Employee vs. Lover

“Real prayer comes not from gritting your teeth, but falling in love.” Richard Foster

What man can do and what God can do

A.C. Dixon (1854-1925) wrote, "When we rely upon organization, we get what organization can do; when we rely upon education, we get what education can do; when we rely upon eloquence, we get what eloquence can do. But when we rely upon prayer, we get what God can do."

Prayerless to powerless

Let this be a reminder for the new year.... More prayer and power walking with Jesus in 2015! 

Prayer: becoming actively aware

Prayer... Is simply a form of waking up out of the dull sleep in which our life has been spent in half-intentions, half-resolutions, half-creations, half-loyalties, and become actively aware of the real character of that which we are and of that which we are over against. It is an opening of drowsy lids. It is a shaking off of grave-clothes. It is a dip into acid. It is a daring to "read the text of the universe in the original." -Douglas Steere 

Picking up the mirror

I was asking the Lord what was on His heart for my fellowship yesterday morning. What I heard was “oneness, unity” and “Let love abound more and more.”

So I prayed for this, waiting to hear confirmation in other people’s prayers or songs or sermon. I ended up being in nursery and helping with coffee, so I missed the prayer time and the sermon and didn’t hear other words of confirmation. Later, someone asked me about an issue that we’ve been talking about for months and is still undecided. I want to be understanding of where they are coming from. But I still don’t see a clear or easy way forward- and the concerns are so circular- “you can move forward, but…” I am just ready to drop it, because I am at this yellow light. Give me a red or a green, but don’t keep me waiting at the yellow light! Please!

Then I was praying this morning, after complaining to my roommate last night about this situation. And the Lord reminded me of my prayer for unity. Then the light bulb goes on…  (thank you, merciful, Lord, patient with those slow of understanding).“Oh, maybe He gave me that Word because I was going to encounter a situation where I needed to let love abound, and myself repent of attitudes and divisive actions that disturb unity. Maybe I needed to forgive and step toward unity and oneness which I was praying toward.”

How like the Lord to give me a burden/Word, which I think is for someone else, and then it’s for me!

Well Hallelujah! I am the messy one, full of brokenness, and yes I need Him! Oh Lord, please forgive me for my frustration and bad attitude and complaining. Please forgive me and free me by Jesus’ blood. Thank you! I rejoice that this situation is happening, and that you are working, and that you are teaching me. You are not distant, but you are hands-on, working, directing, and teaching. Thank you so much. Amen.

God's doings

God will do nothing on earth except in answer to believing prayer. -John Wesley, quoted in James Emery White, The Prayer That God Longs For

Spirit Break Out: A Prayer

photo courtesy of the Loom Project

You are not indifferent to us, no, JESUS you are continually desiring us. Spirit, break out and mark us with grace-oriented lives, born out of experiencing your lavish love and delight in us, You wash us clean by Jesus' blood. You are the Eternal One. All POWER is in you. All power to heal. All power to set free from fear. From sin. Break out freedom in our Identity in Christ, healing, and the power of belonging to you. Our truest friend. We are your people, you are our God. 

This is the "written out prayer" birthed from listening to "Spirit Break Out" and praying for His words to come through me... (and highly influenced by a line about grace that struck me during a sermon about hospitality I listened to). This was almost not read aloud to the congregation this morning-- the fact that it was is worthy of praising him for! I'm so grateful for a man of God willing to respond and insist on discussions, to battle not against another brother, but with them, wrestling, for truth. I'm thankful there are different view points. And grace. This is about grace. I've been meditating on this picture that somehow grace is the key that unlocks the door of rest..... of dwelling in his presence. It is something unearned. Just the image of a key unlocking a door and stepping in is rich for me. I want to live in that place of grace, and want that for my church.  

Here's the extra I didn't read:

We seek Your face on this pilgrimage, Stir up hunger for intimate fellowship, encountering You and being satisfied in you day by day so grace  overflows in blessing others. Not out of duty, not out of guilt. You are the One worthy and jealous for the affections. Break out with encounters so we can't be satisfied in anything less, we can't be distracted. You have made your home in us. You took risk for us, opening all of your heart, let us love and take risks for others. 

And then all this praying overflowed in to prose:

As the Angel of God He visited us

As the Son of Man He dwelt among us
Now (do you hear this) As the Holy Spirit He lives within us
One God, Eternal and Triune!
Oh, how hospitable our God!
He has invited us in. 
He has prepared a meal to sup with us. Forever!

We are his people, he is our God
We are the bride, he is the groom
We are the harlot whom he redeemed
We are the orphan whom he adopted
We are the lost sheep whom he found


How great is your love

I need, I need, I need an encounter with you
and You are breaking through, Jesus.

(This is still true, too-late on this Sunday night. I still need an encounter(s)/continual encountering and you ARE breaking through, Jesus. Amen).