Glimpses of glory

My goal each year is to grow stronger in the Lord and stronger in my prayer life. The first of each new year will find me very diligently studying and seeking ways to improve in this area.

I am drawn like a bear to honey to any book, sermon, study or article that has to do with prayer. But no matter how much I try, it seems I never attain to the depth I am yearning for.

By the middle of the year, I am discouraged, wondering what happened. Too often distractions, interruptions, (the dog,) the demands of the day (or even loved ones) will rob me of that special time set aside for Him. The mornings slip away, my time with the Lord seems not to bring me to a place of being fully satisfied.  Please understand, I am not looking for some great, emotional high, just a deeper awareness that I have really connected with God. My prayer life: I feel I am very immature in it. I need help. I need somebody to teach me how to pray more fervently, more effectively, more faithfully.

In connection with that discouragement, I have also continued to ask myself, "what kind of fruit am I producing?" Should I not be producing better fruit in these mature years? What is the matter with me? 

From time to time, I will receive strong affirmation from the Spirit or the Word that I am on the right track, or some instruction leading me. One morning I awakened and could sense Holy Spirit reminding me of the time the disciples were unable to cast out a demon. The fact was that these men were Jesus' disciples, they were believers, they prayed, but nothing was happening. When they asked Jesus why they weren't able to cast out the demon, He told them it was their lack of faith. I believed Holy Spirit was saying to me that I am praying, but do I have faith? Yes, I must have some degree of faith or I wouldn't be praying to a God I cannot see. But do I have real faith? Faith that moves mountains? Sometimes people pray, but they pray without faith. 

This morning was one of those mornings where time slipped away ... and so was yesterday. Having gotten up extra early to ready the upstairs bathrooms for repairmen who were to come work on the floors, I was disappointed again by the loss of that precious time with the Lord, only to hear from the workers that work would not be done again today. I wasn't as angry as I was simply irritated at time wasted and knowing another day would have to be set aside for the repairs.

So as I got into my car to run an errand, I turned the radio on and the voice of David Jeremiah came on speaking about prayer ... "Praying always with all prayer." YES! Just what I needed to hear. What he had to say greatly encouraged me. He spoke truth that I knew. His encouraging words resonated with me because prayer life is not just saying a prayer in the special time we set aside for prayer. It is my whole life. It is a continual conversation with God. It is an open conversation. A believer's phone to Heaven should always be left off the hook. A believer ALWAYS has access to the Father because of Jesus. I speak to Him constantly. He speaks to me. Our conversing is ongoing. So thankful the Lord directed me to be in the car at just that perfect time.

Later in the day on Facebook, one of my "like" pages, Gotquestions.org question today was "What is the key to Bearing Fruit?" whoa! How timely was that article.

Lord, I thank You for revealing Yourself to me, time after time. You hear my prayer asking You to teach me. You are teaching me. I pray for good ears to listen and hear. I believe. You help my unbelief. All things are possible. Only believe.

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go.

I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.

(Psalm 32:8)

You have positively got to stay in love with and trust the Father who will be there at just the right time to keep you encouraged.

The statement that our phone to Heaven should be left off the hook reminded me of a song in one of my Mother's old songbooks. I can even hear her singing it now. 

The Royal Telephone

Central’s never “busy,” always on the line;

You may hear from heaven almost any time;

’Tis a royal service, free for one and all;

When you get in trouble, give this royal line a call.

Refrain:

Telephone to glory, oh, what joy divine!

I can feel the current moving on the line,

Built by God the Father for His loved and own,

We may talk to Jesus through this royal telephone.

-Frederick Lehman

And today?**

Jesus Calling by Sarah Young

**This post was written on July 1.