Sunday we looked at a pretty odd passage in Exodus: Moses is fighting for the future of Israel's relationship with God (and our redemptive future too, by the way...). God was done with these covenant breakers, he was willing to make sure they got to the land he promised, but he wasn't going to go with them.
Moses does two incredible things: First he makes it clear that knowing God is all that matters, more than any provision or promise. Then he successfully pleads Israel's case, "reminding" God that it is his going with them that is central to who they are.
When you pray this week, make your focus upward - recognizing who God is, spending time in worship and awe, and even just listening. It is God with us that makes us distinct.
Share your thoughts or experiences in the comments section!
I heard on the radio one day that often our lives are so busy that we miss oppotunities to devote time to God as much as we should. The moment we have down time, we turn on the radio, we play on our I phones, we text, or we call someone to pass the time. I decided to challenge myself in two ways. One was to commit to the 40 day prayer challenge and two was to pray on the specific topics everytime I had downtime, whether it be driving in the car, waiting in the doctor's office, or on my coffee break.
ReplyDeleteI must admit, accepting the challenge came out of Garret's bullet points of praying out of obligation, petition, or even the absence of prayer. Often times, I fall under those categories. My main goal of these two challenges is to develop a prayer life that is done out of love and commitment and I will no longer have to feel that conviction!
God has already been working in my life to show me that these prayers are being heard and I feel joy knowing that He and I are able to have heart to heart talks everyday!
I am a covenant breaker. I let my schedule dictate my time spent with God in prayer. The opportunities get postponed and obligated away and I end up giving Him a few minutes here and there and it isn't what He deserves.
ReplyDeleteGod continues to bless me despite the lack of effort I put in our relationship. Let's call this "prayer challenge" my wake up call. It is like physical exercise. I know it is good for me. I feel better when I exercise regularly, and I fail terribly at maintaining a consistent routine. God deserves better than my undivided attention. This means changing some habits and choices that I make on a daily basis.
I am looking forward to pursuing God and a deeper relationship with my
Father. I feel better already!
I love it when there is an area of may life where God is challenging me, and then church or Bible study begins to touch on it as if to solidify the point.
ReplyDeleteA need for improvement in my prayer life (and my approach to it) has really been in my face lately. I was recently invited to participate in an aspect of my Bible study I have never done before, and the ladies there are in constant prayer. It has been remarkable for me to witness, and I have definitely FELT closer to the Lord with the increase in my own prayer. (Funny how we humans always need to "feel" things!). The best part, though, is how much praise and gratitude flows from me in prayer now...the worship and awe that characterizes this week's focus.
Isaiah 62:6-7 says "I have posted watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the Lord, give yourselves no rest, and give Him no rest until He establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth."
Thanks for helping us become His watchmen. Now let's give Him no rest with our constant prayer!