Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Day 28: Deeply Devoted


This morning Gabriela woke up sick again.  She was feeling weak and since she had gone to bed with a fever, we decided to let her sleep.  Instead of going out for our daily time with the Lord, we met in her room by her bedside. 

We started our morning prayer looking out the window and we were reminded of Daniel and his devotion to prayer.  

Daniel was so devoted to God that he prayed to the Lord even after he learned of the King's edict and he continued steadfast in his devotion to the Lord.






He knew it could cost Him his life but his relationship with God was worth it.

 Daniel 6:10
Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he
had done before.

I think Daniel understood intentional daily prayer at a deeper level. He understood that the superficial things of this world didn't compare to His eternal purpose and the richness that comes from spending time with God.

 

Our daily lives can become so busy that we send up a casual prayer and continue on, inundated by life's busyness, while keeping God on the sidelines.

Receiving our spiritual daily bread from God should happen throughout the day, everyday. God wants to listen to us, but he also wants to be heard and listened to.  The more devoted to prayer we are, the closer we will be with our heavenly Father.






God's will is that we would be in constant communication throughout the day because prayer keeps us going and growing.
Relationship equals time spent.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

I'm always impressed with the level of devotion that some other religions have when it comes to prayer.  Several times a day they will stop what they're doing and pray.  I know that their understanding isn't right, but their devotion is where ours should be.
What about us? We, who serve the true, living God?  What does our devotion to prayer look like?

The first day we began the Manna Principles, within five minutes of starting, my son Carlos, came to us to inform us he was finished. He had read his scripture, prayed, journaled, and now he was done.

We had to remind Him that our time with the Lord is multi-faceted. We come before the throne to seek Him out in...
A -Adoration... because he deserves our praise
C- Confession... because we need His forgiveness
T- Thankfulness ...because of grace, mercy, and abundant blessings
S- Supplication... because he rescues and saves

Colossians 4:2
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
Whenever I'm slacking on prayer, my life reflects it.  I'm less patient, more anxious and my perspective shifts from heavenly to earthly. 

Like Daniel, I long to have unwavering faith and daily devotion to prayer no matter what the circumstance. I long to stand before any lions den I face, knowing that my devotion has build the faith it takes to thank God for His will in all circumstances.  

How about you, are you daily devoting time to God in prayer?








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