Rod & Rose

“Therefore confess your sins to each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective – My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.” ~ James 5:16, 19-20

There is power in prayer! It is not that prayer itself is powerful, but it’s the ACCESS we have to the ONE who has the power! When Christ sacrificed His life on Calvary’s cross, the veil of the Temple was torn from top to bottom, symbolizing that we now have direct access to God…in Jesus’ name. That is why Jesus said: “At that time you won’t need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and He will grant your request because you use My name. You haven’t done this before. Ask, using My name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.” ~ John 16:23-24 NLT

Did we get that? It is in Jesus’ name that we must present our prayers to our Heavenly Father! What a privilege and a gift HE has given us! He sacrificed His very life so that we can have ACCESS to our CREATOR! He overcame the world so that we might experience a joyfully abundant life!

But first, before we take our requests before Papa God we must put into practice the act of forgiveness. We must harbor no hatred in our hearts towards anyone. This is not an option; it is a command from the One who forgave our very own sins unconditionally. How can we do less! In Mark 11:25 we’re told, “But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in Heaven will forgive your sins too.” And in 1 John 1:9 we read, “But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” When we exercise genuine forgiveness, God is receptive to our prayers! We must let go of the past. We must forgive in order for His Spirit to flow freely within us, and to be in-step with our Savior Jesus Christ!

In John 15:23, Jesus gives the command: “Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.” What a privilege to be called the Master’s friend! Let’s not waste a minute of His time. Let it be a time to treasure.

Secondly, when we pray we must be mindful of our motives. God knows our heart’s intentions. In Proverbs 16:2 we read, “People may be pure in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their motives.” And in Proverbs 20:27 we read, “The Lord’s light penetrates the human spirit, exposing every hidden motive.” Again in Jeremiah 17:10: “But I the Lord, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards according to what their actions deserve.”

There are two verses in Scripture that speak volumes to me each time I read them. The first is in Psalm 139:23-24: “Search me O God and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” This is my heart’s desire…to have Papa God right smack in the middle of my business! I want Him to search me…to test me…and to purge any foul and unholy thing that is displeasing to Him. I want integrity to be the word God uses when He describes my character…as in 1 Chronicles 29:17, “I know, my God, that you examine our hearts and rejoice when you find integrity there. You know I have done all this with good motives, and I watched your people offer their gifts willingly and joyously.” I know I’m not perfect, but my heart’s desire is to be the woman that God originally designed me to be! I will falter and stumble from time to time, but I know that I have a patient and merciful Father. His grace is my sufficiency.

Lastly….remember that prayer is a SACRED action! It blows my mind to think of all the prayers that must be going up to Him at once. His omnipresence…His Holy presence everywhere all the time…is unfathomable!

So with all this being said, the next time you and I spend time with Papa God, let us value it like priceless treasure. Let’s not fill it with mindless, selfish chatter. Instead, let us come before Him with a humble, reverent spirit. Remember…He isn’t interested in our eloquence; He is interested in the sincerity of our heart.

“Papa God, and so it is that I ask not just for me, but also for my family and friends…please search our hearts and remove any foul thing that may be impeding our communion with you. Help us to forgive those who have sinned against us and help us to ask forgiveness of those that we may have offended. Above all else Papa, whatever the requests or the praises we are presenting…in all things we ask that your perfect will be done, in JESUS’ name I pray – Amen!”

Surrender your will for His….IN HIS STRONG LOVE ~ rose