Dave’s Monday Blast – October 7, 2019

Brother Lawrence, author of the incredible work, The Practice of the Presence of God, comments: “There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet and delightful than that of a continual conversation with God.”  Meeting with God consistently is the foundation of everything God desires to give you in this life. All of the abundant life stems from a place of intimate and continuous encounters with your heavenly Father. I encourage you to read Psalms 42 & 43.

Through prayer we have access to deep encounters with the heart and mind of our heavenly Father. Jeremiah 33:3 says, “Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.” Pastor Jim Denison comments, “God longs for us to call to Him as our source of life, wisdom, guidance, and truth. He longs to answer our calls by shepherding us into a lifestyle of continually seeking and receiving revelation from His Word and Spirit. But in order for us to truly engage with God in prayer, we must learn what it means to listen.” This, I confess, is hard for me!

Mother Teresa said, “Prayer is not asking. Prayer is putting oneself in the hands of God, at His disposition, and listening to His voice in the depth of our hearts.” Denison continues, “I find that we do not pray incorrectly as believers from a lack of earnest desire for God, but rather from a lack of knowledge and past experience. Do you know and believe that you can truly put yourself in the hands of your heavenly Father and listen to His voice as Mother Teresa did? Do you know that your Creator longs to open your eyes and  heart to receive the knowledge of His love, will and divine nature?”

Taking time to listen to God in prayer is at the very core of Christian spiritual maturation. It is a skill of the highest value that is only learned by patience, repetition, and faith. You can hear God because He REALLY WANTS YOU TO! You have no less inherent ability to hear God than any other believer. (Maybe Mother Teresa aside ) Those who hear God are simply those who make space and seek out His voice. “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” (Psalm 46:10) He longs to make us a people who live, think, and work out of true encounters with him. And learning to encounter God throughout your daily life starts with getting alone in the secret place, quieting your heart, and growing in your knowledge of God. Jesus modeled this process for us in Matthew 6:5-6.