Prayer –The Delight of GodSpeaker: Dr. D.G.S. Dhinakaran Gist: We are transformed into the image of Christ when we spend time in prayer with Him. Beloved! We need to spend time in prayer than in other things of the world. The Lord transforms us through the Holy Spirit. The more abundantly the Holy Spirit fills us, the more radically He transforms our image. How imperative, then, it is to wait at His feet. A man without prayer is a spiritually dead man.
'Prayer' is an open minded frank talk with the Lord. The Psalmist explains this as, "Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us" (Psalm 62:8).
"I cry out to the Lord with my voice; with my voice to the Lord I make my supplication. I pour out my complaint before Him; I declare before Him my trouble" (Psalm 142:1,2).
Dear friend, prayer is the out-pouring of our heart's complaints in the presence of the Lord. Let us therefore, pour our unbelief in His presence. Let us plead to Him, "Lord, I am afraid that this disease will kill me. This problem is making me miserable. I am scared. Please help me." The Lord's Spirit will come down. The more we are filled with the Spirit, the more presence of Christ will fill us. Faith will increase in us and our unbelief will vanish away. He is the very fountain-head of faith. But, the Holy Spirit is the One who is instrumental in bringing the Lord into us.
"Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty" (2 Corinthians 3:17).
Several years ago, a servant of God, known as Praying Hyde was doing God's ministry in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. He would spend hours of time in prayer. Once, thousands of people had assembled eagerly to listen to his message to be given at a convention. He rose up to the dais to share the word of God. People got ready with their Bibles to listen to his exposition of Biblical verses, message and prayer. But he looked up to heaven and said just two words - "Abba, my Father!" That was all. The heavens opened. The Holy Spirit descended upon all the people, like a dove. The unrepentant, beating their chest rolled down on the ground with a loud out-cry and repented. The meeting lasted for hours together. The servant of God did not preach at all, except for the two words he spoke to God, which brought the shower of the Holy Spirit. The simple reason is to be found in his prayer-filled life. Jesus descended into him powerfully and moved the place.
Dear friend, what is the kind of prayer life you have? How much time do you spend, pouring out your heart in the presence of the Lord? The Presence of Jesus should fill us, as it filled Praying Hyde who brought down the Holy Spirit with just two words. Miracles will take place on their own. God will perform deeds 'exceedingly abundantly above all you ask or think' (Ephesians 3:20). Now, the only way to bow and humble yourselves in His presence and plead with Him in tears, "Lord Jesus, fill me with the Holy Spirit and Your presence, I do not need the old conventional faith. I need a vibrant faith multiplied by You. Help me to go forward in my spiritual life." In response, the Holy Spirit will come down. He will increase our faith and bless us.
Prayer:
Gracious Heavenly Father,
You are a prayer answering God and no one who looks up to You in prayer will ever be disappointed. Fill me with the Holy Spirit and strengthen my prayer life. Father, make me one with You in spirit. Fill me with Your presence. Let mercy, love and peace follow me. In Jesus name I pray.
Amen.
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