21 DAYS IN 2024
LIVING FROM OUR SPIRITUAL INHERITANCE
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” Philippians 4:6.
When we pray, one of the greatest challenges we face is to pray beyond the scope of our need. To leave self-focus behind and embrace the heart and purpose of God for our life and circumstance.
It is a good thing to present our needs to the Lord. But if we allow fear or anxious care to be the motivation for our prayers we will miss the peace which represents the manifestation of His presence in our life. Prayer is designed to open us up to the resources of Heaven and help us connect with mystery.
Prayer is a transformative discipline and unique privilege designed to change us as we struggle and wrestle for the purpose of God to appear in all that pertains to us.
“Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day. 25 Now when He saw that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob’s hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him. 26 And He said, “Let Me go, for the day breaks.” But he said, “I will not let You go unless You bless me!” 27 So He said to him, “What is your name?” He said, “Jacob.” 28 And He said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed” Genesis 32:24-28.
When Jesus prayed at Gethsemene, He made His desire known to the Father. But, then He submitted His life and will to the purpose and plan of God for Him. His circumstance drove Him to desperate prayer. But it was the disposition of His heart that elevated His prayer from anguish to worship. The name, “Gethsemene” means oil press. Jesus likely prayed in a grove of olive trees. The picture for us is one of the precious oil of His presence being released in the place of our pressing (Mark 14:26 - 50).
As we pray, let us allow His Holy Spirit to not only work for us but also in us. Our prayers shift heaven even as they shape our heart. Prayer is not about asking God for the things we want. True prayer is learning to humble our hearts in the asking. We make known to Him what is in our heart even as Holy Spirit shapes us in the humility of our asking. True prayer is communion. It is giving and receiving as well as asking.
When you pray, don’t just speak. Listen. There is so much more avaiable to the one who listens. Our Good Shepherd is always leading us. Even when we think we need to tell Him how to sort out our problems He is leading. He is establishing our way.
"And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice" John 10:4.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside the still waters.
3 He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
for His name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
for You are with me;
your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup runs over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life;
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Psalm 23
When we pray, one of the greatest challenges we face is to pray beyond the scope of our need. To leave self-focus behind and embrace the heart and purpose of God for our life and circumstance.
It is a good thing to present our needs to the Lord. But if we allow fear or anxious care to be the motivation for our prayers we will miss the peace which represents the manifestation of His presence in our life. Prayer is designed to open us up to the resources of Heaven and help us connect with mystery.
Prayer is a transformative discipline and unique privilege designed to change us as we struggle and wrestle for the purpose of God to appear in all that pertains to us.
“Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day. 25 Now when He saw that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob’s hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him. 26 And He said, “Let Me go, for the day breaks.” But he said, “I will not let You go unless You bless me!” 27 So He said to him, “What is your name?” He said, “Jacob.” 28 And He said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed” Genesis 32:24-28.
When Jesus prayed at Gethsemene, He made His desire known to the Father. But, then He submitted His life and will to the purpose and plan of God for Him. His circumstance drove Him to desperate prayer. But it was the disposition of His heart that elevated His prayer from anguish to worship. The name, “Gethsemene” means oil press. Jesus likely prayed in a grove of olive trees. The picture for us is one of the precious oil of His presence being released in the place of our pressing (Mark 14:26 - 50).
As we pray, let us allow His Holy Spirit to not only work for us but also in us. Our prayers shift heaven even as they shape our heart. Prayer is not about asking God for the things we want. True prayer is learning to humble our hearts in the asking. We make known to Him what is in our heart even as Holy Spirit shapes us in the humility of our asking. True prayer is communion. It is giving and receiving as well as asking.
When you pray, don’t just speak. Listen. There is so much more avaiable to the one who listens. Our Good Shepherd is always leading us. Even when we think we need to tell Him how to sort out our problems He is leading. He is establishing our way.
"And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice" John 10:4.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside the still waters.
3 He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
for His name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
for You are with me;
your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup runs over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life;
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Psalm 23
Posted in 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting