Intense Prayer
I’ve prayed for many years and I’m still working on the discipline of prayer. So many times in my past, my prayers were mostly desperation instead of conversation. I prayed like God was Santa Claus waiting to fill my wish list. I’ve had crisis in my life and then prayer looked totally different. I had a mission that had intensity – I was desperate and hurting deeply. My prayers took on an intensity that I had not experienced before.
Jesus was about to be betrayed. He knew what was coming, but His disciples didn’t. He tried to give them a heads up but they didn’t catch it. Check this out…
32 They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. 34 “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.” 35 Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. 36 “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” 37 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Simon,” he said to Peter, “are you asleep? Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour? 38 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Mark 14:32-38 NIV)Jesus’ prayer had a intensity because of what was coming. I have been in some pretty desperate situations and my prayers went deeper and stronger. My relationship with the Lord has been different after intense sessions like that. I’ve learned to trust His heart even when I can’t see what He’s doing. Intense prayer has more often revealed to me the heart of God rather than directly changing my situation. God is the One Who can change any situation and do anything He pleases. My intense prayer often includes a prayer to change my circumstances or my situation and the Lord actually changes me instead. The change He makes in me helps me see my situation in a totally different light. The pain is often still there, but my new perspective is like salve on the sore. Intense prayer is integral to my relationship with my God as I reveal my heart – He reveals His heart and I end of changed.
Pressing On! Dwayne