Hi
Does anyone on the forum have a testimony on how their Prayer Life was enriched or came to a deeper level.
I feel I need to humble myself and confess that I need growth in this area.
Blessings
Joch
I do not think my prayer life is anything to write home about. But like u, my deepest cry has been that i my have a prayer life, not for show, nor pride, God knows my heart. I am much comforted by the scripture: ask and it shall be given unto u. End every prayer of yours by saying Lord i want to pray more, and u'll be suprise when u reflect back a few years from now.
I can testify to the effectiveness of a season of self-denial in deepening the prayer life. I would be glad to join you in a 3-day fast towards this end.
In Christ,
Ron
I would be grateful for an opportunity to join in, if and when, a fast is decided.
Many thanks,
Dear Theophila & InTheLight,
Thank you, that is so encouraging.
I am fasting at the moment, and would be honored if you would join me from today, or tomorrow, for 3 days.
Joch
I would feel undressed if I left my home to go to work or do anything without spending time in the Lord's presence.
The prayer life of a saint is probably the most important aspect of his Christian life. How can we minister to others without the power of the Holy spirit working within us? Our fellowship and communion with God is directly related to our time in His presence, and out of this abiding union with the Lord will come much fruit without human effort.
Mike
Repentance is the message that Jesus gave at the beginning of his public ministry (Mt 4:17, Mark 1:15). When someone becomes a disciple of Jesus Christ, repentance starts the process. They repent of their natural sin and rebellion and make Jesus to be their Lord and Master. Jesus said: Repent and believe the gospel (Mark 1:15). Repentance is an excellent start to the practice of prayer.
As for things to repent of, consider the forbidden fruits tasted in your life. Consider the Ten Commandments of the Old Covenant and the Greatest Commandments affirmed by Jesus to love God and neighbor. Have we loved God enough? Have we been loving God with our whole heart, whole understanding, whole soul, whole strength (Mark 12:33). Have we feared man too much? Have we been ashamed of the gospel? Have we spoken in testimony for Jesus or kept silent because we didn't believe enough? Have we fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23, 2 Corinthians 4:6)?
The first part of prayer is approach to God. Lord, hear our prayer.
Private prayer in the closet is what Jesus directed in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:6) and this is good but we can go further. Prayer without ceasing is what the Apostle Paul later directed.
Are we praying with others as opportunity allows? There are special warnings and promises associated with praying with others(Jeremiah 10:25, Matthew 18:19).
The approach described in Psalm 100 is to enter his courts with thanksgiving and his gates with praise. However, under the New Covenant, we have been given more than under the Old Covenant and therefore our sins of neglect are greater. We ought to do more. We do right to add repentance to thanksgiving and praise.
Am I bearing spiritual fruit or is my barrenness and lack of spiritual fruit evidence of shortcomings in my life? Have I been obeying the Great Commission command to make disciples?
Focused, dedicated times of prayer are great but not always possible. Repentance is something that I can renew during brief periods of time such as walking or riding in a motor vehicle.
Repentance is where Jesus asked people to start (Mt 4:17, Mark 1:15). As we pray, we are seeking first the Kingdom of God and righteousness (Matthew 6:33).
My testimony is that repentance renews relationship with God and improves standing for prayers to be heard and answered. Repentance feels right and enhances the sense of the presence of God and enables the formation and expression of petitions in prayer.
In Psa_66:18, we have this sobering declaration: If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me. Therefore, repent, repent again, then renew your repentance yet again.
Then, yes, ask, seek, knock. Pray earnestly. It is wonderful to enjoy God's presence and to have the experience of receiving, finding and opened doors. (Matthew 7:7-8).
Joch,
may God bless the fingers that typed the original post.
You have hit on the deepest need for the Body of Christ today....not only the Body as a whole, but all of us.
there are 24 hours in a day, which one of us could not deepen the True Intimacy that goes with a life breathed out in prayer, but not only prayer, but prayer and tears....and these tears are not something one can just cook up in a burst of mere emotionalism, wouldn't you agree?
if it seems I boast, I boast in the Lord, I have wept these tears. God has gifted me with a ministry of solitude, and at times I get caught up in God, other times, I am drawn to the depths.
The Word says not to forsake the fellowship, but sometimes Jesus wants you alone. Its not unscriptural, look at Elijah, though I dare not compare myself in all my unprofitability to that mighty prophet.
let me leave my testimony at this; God has given me a Work, and I am tending to This. If I seem vague, its because I don't want to EVEN VEER towards glorifying the flesh.
my spirit sings in the morning, that is my Time with the LORD, at night, I have trouble, but Praise His Name, I am mending the net. in Jesus' love, neil
a word for you....the private prayer ministry is an anointed office and Gift, if so led, seek this office. amen.
Content for prayer includes:
\t1) The Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) - May God's Name be set apart. May God's kingdom come and may God's will be done.
