09/13/2024
My morning devotional this morning came from “The Power of Prayer” by Pastor E. M. Bounds, and in it he gave us these words regarding our focus during prayer…
"A life of full obedience, a life that is focused on God, will not be distracted by any obstacles while praying." – E. M. Bounds
Obedience is about the taming of our own disobedient nature; it is the bridling of our wild and unruly spirit that, without God's guidance, would run unleashed in us, and rule our lives. Our hope and salvation rests in the redemption of Christ and the grace of God which, coupled with the Holy Spirit, brings our savage nature back into check, and instills in us a hard won righteousness and humility. In this way we are saved from ourselves. Paul gives the Thessalonians, and us, instruction on how to control ourselves and follow Jesus; then, in the hope we are focusing our faith on, he writes:
“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
1 Thessalonians 5:23 KJV
Paul tells us that we must bring every part of ourselves under subjugation... Spirit, soul, and body. So, to succeed in focusing on God during our prayers, we must bring our total selves under control. How many times have we been in prayer and found our mind being led astray by some situation in your life? How many times have we been on the verge of a truly holy and life changing conversation with the Lord only to have it hijacked by the dark one as he distracts us using our own humanity, and lack of ability to remain focused? Paul has helpful advice for us in regards to this…
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”
Philippians 4:8-10 ESV
Praying with a concentrated focus doesn't come easily, it requires a Spirit led intensity and faith. When we stray in prayer then we have lost ourselves once again to our sinful nature... the very nature of man that was expelled from Eden. Our goal in prayer is to commune with God and meet Him earnestly and without distraction... Only then will we hear His voice. Paul gets very specific when writing to the Corinthians, he tells them that our battle is a spiritual one:
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.”
2 Corinthians 10:3-6 KJV
The battle for our focus is one that we engage in with Satan who attempts to distract us from a full and fulfilling relationship with God. It is a wedge he drives between us and God to separate our spirit from that of the Holy Spirit... distracted and unfocused prayer is Satan's victory over us; but like physical warfare, losing a battle doesn't mean we will lose the war. Our personal faith and determination can reengage us in focused prayer once more, and allow us to find the victory we seek, and long for.
In all circumstances, pray for focus, pray for a lack of distraction as we commune with God; pray for the Holy Spirit to instruct us in how to keep our hearts and minds on the task at hand. Then listen to Jesus as He tells us to close the door of our prayer closet to all encumbrances; to remove ourselves from worldly influences... to pray in secret.
“But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.”
Matthew 6:6 KJV
I pray this morning that each of us will enter into a fresh season of prayer. I pray that our attention, focus, and presence with God in prayer is not interrupted by any distraction. I pray that we are refreshed and reenergized when approaching our time of fervent prayer and communion with our Heavenly Father, and I pray that our conversations with Him will be comprised of the best our spirit has to offer. I pray that we will be rewarded in our requests, and blessed beyond measure. In this way, I pray that God be with us throughout our day... remaining there as our focus, and the concentrated essence of our love for Him.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for focusing our thoughts, and the longing of our hearts, on you through Christ. Thank you for helping us to ward off the temptations and distractions of Satan and the world, as Jesus did… with scripture, and by entering into focused prayer with you. Help us Abba as we close the doors to our prayer closets, and shut out all distractions as we enter into the solitude of prayer with you. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who was, and is, and is to come. Holy are you in whose presence we remain peaceful, still, and focused, as we concentrate on the fact that you are now, and throughout eternity have always been, our God. This, like all days, is the day you have made, and we will rejoice and be glad in it. Merciful, good, and full of grace are you Lord who leads us into your presence, and stills our mind in you. Hear our prayers that are stayed on you Father, and quickly send your Son Jesus to usher us into your presence where we will remain for all eternity… pleasing and loving you forevermore. Hear us calling out “Even so, hear our prayer “Come quickly Lord Jesus!”
Amen!
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even 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. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
Psalm 23 ESV
“This is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Save us, we pray, O Lord! O Lord, we pray, give us success! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! We bless you from the house of the Lord. The Lord is God, and he has made his light to shine upon us. Bind the festal sacrifice with cords, up to the horns of the altar! You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God; I will extol you. Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!”
Psalm 118:23-29 ESV
“He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all, Amen.”
Revelation 22:20-21 ESV
Rich Forbes