Prayer: Stepping Out In Faith

Upfront I want to apologize about the sound quality of this interview, but its content is so relevant that I had to post it. The 1st prayer blog highlighted people’s common expereinces with prayer, and a little zinger to American Christians about how satisfied we are (in general) with average Chrisianity. I think the question now is: “Okay, so how do we change?” A forerunner in supernatural prayer movements and founder of 24-7prayer.com, Pete Greig, outlines several ways to step out in faith and simply begin a conversation with God.

Here’s a few more great quotes from noteable leaders in an article called Prayer: How Real Is It? By: Kate Cremisino 

 

Alice Smith, author of Beyond the Veil (Regal Books), explains, “The problem isn’t the Lord holding back from us, but our willingness to press in to have more of Him.” There’s usually a tug of war going on inside of us when it comes to our desire to pursue God. Taking that initial step is the greatest struggle for many, often due to fear, doubt or rebellion. We must be willing to believe that God will respond. Sometimes prayer is like stretching a rubber band. When facing resistance, we must work to achieve a breakthrough.

Samie Greig, wife of Red Moon Rising co-author Pete Greig, says, “Prayer is always awkward. I find it a bit like exercise—it always feels like [there are] a hundred more things that are pressingly urgent to do, especially with kids and jobs and deadlines, but you know that when you do it, you feel fantastic and actually achieve far more.”

We achieve more because prayer helps align our priorities. Threaded throughout the Bible is God’s call to be in relationship with us. It’s a truth many overlook, but Jeremiah 29:12-14 says, “‘Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,’ declares the Lord” (TNIV). This passage says it loud and clear: God cares. That truth, paired with our obedience, creates a powerful dynamic.

Rick Warren, best-selling author of The Purpose Driven Life, writes, “It is only in God that we discover our origin, our identity, our meaning, our purpose, our significance, and our destiny. Every other path leads to a dead end.” Recognizing who we are in Christ is the first step to realizing the role of prayer and understanding that it is central to living out the Christian faith.

When we embrace the reality that faith is not based on ritualistic traditions or legalistic dogma, a beautiful thing happens. We begin to notice a depth that is not dependent upon “acts” but centers on a spiritual interaction with God. Prayer becomes a reaction to a realization of God’s continuous presence. We don’t have to invite Him to show up. He’s already there.

Tricia Rhodes, author of Intimate Intercession (W Publishing Group), says, “Praying without ceasing is really about relationship with the Lover of our souls, not about something we ‘do’ to be healthy Christians.” She believes it’s about establishing a pattern of being real with the Lord and talking with Him throughout the day, even when we’re concerned about our family, work or whatever’s going on in our lives. “As we find the time just to be with Him, we will become more at ease in communing throughout the day.”

As always, feel free to leave any comments you have.

~Josh

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