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'Christ in You...'
by Dale Krebbs
All my life as a Christian I had struggled with the issue of prayer. I seemed to never know just what to say to God or how to say it. Somehow I was more concerned with my performance than I was about the issue I was praying about. Finally, after many years, the solutions began to come together.
Whether long or short, it is quality, not quantity, that is most important.
One place in the life of David all he could utter was "Help Lord!". And he was heard and delivered. But many will be quick get "off the hook" by thinking "but I'm not David". So it is, but God and Jesus are not respecters of persons when it comes to heart-felt prayer...which is another key to prayer. Prayer must be from the heart...down deep, honest, and without restraint or pretense. He knows what is on your mind and in your heart in ways impossible for us to understand. That is why He is always there to hear, to care, and help.
If you are genuinely submissive, honest and humble, God will hear - no matter how old or how young you are. He always looks on the heart. Not to our age, spiritual status in the eyes of others, not to how articulate we are, not to how accomplished we are in anyone else's eyes.
Yes, there may seem to be many "ifs" - but the ifs are meant to reveal Him, not cut us off from Him. Many times we may feel unworthy. All are unworthy...every saint who ever lived is unworthy. That's one reason Christ had to die. Through His sacrifice our believe and submission to Him makes us worthy. We are worthy "in Him", because He is now "in us" by the Holy Spirit we received when we believed.
A humble and contrite heart He will never despise. This a very important key to connecting with God and Jesus Christ. They resist the proud and give grace to the humble heart.
Prayer should be heartfelt, real, and regular as possible. There are occasions and times and seasons in all our lives when we should ask ourselves, are we praying and talking to the Father and Jesus through the intercession of the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit interprets our heart in ways that we cannot express.
Ask the Holy Spirit to communicate what you cannot express in thought or words and emotions. He will communicate with Jesus and the Father the feelings and emotions, the sincerity and the urgency of your heart when you have nothing more to say or think except to cast yourself on His love and compassion.
He will always hear a desperate and honest petition. No matter how old or how young. The Holy Spirit understands all limitations of the human mind and spirit. He understands all...and that's why He loves all, and will accept all honesty you present to Him. You are now a "new creation" in Him, and can now receive the joy of knowing He accepts you because you have repented of your past mistakes and sins.
"You were following the course and fashion of this world [were under the sway of the tendency of this present age], following the prince of the power of the air. [You were obedient to and under the control of] the [demon] spirit that still constantly works in the sons of disobedience [the careless, the rebellious, and the unbelieving, who go against the purposes of God]." - Ephesians 2:1
But now the slate is clean!
There is no bad conscience to make your prayers a farce. There is nothing you have not confessed or withheld from your confessions to Him. No more guilt feelings. You have left it all at the foot of the cross!
Now there can be intercession for others in your path, as well as in your family and close friends, and God hear on your behalf. Pray for your country and its leaders, that God will shield it from the influence of the Satan. His influence is active in all levels of life and society, from top to bottom.
"Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [[a]in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour."-1 Peter 5:8.
"You were following the course and fashion of this world [were under the sway of the tendency of this present age], following the prince of the power of the air. [You were obedient to and under the control of] the [demon] spirit that still constantly works in the sons of disobedience [the careless, the rebellious, and the unbelieving, who go against the purposes of God]." - Ephesians 2:1
But now your conscience has been cleansed by the blood of Jesus. Now you are free at last if you will believe it. Slowly but surely you will grow in loving to pray, because you are now accepted by Almighty God - forever!
Now - God has accepted your repentance and you have received the seal of the Holy Spirit. Your eternal life has been purchased and "paid in full"!
Now you can pray with confidence and joy that grows as you experience Him as you pray.
Above all else, believe and remember He loves you...yes, YOU - and He will - for eternity.
"Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. And God’s peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:6-7
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