August, 2006
The Purpose of Prayer
Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you; but I will instruct you in the good and right way.
—1 Samuel 12:23
“Christians are called to a lifestyle of prayer, but many have come to see prayer as nothing more than calling upon their Heavenly Butler for daily service, or crying out to their Heavenly Lifeguard when they are drowning in their daily circumstances. “
Certainly God has more for us than that. Jesus said that because He was going to the Father, we would do even greater works than He did (see John 14:12)”.
The Priority of Prayer
Prayer was the priority in Jesus’ life. He considered it more important than physical rest, and He was commonly pictured praying all night (see Luke 6:12). Talking with the Father took priority over His social activity.
The Relationship of Prayer
The Bible says that “God is Spirit” (John 4:24). Therefore, to know and understand the things of God, your spiritual eyes need to be opened. Keenness in the Spirit realm comes as you discipline yourself in prayer, praise, fasting and renewing your mind through God’s Word.
The Sacrifice of Prayer
As we follow Christ’s example, we too must freely give ourselves to prayer. Prayer is an unselfish work that is often unseen and unappreciated by others; they only experience the results. When we pray, we are not seeking to be seen by men, but rather to stand in the presence and pleasure of the Lord (see Matthew 6:5; Hebrews 7:25).
The Word of Prayer
As you spend time talking with the Father and reading His Word, your prayers will begin to reflect the heart, mind and Word of the Lord. God’s Word is the same yesterday, today and forever. God will meet you right where you are, using the amount of knowledge you have.
Prayer Vs Intercession
What is the difference between prayer and intercession? Prayer starts with you and what you know to be the obvious facts as you bring them before God. God will then take over and you will pray what is on your heart and mind until you have prayed it through.
Intercession differs from prayer in that it starts and ends with God. You might be driving along and someone will come to your mind, maybe a sense of need about a friend or relative, or even a person you haven’t thought about in years.
Sometimes you won’t understand why you are praying what you are praying, but as you are obedient to pray what you are sensing, God’s will is done on earth. Sometimes God will allow you to know the outcome; other times He won’t. Your responsibility is to be obedient.
April, 2006
Imitating Christ and Despising All Vanities on Earth
“He who follows Me, walks not in darkness,” says the Lord. (John 8:12.)
By these words of Christ we are advised to imitate His life and habits, if we wish to be truly enlightened and free from all blindness of heart. Let our chief effort, therefore, be to study the life of Jesus Christ.
The teaching of Christ is more excellent than all the advice of the saints, and he who has His spirit will find in it a hidden manna. Now, there are many who hear the Gospel often but care little for it because they have not the spirit of Christ. Yet whoever wishes to understand fully the words of Christ must try to pattern his whole life on that of Christ.
What good does it do to speak learnedly about the Trinity if, lacking humility, you displease the Trinity? Indeed it is not learning that makes a man holy and just, but a virtuous life makes him pleasing to God. I would rather feel contrition than know how to define it. For what would it profit us to know the whole Bible by heart and the principles of all the philosophers if we live without grace and the love of God? Vanity of vanities and all is vanity, except to love God and serve Him alone.
This is the greatest wisdom—to seek the kingdom of heaven through contempt of the world. It is vanity, therefore, to seek and trust in riches that perish. It is vanity also to court honor and to be puffed up with pride. It is vanity to follow the lusts of the body and to desire things for which severe punishment later must come.
It is vanity to wish for long life and to care little about a well-spent life. It is vanity to be concerned with the present only and not to make provision for things to come. It is vanity to love what passes quickly and not to look ahead where eternal joy abides.
Often recall the proverb: “The eye is not satisfied with seeing nor the ear filled with hearing.” (Eccles. 1:8.) Try, moreover, to turn your heart from the love of things visible and bring yourself to things invisible. For they who follow their own evil passions stain their consciences and lose the grace of God.
