For the last 4 weeks I’ve been looking at prayer… Thinking about prayer… reading about prayer… I’ve even prayed about prayer.
And God has changed my view on prayer. So here’s where I am going in to this weekends message:
1) Prayer is not about the “list”. It’s about relationship. If the extent of my relationship with my wife is only the quick conversations about what I need or want that often categorizes my prayer life, then IF I have a marriage at all it won’t be a good one. We are the bride of Christ. He wants a marriage-like relationship and that means I have to be in it for the LOVING relationship we share.
2) Prayer can change the world! But the primary role of prayer is not to be me changing the world through prayer, but prayer changing me through the relationship I have with Christ and by the power of the Holy Spirit working inside me. It is often the bending of my will and conforming of my character to that of Christ that takes place when I submit to HIS will and not my will.
3) What does it mean if God does not answer? Well, there are lots of cliches, and I’ll try to skip those for something I think was more profound in my walk this week. If there is no response from God, it is an opportunity to develop the character traits he is building in us. To persevere, maintain faith, patience, and most importantly (in my humble opinion) the opportunity to conform our desires to that of Christ.
So prayer in a nutshell?
Spend time with God, share your heart, ask him to change yours, pursue that relationship as he has already pursued you. Then share what he does with everyone who will listen. :o)
