Dr.Wesley L. Duewel: Basic to our desire in petition and intercession is the recognition of need.
Nothing is more essential. Says Andrew Murry,
"Desire is the soul of prayer, and the cause of
insufficient or unsuccessful prayer is very much
to be found in the lack or feebleness of desire."
(Ministry of Intercession, p. 104)
As long as it makes little difference to us whether our prayer is answered or not, we will not prevail.
Desire makes prayer specific. It focuses prayer and asserts priority. Desire makes prayer both vital and personal. Paul says of his deep prayer for unbelieving Israel,
"Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for
the Israelites is that they may be saved" (Rom. 10:1).
Again, to the Philippians he wrote,
"This is my prayer: that your love may abound
more and more" (Phil 1:9).
Paul focused his intercession in this way every time he thought of them.
Your intercession grows in prevailing power as you can begin to say with Paul that what you pray for is truly "my prayer"—the cry, the constant call of my heart to God.
In the words of David,
"One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek"
(Ps. 27:4).
Desire makes your prayer very personal. It makes it your very heart-cry. Furthermore, it not only motivates your prayer, it helps you envision the answer and thus increases your faith.
The half-hearted Christian is of little value to God or man. People consider him a hypocrite, and God is unable to use him greatly.
God has no use for insincerity or lukewarmness in prayer or other spiritual things (Rev. 3:15-16). Lack of heart and lack of heat are repulsive to Him.
Christ wants fire-baptized followers (Matt. 3:11), a church that is aglow with the presence and power of the Spirit. Our God is a God of fire, and He wants us to share not only his presence and purity but His burning desire and zeal.
The Spirit puts fire into our praying.
According to Bounds,
"This holy and fervid flame in the soul awakens the
attention of heaven, attracts the attention of God,
and places at the disposal of those who exercise it,
the exhaustless riches of Divine grace." (p. 47 of
Necessity of Prayer).
Desire refines and purifies your praying of many easily mouthed, commonplace cliches. It strains out the generalities and the pious repetition of little-meant phrases.
It distills away the learned prayer words that really express almost nothing go your inner soul and are but so many words before God.
Desire boils way your almost hypocritical words that lull your own soul and the minds of the hearers to sleep and that rise little higher that your head. They are too meaningless to reach the throne of God.
(Google image and my emphasis added)
Used by permission of the author and Duewel Literature Trust, Inc., Greenwood, Indiana
by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel (pp. 69-70) Zondervan
Let's pray-
Father, "Bless and sanctify my soul with heavenly
blessing that it may become a holy dwelling for
your eternal glory. And let nothing be found in
my life which would offend your holiness."
(Taken from p. 71 of THE IMITATION OF CHRIST,
by Thomas A. Kempis, compiled and edited by
James N. Watkins
(I'm reading this devotional book, and I highly
blessing that it may become a holy dwelling for
your eternal glory. And let nothing be found in
my life which would offend your holiness."
(Taken from p. 71 of THE IMITATION OF CHRIST,
by Thomas A. Kempis, compiled and edited by
James N. Watkins
(I'm reading this devotional book, and I highly
recommend it, as it is refreshing)
Today’s Bible verse-
(Phil. 4:11-13 NLT) "I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength."
Today’s quote-
"For Calvin, supplication is opening up the treasures that God has stored for us in heaven. These include not only personal blessings but blessings for others was well. Indeed, no treasure is greater than souls for the kingdom of God. Calvin firmly believed that through the intercessions of the faithful the kingdom of God could be advanced in the world and the powers of darkness overthrown." (Taken from p. 87 of THE STRUGGLE OF PRAYER by Donald G. Bloesch).
Our thought today-
The Holy Spirit moving on and in us brings a fresh revelation of Christ. Every revelation will be tested. Don't allow fear or doubt steal what God's shown you.
Our question today-
Has your life completely changed since you invited Jesus into your heart and life? It will...if you were sincere; and for the better!
Upcoming posts-
Just So
5/7- Saturday's post by Debbie McEwen
The Power of the Word of God: Part 4 (Last one)
8th- Sunday evening's post by R. A. Torrey
#41 How to Deepen Your Desire
10th- Tuesday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
#42 The Dynamics of Fervency
12th- Thursday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
#53 What Faithful, Committed Intercession Brings
C. Peter Wagner shares with us about the seriousness of faithful,
committed intercessions, and what they bring.
"Charles G. Finney, one of the most effective evangelists of the last century, met Daniel Nash early in his ministry..."
C. Peter Wagner shares with us about the seriousness of faithful,
committed intercessions, and what they bring.
"Charles G. Finney, one of the most effective evangelists of the last century, met Daniel Nash early in his ministry..."
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