Quarterly Newsletter of The Prayer Trust   June 2009

OVERCOMING PRAYERLESSNESS-2

Grace Komolafe

WE WIN ONLY BY HIS GRACE THROUGH THE DICIPLING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. True repentance is when we come face to face with sin and judge it. We all learn by experience that it is not just our determination but the grace of God, with discipline, that causes growth in the things of God.

Determination (Oxford Dictionary)

Determine, to decide, fix precisely, calculate, find out precisely, decide firmly, resolve, make up one's mind.

Discipline (Oxford Dictionary), from disciple. Follower of any leader, learning, the twelve personal followers of Jesus, training

- especially of the mind, character to produce self-control, habits of obedience e.g. school discipline, military discipline. The result of such training.

On our way to true repentance we must be diligent to be aware of the sneaky trap of self-determination that has always dragged us into embarrassment and dismay. Let us be careful to listen to Jeremiah's warning about turning. 'If you want to turn, turn to the Lord.' Jeremiah 31:18

Making resolutions and decisions for change is turning to oneself.This will always set us up for defeat, because it is not God's method for change, it cannot work.

Turning to God with all our heart, by getting to know Him through His Word. This is where we need discipline, for prayers will flow in our heart when His Word abides in us. The bible is very clear on this, without Christ we can do nothing,including serving Him!

There is no way around the truth as revealed in Rom 8: 26:- 'The Spirit helps our infirmities, for we know not what we should pray for as we ought'. The Holy Spirit is given to us to this end. Prayer becomes enjoyable with Him because we will be praying for the right reason. 

If Christ dwells in us, then the Spirit of prayer is in us. Prayer is more than activity, it is knowing and loving our Father, getting to know Him intimately, making quality time to  enjoy His presence. When this becomes our passion and focus, prayer will be so natural to us. Then we will know that praying without ceasing as Paul admonished is natural. It flows without effort.

The sin to confess is our lack of discipline to make time to love Him. Loving Him means more than locking ourselves up to pray, it also include diligent study of His Word, seeking to understand His love, character, attributes, feelings etc.

 The sin is not the failure to keep those promises and resolutions to pray more. Of course they are bound to fail, because they are carnally inspired. God will personally stand in the way to make sure we walk only in obedience to His discipline.  How should we position ourselves after repentance?

 Take time to meditate on the importance of prayerby meditating on every scripture until the word becomes flesh in you. Andrew Murray says, 'Prayer is the pulse of life, by it the doctor can tell what is the condition of the heart.'

The sin of prayerlessness is a proof that the life of God in the soul is in deadly sickness and weakness. The heart is where true prayer is found. This is where the issues of life are found. Prayer keeps our heart in a channel that receives from and flows back into God's mainstream every minute of the day and night.

Take time to receive discipline or be disciplined by the Holy Spirit - Spirit of Prayer. Pray and ask Him to help you discipline yourself.

First, your time with Him must be fixed with Him. (Note: - 'fixed with' not just 'fixed by').

Have a meeting with Him and ask Him to wake you up at a regular time in the morning. He will do it without your alarm system. This is where discipline or a disciple is tested.

Will you come with Him in prayer when He wakes you up according to the agreed time or do you switch off the siren/alarm in your heart and go back to bed?

Do you want to discipline yourself to stay there in the closet even when you do not feel like prayers?

There are initial sacrifices to be made that our oul/flesh will not comply with, but eventually we will be glad we submitted to the Holy Spirit's discipline. This is abiding in Him.

Seek to pray from the heart.David said, 'Therefore hath Thy servant found in his heart this prayer unto Thee.' Prayer is more than

bended knee, uplifted hands, words on lips. All these are worth nothing if the heart is absent.

Many Christians pray as a mere matter of form or routine. Heart work is the kernel of prayer. Spurgeon said, 'Words are the oyster shell, the desire of the heart is the pearl.'

If prayer is from the heart it will be presented with certainty of acceptance.