16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the
will of God in Christ Jesus for you. I Thessalonians 5:16-18
As
we continue on with our journey in prayer, we found the Scripture of Isaiah 58,
especially verses 9-11 a “light bulb moment”, a revelation into the grace of
God. Through the study of this scripture
and Dr. Darnell’s sermon, we experienced God.
In that experience we were given a heart of prayer. We knew HIS joy! But we also realized we, as a couple, would
be spending the rest of our life on this journey we had undertaken to reach the
understanding that is Christ’s prayer for us.
Christ’s main concern was that we become one with each other and one in
Him as He is one with the Father (John 17:23).
We came to understand oneness is magnified through the power of
prayer. This oneness in our marriage
gained through prayer is the golden nugget fired and purified into God’s
purpose for a man and a woman joined in holy oneness.
It
is for each one to choose their journey, engaging in their own study (not just
reading God’s Word but the study of God’s Word). Individually developing a prayer life that is
strong in the Holy Spirit and strong in effectiveness to reach the promises of
Jesus. To gain a relationship, oneness,
with God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit Who gives power we
could not generate. "The idea of prayer is not in order to get
answers from God; prayer is perfect and complete oneness with God. If we pray
because we want answers, we will get huffed with God.[1]
We
concluded that as a Christian grows to new Spiritual levels and experiences
with God, it is new awakening to God’s truth.
It all begins with seeking to understand prayer. We can have intellectual
knowledge, but it is the understanding of the heart that we experience
God. It is in this experience that we
grow in the very essence of prayer. We
become a sweet-smelling aroma of Christ Jesus to our Heavenly Father -- The
fragrance of love!
Through
our studies, we have the understanding, we need the power of the Holy Spirit. Without the power of the Holy Spirit we can
do nothing. “The Holy Spirit is the Person
and the Power by which assistance and ability are given for serving.”[2]
- Grow in our Faith through the power
of God’s Word;
- Change our atmosphere by spending
precious time with our Lord Jesus Christ.
- Grow in Understanding of the heart
rather than establish rules for effective prayer;
- Grow in Confidence;
- And, probably the very most important, Pray in God’s Will.
As
I mentioned in last week’s blog, growing in prayer is a process, there are
principles -- spiritual dimensions, a theology and as you grow in prayer one
grows in sanctification. Your atmosphere
changes, transformation takes place. This
journey is one step at a time.
[1]
Oswald Chambers, “His Utmost for His Highest”
[2] Jack W.
Hayford, B.A., B.A., B.Th., D.D., Litt.D.
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