Psalms 119:32 & 33 “Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end. Give me understanding and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.”
The Psalms have been an inspiration for many and the foundation for numerous heartfelt prayers. As such, the book of Psalms will be our study for the following devotions on prayer. The importance of prayer cannot be overstated. Prayer is the umbilical cord for the life of faith. Failure to pray, is to sever the cord. Though God is always present, our lack of prayer makes God seem distant. This causes worry and stress, in essence a lack of faith. A spiritual anemia if you would. Also when we do pray, it is seldom with the understanding that we are entering into spiritual warfare. Prayer is an offensive weapon, and the enemy recognizes that all too well. We are the ones that underestimate its power and influence. There is nothing more faith building than to pray for someone or for a specific situation, and then to have that person in sharing repeat almost word for word what you have been praying for them. Also to have a situation resolve itself according to the wisdom God gave you in prayer is awesome. Your whole spirit shouts out, Amen God! You feel invincible with God.
In this next series we will cover insights into prayer. Starting with the heart of prayer. First however let me generalize two kinds of prayer. Jesus said to pray without ceasing. This is to be in communion with God via the Holy Spirit throughout the day. As issues arise in your heart, or things are brought to your attention you begin to voice them to the Lord. Your lips may never move, but your heart and mind are busy. I would call this “communion prayer,” for in essence there is no Amen to it, it is on going.
The next type of prayer is intercessory prayer. Anytime when I feel the weight of concerns bearing down on me, communion prayer is not sufficient for me. The weight continues as my attention is divided between my concern and what I am doing at the moment. It is God’s way of calling me into intercessory prayer. This is when I leave my phone behind and I find a solitary place to be alone with the Lord. The Lord did this often, as he would leave the disciples and the crowds and go into the hills for prolong periods of time. He was done when all “business” resulted in peace, and such is intercessory prayer. Intercessory prayer is work. It takes effort, focus and persistence. When I am interceding for someone or for myself, I must have a “pit bull” intention. We have developed a “MacDonald’s” attitude to prayer. We are not willing to put the time into really praying for someone, or praying over an issue in us that compromises our walk with Christ. We think that just because we have spoken some words, we think we have prayed. Intercessory prayer is entering into a realm of focus and intent where you sense the Spirit beginning to pray through you. That cannot be done in a few distracted minutes. We must be serious. God is just as serious about conforming us into his image, and saving us a well as others from the tentacles of sin that so easily entrap us.
The work and consequence of such praying is freedom, but it first starts with a willingness to pray. To want to pray is just as important as knowing how to pray. Though a sincere “God help me” is only three words, it is nonetheless a good prayer. Know this, when you are determined to pray or plan to have a Bible study, all “hell will break out,” testing your resolve to stay the course. Because many of us fail at this point; we never get started or experience victory over our struggles. We need to be purposeful about our time with the Lord. If it is first thing in the morning, at lunch, or after the kids are in bed ask “God help me reserve this time for You.” Do not become legalistic, I did that, it defeats the whole purpose. If your devotions don’t work out that day trust The Lord. He knows our need and our intent.
For starters, lets pray this verse, and if you desire to pray more then pray the next 10 verses; they are one of the key stanzas I pray when I am in the Psalms.
Father God,
May prayer become a habit of spiritual joy and discipline in my life. I agree with the importance of it for me, as well as for others. Let me “stand in the gap” for those that can’t, and count it a privilege and blessing to be used as such. Thank you and Amen.
Dios lo Bendiga – Arthur