How Does Prayer Change Character?

by | Sep 20, 2017 | Uncategorized

The boldest statement possible exposes the fundamental truth surrounding prayer and character—without prayer there is no supernatural change in the character of the believer. Our sins are freely forgiven. God invites us to know Him intimately. God’s grace allows us the opportunity to experience the gifts of the Spirit. But, He does not give us character.

We do not become more righteous by doing righteous acts. Prayer creates the change in us that produces righteousness. Jesus commanded us to always be on our guard to cover our conduct (Luke 21:34). The most difficult thing about virtue is to live it out. Fervent, persistent, passionate prayer produces right thinking and right living. We have wasted the whole office of prayer if it does not produce godly conduct and character. The very nature of prayer requires us to stop praying or curtail our ungodly conduct. A life that is given to prayer can grow but one direction—in holiness and devotion to Jesus.

The Infallible Test of a Christian

by | Sep 18, 2017 | Uncategorized

There are many distinguishable traits of a Christian. They should be kind, compassionate, humble, forgiving, and more. But there is one infallible test of the child of God, prayer. The citizens of the Kingdom of God are prayerful. The citizens of this world are prayerless. Christians depend on God. The worldly depend on themselves. Yet, every Christian must cultivate and nourish a spirit of prayer, that prayer life that lingers throughout the day. Prayer must be a habit, but it needs be so much more. Prayer must be a duty, but it needs escalate so much farther than the normal inferences of that word.

Prayer is an expression of intimacy with God. It is God’s invitation to see deeply into the mystery of who He is. There is no pathway for a man who does not pray to travel down and yet call himself a Christian. There is no other way the soul (mind, emotions, and will) of a man can enter into fellowship with God. The Prayer life is the infallible test of being a follower of Christ.

Have you been baptized with the Holy Spirit and Fire?

by | Sep 15, 2017 | Uncategorized

We can be accused of a lot of things, but we should never be accused of lacking passion for prayer. Prayer without passion is heartless. It is the fervent prayer of a righteousness man that avails much (James 5:16).

The Holy Spirit comes as fire to dwell in us. When we are baptized we are baptized with the Holy Spirit and fire (Luke 3:16). Our charge is not to drum up fire, but we can cry out to the Holy Spirit to burn away the chaff in our lives that prohibits us from cultivating a passionate, fervent prayer life. When a man is passionately bent on intimacy with Jesus through prayer and purity, he or she will attain all the powerful graces that adorn the child of God.

A Final A Final Word on Prayerless Praying and Prayerful Praying

by | Sep 7, 2017 | Uncategorized

Prayerless praying misses the heart of praying; it has no passion, faith, or investment; it carries no burden. It has no grip onto God that “will not let go”. Prayerless praying is empty; it has not life or soul, no crying or weeping. Prayerless praying is a sham and gorged in insincerity. It is a dehydrated, lackluster routine that is a demanding duty. Praying out of habit is a respectable habit; however, prayer done only by the power of habit becomes a regretful habit. This is prayerless praying.

Prayerful praying gets results with God and is full of passion and faith. It entices the warrior to battle “full-in”, holding nothing back. It takes hold of God and will not release. Prayerful praying is a mighty force on the earth; it advances God’s Kingdom. By prayerful praying faith is strengthened and the possibilities with God are apprehended; by it anything God wills is activated.

Prayerless Praying…Man’s way, Praying Prayers That Are Heard…God’s Way

by | Sep 6, 2017 | Uncategorized

Prayerless Praying…Man’s way Praying Prayers That Are Heard…God’s Way

You need to hear these words, as provoking as they may be. Too many people pray only because of a great emergency, some temporary excitement, or a momentous, looming decision. None of the conditions of prayer have been met. We burst into prayer pleading with God to meet our emergency, inflame Him with our momentary excitement, or attempt move Him by our earthshaking decision at hand. What are the conditions of prayer: clean hands, abiding in Christ, and an overriding consideration for His will. Without these conditions—prayerless prayers.

We pray prayerless prayers when we have not submitted to the school of prayer and there is no symphony with our life and that of Jesus. Prayer that has only form and motion and no true substance, no true spirit of prayer, never moves God.