follower

God is near me when I pray

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God made it clear that if I were to walk as a follower of Christ, diligent to obey Him as a follower is called to do, then those around me would make a comment of observation. That observation would go something like this…

I have taught you all the laws, as the Lord my God told me to do. Obey them in the land that you are about to invade and occupy. Obey them faithfully, and this will show the people of other nations how wise you are. When they hear of all these laws, they will say, ‘What wisdom and understanding this great nation has!’

“No other nation, no matter how great, has a god who is so near when they need him as the Lord our God is to us. He answers us whenever we call for help. – Deuteronomy 4:5-7 GNT

That is why, for those,without the calling and gifting of evangelism, say that their lives are the witness they have for Jesus. Their lives are able to influence others in a profound way and have been blessed through them.

David prayed in such a manner that allowed God to respond.

Listen to me, Lord, and answer me,
    for I am helpless and weak. – Psalm 86:1 GNT

He repeats it again

Listen, Lord, to my prayer;
hear my cries for help. – Psalm 86:6 GNT

With the call for special protection and thereby the author of his salvation, David knew who was the keeper of his soul.

Save me from death, because I am loyal to you;
save me, for I am your servant and I trust in you. – Psalm 86:2 GNT

God wants to save me from my sin and help me through my distress.

You are my God, so be merciful to me;
I pray to you all day long. – Psalm 86:3 GNT

The outward sign of joy expresses the inward comfort that comes from knowing that God has indeed preserved my soul. Prayer is the nurse of spiritual joy and that is what others see in me.

Make your servant glad, O Lord,
    because my prayers go up to you. – Psalm 86:4 GNT

Is this what is lost when I slide away from my first love?

But this is what I have against you: you do not love me now as you did at first. – Revelation 2:4 GNT 

I think this affects me more than just an attitude or an emotion. My behaviour actually changes when I have lost my joy – and it happens when prayer becomes nothing more than mechanical or possibly stopping altogether. When that happens, no one sees God near me.

A complacency of mind, from that gust, relish, and savor, which it finds in spiritual things, from their suitableness unto its constitution, inclinations, and desires. There is a salt in spiritual things, whereby they are condited and made savory unto a renewed mind; though to others they are as the white of an egg, that hath no taste or savor in it. In this gust and relish lies the sweetness and satisfaction of spiritual life. Speculative notions about spiritual things, when they are alone, are dry, sapless, and barren. In this gust we taste by experience that God is gracious, and that the love of Christ is better than wine, or whatever else hath the most grateful relish unto a sensual appetite. This is the proper foundation of that joy which is “unspeakable and full of glory.” – Owen

 

Prayer is a key

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It is interesting that a covenant between Abram and God was committed through circumcision. I believe that I need to prayerfully consider “a circumcision of my heart,’ taking away my loyalty to the world and setting right by giving it to Jesus. It is coming to a place where I invite the Holy Spirit to walk with me through the challenging process of surrender – no matter the cost.

From now on you must circumcise every baby boy when he is eight days old, including slaves born in your homes and slaves bought from foreigners. This will show that there is a covenant between you and me. – Genesis 17″11-12 GNT

As I accept this challenge, I would like to prayerfully seek out a new or dormant follower of Jesus, share this text  and discuss with them the possibilities while encouraging them to discover the awe of the presence of God within.

Should I be drawn to a mature follower, I could prayerfully consider asking them what the most challenging or difficult promise God had made to them. Talking over doubts,  and how you may or may not fit as the vessel of His promise anymore. Pray together, for faith to accept God at His Word.

I need to remember that when I am mumbling or murmuring, God hears it as prayer too. If prayer is only about getting what I wish for, how can such a shallow expression dictate terms to God.

He asked God, “Why not let Ishmael be my heir?” – Genesis 17:18 GNT

Maybe this prayer from Abram is only an obstinate determination not to be satisfied with what satisfies God. There is a certain amount of self-awareness required to know whether or not my prayer is one that meets the desires of God Himself. Would it not be considered a rebellious prayer should it go against the will of God? Maybe that is what mumbling or murmuring really is.

Prayer is definitely one of the keys to the kingdom. When it coincides with God’s Word and His will, He will engage with it.

I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of heaven; what you prohibit on earth will be prohibited in heaven, and what you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven. – Matthew 16:19 GNT

Nehemiah made quite the prayer statement when he turned to God with this prayer.

And now God, strengthen my hands. = Nehemiah 6:9  GNT

It is a simple, beautiful prayer for someone doing monumental work.

This short prayer encourages us that God invites us to bring all our petitions to Him regardless of how big or small they may seem.

God is not honoured with the size of my prayer, it is about my growth in my relationship with Him.

Remember the mumbling and murmuring – singing seemed to be Paul’s anecdote.

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. – Acts 16:

 

It is remarkable that in all of his writings Paul’s prayers for his friends contain no appeals for changes in their circumstances. It is certain that they lived in the midst of many dangers and hardships. They faced persecution, death from disease, oppression by powerful forces, and separation from loved ones. Their existence was far less secure than ours is today. Yet in these prayers you see not one petition for a better emperor, for protection from marauding armies, or even for bread for the next meal. Paul does not pray for the goods we would usually have near the top of our lists of requests. – Timothy Keller