Desire For Divine Intimacy...
...Is A Call To Prayer.
The deep desire to know God intimately......is a call to divine relationship through prayer. The definition for "desire"...as it is used in this article... ...is: 1) To wish, or long for. 2) The object of longing. In this case...God is your "object" of longing. As you recall, when reading about the "hush"...I mentioned four stages of prayer that can be experienced as you continue your quest to know God... ...on an intimate level. To refresh your mind...here they are one more time. *************************************** These are the four stages of prayer: (Credit to Mark E. Thibodeaux for the following...) * You begin by talking at God, then... * You find yourself talking to God... * Soon, you will experience the wonder of listening to God...and last, but certainly not least is... * The experience of being with God...and, no, it's not death! :-) *************************************** AN EXPLANATION OF THE FOUR STAGES OF PRAYER If you have read through the majority of the pages connected to this Web site... ...it would be my assumption that you are either curious and intrigued by the information you're obtaining, or... ...you are a seeker of truth... ...and "Desire" has birthed a yearning for intimacy with our Great and Glorious God. However... ...it is possible that you are a "wanderer"... ...that has stumbled upon a place of unanticipated refreshment... ...and have chosen to take a closer look. No matter who you are...you are not here by accident... ...and I encourage you to stay for a moment and rest your weary bones. Can I ask you a question? When was the last time you thought about God? Where did that thought take you? Maybe you've decided you don't believe in God... ...or, maybe you might believe in Him... ...but you're angry at Him for something. Perhaps you were so angry...you cursed at Him... ...He will forgive you for that, you know. He loves you. Or...instead... ...maybe you were thankful for something that you thought would never happen in a million years... ...and in the depths of your heart and mind...you expressed gratitude to God... ...just in case He is really out there and He had something to do with satisfying the longing of your heart. It may even be that you have had thoughts about God for a while , now, and... ...you are ready for a real relationship with the One who is calling you to Himself. Understand this...my friend: God created you to be in relationship with Him...and until that happens... ...you will never be satisfied with anything less. If you really want to know Him... ...He will allow Himself to be known by you. He has placed that desire within you. ******************** Stage One ******************** If you have read "The Hush"... ...you should recall that I had encouraged you to introduce yourself to the One Who created you. He knows who you are...but you must "open the door" to communication... ...He will not force His way into your life. This is the first step in communication with God...a baby step. It is a step of faith... ...because you must believe that He exists... ...before you will even think of speaking to Him. He exists...my friend...and... ...you can trust Him. You can trust Him with your heart...like no other. He cares for you...deeply. Trust Him. The way you begin to show that trust...is when you begin to speak at God... ...which lays the groundwork for the more intimate communication to come. This first stage is basically a one-sided conversation. You could say something like: "God...if you're out there, I really need some help here!" You may not really be expecting a response... ...you're just hoping He might hear you and glance your direction. This is your most basic level of prayer...it is baby food that only begins to feed the hunger of your desire for Him. However... ...it is possible to remain at this level of prayer all your life. If you do...you will end up missing out on all the wonderful things that await you... ...if you would just push forward and continue to grow. Remaining at this "baby" stage is possible... ...because you can get caught up in just "enhancing" your method of talking at God. One way this is done, is by reciting certain memorized prayers in hopes that they may be answered in part...or in full... ...but not really expecting a response. These prayers can become mindless repetition with no life in them. This kind of prayer is not a relationship - builder. It becomes "noise" in the ears of your Father in heaven... ...Who wants you to really know Him. So, do not remain at this level. Desire more. The dynamic relationship with God... ...which is what you truly desire... ...is not possible at this stage...but it's the first step. Remember...let Him know who you are...and that you're wanting more of Him. If you remain consistent...and carve out a daily prayer time... ...He will begin to change you from the inside...out. He will begin to "draw you near" to Himself. Your desire to know Him more will grow. And don't forget... ...you should be praying in the Name of God.
