How to keep the passion burning?

I many times wondered. I know tears are needed and a real heart for souls.But we cannot fake this. Sometimes I experience tears in a certain way, but many times there are no tears. I experience sometimes a coldness and distraction in different ways (work, family + 2 kids, desire for amusement, etc.)How can I keep the tears and the heart burning?L. Ravenhill also spoke about W. Booth's answer: Try tears. I even made vows to pray for certain things. But I see many times I cannot keep the vows. Or I keep the vows, but I only pray cause its the vow, without passion. I several times read 10 points for a burning heart of A W Tozer. It really helps, but it seems I cannot really break through in a new dimension. What I mean is. For a while my heart is burning. I listen to sermons and read books and articles. But after a while some weeks or months the passion, or maybe it was emotion, is gone. And the decay starts. Maybe God wants to test my true motivations?Maybe something else?I hope this is clear. Is anyone familiar with this experience?Or has any tips or advice?GreetingsLee

This was posted as a reaction to the post of:Hearts of Love and Eyes with TearsGreetingsLee

I had hopes for some replies.If someone is still able to answer this is post I would be glad.Lee

I guess we just gotta endure.I understand what you mean "praying dry prayers".Just be totally honest in your praying.If i'm praying a dry prayer I say Lord look I wish i could say this prayer with steams of tears but I'm unable and you know the hearts of the people.I usually only have really one burning prayer out of every 50 prayers.But i won't and will not let this turn me off.I guess the more we do it the stronger the spirit of prayer becomes inside us.What exactly we pray for plays a major factor on the prayer too ive noticed.Hope this Helps.. ;-)

The Lord is still teaching me how to walk this out in my life but I'll be happy to share with you how He has dealt with me thus far.You asked "How can I keep the tears and the heart burning?"I think the answer lies in part on Romans 12:1. (Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual[a] act of worship.) I've got to lay down everything on the altar and leave it all in His hands. That's the first step. The second step is Lord Jesus what is your agenda? Who do you want to pray for and want do you want me to pray for them?If I do that (place everything in Jesus hands) and ask Him who he wants me to pray for than I know it's God will for me to ask what He has laid on my heart. I John 5:14 says This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. Verse 15 says And if we know that he hears us–whatever we ask–we know that we have what we asked of him.)All I have to do is to pray through, which is to pray until God has given me the assurance that He will do what He asked me to pray for. I suggest you prayerfully listen to entitled "What it Means to Pray Through." Here's a link: https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/mydownloads/visit.php?lid=5113.If I lay everything on the altar, God will send the fire and He wants to do that in your life and my life as well. God bless you.

Hi Lee,Been musing on this for a bit now. How much this relates I don't know. Think I understand what you mean and pray that the Lord will fulfill this desire within you. What is wonderful first of all is that there is a concern, that in itself is telling.Seems that consistency is a difficult thing as life constantly changes about us and 'how to's' are often helpful to some but to others no help at all. Guess it depends on your personality more than anything. Sometimes a set of guidelines is needed to force us into being disciplined where we would otherwise begin to drift.And that is the one word that comes to mind through all of this, drift.Have you ever read "Practicing The Presence of God" By Brother Lawrence? http://www.practicegodspresence.com/Also athttp://www.ccel.org/l/lawrence/practice/htm/i.htmThink I need to revisit this little book again, it has been tremendously helpful though throughout the years. It's title is enough in that it is a 'practice'. Bringing to mind God as we go about our daily lives. Easy to say as I sit amongst the congregation here or in quiet times of study and prayer, but as you stated I experience sometimes a coldness and distraction in different ways (work, family + 2 kids, desire for amusement, etc.)That drift and distraction, for myself especially of late with a new job in a altogether different setting than I was used to, processing a lot of information at fast clip, organizing, priorities, etc. On the one hand there is a lot of praying going on, (especially for wisdom) and the dependence on the Lord for all things, family, finances etc. Yet at the same time have begun to notice that drift and it's a subtle thing.Yet ultimately all these things are really about 'me' in some sense if that is where my focus is and that's where I have to catch myself and relate it back to the Lord. It seems that the more 'ugly' things like pride often jerk me back to reality. Just kind of musing out loud here.I know you are talking about passion and a burning heart and how to keep that going. I am a little disjointed this morning and have more thoughts on all of this as I find much to relate to. But for now perhaps some of this may be of some help, if anything just knowing that you are not alone.

I've been their and to say that I don't go through it now at times, would be to say that I'm liar. The Christian walk (as far as I have experianced it) is a roller coaster ride that has many ups and downs. You can look at any of the men of God and see that it always wasn't on the up and up thats why they have shared their testimonies of Peter getting rebuke by Paul for his actions and why David went in and out of the caves of his walk with God. But the one thing that kept them going was that they kept pushing onward. When it was low they pressed on (Job, David, Peter), when they where tried they pressed on (Paul, Noah, Moses). When they felt that no one was there including God they pressed on (Daniel, Jeremiah, Ezekiel). And when they felt everyone was against them they pressed on (Elijah, Jesus). Keep pressing on, by persiverance you'll break thru. Remember It not what we feel, Its what we know. Paul said it best when he said that he counted everything as dung compared to Christ. Lean not to your own unstanding, and trust in God. Know that through the ups and downs He will always be there and that he hears the cry of his children. Put your hands to the plow and head for the harvest field. Keep your mind focused on the things of God and they'll keep your mind from wondering on other things that can distrack you from what your trying to reach for. "the goal".peace be still.

I hope this is clear. Is anyone familiar with this experience? Or has any tips or advice?I can relate to your experience.One thing came to mind as I pondered your question this morning; I believe something that is needful is a strong expectancy of Christ's imminent return. I believe the early church lived with this expectancy much more than we do now even though they were 2000 years further away from it than we are. I know that often I don't really believe His return is imminent, I don't really expect it and to be honest, I don't always want it, I selfishly want to accomplish my own agenda first. I believe that a return to this urgency and expectancy of the return of our Lord Jesus Christ at any moment will help to fuel the fire burning in our hearts.In Christ,Ron

It's encouraging to know I'm not alone!In a previous thread in the forums, I was expressing my frustration at not being on fire, and not seeing fire around me.Someone counseled me to stay in the vine. I think that was the best thing I was advised, it allows me to live with myself, knowing that any fruit I bear is as a result of God working in me, and not me working. Something like what 'Gideons" says:I've got to lay down everything on the altar and leave it all in His hands. That's the first step. The second step is Lord Jesus what is your agenda? Who do you want to pray for and want do you want me to pray for them?As for me, sometumes I am overwhelmed by the reality of those I pray for. and other times I'm 'dry'. I am learning, but as I spend time praying for the lost, I start 'dry' and unconcerned, but as I pray the realisation who whom I pray for and what is as stake moves me.I don't know any quick solution but keep praying. Dry eyed or tears, Jesus hears (not meant to rhyme).Listening to Ravenhill and Duncan Campbell keeps me on course though...I hope as this thread develops, I may learn more...God bless you brother!