#18 “The Discipline of Prayer”

(Pt. 2)

“If anyone boasts, “I love God,” and goes right on hating his brother or sister,

thinking nothing of it, he is a liar. If he won’t love the person he can see, how

can he love the God he can’t see? The command we have from Christ is blunt:

Loving God includes loving people. You’ve got to love both.”

I John 4:20-21

The Massage Bible (MSG)

Welcome back, yesterday we concluded or lesson with Psalms 16:11— “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” The question was, If we’ve enter into the presence of “Fullness of JOY” and pleasures forever more; how can we step out and be just a hateful as before we entered? What happened to the Fullness of Joy, and Pleasures forever? Why can’t they last until we leave the room? Did they drop off at the door? As a minister I have on occasion counseling with married couples over the past several years. It always amazes me when  the complaint of the husband is, “I just don’t understand how she can spend hours in morning prayer, yet she’s can still be mean and hateful towards me?” “How is that possible?” Well the truth of the matter is this, it’s possible for one to spend time in prayer and not be changed. How? When we enter a time of prayer and don’t allow God to have free course into our lives.

Once many years ago I took part in a Billy Graham Crusade in my home town. As was his custom, all who had volunteered to work had to attend a three day training session. During this session they told us a story about a lady whom the Lord came to visit. She was shock to find him at the door when she opened it; however, was glad to see him and invited him to stay for a while. She told the Lord that He was welcome and had the full run of the house. As she showed the Lord, around the house they came to a room at the top of the stairs, which was locked. The lady quickly rushed pass the door hoping, the Lord would not ask why the door was locked or what was inside. She continued on walking but soon realized the Lord was not with her. Looking back she saw him standing in front of the locked door. The Lord ask for the key to the lock door, ”there is something inside there I must deal with!”He said. The lady refused telling the Lord that He has access to every room in the house except that one. With that the Lord turned and walked back down the stairs headed for the door. The lady asked, “Lord where are you going?” “I’m leaving”, he replied.” “But why!” she replied. I’ve told you are welcome and you have the full run of the house!” All except this one door, can’t you just leave it alone? No said the Lord, if I’m going to live here I must have full access to every area of the house, or I can’t stay. The lady was afraid that if the Lord saw what was in that room He would not stay, but now he was leaving anyway. So she agreed to give Him the key.”

Often times we enter into the presence of the Lord, seeking His face; yet in our hearts there are areas we are not willing to allow Him to access. This access must be given freely, just as the woman had freely given the Lord the key to her locked room. Well isn’t He God, He doesn’t need a key? Yes, He is God, but He will not enter any area of our lives without our permission. He has given us a will and sometimes we will not, to allow him access to, the dark places in our hearts. Beloved, just remember that what you are not willing to release, the Lord cannot erase. This is why a person can leave off praying to God and still harbor bitterness, resentfulness, anger, unforgiveness and much more in their hearts. They just are not willing to let go of the hurts, pains and turmoil of their past. By locking these doors to the Lord they are not forced to confront the issues behind the locked doors. however God knows they are there and longs to heal them, let him do it, give Him the key and access to whats behind the door.

When we enter into genuine prayer, we come before the Lord, naked and uncovered concealing nothing. after all what’s the point of trying to hide, He sees it anyway? When the prophet Isaiah came into the presence of God he said, “Then said I, Woe is me! For I am undone and ruined, because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!”(Isaiah 6:5) When we freely come into the presence of God, our sins, should be exposed and we should realize we are coming up short before the Lord, just as Isaiah did.

My Prayer: Heavenly Father we thank you this morning for your Son Jesus Christ, who given us access into your presence. Father, search us and try our hearts, if there’s any wickedness remove it and cleans us completely. This morning Father we give You access to the secret things, the hidden thing in our lives. we give you full access to every chamber of our hearts. We unlock every door and ask You to come in and clean, renew, restore everything therein. Father let us be like Isaiah, when we come into your presence, let us see the ugly things, which keeps us from being transformed in your presence. Let us see the barriers, which prevent us from receiving the Fullness of Joy, which is there in your presence. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

This concludes Pt.2 and tomorrow we will start Pt3 of “The Discipline of Prayer” I trust you will be here, until then…

Have A Blessed Day…go in God’s Peace!

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