Today I'm engage in Vertical Endeavor at my church. My friend Jim told me about this week as we've started the Prayer Course at Portland House. My friend and pastor Daniel Henderson started this years ago as a Prayer Summit which is now branded Vertical Endeavor for men:
- Spiritual Focus: It's about growing closer to God, with intentional prayer, teaching, and worship.
- Community: A chance for men to connect, build fellowship, and support each other in their faith journey.
- Transformational: A weekend set aside to "step away from the noise" and get focused on spiritual life. They say prayer can be transactional, therapeutic or transformational, we're aiming for transformational.
- Part of a Larger Ministry: It's a program within Grace Church's men's ministry, often kicking off the year.
A Biblically Formed Vision of Prayer
Prayer is a relational conversation with God. Scripture consistently presents God inviting His people into fellowship, not a transaction. We come to Him with requests, but we also confess, give thanks, listen, and align our hearts with His will.
Biblical grounding:
- Conversation: “Call to me and I will answer you” (Jeremiah 33:3).
- Fellowship: “Pour out your heart before Him” (Psalm 62:8).
- Abiding: “If you remain in me…ask whatever you wish” (John 15:7).
Prayer as Encouragement and Personal Development
Praying for one another strengthens the community and lifts burdens (James 5:16, Galatians 6:2). Prayer also shapes our inner life. God uses it to refine motives, reveal sin, and develop wisdom (Psalm 139:23–24; Philippians 1:9–10; Romans 12:2).
Requesting Needs Without Becoming Transactional
The Bible affirms asking God for daily provision. Jesus taught us to pray for “our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11) because asking acknowledges God as Provider. God delights in giving good gifts (Matthew 7:11). Even honest lament and complaint have biblical precedent in Moses, Elijah, David, and Mary, who spoke to God as friends speak (Psalm 142:1–2; 1 Kings 19:4; Luke 1:46–48).
Requesting is part of relationship. It becomes transactional only when it replaces relationship.
When Prayer Becomes Too Transactional
Prayer loses its spiritual focus when it becomes:
- Emergency-only (Psalm 105:4).
- A deal-making formula (James 4:3).
- Detached from confession (Psalm 66:18).
Transaction-only prayer shrinks God to a vending machine and erodes trust when outcomes differ from expectations.
The Holy Spirit Deepens Our Prayer
Romans 8:26–27 teaches that the Spirit intercedes with “groanings too deep for words,” aligning our imperfect prayers with God’s perfect will. Even when we do not know what to say, God is already working to bring us into deeper communion.
Three Questions That Create Spiritual Focus
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What are you asking God to do?
Jesus asked the blind man, “What do you want me to do for you?” (Mark 10:51). Clear requests create clarity in relationship. Philippians 4:6 – “Let your requests be made known…” Prayer should be specific and intentional. -
Why does it matter that God intervenes?
Motive shapes prayer. “Not to us but to Your name give glory” (Psalm 115:1).
Jesus said the Father answers prayer “that He may be glorified” (John 14:13). -
How can we magnify God?
“Magnify the Lord with me” (Psalm 34:3).
Our prayers should lift our eyes to His character, His kingdom, and His purposes (Matthew 6:33 Matthew 5:16 – “Let your light shine…that they may glorify your Father…” 1 Corinthians 10:31 – “Do all to the glory of God.”
Praying With a Spiritual Focus
A spiritual focus expands vision beyond circumstances to God’s eternal work (2 Corinthians 4:18; Colossians 3:1–2). It points us to His heart—justice, mercy, humility, compassion, holiness (Micah 6:8; Psalm 103:8). It shapes prayer into an ongoing relational loop of honesty, listening, gratitude, and trust.
The Goal of Prayer
Scripture calls us into constant communion with God:
- “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
- “In everything…give thanks” (Philippians 4:6–7).
- “Draw near to God” (James 4:8).
Prayer becomes a lived friendship with God where we present needs, seek His will, confess sin, celebrate His goodness, and rest in His presence. It is the pathway to peace, formation, and alignment with God’s heart.
Prayer is conversation with God
Bible references:
- Jeremiah 33:3 – “Call to me and I will answer you…”
- Psalm 62:8 – “Pour out your heart before Him…”
- Philippians 4:6 – “In everything by prayer and supplication…let your requests be made known to God.”
Prayer is not a ritual. It is a living dialogue with the Father who listens and responds.
Prayer is encouragement and support we offer one another
Bible references:
- James 5:16 – “Pray for one another…”
- 1 Timothy 2:1 – “I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions…be made for all people.”
- Galatians 6:2 – “Bear one another’s burdens…”
Interceding for others strengthens community and lifts weary hearts.
Prayer is a resource for personal development
Bible references:
- Psalm 139:23–24 – “Search me…know my heart…lead me…”
- Romans 12:2 – “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
- Philippians 1:9–10 – Paul prays that love will “abound…with knowledge and all discernment.”
Prayer shapes our character and sharpens our spiritual perception.
Prayer aligns our hearts with God’s heart
Bible references:
- Matthew 6:10 – “Your will be done…”
- Psalm 37:4 – “Delight yourself in the Lord…”
- 1 John 5:14 – “If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.”
Prayer is not simply asking; it is aligning.
Prayer is more than a list of requests
Bible references:
- Matthew 6:6–8 – The Father knows what you need before you ask.
- Psalm 27:4 – Prayer includes longing to dwell in God’s presence.
- John 15:4–7 – Prayer flows from abiding in Christ.
Prayer expands vision, not just requests.
Praying with a spiritual focus expands our vision beyond the physical
Bible references:
- 2 Corinthians 4:18 – “We fix our eyes…on what is unseen.”
- Ephesians 3:20 – God does “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.”
- Colossians 3:1–2 – “Set your minds on things above…”
Spiritual focus lifts our eyes from circumstances to God’s eternal work.
Praying with a spiritual focus points us to the heart of God
Bible references:
- Micah 6:8 – What the Lord requires: justice, mercy, humility.
- Psalm 103:8 – “The Lord is merciful and gracious…”
- John 17:20–23 – Jesus prays that we share His unity and love.
Prayer draws us into God’s character.
Ask God to help you keep a spiritual focus in your requests
Bible references:
- Psalm 19:14 – “Let the words of my mouth…be acceptable in Your sight.”
- Psalm 25:4–5 – “Show me Your ways…guide me in Your truth.”
- James 1:5 – “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God…”
A spiritual focus comes from His guidance and grace.
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