The Next Step

 

Desire, discipline and delight.  Our prayer life must move through these stages in order to become a part of our life so that we actually look forward to praying with anticipation and expectation.
I believe the Holy Spirit places within us the desire to pray.  People heard God’s voice in days gone by – no doubt about it.  However, we need to hear God’s voice today (Hebrews 3:7).  As a believer, I want to talk to God.  It’s my privilege.  I also want to hear what He says to me.  Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice…” (John 10:27).
All of the great prayer warriors of the past learned the discipline of prayer.  Yes, we must be disciplined if we are going to have an effective prayer life.  Prayer requires some effort.  We have to beat back the flesh that is lazy and undisciplined.  
If we get disciplined and learn to pray even when we don’t “feel” like it, prayer will go through a transformation.  It will become a delight.  Read the Psalms.  David and others looked forward to their time with God in prayer (Psalm 40:8 – Psalm 119:35, 36, 47, 48, 77 – Proverbs 15:8).  Time alone with God and time spent in the company of other men who pray can and should become a delightful thing.
Here is the simple truth; if you do not take prayer seriously and begin to pray, you will not be any further along with the Lord next year than you are right now.  Are you ready to take the next step with God and your relationship with Him?  Prayer is the key – think about it my brother.

Pastor Bruce Freeman

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