Prayer with an Attitude...Continued from page 1
Michael M. Smith
Where Do You See God?
To grow in communion with God requires an appreciation of His awesomeness and wonder. This may seem an intangible objective, but there are practical steps we can take. When undertaken in a spirit of faith, these actions can bring new life and vitality to our relationship with God.
What, then, can we do? God has graciously given us two major resources to enable us to see Him as He is: His works and His Word. Both are avenues for deepening heartfelt communion with the Father of glory.
What are the works of God, and how can they help us appreciate God? Most of us think of the works of God as being His spiritual work in people’s lives. It is good to rejoice and express our praise to God as we see this. But another work of God, neglected by many of us, is His creation. The universe has been marred by sin, but it still declares God’s glory. In our modern secularization, many of us have lost our sense of wonder at the ordinary miracles God performs all around us each day.
8. From the following passages, record some of the places in which God’s work can be observed.
a. Job 38:12-41
b. Psalm 8:1-3
c. Psalm 19:1
9. In what ways are you most likely to recognize God’s involvement through nature? If you don’t often perceive God through His creation, use the verses above as reminders to look for and acknowledge His work this week.
God wants us to experience awe and wonder when we see the return of spring, or the variety in the animal world, or the impressive powers of wind, rain, and sea.
All of these are God’s handiwork. Failing to return praise to Him as we observe them is just like failing to return the glory to God as we see Him at work in someone’s life. Isaiah wrote: “Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these?” (Isaiah 40:26). We, too, should consider the One who made it all, and we can ask God to help us see Him in His creation.
10. Isaiah 40:12-31 is a wonderful passage about God’s greatness. Spend some time reading this passage, reflecting on its truths about God and His creation. Jot down some key words describing God’s attributes below.
11. Now copy the following verse onto an index card or into your daily planner. Over the next several days, work on memorizing this verse. Then, the next time you take a walk or a drive at night, let the stars remind you of God’s greatness.
Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. (Isaiah 40:26)
The second resource available to us is God’s Word. The Bible is a vast reservoir of riches designed to remind us of the greatness of the God we serve. Many passages throughout Scripture focus on what God is like. When you read them, think of the implications these attributes of God have for our lives, and talk with God about them.
The life of Jesus Christ, as told in the gospels, also draws our
attention to God’s character. In 2 Corinthians 4:6, Paul mentioned how God’s glory was “in the face of Christ.” As we read about Jesus talking with and living among people, we see vivid examples of God’s character in action.
12. Read the following verses and record how Jesus’ life reflected God’s character.
a. John 1:14
b. John 12:44-45
c. John 14:8-11
d. Colossians 1:15-20
e. Hebrews 1:1-3
13. How might reflecting on Jesus’ life affect the way you pray?
Giving God a Proper Response
One aspect, you’ll remember, in our definition of communion was that of sharing. Communion means sharing the same thoughts as we communicate. Therefore we need to respond to God concerning the specific things He has spoken to us about.
We often fail to do this when we read the Bible. In a particular passage, God may speak to us about His holiness. But our mind is preoccupied with how we can come up with enough money to pay next month’s rent. So when we put down our Bible and pray, what do we talk to God about? Not His holiness, but the rent money!
It is not wrong to pray about our needs, but God wants us to listen to Him and give Him a proper response. Imagine telling someone, “I love you very much,” only to hear him respond, “I sure hope I get a pay raise soon at work.” Such conversations don’t do much to build intimacy in a relationship. So listen to God and respond specifically to what He has said.
14. Let’s put that into practice. What does God say about Himself in Isaiah 57:15? Try writing out an appropriate response to this verse. (For example: Lord, sometimes I forget how high and lofty You are. It humbles me to think that You care about and interact with me.)
15. God not only tells us about Himself in Isaiah 57:15, He also implies something about us. What kind of person does God want you to be? How might you respond in prayer?
Another way to appreciate God and commune with Him is to read and meditate on the great prayers of the Bible. Solomon’s prayer of dedication for the temple (1 Kings 8:23-53) began with lavish praise for God. When the early Christians prayed for boldness (Acts 4:24-30) most of their words recounted what God had already done.No wonder their prayer for boldness was clearly answered. Many of
the psalms of David and the prayers of Paul also focus on who God is and what He has done, rather than on their requests.
16. Let’s take a closer look at the passages mentioned above. As you read through these prayers, note what the person says about God and what he actually requests of God.
a. 1 Kings 8:23-53
_ What Solomon said about God:
_ What he requested of God:
b. Acts 4:24-30
_ What the people said about God:
_ What they requested of God:
Attitude, Not Activity
Growing in reverent communion with God isn’t another burden to add to your already busy schedule. It is not just an activity; it is far more an attitude of heart that should especially influence your Bible study, Scripture memory, and quiet times, as well as prayer. William Carey said that “secret, fervent, believing prayer lies at the root of all personal godliness.” We could add that an exciting sense of reverence and worship?an increasing appreciation of God’s presence? lies at the root of all “secret, fervent, believing prayer.”
17. Take a couple of minutes to review your discoveries in this session.
How would you summarize the attitude needed for meaningful communion with God?
18. Record here any particular thought, truth, or verse of Scripture about how to “focus on the Father” that stood out to you in this study.
19. How can the insight you recorded in question eighteen improve your prayer relationship with God this coming week?
Parting Thought
We forget one important fact, I think, about God: We forget that He is actually alive. And He has told us that it’s His business to open our eyes to Him, in His own ways, so that we can know Him.
?David Hazard, “Seeing More of God,” Issue 85
Copied from Nurturing A Passion for Prayer by Michael M. Smith, Copyright© 2000 NavPress Publishing. Used by permission of NavPress, http://www.navpress.com. All rights reserved.