Prayer

Jan. 7

Dear Church,

When we pray, we experience several supernatural things. As we put away daily hustles and approach God in the quiet of our souls, we sense the Lord standing before us and ready to commune with us. What concrete experiences have you experienced in your meeting with the Lord? Let me share some from my journey.

First, the Lord allows me to see the bottom of my heart. The Lord reveals things I have yet to see in me: my imperfections, disobedience, pride, and stubbornness. He also lets me see impurity in me and how I need to change. The prayer becomes one of repentance with a resolve for change. The Lord shows me what I need to do concretely in keeping with my repentant heart. Not an easy matter!

Then, the Lord shows me what and whom to pray for. Sometimes, the intercessory prayer list becomes entirely different because the Spirit leads the prayer session. I end up praying for something or someone else. I am pleasantly surprised but certainly not confused. The Lord is in charge.

The Lord speaks to me through the scriptures. They often are the sources of comfort and challenge to keep trusting the Lord. Sometimes, I sense the Lord speaking on a specific prayer request. My heart gets warm as I listen to the small voice of the Lord. Some other times, I wait upon him without hearing anything. My heart remains heavy, and I know that the Lord wants me just to wait.

Each time I experience God’s presence, I am grateful. However, I must be the first to tell you that we need the Spirit of discernment whenever we try to listen to God. Without a long-term relationship with God, our heart can easily deceive us, as if God is speaking to us when it is only our heart’s desire. So, we must be careful.

Entering a deep prayer allows us to experience a spiritual world. What a joy it is and how thankful it is to walk with the Lord this way! That is why prayer is a privilege given to all God’s children. I pray that you will experience deep prayers.

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,

for I have put my trust in you.

Show me the way I should go,

for to you I entrust my life. (Ps. 143:8)

May the LORD bless you and keep you strong.

Pastor Minho Song