Matthew 6:6, But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you”. 

We’ve gone into our room, and we’ve closed the door. Now that we are alone with God, should we go on our kneesor stand up and pace the floor as we pray? Kneeling is best to start with. It’s a good way to show that we truly revere the presence of God. Don’t attempt to stand and walk around the room, or ‘prayer walk’ until you have mastered the art of being still before God. Because you are praying doesn’t mean your mind will automatically fall in line and do the right thing. It has to be trained.

We’ve found some privacy, we’ve shut the door, we are now on our knees, and trying to quieten our hearts. All well and good, yet they do not add up to the presence of God. We cannot create an atmosphere for the presence of God. It is when God shows up that He brings His presence. I can’t sing Him down, or pray Him down, or shout Him down. He will only come near if He knows I seek only Him. That’s why Jesus taught His disciples to say: “Father in heaven.” You are not asking for forgiveness, you are not asking for favour; at this point you are just asking for Father. Don’t talk until you know the Father has heeded your call.

Jesus said, “I know My sheep. They hear My voice.” As we can hear His voice, He too can recognise our voice. Our prayer-life will change drastically once we appreciate what a difference the coming of Christ has made. Only Moses was permitted to physically come into God’s presence on the mountain of fire. Elijah only had a glimpse on Mount Hermon. The rest of the Old Testament saints had angelic representation. For us, it’s another level. We get to enter God’s presence and call Him Father, and He shows up.

At this point I’m not talking about getting God to answer prayers. Even sinners have their prayers answered. Otherwise we can never be saved, unless God can listen to our heart’s cry for mercy. He rules and reigns in the affairs of men. That still does not mean He shows up. He leaves all that to the ministry of angels. Our quest here is for God to show up first, because He recognises the voice of someone He delights in.

Praying for revival is totally different to all other types of prayer. Revival is not something God sends. Revival is something God brings. Moses understood the difference and that is why he said: 15“If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. 16 How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?”

17 And the Lord said to Moses, “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.” Exo 33:15-17

Moses did not expect God to answer his prayer because of his persistence or his faith. God said: “because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.” It all boils down to a personal relationship and interacting with God on His own terms. Not need based.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *