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Issue link: http://magazine.kcm.org/i/1336018
Well, if we don’t stop at least some time close to January 1 and reassess our priorities, we are apt to let some very important things slip. Some objectives, though important, don’t rate on the same level as others, especially natural things versus spiritual ones. For example, a new exercise program, though beneficial, can’t compete with the importance of time with the Lord. “For physical training is of some value (useful for a little), but godliness (spiritual training) is useful and of value in everything and in every way, for it holds promise for the present life and also for the life which is to come” (1 Timothy 4:8, "Amplified Bible, Classic Edition"). (That doesn’t mean we have a scriptural basis for throwing out the treadmill. Sorry.) The reasons for spending time with the Lord on a daily basis are as vast as God Himself. Everything God is, He is for us. Everything God has, He has given to us. He has not withheld anything from His children: “Everything that the Father has is Mine. That is what I meant when I said that He [the Spirit] will take the things that are Mine and will reveal (declare, disclose, transmit) it to you” (John 16:15, "AMPC"). It is only in fellowship with Him through His Word and prayer that we can discover who He is and what He has given us. According to Jesus, this discovery is the happy work of the Holy Spirit. He has a heavenly mission on an earthly assignment. It is His ministry to impart The Blessing to us: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3). The "Amplified Bible, Classic Edition," says “every spiritual (given by the Holy Spirit) blessing in the heavenly realm!” This doesn’t leave out the natural things we need. It simply points to the fact that God is the Source of ALL things and His resources begin in the realm of the spirit. It is also the ministry of the Holy Spirit to be our guide, both into Scripture (John 16:13) and in our daily lives (Romans 8:14). But He is also our constant companion in prayer (Did I just see you twitch a little?). For those Christians who still make New Year’s resolutions, more time in prayer is a favorite addition to the list, but often, the least favorite to actually do. This is prayer procrastination! Every reason we previously stated about procrastination sure applies here. Namely, fear. Another word for fear is dread. Why would someone dread praying? Perhaps they find it boring. Some run out of what to say or how to say it. Some don’t want to pray because of a past experience when their prayers didn’t seem to be answered. One-on-One With God Even though you may have never voiced them, you may have your own reasons for not spending much real time in prayer. I say “real” time because it is easy to “say a prayer” in the car on the way to work or maybe before you go to sleep at night. Those are prayers, and should happen dozens of times a day. But the kind of prayer I’m talking about is one-on-one with the Father. It’s talking and listening. It’s looking inside your own inner being by faith, and locating His presence. It is loving Him, and being loved by Him. It is discovering Him. And it is doing Kingdom business. Think for a moment of all the wonderful things we have been privileged to learn from the Scripture about the Name of Jesus, the power of the Word and our authority as believers. Have you ever read in Ephesians 6 about the armor of God? We are told to put it on and take care of the devil’s strategies. Yes, that’s right! Us in God’s armor! Each piece of armor has a great place in prayer. When you consider that any one of these “weapons of our warfare” is powerful “to the pulling down of strong holds” (2 Corinthians 10:4), how could prayer be anything but exciting? And what about praying in the spirit? Are you kidding me? How could praying with the “tongues of men and angels” (1 Corinthians 13:1) be boring? If prayer is boring, or goes unanswered, we aren’t doing it right (James 4:3). Simply put, it takes three things to develop a deep, satisfying prayer life: the Word of God, the Spirit of God and commitment on your part. The first two are gifts from God. They are His guarantee of our success in every aspect of our lives. But they are also the guarantee that we can know Him, commune with Him and work with Him. 14 : BVOV