I've shoved aside the notion prayer is an ethereal experience that transcends heart, mind, will, emotions.
Prayer is work. It's warfare. Matthew 11:12 says this:
"And from the days of John the Baptist until the present time, the kingdom of heaven has endured violent assault, and violent men seize it by force [as a precious prize--a share in the heavenly kingdom is sought with most ardent zeal and intense exertion."]
Jesus is talking here. He's saying it is a precious prize to share in the kingdom of my Father. It should be sought with ardent zeal and hard work!Prayer, fasting, giving, loving, holiness are the weapons of our zeal and exertion. They are the tools we used to assult and lay hold of the kingdom.
We think talking, preaching, lobbying, judging, living my some set of religious rules obtains the kingdom. But we are missing the mark. We wind up with greater measure of this world and it's vain philosphies.
Haven't we all known people who seem to be so spiritual yet their lives are so hard, ungraced, frustrated, or depressed?
We have to pull off life's road and wage war in the heavenlies with prayer and fasting, by loving others more than ourselves. We must set our hearts before His flames.
So, be violent about the things of God. Go for it. Desire a deeper life in God. Don't let the cares of this life snuff out your time with Him. Be ardent. Exert intensity toward Him. Fight the good fight. Don't surrender to your emotions, your circumstances, what others say about you, even how you physcially feel.
Believe what He says about you. Start with prayer and the Word. He will meet you. He will.
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1 comment:
Thank you for this post Rachel. A few nights ago I thought briefly about how prayer is work. We can't wait until we "feel" like praying. Most of the time I have to start praying in the Spirit and worshiping the Lord until I break through and then I can pray with my understanding. It is awesome how much better I fell after my time of prayer.
Love Mom
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