Practical Prayer Practices – Tip 2
by Rev. Gwen Dreger
Luke 8:15 (KJV)
15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.
Be honest.
Having a fruitful prayer life is wonderful and satisfying. No farmer plants trees hoping they are filled with pretty leaves and not one piece of fruit. