Encountering God through Prayer..Craig Denison Ministries

 

Encountering God through Prayer

Craig Denison Ministries

Weekly Overview:

Having consistent and transformational encounters with God while on earth is meant to be foundational to the Christian life. Our God has not left us. Through the sacrifice of Jesus, we’ve been filled with the very Spirit of God who longs to reveal to us daily the nearness and love of our heavenly Father. We are never alone. There is nowhere we can flee from the presence of our God. May this week be filled with transformational encounters with the living God as we learn what it is to seek the face of the one who has formed us, knows us, and loves us unconditionally.

Scripture:“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.” Jeremiah 33:3

Devotional:

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.” 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.

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.” 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 spirituality. It is a skill of the highest value that is only learned by patience, repetition, and faith. You can hear God because he wants to talk to you. You have no less inherent ability to hear God than me, Mother Teresa, or any of the disciples. Those who hear God are simply those who make space and seek out his voice.     

Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” In stillness we grow in our knowledge of who God truly is. God longs to make us a people who know him the way you know your family and friends. 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 taught us in Matthew 6:5-6:

And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

May you seek and find the knowledge of your heavenly Father today as you enter into the secret place, quiet your heart, and listen to him in guided prayer.

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on the importance of listening to your heavenly Father in prayer. Allow Scripture to stir up your faith and desire to know your Creator by being still, opening your heart, and listening.

“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

“My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.” Proverbs 2:1-5

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” Revelation 3:20

2. Ask the Lord to reveal himself to you in the secret place today. Ask him to shepherd you into an encounter with him that you might grow in your knowledge of his heart.

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.” 2 Peter 3:18

3. Take time to simply listen to God. He knows what you need even before you ask him for it. He will speak to you exactly what you need to hear. Pay attention to the way you feel as you quiet your heart. Pay attention to thoughts and ideas that he places in your heart. Pay attention to any desires that shift.

“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.” Jeremiah 33:3

Brother Lawrence said, “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. May your ears and heart be opened to receiving the knowledge of your Father’s love, grace, and purpose for your life. May you experience to greater levels the joy of intimacy with the God of love. And may your heart come alive in the stillness of meeting with the God who dwells in all of eternity.

Extended Reading: Psalm 42

More Than a Good Name: Leaving a Legacy that Lasts..Jennifer Waddle

 More Than a Good Name: Leaving a Legacy that Lasts

By: Jennifer Waddle

BIBLE VERSE OF THE DAY: “…when your children ask in time to come, saying, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ Then you shall answer them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord; when it crossed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. And these stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel forever.” - Joshua 4:6-7

Leaving a legacy involves far more than handing down a monetary inheritance or passing on a good family name. For those things will surely pass away and forever be forgotten.

A lasting legacy, one that continues for eternity, is set in stone. Written on our hearts, and the hearts of our loved ones, belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of the Living God and Savior of the world is the legacy that lasts.

As our children grow up, they may not see faith as something precious and invaluable. Especially if they have been raised in the church and surrounded by Christianity their whole lives, the value of a godly heritage may not be immediately apparent to them. However, as they grow up, the hope is that they will remember the “stones” of faith we have gathered for them, taught them, and lived as examples for them.

I think we can all ask ourselves the questions, “What are the foundations of my legacy? Are they superficial things of earth or everlasting things of heaven?”

Just as the Israelites were instructed to carry stones from the middle of the Jordan, and set them up as a memorial of God’s faithfulness, we too can gather “stones” that represent our legacy. Here are a few ideas:

• Write a family mission statement together. Ask questions like, “What do we want to be known for? How can we live our lives as a testimony of God’s faithfulness? What are the most important things to us? Frame your statement and hang it in your home. Also, make copies for each of your children to take with them as they grow up.
• Speak often about how God has worked in your own life. Consider having your personal testimony recorded for future generations.
• Keep a family Bible in your living room and encourage every family member to underline passages and write notes in the margins. Discuss often, how God is speaking to each of you through His Word.

One day, when your grandchildren or great-grandchildren come to you and ask, “What does faith mean to you?” Then, you can answer, without hesitation, and tell them about all the beautiful and miraculous things God has done, is doing, and will do.

A Prayer for Peace in a Relationship..Kristine Brown

 A Prayer for Peace in a Relationship

By: Kristine Brown

"Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way of everlasting.” - Psalm 139:23-24

Tensions in our home escalated. A plumbing leak caused major problems, resulting in several weeks of workers in and out of the house. Combine that with our current shaky circumstances, and our frazzled nerves were ready to crack.

My husband and I tried everything to maintain calm in the middle of the chaos, but one thing after another disrupted our peaceful day-to-day life. My patience wore thin. I developed a critical attitude. I didn’t realize I was letting our circumstances chip away at my peace. Until one day, it all became too much. A wall of stress and frustration formed between us. But what could we do? How could we regain that peace-filled marriage we longed for?

When tension builds between two people who love each other, it’s easy to get caught up in the blame game. Our minds focus on what the other person did wrong, and we wrestle with how they can’t see their wrongdoing. But when we turn our thoughts inward instead, God can begin the restoration process in our relationship.

Whether it’s marriage, family, or friendships, the enemy is the thief of peace in our relationships. Thankfully, God’s Word gives us the first step to take in restoring that peace that we know is possible through Jesus.

“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way of everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24 NIV

From the inspiration in this verse, we discover a valuable truth for us and those we love. The way of everlasting is also the path to peace in our relationships.

We can’t change other people, but we can begin with ourselves. When we ask God to search our hearts and thoughts, he is faithful to reveal areas in our own lives that need work. He will also turn our focus back toward Him and His eternal goodness. As we begin by humbling ourselves before Him and seeking His heart above all else, He will help us see those daily annoyances for what they are and put us on the path back to peace. 

Let’s pray for God’s help in bringing peace to our relationships today.

Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for leading me on the path to everlasting love, peace, and joy. Sometimes I let my circumstances steal my peace, which affects my marriage and other relationships in my life. When that happens, I pray you will search my heart and begin to renew me from the inside out. I fix my eyes on you once again, Lord, as I take steps toward the peace I know is possible.

I will not allow life’s daily frustrations to cause division in my relationships. Even in the most uncertain times, I can hold fast to your promises for my life and my loved ones. Remind me to keep you at the center of my heart and home at all times, so my relationships will honor you.

When I feel like I’ve been wronged in a relationship, help me discover ways to work on my own thoughts and attitude. Develop me into a better person through Your precious Holy Spirit. Guide me in the truth of Your ways and keep me on the path toward peace.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

God Isn’t Too Busy for Your Prayers..Laura Bailey

 God Isn’t Too Busy for Your Prayers

By Laura Bailey

"Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you." - 1 Peter 5:7 NLT

Ding.
Ding.
Ding.

My phone chirped with the onset of multiple text messages from one of my good friends. She shared that there had been a situation at work and requested prayers to make it through the day. Before I could tap out a few words of encouragement and assure her I would be praying, another message popped up. "I'm sorry I bothered you with this; it's not a big deal compared to other people's problems; I am sure God is tired of hearing my prayers," my friend wrote. 

I immediately responded, "No! God always wants to hear from His children. He never tires of you! You can always call on Him." I sent her a short prayer and 1 Peter 5:7, taking a second to petition God on her behalf.  For many of us who grew up in church, 1 Peter 5:7 is one of the first verses we learn about how to deal with our anxieties, worries, and general life problems. I genuinely believed the words I shared with my friend, recalling 1 Peter 5:7 to encourage myself on occasion. However, I, too, had convinced myself that my problems or concerns weren't "big enough" or "that bad compared with others" and began to abandon calling out to the Lord during my time of need. 

In 1 Peter 5:1, Peter writes to the church's elders, encouraging them to lead by example. He reminds us that we are to submit humbly to God's authority, bringing anything that bothers us to Him. The NIV version of 1 Peter 5:7 tells us to "cast all our anxieties," which is another way of saying throw. I picture a fisherman casting his line into the water. He doesn't softly sling his rod but forcefully hurls it into the water. Peter assures us that God commands us to do the same thing with our troubles, releasing everything to our Heavenly Father.   

I have found that when I am hesitant to pray, it is because I’ve placed human characteristics on a Holy God. I worry that I will overwhelm my husband, so I keep my struggles to myself. I treat God like other relationships in my life. I fear my friends will reject me if I share my current concerns, so I stay quiet when they ask how things are going. I paste a smile on my face when I feel burdened by the weight of uncertainty because I don't want to trouble anyone else.

But God doesn't tire, He doesn't get overwhelmed or crushed by the weight of our problems. He cares for His children immensely and gave the gift of prayer as a way for us to communicate with Him on a personal level. That doesn't mean that God will answer all of our prayers the way we desire. Our circumstances may never change. But, He does promise to receive our requests and petitions, provide comfort through the Holy Spirit, and offer the eternal promise of hope through salvation.

In the next verse (1 Peter 5:8), Peter warns us about our Enemy and his plans to destroy God's people. Don't let the Enemy get a foothold; shut down thoughts that God is too busy or unconcerned with your life. Surround yourself with believers that will pray alongside you and encourage you with Scripture. Whatever you are facing today, rest assured that you can release it to the Lord in prayer. No matter how trivial, we can present our requests to our Heavenly Father, who cares for us deeply. As we cast our anxieties on Him, let's sing praises and share our gratitude to the One who loves us beyond measure.

Intersecting Faith and Life: 
Do you ever withhold praying over a situation or issue because you believe it isn't significant enough? Free yourself from filtering your prayers, and give everything over to God. 

Further Reading:

• Psalm 56:3-4
• Luke 12:30-32