Go to "The Name"
******************** Stage Two ******************** At this stage...you begin talking to God. This stage becomes a subtle... ...but vital... ...progression in your prayer life...as you unwittingly find yourself talking to God as a person. You come to realize that He has a very "good ear." You can talk to Him anytime...and about anything. He is always there with a sympathetic ear. You may even find yourself asking Him for everything under the sun...and that's OK. You're communicating... ...and that's important. However.. ...make sure you remain grateful for all that you already have. Actually...it's a good idea to sit down sometime and write down everything you're thankful for. Once you get started it's quite amazing how many things you can find to be grateful for. Get specific. It will "open your eyes." Once you've completed this exercise...keep your list handy. Because...it can be at this stage that you may catch yourself complaining to Him about all kinds of things, as well. It's OK... ...it's all part of the process. Just don't forget to be thankful. Think of it this way: If you have children...consider your relationship with them. How do you feel when your child is grateful for all you do for him...or her? It makes you want to give them more...doesn't it? How do you feel when they don't appreciate anything...and they don't see what you do for them as valuable? Sometimes, it can seem as if what you do is never enough... ...they are concerned only for more of their own wants and desires. This type of behavior can leave you feeling unappreciated and decreases your desire to give them more. Try and keep this in mind...when you come to God in prayer. He is your Heavenly Father. Be grateful... ...it will go a long ways. ******************** Talking to God can be a...simple...easy...progression in your prayer life. This stage can take on a whole new life, though, when you begin to move from your own concerns... ...to the concerns of others. Selfishness can be a difficult thing to overcome...I know... ...but life can begin to take on a whole new meaning when you learn to pray for others. Learn to bring the needs of others to God...in prayer...and watch the change that takes place in your own life. Talking to God will become a much more powerful experience... ...when you begin to "lift" others to Him during your prayer time. Be consistent in this...friend. Make your time spent with God...a habit. It is important to meet with Him daily... ...as far as it is possible.
Solitude and Silence become key factors at this stage...
...and in the two stages that follow. The two stages that follow can be stages where significant change takes place in your life. Something special happens when you block out the rest of the "world"...and its noise... ...and focus on your Father in heaven. This is where intimacy is experienced. ******************** Stage Three ******************** It can be said, here...that many of the people who pray... ...never get past the first two stages of prayer. The demands of living...time constraints...and lack of zeal have a lot to do with this. It all comes down to priorities. You see... ...it is possible to bury that desire you have for a relationship with God... ...under a mountain of other, seemingly, more important things. But...that only masks over the desire you have for Him... ...and the emptiness remains at the deepest part of your soul. So... ...where is your relationship with God on your priority list? He should be first. Think about that as we continue forward. This third stage is where prayer can really get interesting. This is where you begin to listen to God. OK. You have some prerequisites here. That means you need to make sure that you have read some other pages on this Web site...before you continue on. If you have not read the following pages...please stop now...and do so. Otherwise, venture on at your own "peril." :) *******************************************************
Solitude and Silence
************************************************
The Name
***********************************************
The Son
***********************************************
The Breath
***********************************************
The Surrender
****************************************************** Stage Three is where you begin to listen...instead of speak. You learn to hear God speak. This can actually happen at any time...during any stage of prayer. God is not constrained to these "cut and dry" stages of prayer. These are only guide posts designed to help you "find" your way... ...and hopefully give you some idea of what to expect. By setting some kind of expectation... ...I'm hoping to whet your appetite for greater things. I want you to thirst for more. Never settle for less than the very best when God makes it available. You see... ...God can "speak" in many different ways. He can speak through: * nature * circumstances (adversity) * people * television, movies... * books * music ...and anything else you can imagine. He speaks continuously... ...it's just that you need to "turn aside"...and listen. Prayer can give you "ears to hear"...my friend. Do you desire to hear God speak to you? When He speaks...however He chooses to speak at the time... ...His "words" are always full of wisdom and understanding. His words are full of life...and truth. Once you turn aside and truly desire to hear what He has to say... ...He will reveal His truth to you in ways you cannot imagine. Above and beyond the ways I just listed above... ...God also speaks through His Word...the Holy Bible... ...through His Son -- Jesus... ...and with a...still...small...voice... ...as I mentioned in "Solitude and Silence." God is your Heavenly Father...and He has paid the ultimate price for you to become His child. He has spoken His love to the world through His own death...in the person of Jesus. He has placed within you a desire that cannot be satisfied... ...except by Him. Once you