A Word for Our Arbor Family
When we started Chapter 3 of the book, Extreme Prayer, I was amazed by the way God answered the prayers of these men and women. After a while, all of their testimonies made me have some questions. One morning, I asked God, "Why have I presented prayers before You and I have not heard an answer or at least a 'no'? Am I praying correctly? Am I coming before You appropriately?" I hadn't even finished my prayer before I felt the Holy Spirit say, "You have no faith. You believe it can be done for others, but you don't believe I can do it for you."
The Lord reminded me of how I phrase those prayers. I often end with something like, "If You do it, Amen. And if You don't, it's ok" or "I'm ok if You don't do it. I think I'll be at peace with it." This made me realize that my lack of faith had been masked by contentment. Now I found myself with a bigger issue.
Hebrews 11:6 says, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." So my central prayer now needed to be one of repentance and for the Holy Spirit to help my unbelief because what I had thought was contentment for His will was actually doubt. Something in me needed to shift. I thank God for being such a loving Father who corrects us and brings to our attention the things in us that need to be refined.
Psalm 139:23-24 says, "Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the everlasting way." I want to encourage you to ask the Holy Spirit to analyze your heart. He will help you see areas you have not yet completely surrendered to Him. If you find yourself doubting Him in anything, don't hesitate to repent and ask Him to guide you. He is the Good Shepherd.
The Lord reminded me of how I phrase those prayers. I often end with something like, "If You do it, Amen. And if You don't, it's ok" or "I'm ok if You don't do it. I think I'll be at peace with it." This made me realize that my lack of faith had been masked by contentment. Now I found myself with a bigger issue.
Hebrews 11:6 says, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." So my central prayer now needed to be one of repentance and for the Holy Spirit to help my unbelief because what I had thought was contentment for His will was actually doubt. Something in me needed to shift. I thank God for being such a loving Father who corrects us and brings to our attention the things in us that need to be refined.
Psalm 139:23-24 says, "Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the everlasting way." I want to encourage you to ask the Holy Spirit to analyze your heart. He will help you see areas you have not yet completely surrendered to Him. If you find yourself doubting Him in anything, don't hesitate to repent and ask Him to guide you. He is the Good Shepherd.