February 6 – From the Wilderness to the Valley of Prayer
Job 21:15: ‘Who is the Almighty, that we should serve Him, And what would we gain if we entreat Him?’
People commonly think they will get nothing out of praying to God so why bother. We are content to let things happen. We feel it takes a lot of effort to pray. When we do not pray for ourselves and others, we live in the wilderness of prayerlessness. Prayerlessness is direct disobedience against the Divine will of God, and also works against others. Prayerlessness is living in a cold zone of indifference to everyone and everything. 1 Samuel 12:23: 23 Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way.”
God is merciful even if we are prayerless if we ask for forgiveness but living in the land of zombies with thickened consciences is blatant carelessness. When the books are opened, our personal books are read and our prayers for others are recorded.
Here are some ways we can fight prayerlessness in our lives:
Realize and transform your thinking so prayer will become part of your natural living: Unless we realize we are living in a prayerless wilderness, we would never try to build up our prayer lives. I think this can only happen through the Holy Spirit actually showing us our prayerlessness and convicting us.
Renew: Once we realize we are prayerless folks, make special efforts to pray. Start by asking the Holy Spirit to renew you. He will, He is faithful. At that point, start thanking Him for your life and all the little things, such as the air you breathe, the food you eat, and all your provisions. Start by praising Him for holding the Universe today. Once you start, the list goes on, and is never ending.
Respond: If you see a request in a prayer chain, pray instantly! If you read about your persecuted brothers and sisters, pray for them at that very moment. If you tell someone you will pray for them, pray immediately, be in a mode of instant coffee for prayer. If you see something evil in the news, pray for it at that time. Besides that, use your own personal times of prayer where you pray out loud, flooding the atmosphere with words of faith.
Communion listening prayer empowers us and keeps us from feeling zapped out. This is the most powerful way of praying, in conversation and listening more than even talking. When we listen, the presence of God flows into us and give us new strength. Cultivate more listening than talking, in prayer.
When you start to cultivate this rich life of prayer of praying and listening more, joy and ecstasy will overflow through you by the power of the Holy Spirit. Keep responding to every opportunity to pray. The joy of praying begins to consume us. Like a candle on flame with warmth and joy, we are driving to keep on praying and from the wilderness of prayerlessness, we enter into the valley of joy of prayerfulness!
Rita
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