come to the Father through the Son... ...wanting to be all He has created you to be... ...He makes His home within you by giving you His Holy Spirit. It is by His Spirit within you that you will be able to hear God speak to you. The Holy Scriptures will come alive to you and provide guidance for all of life. Truth will become apparent to you in ways you never imagined possible... ...and... ...you will be given the privilege of conversation with Him. Conversation is the beginning of relationship. And...as you know... ...conversation is a two-way street. You can talk with God...and He will talk with you. This is true...my friend. He loves to spend time with those who are willing to spend time with Him. He is full of wonder and delight. When...once...you have experienced this kind of relationship... ...everything else pales in comparison. Has He called you to a deeper life with Him? The desire within your heart is your answer. Don't let distraction entice you to living less of a life than what He is calling you to. Learn to hear His voice...and then listen to Him. Hearing and listening are two different things...did you realize that? A child could hear his father tell him not to run out into the street... ...but, the child could refuse to listen to the father's instruction, and do so anyway. Listening involves obedience. Do not grow accustomed to "hearing" and not "listening" to the voice of God. His words are true...His words are life. They keep you from error and foolishness...for He speaks only wisdom with perfect understanding. ********************************** So...to quickly recap: This can be stage three...if you earnestly desire it...my friend: Learn to come to God in silence and solitude... ...in the name of Jesus... ...full of His Holy Spirit... ...with His Holy Scriptures open in front of you... ...and LISTEN. "Press" the desire you have to know Him... ...past the darkness of your solitude... ...into the light of His Presence... ...and you will never be the same. Hear...Listen...Obey...Seek...Knock...Ask... ...these all require action on your part. Actively pursue God with all that you are. You won't be disappointed. ******************** Stage Four ******************** The fourth stage of prayer is being with God. The desire to know God...is a desire to be with Him... ...and... ...that desire comes from Him. It is a "call" of God. My friend... ...God calls us all to be in relationship with Him. He places that yearning within everyone of us... ...but some try to satisfy that "hunger" with other things... ...and never open the door to the One Who is knocking. There are some, however... ...perhaps like YOU... ...who decide to open the door of their heart to the One Who created them. You willingly surrender your life to Him...on His terms... ...and begin to seek for the relationship He longs to have with you. You may begin to experience the different stages of prayer... ...and find that you have a thirst...and a hunger...for more. God can move in wondrous ways at this stage...my friend. There may come a time in your prayer life when you begin to experience the wonder of His glory. Those become times that make you hungry for more. Your desire for Him grows stronger. Let me make this clear... ...every child of God has His Spirit within them. If you have surrendered your life to Jesus... ...you have His Spirit living inside you. The Holy Scriptures state that Jesus is the Mediator between you and God. Your prayers can be heard by God...because of what Jesus accomplished through His death and resurrection... ...and the presence of the Holy Spirit who lives within you. When you pray... ...your spirit is joined with the Holy Spirit who is in you. He is the Spirit of Jesus...Who is your mediator before God. It is possible, during times of deep prayer, to experience the Presence of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit... ...as One... ...joined with your spirit. These words will probably mean nothing to you until it is experienced. Remember...Stage Four is "being with" God. Some call it "Union with God." This is not something that you can make happen. It is a gift that God brings to those He chooses to give it to. You can, however... ...create an environment that is conducive to this kind of relationship. You must be prepared and open to whatever God wants to do during your time spent with Him. However...do not be misled. Having this kind of experience does not mean you are loved any more...or less...than the rest of His children. It means only that you have been allowed to glimpse a little more of the glory of God... ...than you really deserve. Great is our God...and His mercy is everlasting! He leaves you with a desire for more...my friend. It makes you long for heaven...to be with Him forever. He is SO good. ******************** It is important that you know something, here. You can go your entire life and never experience this stage of prayer...and that's OK. This kind of prayer is called contemplative prayer...and you come to it...as God calls you to it. There are many who never hear this particular call to prayer... ...so don't be concerned if that is you. Those who find they have the desire to engage in this kind of prayer are not any better than the rest of God's children. They are only different. You and I each have our own particular gifts given to us from the Father...through the Son...by the Holy Spirit. Make sure you find yours and watch God bless you...as you bless others through your gift...or gifts. ******************** As I close this article... ...my prayer for you...dear friend... ...is that you would be challenged by what you have read... ...and that you would hunger and thirst for more. Do Not Settle For Less. Happy are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness... ...for they will be filled. (Matthew 5:6) * Emphasis mine. Blessings...my friend! -- Pilgrim
Leave "The Desire" and go to Home Page
Subscribe To The Overcomer Ezine Here
|
