PRAYER

For so many years, I would say that prayer was not my strong suit, that I wasn't any good at it. I would read James 5:16 which says, "The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." Immediately, the enemy would say, "WELL, that leaves you out!" I knew how much I had messed up and was as far from righteous as one could be. Then, I would tell myself, "God's going to do what He wants to anyway, so what's the point?" I was actually MISSING the entire point of that verse! I believed that God moving on my behalf, or others I prayed for, was completely dependent upon me!

That was a lie that the enemy had convinced me to believe. Of course, he wanted me to throw up my hands in defeat and think that it's only strong Christians who are the ones God would listen to. I think of all the time I wasted being ineffective in God's kingdom and how I just rolled over and took the lazy way out. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit pointed out something that is the key to James 5:16.

In God's eyes, I am that righteous person! When He sees me, He is looking at the righteousness of Christ that I'm covered in. I'm not standing in my own efforts because they will never measure up, instead, I'm standing in the One who has made me righteous by his death and resurrection. While I was immediately liberated from my carnal thinking, I was also angry with the devil and disappointed in myself that I could be so easily convinced of a lie. I suppose it's why I feel passionate about prayer now!

A few years ago, I read the book, "FERVENT" by Priscilla Shirer and it completely transformed how I look at prayer. Now, I pray Scripture when I go before the Lord. Not only do I worship Him with what Scripture tells us about who He is but I also pray His promises that He has declared over me. I am slowly learning the names of God and I use those titles as I pray. Jehovah Nissi is a favorite, "God is my banner", He fights our battles on our behalf.

I came up with the idea of a prayer wall after seeing the movie, "War Room", a couple of years ago. The door to my craft room over the garage is metal so I purchased magnetic clips and picture frames to attach to it. I have photographs and index notes to remind me to be proactive in my prayer life. My craft room is is my prayer closet; it's where I listen to my praise and worship music, do my Bible Study and intercede for myself and others. I have met with the Lord there more times than I can count, for me it is holy ground.

The Living God meets with me and we fellowship, my life is blessed beyond what I can comprehend!

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18