal prayer, we lead you to confess your past hurts, fears, and sinful responses – in obedience to God’s truth in the Bible. We also actively invite the counsel and leadership of the Holy Spirit at all times because He is the Spirit of Truth. When we humbly seek God in this way, He will answer our prayers and petitions. Renewal prayers are effective when we choose to follow God’s will first.

2 Peter 3:14 NIV  So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.

John 4:23 ESV  But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.

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5. Do I need to already have been baptised before I can sign up for renewal prayer?

Baptism is a very important part of becoming a follower of Jesus Christ, even Jesus Himself chose to be baptised. Baptism unites us with Jesus Christ in His death and resurrection through the power of the Holy Spirit. It is not merely a tradition to be done only in a church setting. It can be done anywhere at any time (see Acts 8:29-39). For more about baptism, please refer to Preparing our hearts for baptism

People can even be set free from certain strongholds during baptism. As seen from the two testimonies below, baptism can have very real and powerful spiritual consequences. If you haven’t already been baptised or were baptised without inviting the Holy Spirit to give you new life, your prayer counsellors can baptise you, with your permission, at your renewal prayer session. You can also choose to be baptised before or after the prayer session.

Testimonies about experiencing spiritual change as a result of baptism:
Jesus heals counsellor of hatred
Jesus heals journalist of insomnia and anxiety

Acts 8:36 NLT As they rode along, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “Look! There’s some water! Why can’t I be baptized?”

Colossians 2:11-12 NLT When you came to Christ, you were “circumcised,” but not by a physical procedure. Christ performed a spiritual circumcision—the cutting away of your sinful nature. For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead.

Acts 2:38 ESV And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

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6. How can I be sure that I will benefit from a renewal prayer?

The way to benefit from a renewal prayer is to go before God in humility and repentance. Those who seek Him with all their hearts will find Him (Isaiah 66:1-2, Jeremiah 29:12-13). Moreover, we rely on the Holy Spirit’s guidance and God’s Word as we pray.

Isaiah 66:2 NLT  My hands have made both heaven and earth; they and everything in them are mine. I, the LORD, have spoken! “I will bless those who have humble and contrite hearts, who tremble at my word.

Jeremiah 29:12-13 ESV  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.

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7. Why does each prayer session take at least four hours?

We do as much preparation as we can prior to each prayer session so that we can focus our time on caring for you and seeking God together when we meet. This is why the renewal prayer form has been created to be as comprehensive as possible.

Usually, the first 30 minutes or more in a renewal prayer session is spent getting to know one another and getting comfortable.

During prayer itself, there will be much to cover, from generational issues, idol worship, and occult sins to emotional wounds, bitterness, and inner vows. Some sessions may take longer as the Holy Spirit so leads. He will let us know when a session comes to a close.

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8. Who else will be at the renewal prayer?

Each session will include a lead prayer counsellor, in addition to one or two other supporting intercessors. Participants in these sessions are usually of the same gender.

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9. What will happen during renewal prayer?

Each prayer session is unique, because each person and God’s plans for them are unique.

Generally, we begin with a round of introductions, followed by a short opening prayer and a worship song. (By this time, your prayer counsellor and intercessors would have spent a few days reviewing your form, praying and fasting for you.)

With the Holy Spirit’s counsel, the prayer counsellor will then guide you as you bring your burdens and sins to God in prayer. One or two others will support you in prayer and take notes on your behalf. As the Holy Spirit leads, we will see His fruit (Galatians 5:22-23).

Also, see The Holy Spirit as our perfect Counsellor

Galatians 5:22-23 ESV  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

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10. Can I just do renewal prayer by myself instead of having prayer counsellors?

Both personal prayer and prayer in unity with other believers are important. Jesus spent much time praying alone and also asked His disciples to pray with and for Him.

In renewal prayer, we seek God’s direction or healing in community because sometimes, we cannot see our own sin or blind spots.

The Bible tells us that two are better than one (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10). God, our Father, will answer the prayers of two believers who agree on anything they ask of God (Matthew 18:18-20). Moreover, confession and prayer with others brings healing (James 5:16).

Prayer counsellors and intercessors are specifically trained to identify strongholds and sinful patterns that we often do not notice in our lives. God created us to teach, counsel, and build one another up (1 Thessalonians 5:11). After your first renewal prayer, you will be better equipped to pray on your own and can put into practise what you learn.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 ESV  Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!

Matthew 18:18-20 ESV  Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”

James 5:16 ESV  Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

Colossians 3:16 NLT  Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV  Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

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11. Who are prayer counsellors and how do they become counsellors?

Prayer counsellors and intercessors are volunteers who have received discipleship and mentoring in the area of prayer ministry. They are committed Christians who belong to a local church, are known to be mature, of good character, and able to maintain confidentiality. Prayer counsellors have also gone through renewal prayers themselves–often multiple times–and are part of an accountability group.

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12. Do I get to pick my prayer counsellors?

Prayer counsellors, intercessors, and counselees sign up for sessions without knowing who has been scheduled for the day. This is intentional because we trust that the Holy Spirit will bring the appropriate people together for each session.

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13. Why is the form so long?

