Thoughts on prayer

This past weekend we started a new series simply called "Prayer". In preparation for this series I quickly realized that I have so much more to gain in this area. Do I talk with the Lord? Yes. Do I even take time to listen for His voice? Yes. Is it a top priority in my life? I would have to say...No. That fact has really convicted me. In order for my relationship with the almighty to grow deeper & more intimate (which is something I deeply want), I must make prayer a priority. If you've noticed in my sidebar, I have put one of my favorite books, "Secrets of The Secret Place". It was actually the reading of that book that began me on my journey to a closer walk through prayer. Now, all these months later, after reading it, I find myself slipping out of the discipline.

Okay, Okay, enough of the confessional. Confession is good for the heart, but I wouldn't be telling you this if I didn't strongly believe that many of you are right there with me. We love the Lord, we follow his teachings, we are even beginning to love our neighbors. That's a big one! Yet, we still lack the intimacy that we so greatly desire. I know exactly what it is for me...LIFE. I let the things of this world take over my schedule. On top of that, I have the added challenge of working in the church. It's very easy to see everything that I do as a direct part of my personal relationship with the Lord. Though there is some truth to that, I often find myself accidentally substituting my job for true relationship. For me, I have to do what doesn't come naturally...get with Him in the morning. Man, am I sooooo not a morning person. This is why I get up at 5:30 on Sundays. It takes that long to be coherent by the first rehearsal at 8:00. I will say though, as Bob Sorge put it in "Secrets of The Secret Place", there really is something special about the morning. Jesus prayed in the garden early in the morning. The past few months have been really good & getting better every day. I challenge you. Let's not reduce our prayer lives to giving thanks at the table & an occasional shower song. Let's vow to start our days on our faces. Let's be honest, not taking the time for prayer is really pride. It's me saying, my stuff is more important than you Lord.

"Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you."

-James 4:10

Darrell wrapped up our first service on prayer with a great story. Prior to that I shared a song that God gave me in my prayer journey. Take a listen & see what God is speaking to You.

Grunting & Pointing

Draw Me