PROCESS OF PRAYER

THOUGHTS ON PRAYER 30.8.07

FEAR NOT FAITH

Many prayers arise out of fear of the outcome of the circumstances we find ourselves looking at.

We (finally) begin to speak these to God (and maybe in some cases this was His intention - to get our attention and some conversation!).

TWO-WAY CONVERSATION

Having prayed out of our fear and concern, we often then go on to do whatever WE can to fix things.

However, having opened conversation with God, it would be better t wait for His reply … could be an instruction, an action (His or ours) or the need to wait for His timing. We may sense a need to change our attitude or actions.

Most people don’t WAIT for His answer.

King David 'inquired of the Lord' and did what he was instructed with great results - most times! The bible account shows us how messy things got when he didn’t do that!

STRATEGIC PRAYER

Many times a situation arises and people start shooting off prayers as a response to it. This is rather like an army running on to a battle field in times past just shooting off arrows in all directions, sometimes wounding their fellow fighters.

Battles are won with wise strategy. Perhaps one, well placed big gun, carefully aimed, would accomplish much more with less loss of life.

PRAY IN THE SPIRIT AND WITH UNDERSTANDING

It is ok to talk to God AND to talk to one another, hearing God's wisdom through others, determining a strategy and a direction.

OPPOSITE SPIRIT

The enemy would like to draw us to fight on his terms - out of our frustration, fear, anger, pain. It is important to stop and come before the Lord about our response. There is a difference between raw anger and righteous indignation, between personal reaction and a burden arising from how God sees and feels about something.

E.g. Prayer against demonic assignments - His wisdom is to pray for the hurt and brokenness that brought people into these beliefs; for their healing and their salvation.

There is no weapon in the enemy's camp to fight the love of God.

LOVE IN ACTION

Prayer is love in action - love for God and love for each other - His creation.

This will be displayed with words and with actions - it is still prayer. Either way there is an outflow of this love towards God and others.

PRAYER CHANGES US

As we begin a life-time conversation with God, He begins to reveal Himself, His heart, and His ways. We begin to reflect what we are looking at. We begin to find His life and mind formed in us more and more each day.

PRAYER CHANGES THINGS, BUT MOST OF ALL IT CHANGES US…WE BECOME PRAYER.

All our thoughts, words, actions, and especially motives, begin to show that they've been in the fire of His presence regularly.

We begin to abide (live always) in the secret place (Psalm 91) and to know our refuge and shield personally.

We know that He contends for us and will keep us from all harm.

We KNOW His greatness, faithfulness, goodness, kindness, power and unfailing love.

FAITH NOT FEAR

NOW, we find ourselves praying out of faith and total trust in our God and His ability.

Now we begin to pray out of His wisdom and His word.

Now we 'pray believing' in the One who does the work and answers the prayers - we will receive answers and be amazed.

Daniel 11:32(b) (Amplified Version)

"…but the people who KNOW their God shall prove themselves strong and shall stand firm and do exploits (for God).