I have no altar but the one within the veil. Other minds have other ways. Most people have some devotional classic, but I do not take even my hymn book. (Google image, Man reading Bible)
I will write more fully on the devotional use of the Bible, and at present I will content myself with saying that I feed upon it by searching its truth, appropriating its affirmations, and turning its psalms and prayers into personal thanksgiving and supplication.
Questions of criticism, textual or otherwise, do not enter into my mind in the secret place, any more than questions of chemical analysis trouble me when I eat my dinner. The Word is more to me than my necessary food. It thrills and moves me with tremendous power.
The Word of God instructs us how to pray. The posture of the body must be determined by conditions of health and comfort. Normally, to kneel is reverent and helpful.
One of my friends tells me that he sits, and close by him he places a vacant chair. The habit should be to knee, but conditions of health and soul will dictate their own posture. It is fitting that we should "kneel before the Lord our Maker."
Prayer is more than asking, but even our asking should be instructed under the direction of the Holy Spirit. I find it good to rehearse and review my daily life in the Holy Presence. It is there I make my plans. God keeps the pattern of earthly things in the Holy Mount.
Thomas Champness talked with God about his work and his evangelists every morning from five to six. God guides with His eye, and eyes speak best in the place of secret communion. It is there we are assured of His will and are made to understand His way.
It is the place of Intercession. That is the place where we can talk freely with God about other people. The family, the church, the business, the friendships, the nation, the world, are all subjects of earnest and believing private prayer.
Class leaders should go over the class book name by name; the Sunday School superintendent over the teachers' roll, and the teacher over the class register in the same way, name by name.
Keep a prayer list of subjects for intercession, and always have a list of people for whom you pray. It is not necessary to tell anyone else the things you tell to God. The Father is in secret, He sees in secret. He hears in secret; leave it to Him to make it known.
The God in secret is our Father. Prayer is filial; we pray as sons and daughters in the Father's house. He knows our need better than we can tell Him, and He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all we can ask or think; therefore ask in confidence, nothing doubting.
It is in the secret place we learn that silence is the best speech and listening is the best part of praying. Those who speak are heard, and those who listen hear. Of Jesus it is said: "And in the morning, a great while before day, He rose up and went out, and departed into a desert place, and there prayed."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Let's pray-
Father, when someone uses a devotional to receive guidance in their daily devotions, they are attempting to draw from what others have found in the Bible as helpful reading information, as well as a challenge for their daily lives.
Others, like the author of our present book, prefer to use only the Bible for their morning devotions in their secret place. It is their prayer book.
We agree that searching the Bible for truths, turning its psalms and prayers into personal thanksgiving and supplication, is a great way to draw from Your Word directly.
But some folks aren't willing to spend the time searching for instruction under the direction of the Holy Spirit.
When using our Bibles, along with a devotional, we can notice adjacent highlighted or underlined verses that have spoken to us in the past, which speak to us again.
Kneeling before the Lord while praying may be preferred by many, but because of health issues, sitting can become just as effective. Of course, walking works for others.
May we find it good to rehearse and review our daily plans in Your Presence, as it's where we hope to receive Your approval and advice.
When we meet in secret with You, we know you hear us, and You'll help us develop our prayer lists for family, friends, church, and other concerns. We will leave it with You to answer and make known what is Your will for them.
Help us be faithful pray-ers, holding up those on our lists, and fully expecting You to move in and on their situations.
May we see how praying for others is for our good too, as answers will have an effect on our faith and trust in You.
We pray in the name of Jesus, for His glory and Yours. Amen.
Others, like the author of our present book, prefer to use only the Bible for their morning devotions in their secret place. It is their prayer book.
We agree that searching the Bible for truths, turning its psalms and prayers into personal thanksgiving and supplication, is a great way to draw from Your Word directly.
But some folks aren't willing to spend the time searching for instruction under the direction of the Holy Spirit.
When using our Bibles, along with a devotional, we can notice adjacent highlighted or underlined verses that have spoken to us in the past, which speak to us again.
Kneeling before the Lord while praying may be preferred by many, but because of health issues, sitting can become just as effective. Of course, walking works for others.
May we find it good to rehearse and review our daily plans in Your Presence, as it's where we hope to receive Your approval and advice.
When we meet in secret with You, we know you hear us, and You'll help us develop our prayer lists for family, friends, church, and other concerns. We will leave it with You to answer and make known what is Your will for them.
Help us be faithful pray-ers, holding up those on our lists, and fully expecting You to move in and on their situations.
May we see how praying for others is for our good too, as answers will have an effect on our faith and trust in You.
We pray in the name of Jesus, for His glory and Yours. Amen.
Today's Bible verses-
John 3:16 (NKJV) "For God so loved the
world that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whosoever believes in Him should not
perish but have everlasting life."
Is. 40:31 (NKJV) "But those who wait on the
LORD shall renew their strength; they shall
mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run
and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint."
will hold your right hand, saying to you,
'Fear not, I will help you.' "
Today's quote-
~ Jennifer Eivaz- "My experience in praying for more spiritual authority is that it is not usually given in an instant but is given over time as we seek Him. You see, prayer is a form of humility When we humble ourselves, God will lift us up (see James 4:10 ). Our humility opens divine pathways for elevation, and spiritual authority comes in the form of opportunities. Stewarding those opportunities then results in a further increase of opportunities." (p. 55 of THE INTERCESSORS HANDBOOK)Today's popular post-
The Power of the Word of God- Part 3
If you wish a clean outward life, you must wash often by bringing your life in contact with the Word of God." (Good post to read too)
Upcoming posts-
Why Is Forgiveness Important?
23rd- Saturday's post by Jean Oathout#15 The Word of God and Prayer
26th- Tuesday's post by Samuel Chadwick
#16 The Devotional Use of the Bible
28th- Thursday's post by Samuel Chadwick
Have You Ever Been Alone With God?
3/2- Saturday's post by Oswald Chambers
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| Beautiful deer in mid air |
Helpful ways the Lord helped me in my marriage
Deer in flight a rare sight !
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