Growing Through Prayer

I have been taking classes at my church for general knowledge to learn more about Intercession. One of my spiritual goals is to be a stronger prayer-er. The essence and one of the most precious characteristics of a strong woman, wife and mother is in how she prays. It's a common colloquial in our culture to attribute perceived success to the earnest love and intentionality of our praying mothers and praying grandmothers and I do believe their prayers erect the spiritual and natural structure in our lives. 

Prayer is the foundation of our faith and love language with God. It is a basic principle of Christianity; yet, is arguably one of the most misunderstood and misused practices.

Though I enjoyed learning the philosophy and effective application of Intercession (which will go into deeper in another post), I was caught off guard to learn we would be assigned to Intercessory teams for the church. Like the individuals who pray leading into corporate worship and before church services. You mean I have to pray out loud in front of the WHOLE congregation! EEEKKK!!! I was more than surprised, I was alarmed.

(Insert GIF of a suddenly speechless child in the middle of the children's Easter play)

#ISSATRAP! I felt setup! Like, duh, I took Intercessory classes just to increase my "knowledge" of prayer, not to actually practice and go to work in front of the masses. But isn't that just like us "church folk". To be satisfied and content in listening to the Word and just "looking" like the church. We rather gain knowledge to share our opinions than sharing the Gospel. (But, I'll just leave that right there).

Honestly, I felt intimated and exposed. I felt like a babe in Christ and that my relationship with God was not as advanced as I believed it to be. How did I measure this? Comparing myself to others. How strongly they speak in tongues, how scripture flow from their mouths, and praying with conviction as if God is who they know, not just who they heard of. I left that day completely in dread about praying in front of others.

I ended the night watching a periscope video of one of the ANWA pastors. He discussed a few topics, but one in particular was explaining how God and His Word is alive. The Word of God is still relevant and timely for our present situation. If you're struggling or feel apprehensive in praying or studying the Bible, here are quick steps.

1. Tell God what's really on your heart. Be honest and completely vulnerable.
2. Worship. Tell God who He is, what He means to you and what the Bible says about Him.
3. Before you read, ask God for clarity and for the Holy Spirit to activate your understanding in what it is you're reading.
4. Read for comprehension not completion. We can miss the message if we're just reading through, just to get through. It's not a race, set your own pace.

I told God how I felt and opened my Bible to where I left off (weeks ago) to John 17.  In the scripture, Jesus is in the Garden of Gethsemane right before being betrayed by Judas and is praying for us. Like, legit, praying for you and me.

John 17

9 I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. 11 I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one. 12 While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.

13 “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. 14 I have given them your word and the world has hated them,for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17 Sanctify them by[d] the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. 19 For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.

20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one,Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

And the Word came alive for me! John 17 is a perfect illustration of Intercession. Jesus prayed for our faith and that we would be protected by His name, have full measure of joy, know God loves us just as He did Jesus and for those who will receive the Message through us. I hadn't studied in the awhile, but exactly where I left off is exactly where I need to be in that moment. I was in awe that God led me to this chapter, but also knew I have work to do. Intimidation, anxiety and confusion is not of God. Of course, I cannot compare myself to others either. God wants to hear my voice. He gave me a unique sound of prayer that cannot be duplicated and cannot mimic anyone else. He answers to our voice. I can no longer be complacent and ill-disciplined in studying my Bible. I can no longer operate behind-the-scenes with faith on cruise control. There is a daily war and prayer is the weapon for the battlefield. We need to routinely assess our own prayer life because we can become complacent. Are you prepared to war in battle?