I woke up early this morning with some thoughts rolling around in my head. As is typical for me, I lay there, talking it over a bit with God. Then, fell back asleep. Later when I awoke, the basic thoughts were still there, so with pen and paper in hand, I sat and fleshed them out.
This is quite different from my normal journal entries, I myself am not sure what to think, but since honesty, transparency and vulnerability are things I’ve prayed in the past to have, I am choosing to share.
“What if I came to You with nothing? I don’t ask, I don’t share, I just sit? For nothing is really all I have. Every breath I take is a gift from You. Yet you welcome me in.
Not just welcome, You invite me into Your very throne room. You delight in me as I delight in the antics of my grandchildren.
Nothing else matters. Nothing.
You clothe me in royal robes, my beauty is beyond comparison–because of You.* From nothing. To royalty. Without any effort on my part.
What if I remembered; realized; really knew that this is what prayer does.
When it (prayer) doesn’t seem to ‘be working’, when my requests seem to go unnoticed; what if I realized there is so much more to prayer than what I know.
Yes, You tell me to ask, ‘you have not because you ask not’ (James 4:3) ‘ask and it shall be given unto you’ (Matthew 7:7). Yes, You tell me to ‘cast all my cares on You’ (1 Peter 5:7) but there is so. much. more.
There’s wonder and awe to even enter Your presence. There’s the reality that all this, this world and everything that distracts me now, is passing; and soon I’ll step into Your very presence in a way as real and tangible as the chair I’m now sitting in and the birds I hear singing.
What if everyday I lived with that truth at the forefront of my mind and the center of my being?
What if I really lived for You? Like, really. Every moment. Every day.
What would my life look like?
Maybe, just maybe, it would be **war-ship through worship.
For if I truly understood the privilege of prayer, the reality of the spiritual; I’d be far more in awe. Living amazed at the beautiful love story You have created.
I’ve been transformed. From a beggar with nothing to daughter of The King.
Thank You , Lord.
Throughout the coming ages we will be the visible display of the infinite, limitless riches of his grace and kindness, which was showered upon us in Jesus Christ. For it was only through this wonderful grace that we believed in him. Nothing we did could ever earn this salvation, for it was the gracious gift from God that brought us to Christ! So no one will ever be able to boast, for salvation is never a reward for good works or human striving. Ephesians 2:7-9 The Passion Translation”
*References from various verses in the Bible.
**I’ve often considered prayer a type of war against the enemy–and I still believe that is part of what it is. But in the above, I’m beginning to see as a “prayer warrior” my focus may sometimes be too solely on interceding, bringing my requests and concerns before God rather than simply coming to Him with nothing, and sitting in awe, wonder and worship. By worshiping Him, the only One worthy of worship, I’m engaging in an entirely different type of warfare against the enemy. I love how God continues to unveil and reveal His truths!
Awesome! In my book, “Stoke the Fire -A Battle Plan for Parents to Save the Next Generation”, I speak of those moments of just being with Him. I too am learning more and more of just being, which turns out to never be “just” when we’re in His Presence! Thanks for sharing! I love you my friend. ❤
I am looking forward to reading your book Darlene! You would think I would have managed by now, but I don’t get nearly as much reading time in as I’d like. Love you too, my friend!