In this short video I share with you 3 things that you can pray when you are in the desert. Even if you are not in the desert right now who do you know that is right now that might be encouraged by this. One of the things I don’t touch on in the video but is important in these times is to find encouragement from friends
“Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. –Revelation 5:5
Walking with God is not for the faint at heart. Jesus was always stretching and challenging those who followed Him. I love how the authors of Experiencing God reminded us that Jesus did not say this “This is the way” and give His followers a map. He said, “I am the way” and led them on an adventure.
It is easy to try and manage God. But Jesus is described as the Lion of the tribe of Jesus. I love his description in C.S. Lewis’ Lion Witch and the Wardrobe –
“Is he—quite safe?” […]
“Safe?” said Mr. Beaver […] “Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.” (1)
Or
But amid all these rejoicings Aslan himself quietly slipped away. And when the Kings and Queens noticed that he wasn’t there they said nothing about it. For Mr. Beaver had warned them, ‘He’ll be coming and going’ he had said. ‘One day you’ll see him and another you won’t. He doesn’t like being tied down—and of course he has other countries to attend to. It’s quite all right. He’ll often drop in. Only you mustn’t press him. He’s wild you know. Not like a tame lion (2).
I find it too easy to try and tame God. I love the quote by Dorothy Sayers: “The people who hanged Christ never, to do them justice, accused him of being a bore – on the contrary, they thought him too dynamic to be safe. It has been left for later generations to muffle up that shattering personality and surround him with an atmosphere of tedium. We have very efficiently pared the claws of the Lion of Judah, certified him ‘meek and mile,’ and recommended him as a fitting household pet for pale curates and pious old ladies.” (3)
Do you dare today to let the Lion of the tribe of Judah out of the cage you have built and see what happens?
(1) http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/The_Chronicles_of_Narnia
(2) http://library.taylor.edu/dotAsset/4917d94e-83ab-4b4f-b6b6-d6dfd5c6c239.pdf
(3)http://www.patheos.com/blogs/robertcrosby/2013/01/my-favorite-dorothy-sayers-quote/#ixzz3PHzDzYNg
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In my first year of college I was assigned to read The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey. It is a classic book on effectiveness in life. But the seven habits can easily be applied to an effective prayer life as well.
1. Be proactive– It is important for people of prayer to understand their role in coming to God in prayer. I often teach that whenever you have a desire to pray it is probably coming from God. The question is will we not only follow those promptings, but also proactively set aside time to pray.
2. Begin with the end in mind-This is a powerful idea when coming to God in prayer. The end is eternity and life with God in heaven. That is a great place to start our thoughts thinking as we begin our prayer time.
3. Put first things first– I love to begin my prayer time with thanksgiving and praise to God. It shifts my perspective to a healthy place right from the start.
4. Think Win/Win -Building on the habits we already developed we pray for the Lord to win in the world. Jesus encouraged us to pray, “Your kingdom come. Your will be done.” Effective people who pray understand that is a win for them as well.
5. Seek first to understand then to be understood– Listening before asking creates requests that change history. Starting with Scripture creates a foundation for powerful asking. This takes our prayer to a new level.
6. Synergize– This reminds me of two parts of effectiveness in prayer. First, I am reminded of the power of agreeing together with others in prayer. Second, it reminds that after hearing from God before asking we are actually working together with God.
7. Sharpen the Saw– We can always grow in our prayer life. That is why we create our resources. What will you do to learn and develop your prayer life?
Let me encourage you to take one of these habits and build it into your prayer life in the next month. See how your effectiveness increases.