Prayer Starts with God (11.20.13)

The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with GOD’s will - Romans 8:26-27

For years I believed that my prayers started with me. 

That I had to think them up. That I had to get GOD’s attention. 

Not surprisingly, with this frame of mind, prayer was often a chore. 

And then I learned that I was wrong. 

Prayer doesn’t start with us. 

Prayer starts with GOD. 

That revelation changed my prayer life. GOD is the initiator. He moves us to pray. He gives us prayer ideas. He holds out the promises we claim in prayer. When we pray, we are GOD’s instruments.

GOD is at work in all our praying. 

He makes His will known to us, so that we will ask for the very things He longs to give us. 

Out of love, He expects us to pray for others; so that, in response to our intercession, he can pour out blessings on them. And it’s the Spirit, says Paul, who makes our prayer possible. 

We don’t know what to pray, but we don’t have to. 

The Spirit is there revealing GOD’s will to us in the Scriptures and bringing GOD’s prayer concerns to life within us. The Spirit is nudging us through circumstances and opening our eyes to the needs around us. Spirit searches our hearts and tries our ways, so that we can be brought to true repentance.  Revealing the glory and the goodness of GOD so that our prayers will be filled with praise and thanks.

– Taken from Be Jesus in Your Neighborhood: Developing a 'Prayer, Care, Share' Lifestyle in 30 Days by Alvin VanderGriend

- Prayer -

Lord GOD,
What an amazing and awesome privilege it is to know
that You have made a way for all of my prayers to originate in Your heart,
so that they are heard and answered. 

Thank You that I am able to have access to the throne room of heaven,
because of the gift of Jesus Christ.
Help me to be continually aware of the prayer
You place upon my heart,
so that I can be a faithful kingdom intercessor. 

Teach me to listen carefully to the voice of Your Spirit,
so that I am always ready to accept each prayer assignment
You are pleased to give me!

I worship You, King of kings,
for loving me so much that
You desire to partner with me
to accomplish Your purposes! 

In Jesus Name,

Amen