1 Thessalonians 5:17
The Privilege of God’s Presence-
The Privilege of God’s Presence-There are all kinds of prayers being prayed for a multitude of reasons. But I’m not only talking about kinds of prayer. I believe that the Word teaches us to have an intimate relationship with Jesus, much like the most perfect husband/wife relationship that we spoke of in yesterday’s devotion.
JESUS- our Lord & Savior
Wants what’s best for us.
Enjoys spending time with us.
Holds us when we hurt.
Loves us more than we could ever imagine.
Will never leave us
Sacrificed His life to save us.
Adopted us into His family.
Is the Friend that sticks closer than a brother.
Today, let’s see Jesus as the Friend that sticks closer than a brother, Proverbs 18:24b, a best friend Who is constantly with us. Let’s begin to speak with Him as the Word of God says in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 “Be unceasing in prayer [praying perseveringly]” When I was much younger in the Lord, I was often intimidated by my leaders, who when they prayed in public, prayed eloquent prayers. Beautiful Prayers prayed in complete humility! But I have never learned to pray with eloquence. Some of my best prayers were indistinct words intermingled with blubbering sobs and if anyone heard me, they would think they were listening to someone in complete agony. But Jesus knows! An incident I remember very well was when I was a little girl of eleven meandering down an old country road, when suddenly I was confronted by a very angry Billy Goat who chased me down the road for some distance. As I was running for my life, my only prayer was “Help me, Jesus!” Thank God, He not only heard my prayer, but helped me. The Billy Goat abruptly stopped his pursuit, turned around and trotted home. 1 John 5:14 “And this is the confidence (the assurance, the privilege of boldness) which we have in Him: [we are sure] that if we ask anything (make any request) according to His will (in agreement with His own plan), He listens to and hears us. 15 And if (since) we [positively] know that He listens to us in whatever we ask, we also know [with settled and absolute knowledge] that we have [granted us as our present possessions] the requests made of Him.”
I am certain of this one thing, that the more that we practice something, the better we get at it. With the help of the Holy Spirit, asking for perseverance in prayer, we too can develop a more intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.
One person I admire greatly is Brother Lawrence who had a book documenting his lifestyle of praying and interacting with Jesus called The Practice of the Presence of God. Brother Lawrence was a humble monk who worked in the kitchen of a monastery doing the mundane job of washing dishes and cleaning up after the other monks. But what made Brother Lawrence stand out from all others was his outstanding relationship with our Lord Jesus. He had a 24/7 relationship with Jesus, talking to Him as a Friend Who walks beside him each day. I want that!
There are many examples of total devotion to the Lord and subsequent prayers. In the past, we’ve discussed one sentence prayers, praying the Word of God back to our Precious Lord, also a prayer of tears, eloquent prayers, simple prayers, praying in the Spirit, but it all boils down to one thing-God invites us to have a more intimate relationship with Jesus Christ than we now have, that goes beyond words, a 24/7 bond with the Lord of All- Jesus Christ. And the thing that impresses me most is that this type of relationship is first initiated by Jesus Himself to us. He longs for us to draw near Him. He makes Himself available to all who want Him. That thought makes me want to flat-out run full speed into His wonderful embrace. His Arms are open wide for each of us. The Apostle Peter cried out to Jesus in his unbelief as he was sinking under the water, and our Lord reach out and saved him, even in Peter’s unbelief. Come as you are and find that Jesus has been waiting for you all the time, with open Arms! What a magnificent Lord we serve!