I want to expound more on my post from Dec. 26. “Returning to Prayer”
I have been living in the United States now one year, after living 30 years of ministry in Honduras. A series of events took place that changed my life and the life of my children forever. Change in relationships, change in home, land, friends, family, and ministry. Everything I ever knew for 30 years and all my children had lived for their young years.
Change happens and sometimes it is not planned and sometimes change can’t be changed. It’s not always the way we expected and sadly, often the least desired.
I said that to say the following: In my journey forward through all the “change,” there is one discipline that never changed and never should for any Christian. And that is intimate communion with our Heavenly Father.
Prayer, daily devotion, is the foundation that cannot be shaken. Prayer should never cease in change.
Returning to prayer is not an easy task if you have not made it a life style during your years as a Christian.
It is like exercising. Once you begin, you feel GREAT (well you should), and then you miss a few days, and then a few more, and condemnation sets in, and then an attitude, and well, you know what I am talking about. Prayer has this effect also. You do it and wow, what a great day. Maybe a few bumps, but you had the strength, the wisdom to manage those “life” situations.
– DISTRACTIONS will keep us from prayer, and will always be there. There are many idols in this century. TV is a biggie, sports, social life and social media, and Oh my, the sacred cell phone….can’t set that down too long. Someone more important than God might call upon us. Oh no!
These distractions are not necessarily wrong, but if they are in place of prayer first, then they will hurt us, not help us.
It’s a decision, a choice that must be made every day.
“For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.” 2 Corinthians 4:16
Dr. Hagin always used to say; “We feed our flesh three hot meals a day and our spirit man a cold snack”
– SIN will keep us from prayer.
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
– UNFORGIVENESS will keep us out of communion.
“And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.” Mark 11:25-26
“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” James 4:8
RETURNING TO PRAYER is the best “CHANGE” for a new year decision. Our success through any sort of “CHANGE” is in the Spirit–not the flesh.
“Watch and pray…the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41