Prayer: The Next Level November 14, 2007
Posted by Han in : Prayer , trackbackI would like to bring the subject on prayer a little bit deeper. Over the years in my experience of praying, I have learned several important lessons about prayer. Prayer is not just about asking and asking things from God. At time, I wonder whether God is my servant who is acting on my command or is He really my God whom in return I should obey.
There is nothing wrong with asking from God. In fact the bible urges us not to be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God (Ephesians 4:6). So it is really our privilege to pray and bring our request to God. Nothing wrong with that!
But the attitude I am talking about here is self-centered prayer. Sometimes my prayer is not answered. Why? Because it is originated from selfish ambition and it is not glorifying God, therefore God will not answer! It is through many unanswered prayer that I have learned to understand the heartbeat of God.
First, I have discovered if I want a breakthrough in my prayer life, I need to first eradicate my selfish desire. I cannot be inward looking. It’s not about the unholy trinity – “I, me and myself” I have to look outward, look at the people in my surrounding especially those who are in need. Pray for their family, relationship, work and finances. Pray for my enemy and bless those who are giving me some real hard time.
The key is to pray for others. Do not let the spirit of “I, me and myself” take control. It will only be dissatisfaction and complain – mumbling and grumbling to God only! The Israelites’ prayers are a product of complain! I cannot be selfish anymore; I have to care for others.
Second, if you spend enough time praying, you will discover prayer is not about God changing the circumstances but prayer is about God changing the imperfect character in you. In short, God is using the circumstances to make, to mould and to change YOU.
This wasn’t an easy lesson. I have shared in my previous article – Overcoming Fear and Uncertainty, I was retrenched from the company however I was offered a contract (yearly renewal). Throughout my 7 years as a contract staff, I prayed and prayed (honestly, sincerely and desperately) each year to God for my company to convert me to a permanent staff. But nothing happen! I was utterly disappointed.
You see, God is dealing with this “sense of security” in me, whether I place my trust in my job or in God? It took me awhile (to be actual 5 years) to realize and shift my trust from my job to God. Job by itself will not determine my future but God does! God uses my circumstances (as a contract staff) to teach me a precious lesson that is to put my trust and security in God instead of other things. It is easier to say, “God, I’ll trust in you”, “God, I’ll put you first” when everything is fine, but when you don’t even know what’s next, whether you have a job or you can put bread on the table, can you still utter those words?
In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Did God answer Jesus’ prayer? Did God remove away the cup from Jesus? No, it was the will of God for Jesus to die on the cross.
Third, prayer is about laying down my WILL before God. Jesus went through a terrible time at the Garden of Gethsemane. He said. “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.” Two times he pleaded with God, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. But he did mentioned, “Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
What do I mean by laying down my will before God? It is laying down my rights, desire, intention, hope and plan at the altar of God (like Abraham sacrifices Isaac). If it is not your will, I am willing to give up – Your kingdom come, Your will be done, amen.
Let me further explain, it actually means giving up a non-believer boy/girlfriend for the sake of God, it actually means giving up a lucrative salary for the sake of God, it actually means giving up your ambition/plan for the sake of God, it actually means giving up your life for the sake of God (like Jesus) and many more. To be honest, this is really tough, like dying.
But look at Jesus, it was through what he had done on the cross, today we can come before God. Therefore, do not think that giving up everything is a LOST, it is not, it is a GAIN.
When Peter said, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?” Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. Matthew 19:27-29
Initially you may look foolish, stupid or crazy giving up everything for God but let me tell you the truth – GOD WILL REPAY YOU! Do not be discouraged! Do not let people and their words affect you!
GOD WILL REPAY YOU - YOU WILL RECEIVE A HUNDRED TIMES AS MUCH!
Fourth lesson, the more I pray, the more I discover my inadequacy, inability, imperfectness and weaknesses in the presence of God. Look! How small and tiny I am. There are a lot of things beyond my control, circumstances or people. I don’t even know what’s going to happen tomorrow! I cannot change anyone or anything, God can!
Only when I enter into such a discovery, I will experience a breakthrough in my prayer. In such a stage, there will be less of myself and more of God meaning I grow to depend on God more than my intelligence and strength.
This is what happens to Paul,
Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:8-10.
Lastly, prayer is about giving thanks to God when everything is going against us. Giving thanks to God is easy when everything is working fine. But when everything is going against us, it is difficult. I mean like Job, Satan has taken everything from him. Many a time, we responded like his wife, “Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!”
In fact, it is only when I start to give thanks; God is going to open my eyes to see the unseen. It is only when I start to give thanks; God is going to convert the problem into opportunity. It is only when I start to give thanks; God is going to make a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. There is power in giving thanks to God. God’s will for us in Christ Jesus is to give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Instead of complaining and cursing, give thanks to God.
Finally, I prayed that God will take your prayer life to the next level. May you will have a great fellowship with God and experience the power of God in your life, amen.
Recomended Articles:
Reasons Behind Unanswered Prayer
Is Your Prayer A Negative Confession?
Prayer: When Heaven Is Silent
Discover The Secret to Answered Prayer
Comments»
amen! i like the part when u said that prayer changes the imperfect character in us!
i think the best prayer tat we can learn from is the Lord’s prayer.
‘your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven’
when we pray the will of God into earth, it’ll definately come true…becoz God’s will for us is always the best! becoz all good comes only from God!
i knew that prayer is the only way god communicates with me, but i was unsure how to do it. thank you so much Han..i have learned somthing that gonna change me forever.
geetz