The Power of Pressing in Prayer

“I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” 
– Philippians 3:14 (NKJV) 

When you press, it’s like extending your arm toward something you intend to take hold of. First, you reach out—then you grab it—and finally, you pull it toward you and make it yours. Three simple but powerful steps: the press, the lay hold, and the making it your own. 

But don’t miss this: you wouldn’t have to press if there wasn’t resistance. The very act of pressing means something is trying to stop you—something opposing your breakthrough. So when you feel resistance, know this: you’re on the right track. 

Now, let’s talk about how to press in prayer, especially through praying in tongues. There are different ways to pray in tongues—general praying, worship, spontaneous utterances. But when you’re facing a real situation, one that needs serious spiritual intervention, you have to press deeper. You have to get in the Spirit. 

It’s not just about saying prayers; it’s about entering a deeper realm where your prayers become exponentially more effective. Getting in the Spirit requires praying in the Spirit. That means focusing your mind, bringing every thought into captivity, and setting your attention on your spirit. 

When you begin praying, your mind might wander — to hamburgers, movies, errands, distractions—but you must discipline your thoughts. Only then can you go deeper. 

The goal is to move past the surface level of prayer. At first, it might feel like you’re just standing on the shore, but as you keep praying, you step into deeper spiritual waters. Eventually, you’ll feel it—like crossing a threshold or stepping over a log. Suddenly, the anointing becomes stronger. Sometimes your prayer language changes; other times it doesn’t. But you’ll know—you’ve stepped into something more powerful. 

It’s not just about saying prayers; it’s about entering a deeper realm where your prayers become exponentially more effective.

And that’s when you can lay hold. 

Once in the Spirit, you begin to pray for specific things—finances, healing, souls, breakthrough. You’re not just speaking empty words. You’re grabbing hold of those promises in the spirit realm. You’re laying claim. The Holy Spirit, like a foreman on a construction site, begins to organize and direct your prayers. He tells you what to speak, what to bind, and what to declare. This isn’t guesswork—it’s divine strategy. 

When you lay hold, you’re spiritually grabbing something real. And then you start to pull. You’re drawing it to yourself until it becomes yours. 

It may take one prayer session, or it might take many. But with every time you pray, you’re pulling that promise closer. And eventually—without fail—it manifests. The phone rings. The finances come. The healing breaks through. The wayward son returns. 

God honours the one who presses, lays hold, and makes it their own through persistent, Spirit-led prayer. 

Song of Worship 

I Will Not Be Moved 

Song by Natalie Grant 

Prayer – Lord, teach me how to press in prayer—not casually, but persistently. Help me move past surface-level praying into deeper communion with You. Holy Spirit, guide my utterances, align my declarations, and give me the endurance to pray until the answer manifests. I refuse to stop short. I will press. I will lay hold. And by faith, I will make it mine. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Bible in 1 year: Esther 9-10; Acts 7