\t2) Kings and all men - Prayer for civil authorities and all men that we might lead a quiet and peaceable life with all godliness and honesty (1 Timothy 2:1-2)
\t3) Great grace - "And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all" (Acts 4:33).
\t4) Laborers for the fields - "The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few: pray therefore to the Lord of the harvest that he would send forth laborers into his harvest." (Luke 10:2)
\t5) Casting Cares. Whenever there is a new care, there is a new prayer. Cares are many. Therefore, let your prayers be many. (1 Peter 5:7)
Amen to Hezwelling.
I am fasting at the moment, and would be honored if you would join me from today, or tomorrow, for 3 days.
OK, I can join you in fasting starting tomorrow. This is very timely for me as I was pondering a fast just yesterday before I saw your post.
Whenever I enter a season of fasting I like to review a study I did on the topic many years ago. I'll post it here for the benefit of others;
Reading Isaiah 58
Improper reasons for fasting
1) Fasting just to get God's attention (v. 3a)
2) Fasting without focusing on the Lord, fasting had become a mere physical excercise with no affliction of soul or seeking after God.(v.3b)
3) Fasting without accompanying humility of heart. Fasting is not a way of impressing God, it is a way to humble ourselves before Him.(v.4)
4) Fasting for a brief external show of religion.Israel fasted merely for outward show.(v. 5)
Proper reasons for fasting
1) To bring liberation from the bonds of wickedness and to set the oppressed free. Fasting prepares our hearts to hear what God has to say about issues in our life where we need victory.(v.6)
2) To relieve us of heavy burdens, replacing our burdens of every-day life with His burdens.(v.6)(see Matt 11:28-30)
3) To increase our sensitivity towards the needs of others, remember not to stay focused on self, but love one another as Jesus loves you.(v. 7)
4) To invest ourselves into our physical and spiritual families, becoming more responsive to the needs of brothers and sisters, husbands and wives.(v.7)
God's promises to those who fast
1) Insight and understanding(v.8). God will give wisdom to solve problems and behave with discretion. (see Jer 33:3)
2) Positive changes in physical well-being (v.8)
3) A deep sense of what is right (v.8 "your righteousness will go before you")
4) A sense of immediate accesss to God in your prayer life(v.9). We do not pray to get God's attention we pray becasue we have His attention. Sometimes the world and sin can disrupt our fellowship with God, Setting aside time to pray and fast can bring us face to face with whatever has crept into our lives.(see Psalm 66:18 & 1 John 1:9)
5) Release from spiritual oppression (v.10) and a return to being strengthened by the joy of the Lord.
6) Moment by moment guidance from the Lord (v.11). Prayer and fasting will heighten our awareness of God's presence and guidance.
7) Peace through difficult times (v.11)
In Christ,
Ron
Turn, I agree
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My testimony is that repentance renews relationship with God and improves standing for prayers to be heard and answered. Repentance feels right and enhances the sense of the presence of God and enables the formation and expression of petitions in prayer.
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2 Corinthians 7:10-11 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. 11 For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter.
Dear HezWelling/ Niel
-a life breathed out in prayer- that sounds like a life well spent, -Amen. I ask that for myself. I do find tears during prayer, but they are more tears of gratefulness or at times when my heart really opens up to Him. But if they are tears of compassion that you mentioned, they are sadly missing. Concerning the forsaking of fellowship – I spent my early years in the Lord being completely drawn into church planting (intersession meetings, Bible school, 2 services on Sunday, cell group meetings, training etc. – which was only serving in another man’s vision, that I totally neglected my private prayers. Needless to say I became a total Pharisee. Thank you also for the word to me. Ps. I sometimes long for solitude like yours, but I also enjoy the hectic season of living with 5 lively women (1 wife, 4 daughters) at the moment. Shalom to you
Thank you InTheLight/ Ron for joining me, and the thoughts on fasting. I plan to share them with my family around the supper(for them) table tomorrow. :)
Amen, all.
Praying for the peace of Jerusalem is another important goal in prayer.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. - Psalm 122:6
I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence, And give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth. - Isaiah 62:6-7
When Jesus returns, he will return to Jerusalem. Great prophecies concerning Jerusalem wait to be fulfilled.
For I know that my Redeemer lives and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth - Job 19:25
Thank you InTheLight/ Ron for joining me, and the thoughts on fasting. I plan to share them with my family around the supper(for them) table tomorrow.
Thank you dear brother for your expressing your hearts desire in this thread to simply spend more time with the Lord.
I have been praying for you in the past few days and trust that if you will simply "Let your light so shine..."(Matt 5:16)then God will be glorified. There is much to that little verb 'let', it means that the life is already there. We know that the light is the life of God (John 1:4). It's time to deny self and let the life of Jesus flow through us, for when Christ is lifted up then He draws men to Himself.
In Christ,
Ron
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