How to have an Awesome Iron Pumped Prayer Life
This Christian pilgrimage is laden with many dangers. It is filled with adversities whose battle cry is for the vanquishment of true joy from our hearts. So often we live on an emotional rollercoaster of highs and lows. Too often, our prayer lives follow that same rollercoaster of disparate cries for help to fleeting waves of “hello” as we skip along the path. We remember to pray most when we have our bucket list of wants to present or when tragedy strikes. Yet, prayer is meant for so much more than that. Look at Ephesians 6, where Paul warns us that we are in the midst of war and must be prepared at all times. Our only weapon is the “sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit” (Ephesians 6: 17-18). The strength and muscle which wields the sword in battle is prayer. We need our prayer muscles built so that we can wield the Spirit’s sword of the Word with powerful might. A body builder spends hours in the gym to develop strength.
Picture used by permission of the artist Ronald Barba who owns the copyright. For information on go to http://www.barba-art.com
[bctt tweet=”To have strength to wield our spiritual sword in battle, we need an awesome iron pumped prayer life”] How do we do that? We begin by daily setting aside time to be with our heavenly Father. We need to realize that prayer is much more than our “to do list for God.” Prayer is the power source for our sustained joy in this Christian life. Prayer is the power source for our victory in the battles of this life. And prayer is the power source for our hope. Prayer is the power lifting exercise that gives us the strength to wield the Spirits Sword of the Word. At the same time, the weights needed to spiritually pump iron are the words of God!
IRON PUMPING WEIGHT OF THE SCRIPTURE
There are 5 ways that the scripture serves to strengthen our prayers.
1. The Bible presents the Gospel of Jesus Christ without which we cannot gain access to the throne room. “16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith (Romans 1:16-17)
2. The Bible reveals the truth that God Delights in the prayers of His Children. He loves to “talk with us” through His word and as we read and study His word. “ The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord: but the prayer of the upright is his delight” (Proverbs 15:8). God is not impressed with our rituals; but, delights in our heart’s desire of Him.
3. The Bible reveals the promises of God to us. Why do I need to know His promises? “ For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us” (2 Corinthians 1:20). When I know the promises of God, it strengthens my own heart as I say them out loud in a prayer to God.
4. The Bible is filled with stories of miraculously answered prayers of God’s people. Though they were flawed and broken like we; God’s grace provided a way as their hearts yearned for God. Our longing to know Him can only be fulfilled by studying His words. Our desire to study His word also is the demonstration of our desire for Him. “O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; 2 To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.3 Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee” (Psalm 63:1-3).
5. The Bible is also where we can learn of the prayer life of Jesus Christ. I wrote to you of that in Wednesday’s post. Understanding why and how Jesus prayed is a power weight to building our own prayer life. I encourage you to read that post if you haven’t already for deeper insight into Christ’s prayer life.
CONCLUDING THOUGHTS
Our prayer life needs to be built upon the power of the word, infused with the Holy Spirits loving guidance. Yes, we are to bring our heart’s desires and lay them at the throne. Yet, prayer is so much more than a want list. [bctt tweet=”Prayer is time with God, being showered in His love, adorned in His righteousness, & equipped with His armor “] with His armor. Our joy is in Him. Our hope is in Him. Our love is found in Him. He is our greatest treasure. So let us come, sit for a little while in His presence each day.
Do you have answered prayer, a word of praise, or a question? Click here to share.
The song I chose to share today is A Living Prayer
Finally, if you don’t know Christ; please read How to be Saved.
The artist that drew the picture “A Broken and Contrite Heart” featured on my header and the picture of the bodybuilder is Ronald Barba. Please go to his website ( http://www.barba-art.com) for information regarding obtaining copies or to commission him to create a masterpiece for you. Feel free to email him at Ron@Barba-Art.com to discuss any art projects.
©2015 Effie Darlene Barba
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.