By Jessi Phinney
Prayer, a simple word, and a powerful word, a cliché word that has become rote and therefore lacks the belief that we as believers need to have in order to intercede for one another.
Why are we starving our souls? If we do NOT pray, do we really desire to even know the LORD? Prayer is what binds our hearts to His, it’s what enables us to let go of ourselves and join His will. We won’t just “stumble” upon a believing heart, we must strive to obtain it through feeding our souls on the feast of prayer. This is what grants us communion with Jesus Christ, our Groom. The beauty of it all is we just bring the willingness to let the LORD change, transform, and use us.
We do not know how to pray, so we must join the Holy Spirit. It is the only way in which our wills become transformed to the Master of our destiny, and our faith can finally begin to move mountains. It is not easy-it requires persistence, discipline, sacrifice, and a lot less of us and more of Him (John 3:30).
If I lose my way, if there are no words to say, than I must only utter one which can trample all the powers of darkness in my soul ~ “Jesus”. Is there a sweeter Name? No, not one. It is the Name above every name!
John 16:24~ “Until now you have asked for nothing in my Name; ask and you will receive, that your joy made be made full." (NASB)
Scriptures to Study (mouse over):
Prayerful Heart:
Sweet Jesus,
I come before You knowing that You are the one true God, not only the Maker of heaven and earth, but the Maker of my soul. I praise You that your character is all the goodness that I need in this life. That with You, I can be fully known, and spend a lifetime seeking after knowing my Jesus. Strengthen me to keep my perspective on what matters most, the things that are counted among the “eternal weight of glory” (2 Cor. 4:17).
I humbly come before You Jesus, and ask that you teach me to pray. Often times the mere thought of praying for my needs, let alone the needs of others is like a weight upon my heart. I know that this is a battle , one that the enemy wants me to give into, always promising to get to it later. I know that even though I need to commune with you all throughout my day in “conversational prayer”, that is not where it should stop…that is where my intercession should begin. I want depth to my prayer life Lord Jesus, but I don’t know how. Rote words are no longer good enough for me. I want the power of the Holy Spirit within me to lead my prayer life. I no longer want to live in the fear of coming before Your throne, trying to say the right words. Wash the lies from my mind, the years of believing that prayer is only about getting results, and making me “feel” a certain way. Oh Lord, how I must have grieved Your heart. Thank you for your forgiveness and for your longsuffering heart for this child. Grant me a passion, longing, and persistence to press into the ministry of prayer and intercession. The ministry that takes place between Father and child, Groom to bride, and Helper to my innermost places. Thank you that in receiving this gift from you I can minister to hearts all around me, and they never even have to know about it. Show me how to love others on my knees Jesus. How I need You! I am nothing without You, but fully equipped with You.
May Your will be done over my own wants. I love you Lord Jesus, and I relish this journey of knowing You more! Amen & Amen.
