03/22/2024
On this very morning in 2016 I was sitting in the common area of Centennial Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee waiting for my wife to complete physical therapy on her leg. She was rehabbing after knee replacement, and I was enjoying having this time alone in the waiting room which allowed me to contemplate my prayers and devotional reading from earlier in the day. Pastor E.M. Bounds had written that prayer should be aflame and it struck me as being truth. Here in the southern United States we would say, with quite a strong accent, "don't pray no milk toast prayer!" Truly, a prayer without emotion, or intense devotion, demonstrates very little sincerity and passion.
“And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.”
James 5:15 ESV
I wrote yesterday about worshipping in this way: "Such is the presence of God that we can't be near Him without worshiping Him in spirit." Today in Bounds' message he spoke similarly of prayer...
"There are no creatures without devotion in heaven. God is there, and His very presence results in a spirit of reverence." – E.M. Bounds
So if we dissect this we realize that here on earth we should worship and pray in a similar fashion to what is to be expected in heaven. As we pray we should do so with devotion and an understanding that God is with us, and when we lift up our prayers in this way we will find that we throw off the physical world and enter into the outskirts of heaven for a time. It is here, in God’s presence, that our spirit of prayer and reverence soars.
While in our time of fervent prayer we are getting a taste of what is in store for us. In the book of Revelation John describes what awaits us there in this way:
“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.”
Revelation 21:1, 3 KJV
Praying living and lively prayers should usher us into the coming of the new tabernacle; God Himself. If we realize that Jesus is coming and that God will remove the need for a tabernacle of stone... then our prayers should ignite and lift us up in praise, and into a worship of God in all His glory.
"Prayer must be aflame. Prayer without fervor is like a sun without light or heat. Only he who glows for God can truly pray." E.M. Bounds
So I sat there that morning sipping my coffee in a quiet and subdued hospital common area watching as the world's sick, injured, and aged move past me. They spoke in quiet voices as if not to disturb the silence; yet how many of them actually understood from whence their help comes? How many had prayed that morning as if on fire? How many were offering heartfelt prayers in quiet devotion even as they pass by me? Spirit, devotion, reverence, and emotion.... The ingredients of powerful prayer.
“ Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”
James 5:16 KJV
P.S.
This might surprise some of you but I believe that, second only to church, more fervent prayer, or prayers on fire, are offered routinely in hospitals than any other public place. God meets us where we seek Him, and we seek Him fervently when we are sick, dying, and infirmed. His presence is most evident to us in the places where we call His name with all of our heart.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for hearing and answering our prayers, but thank you especially for hearing our fervent prayers that are like a fire rising up from within our souls. Thank you for the intensity of our faith as we cry out to you, and prostrate ourselves before you in such overwhelming distress, and need. Thank you Lord for your Holy Spirit who guides our prayers, and gives utterance to the desperation of our hearts when we can find no words to express our heartbreak or desire. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who has given us the promise of prayer, and your answer to it. Whether we whisper, shout, or pray in tears and bloody sweat, you hear us, and give us your answer. You are good Lord, and we have faith in knowing that all things work together for good to them that love you, and are called to your purpose. Hear us today, and always as we pray without ceasing to receive your mercy, grace, and blessings.
During this Easter season, help us to remember the intense prayers of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, and to find the power and fire of them in our own fervent prayers. Send us an angel to strengthen us in our despair Father, and give us knowledge of your will as we seek to pray within it. Above all else we pray for the return of our Lord Jesus, and that when we stand before you with Him we will be covered and redeemed by His blood. We know you will answer our prayers, but if we have no other prayer answered as we have asked, please answer this one Father, and judge us worthy of eternity in your presence. Let our righteous and fervent prayers ignite our faith, and bring you honor and glory forever and ever more.
“And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”
Luke 22:41-44 ESV
Rich Forbes