The form has evolved over the years to include observations about what hinders our relationship with God. It seems long simply because we live in a fallen world filled with generation after generation of sinful patterns.

Many counselees find going through the form highly beneficial, as they come prepared for renewal prayer with much greater personal understanding of their own hearts and insights into the spiritual bondage that hinder them. We include many questions as multiple choice so as to make it quicker to run through.

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14. How is my privacy protected?

We make every effort to ensure that your privacy is protected.

We ask you to password protect all your forms and not to include any names.

We promptly delete or destroy all digital and printed documents after every prayer session.

For training purposes, prayer counsellors may sometimes review past prayer sessions but no names or personal details will be included.

We help to edit your renewal prayer testimony to be as non-descriptive of you as possible.

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15. During renewal prayer, I will confess some things that I have never told anyone before. Will my prayer counsellors judge and condemn me?

Prayer counsellors also share their lives and confess their own sins to fellow prayer counsellors in their ongoing journey of renewal. Therefore, they understand how you feel and will not judge you.

Their heart is to love you through Christ and help you experience God’s healing and freedom, like they have. No matter how big or small the sin is, it can be erased by the blood of Christ when we repent from our hearts. Prayer counsellors know how powerful it is to walk in God’s love and joyfully welcome anyone who seeks God’s redemption and renewal.

John 3:17 ESV  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

John 13:34-35 ESV  A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

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16. Renewal prayer requires me to talk about my relationships with other people. How can I do this, without slandering others or disrespecting my elders?

Renewal prayers offer a safe space to express our emotions about our past experiences. We do not encourage anyone to condemn or judge others.

We are to respect and love one another at all times, and at the same time, seek God’s healing for our hurts and disappointments. As a result of receiving the Holy Spirit’s comfort during renewal prayer and experiencing more of God’s love through the process, many find that they are able to be more compassionate, loving, and understanding towards the people in their lives. As we are healed more, we will also judge ourselves and others less.

1 John 1:10 ESV  If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 ESV  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

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17. I don’t feel comfortable talking about people that my prayer counsellors may know or meet one day. How can I be sure they will not be affected by what I tell them?

Prayer counsellors and intercessors are trained to look at people through God’s eyes, rather than through another person’s. Moreover, we do not use real names in the forms. God knows who a counselee may be praying about but prayer counsellors will not. In addition, prayer counsellors always do a cleansing prayer after every prayer session and ask God to take away all burdens and impure thoughts.

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18. Why do I have to go through the “Love The Lord” course before I can sign up for a renewal prayer?

The “Love The Lord” course explains how common strongholds can block us from God. It also includes many real-life testimonies that will demonstrate how these strongholds work against us. All this is to equip us in renewing our minds and prepare us for discerning God’s will during renewal prayer.

Romans 12:1-2 ESV  I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

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19. If I can’t hear the Holy Spirit, can I still do renewal prayer?

Yes! Renewal prayer is structured in a way to help us identify the patterns in our lives that separate us from God. Crucially, we are required to fast as we pray and seek God. God’s Word shows that He will answer us when we seek Him with all our hearts through fasting.

Isaiah 59:1-2 ESV  Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.

Joel 2:12 ESV  “Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;

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20. Why must I fast as I prepare for renewal prayer?

Fasting goes hand in hand with repentance and worship. It’s a way to humble ourselves before God as we pray. Jesus promised that God will respond when we fast and seek Him privately.

Matthew 6:17-18 ESV  But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Isaiah 58:6 ESV  “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?

See testimonies about revelations through fasting:
Jesus sets IT manager free from nightmares
Jesus reveals legal advisor’s hidden self-rejection

Learn more about fasting:
The significance of fasting

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21. What will happen after the renewal prayer?

The prayer counsellor will check in on you in the weeks following your renewal prayer.

We strongly encourage classmates from the “Love The Lord” course to continue to journey together in small groups after their renewal prayers. There is a recommended list of topics posted on teachinghumblehearts.info that one can follow. This series is titled, Living by God’s Spirit (LGS), based on Romans 8:5-6. (Please ask your course facilitators for details.)

In addition, the editor of teachinghumblehearts.info will help advise on and upon your consent, publish your renewal prayer testimony, as a way to thank God for renewing your relationship with Him (Psalm 9:1), build our faith, and encourage other believers.

Romans 8:5-6 ESV  For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.

Psalm 9:1 ESV  I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.

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22. Why does everyone have to write an (anonymous) testimony about their renewal prayer?

The Holy Spirit renews and heals many areas of our lives during renewal prayer. Writing our testimonies is a way to remember His teachings and be a witness for God’s goodness in our lives. We testify so that others may hear about and trust in God’s goodness (John 19:35).

We keep all testimonies anonymous because our life experiences are intertwined with other people’s life stories and we wish to respect their privacy.

John 19:35 ESV  He who saw it has borne witness—his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth—that you also may believe.

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23. Can I have another renewal prayer after I do my first? Is one renewal prayer enough?

Some have found one renewal prayer to be enough to equip them to seek God and walk with their own communities of faith. After renewal prayer, we need to practice praying and walking with God, without relying on prayer counselling. The Holy Spirit will show us what we need and direct us to an additional session, if it is according to His will.

Jeremiah 29:13 ESV  You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.

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