Friday, April 23, 2021

Looking for a Time of Prayer

Looking for a Time of Prayer 

The following is from Dr. David Jeremiah's book "Life Changing Moments with God" Praying Scripture Every Day:

The Lord was my support. Lord, truly, it is vain to hope for salvation from the hills, and from the multitude of mountains; for truly, in You, Lord God, is the salvation of Israel. You, Lord, are my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I cry out and shout, as an inhabitant of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel in our midst! Your angel, Lord God, encamps all around those who fear You, and delivers me. The righteous cry out, and You, Lord, hear, and deliver me out of all my troubles. Eternal God, You are my refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. So I boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” Who is God, except You, Lord? And who is a rock, except You, my God? It is You, Almighty God, who arms me with strength, and makes my way perfect. By Your grace, Father God, I am what I am. Lord God, may I always and only look to You, my Shield, my Stronghold, my Helper.

PSALM 18:18; JEREMIAH 3:23; PSALM 18:2; ISAIAH 12:6; PSALM 34:7, 17; DEUTERONOMY 33:27; HEBREWS 13:6; PSALM 18:31–32; 1 CORINTHIANS 15:10

This is a book that I have owned for quite some time but hadn't begun to use until recently. 

What drew me to it was how Scripture was turned into prayers. 

I know my wayward heart.  I know how easily I can be distracted, be disappointed, be discouraged.  Looking for a ray of hope in the midst of great darkness on days when I need a break. 

Prayer is where I can be me before my Savior and never be misunderstood. 
Prayer is where material things don't matter. 
Prayer is a step in my mind and heart, into the Throne room of my God.

I cannot go through a morning without prayer.  I cannot look at life without Jesus being the only one that I need holding onto me.  Some may trust in horses some may trust in chariots but I will trust in the name of my God as the passage from the Old Testament says. 

I am disappointed in some aspects of my life at the moment, but, my life isn't my own.  I will be, and will be doing what God puts before me to do.  

Prayer is more than a repetition of words. At least Jesus said it better be. He rebuked the Pharisees and Sadducees concerning it.  He wants to hear from your heart, from my heart.  

Years ago I went through the agony of a nervous breakdown.  To put it in perspective, I had what had been really important to me, ripped apart and I was forced to watch its destruction. Then the architect of that was making what was left of that experience a very miserable experience.  My confidence and ability to function fell apart.  It took a year for some of that to come back together.  It's taken a little over 7 years to regain and surpass what confidence that I had in my abilities again.  It's been God who has made me successful in the world's eyes. I simply am not that good on my own. It's God who establishes kings and rulers and it's He who removes them. His will WILL be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.  When we are where we are supposed to be in His plan for our lives, failure is not a possibility. 

Prayer will do more that share what you think your thoughts are with Christ. The longer you stay in that moment of prayer you start going deeper in your heart to places He wants you to go.  Beyond the surface to the deep recesses of you.  Literally the heart of the matter. 

Prestige, status, honors, glory, vanity, are all the world wants for themselves. Money, possessions, security are of utmost importance.  All are removed in a heartbeat if God says your time is up.  Nobody will live beyond that point in their lives. Nobody has ever thwarted the limit on the lifespan of an individual.  You make the most of the time you have been given. 

Pursuing riches, safety, all the world strives for and wars to own will get you nowhere.  Storing up for yourself riches in Heaven is where it's at. It's tax free and can't be touched by the IRS.  Jesus wasn't joking around in any parable He spoke. 

The one about the man living securely, was going to build bigger buildings to house his wares. Living life and loving it. Never considered that that very night his time was up. He was going to die. Then who would get all he wasted his life to accumulate? Never says he had preexisting conditions. Never a hint that he had heart trouble, but, my Dear Reader. Oh did he!  

We cannot live this life looking for the next big thing if God's not in it with us.  That's striving after the wind. Wasted effort.  Look for where God leads and stay with Him.  Stop with neglecting to pray. You don't need to be on your knees. Many in the Bible were on their feet, some in stocks hanging on a wall in prison. Jesus is where you are. He is your constant companion.  Would you ever go through life with your physical best friend in this world at your side yet not speak to them?  
Why do you do that with the one who died for you and saved you?  

Prayer isn't glamorous words.
Prayet is you open and honest with yourself and God. 

Prayer isn't a grocery list. 
Prayer is you speaking on behalf of others at Heaven's Throne. 
Prayer is you clinging to the promises of God and reminding Him of them.  

In the ensuing years after that breakdown what has increased with me is prayer.  

What are you doing in this moment between you and Jesus?  What are you pursuing?  Your interests or what He says your interests should be?  Do you strive and stress over life because you left Jesus behind?  

What will you say when you see Him face to face and are kneeling before Him?  Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.  Will you be covered in shame on that day or will you be rejoicing?

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