prayer
I've read it countless times, but today it was as though Jesus' words shouted at me:
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened...If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" Mt 7.7-8, 11
I read them over and over and each time their vibration grew louder in my spirit.
Lately, I've been reading The Beginner's Guide to Intercessory Prayer by Dutch Sheets. Sheets clearly emphasizes that the motivation for prayer and intercession is intimacy with God. On page 83, Sheets states:
"When we move into the unselfish ministry of interceding for someone, God finds it irresistible and meets (paga) with us. He always loves our company, but when we begin to represent His beloved Son, the heart of the Father is stirred beyond His ability to resist."
The combination of what I've been meditating on and Jesus' words caused a rise of faith inside me. You know those moments: when you experience faith, a certainty, that God is listening and longing to respond to his children.
So I began to pray for the issues that are dearest to my heart: my children's spiritual and relational futures, my husband's continued strength, our precious marriage's continued growth, health in body and spirit for my mom, God's hand to sovereignly open and close doors, God's favor to rest upon the message of Anonymous, God's guidance as I begin to write the new devotional...
Theologically, I know that prayer is powerful. Today I felt it--and though that is not the norm for me, it was still wonderfully refreshing for my soul.
Though its mysteries are many, somehow our human prayers cooperate with God's purposes on earth. "Ask, and it will be given to you..." Jesus said.
And he wasn't selling anything.
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened...If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" Mt 7.7-8, 11
I read them over and over and each time their vibration grew louder in my spirit.
Lately, I've been reading The Beginner's Guide to Intercessory Prayer by Dutch Sheets. Sheets clearly emphasizes that the motivation for prayer and intercession is intimacy with God. On page 83, Sheets states:
"When we move into the unselfish ministry of interceding for someone, God finds it irresistible and meets (paga) with us. He always loves our company, but when we begin to represent His beloved Son, the heart of the Father is stirred beyond His ability to resist."
The combination of what I've been meditating on and Jesus' words caused a rise of faith inside me. You know those moments: when you experience faith, a certainty, that God is listening and longing to respond to his children.
So I began to pray for the issues that are dearest to my heart: my children's spiritual and relational futures, my husband's continued strength, our precious marriage's continued growth, health in body and spirit for my mom, God's hand to sovereignly open and close doors, God's favor to rest upon the message of Anonymous, God's guidance as I begin to write the new devotional...
Theologically, I know that prayer is powerful. Today I felt it--and though that is not the norm for me, it was still wonderfully refreshing for my soul.
Though its mysteries are many, somehow our human prayers cooperate with God's purposes on earth. "Ask, and it will be given to you..." Jesus said.
And he wasn't selling anything.
Labels: dutch sheets, prayer retreat
posted by alicia britt chole at
10:06 AM
6 Comments:
Alicia, that last comment is what just stuck with me ... and He wasn't selling anything. Beautifully stated.
Thank you for sharing this. I felt tingles as I read it; there's something stirring to the soul when we begin to speak of intimacy with The Father. Something deep inside us starts to leap; we realize that's what we have been made for all along. Thanks for the insight on unselfish prayer.
Such powerful thoughts on prayer, Alicia. I'm a firm believer and participant in them; I especially love the intercessory aspect of prayer.
Such a privilege to bring our thoughts and our hearts before the throne each day. Many have been spoken for you and your family from the floor of my bedroom in recent days.
Love your heart, precious lady.
peace~elaine
Thank you, miss Alicia, for sharing these precious realities in your heart: Intimacy with HIM guiding all that has to do with HIM in your children, with Him in your marriage and with HIM in all that is precious to you - Vincent O.
i love these words that jesus chose to share with us...
thank you for reminding others and sharing this beauty of christ~
he's not a salesman, but a gentleman with amazing gifts to offer each of us! :-)
a (ask)
s (seek)
k (knock)
my kids remember his words like this, and we picture us walking up to heaven's heart and knocking, jesus turning the golden knob, opening the door.. we ask him because we seek him, and we knock to keep our relationship new and alive every day/just to 'see' his face and believe he is doing what he said he would do! love me and guide me..
bless you and thank you again for this post!
lisette
as i read this message i got a revelation! it took me several minutes to get back and finish reading. i have one son. the vision of my son came to me. he was in Christ shoes. my son was carrying the cross. my son had been beaten and cursed. it is hard for me to type, but, i experienced a profound agony. my Lord! thank You for Calvary. we shall never know the pain and suffering. i don't know why Jesus sacrificed His life, but, i'm a follower. i believe. i will be a great servant to the most Highest. Glory to God.
fried okra
Post a Comment
Links to this post:
Create a Link
<< Home