Hello my dear friends! Allow me to pose this question for us to ponder: How desperate do we have to become before we pray? Sometimes, prayer becomes the last resort after everything else we have tried has crashed and burned.
One would think that we would "get it" by now, but if you are like me, I often default to my own works and human strength. One of my spiritual goals this year is to reset the default setting in my spiritual life where I pray first and then allow His Spirit to talk to me and lead me. The Psalmist has much to say to us concerning this important topic. I'd love for you to join me in this journey.
Praying for you. Thanks for praying for me.
Denny
Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #2--Prayer
Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life
Key Scripture: To You, O LORD, I call; My rock, do not be deaf to me, For if You are silent to me, I will become like those who go down to the pit. Psalm 28:1
Core Value: Prayer
For many believers, the nature of prayer often becomes a last resort when we can accomplish nothing more in our own wisdom, wit, and works. It is a comforting thought that God knows this about us too, and still accepts and answers our desperate prayers. Having a works mentality drives us even further away from the comfort that awaits those who put their trust in the Lord. Grace, however, (God's solution to our need) no matter how desperate our situation, opens wide the door to His Throne of Grace (Hebrews 4:16). Chip Ingram reminds us of this great truth about “great prayers.”
“Not only are great prayers deeply personal, they are also birthed in brokenness. When we come to God with a sense of bankruptcy, knowing we’re in a desperate situation and have no resources to get ourselves out of it, God pays special attention. Brokenness will cause us to pour out our heart to God rather than trying to find the right words or the most persuasive arguments to present to him.” Pg. 103. Ingram, Chip. 2007. Good to great in God’s eyes: 10 practices great Christians have in common. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books.
Desperate times require desperate measures that call for desperate prayers. How desperate are you in your need for Him?
Principle #2 & Personal Application: The quality disciple understands the serious nature of desperate prayer.
• Those who pray desperate prayers direct them to a SACRED place: “To You, O LORD, I call”
• Those who pray desperate prayers direct them to a SECURE place: “My rock”
• Those who pray desperate prayers direct them to a SAVING place: “do not be deaf to me, For if You are silent to me, I will become like those who go down to the pit.”
Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…
When I typically pray, are my prayers based upon my own desire for comfort or are they driven by my own desperate need to know Christ better and to trust Him entirely?
Is Jesus Christ my safety net in my spiritual journey or do I put more trust in what I can do to control my life?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, You know my heart’s desire is to trust You so much that my prayers will be desperate; having no other choice but You. By Your grace, help me to direct my desperate prayers to a sacred place; help me to direct my desperate prayers to a secure place; and help me to direct my desperate prayers to a saving place where You and You alone are my salvation.
The Essential Core Values Of The Quality Disciple Are…
Grace—Worship—Bible Study—Prayer—Community—Service—Evangelism
Denny Bates & Something New Christian Publishers © 2011 All rights reserved.
www.dennybates.com
Note: Looking for a way to enhance your devotional life in 2011? Allow me to suggest purchasing a copy of Psalms of Discipleship: Growing in Grace. You can order your copy for only $15.99 (a $4 savings!). If you would like to have a devotional book that also serves as a spiritual life journal as well as a unique 21 point Bible study and personal assessment on grace, follow this link to my website where you can download a free sample at,
http://www.dennybates.com/Home/PODGIG.html
P.S.
It has been a joy to walk with you this past year, studying and applying the life lessons of the Psalms. As I plan for this year, it would be helpful for me to get some feedback from you. If you click on the survey link below, it will take less than 5 minutes of your time. If you have responded already, THANKS!
Growing with you,
Denny
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/HYVLPS6
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