04/05/2024
This morning's devotion deals with how we should begin our prayers with inspiration and desire, and how once we have mastered this we will understand the way that they should end. Pastor E.M. Bounds used what was written to the Laodicean Church in order to awaken us to the danger of feeling a sense of self-sufficiency when we pray, and the negative impact which it has on our spiritual and prayer life.
“Because thou sayest, I am rich, and have gotten riches, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art the wretched one and miserable and poor and blind and naked:”
Revelation 3:17 ASV
In truth the greatest treasure we have is our relationship with Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father, and all that we are able to acquire in this world falls far short of even one touch from them. So Bounds instructs us to renew our spirits; he tells us to drive out the evil, fill ourselves with good, and turn our desires towards God. The result of these efforts will be a strong prayer life filled with desire for the holy, and a communion with the divine... And he is right.
So how do we banish this feeling of self-righteousness and sufficiency? How do we replace it with humbleness, and an absolute trust in God? I recommend that we rid ourselves of our pride and the book of James provides us with further instruction in this when it says:
“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”
James 4:10 KJV
We need to realize that nothing we do, say, or acquire is of our own doing. Even the smallest and most unnoticed actions ultimately come from God... including our next breath. If we can come to grips with this and get our own self-image out of the way, we will see Jesus, and be able to worship God as we should. The key to entering into prayer is to hush the background noise and concentrate solely on The Lord. One of my favorite scriptures comes from Psalm 46...
“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.”
Psalms 46:10 KJV
So each prayer we pray should begin in acknowledging who God is, praising Him, and preparing ourselves to enter into His presence by humbling ourselves, and asking Him to forgive us our sins by washing us clean in the blood of Jesus. Well, we are quick to say “hallowed be thy name”, and “forgive us our debts”, but I dare say that many of us are reluctant to give any more than lip service to the fact that He gives us more than just our bread… He is our provider in all things, and leads us always. God is more than a life coach, he is life itself, and like the pillar of fire was to the Israelites in the desert, He leads us in all we do. When we think that He simply gives us advice we don’t know how to pray as we should, and our will begins to take precedence over His will in our lives.
So let’s begin our waking prayers today by praying the Lord’s Prayer as Jesus taught us…
“”After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.””
Matthew 6:9-13 KJV
Now let’s continue on in prayer throughout our day. The great moments in prayer begin in solemn silence, continue in humility, and end in... well… they never really end do they? So let's still ourselves in the midst of prayer...
"“Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!”"
Psalm 46:10 ESV
Continuation of Prayer:
Father, we thank you for your Son Jesus who taught us to pray, and for your Holy Spirit who prays for us when our own words escape us. We thank you for the intercession of Jesus as He sits at your right hand, and the Holy Spirit as He leads and intercedes for us in prayer. You are great above all things Father, and your will comes before ours in this and in every moment of our lives. Wash us clean of our sins in the blood of Jesus so that we can come before you cleansed, pure, and worthy in Christ of being in your presence. Hear our heartfelt regret and contrition as we ask forgiveness for our transgressions, and feel the love we have in our hearts, minds, and souls for you as we lay down our humble will at your feet, and ask that your magnificent will be done. Hear us then as we ask you for your provision and protection in our lives, and those things such as your blessings when we mourn, and your comfort in our times of suffering in this life on earth. Then Abba, give us patience, and anticipation as we wait on you to answer. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who has heard, who hears now, and who will always hear our prayers. Perfect and good is your will for us, and when we lift up our prayers within it, filled with a righteous desire, and prayed in the name of Jesus, we know that we will receive those things we have asked for, and that our prayers will continue on without ceasing, because you abide in us always, and we abide in you, just as you abide in Jesus, and He in you… shepherd us in your will Father, and in this way we will eternally be joined with you in prayer…
Amen
Rich Forbes