Understanding Different Levels of Prayer
Not all prayers are alike. Most people start by praying whatever comes naturally to mind, guided by their own thoughts and concerns. However, there is a deeper dimension to prayer—one that rises above our natural understanding. This higher form of prayer can be described as “Praying the Prayers of Heaven.”
The Journey to Vertical Prayer
For over fifteen years, a group of us have been led by the Holy Spirit to pursue this vertical approach to prayer. It began when, during a prayer meeting, God interrupted and instructed us to “Get Vertical.” We immediately sensed that this meant turning our attention fully upward, focusing on God rather than ourselves. As we practiced this, our spirits awakened to a new kind of prayer—prayer initiated by God.
As we embraced this shift, we began to sense what was on the Father’s heart, not just our own. It was as if we crossed a threshold into a new spiritual space where heaven became vivid, and we could discern the prayers that God wanted us to pray. These prayers were not born from our own understanding but were inspired by the Holy Spirit, directly stirring our hearts.
Learning to Hear God’s Voice in Prayer
Through these experiences, our spirits became more attuned to the Lord’s voice. We discovered a greater measure of God’s power in our prayers when we listened for heaven’s direction. This kind of intercession is available to every believer who is willing to learn how to “tune in” to heaven.
Aligning Our Spirits with God
Praying the prayers of heaven is about aligning our spirits with God, much like tuning a radio to a precise frequency. To do this, we must intentionally quiet our minds and connect with the Holy Spirit. The process of “getting vertical” means engaging our spirit fully with God’s Spirit, pushing aside life’s distractions and centering our hearts on the Lord.
While it can be challenging to quiet the mind, the discipline of focusing on God brings us into a place of peace, as Scripture promises in Psalm 46:10 and Isaiah 26:3. Beginning with praise and setting our attention on heaven helps us “ascend the hill of the Lord,” as described by David in Psalm 24. Sometimes breakthrough comes quickly; other times, it takes longer, but as we persevere, God’s thoughts begin to flow into our minds and prayers.
The Role of the Holy Spirit in Intercession
Romans 8:26 (NKJV) teaches, “Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” This verse inspired us to pursue praying as God desires, not merely presenting our own wishes. Prayer that starts with God is far more effective than simply speaking what comes to mind—much like aiming an arrow with open eyes rather than blindfolded.
Transformation Through Spirit-Led Prayer
As we learned to let the Holy Spirit guide our prayers, we witnessed profound transformation:
- Deeper Intercession: Our prayers shifted from being rooted in our understanding to being shaped by spiritual awakening and alignment with God’s heart.
- Discovering God’s Ways: Practicing “Getting Vertical” by setting aside distractions and focusing on God’s presence enabled us to pray more powerfully and experience spiritual breakthrough.
- Dependence on the Holy Spirit: According to Romans 8:26, the Holy Spirit leads believers to pray beyond their own knowledge, ensuring our prayers align with God’s will.
- Increased Faith and Confidence: Praying as led by the Spirit gives us assurance that God hears and answers our requests, as promised in I John 5:14-15.
“Now this is the confidence we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.” (1 John 5:14-15 NKJV)
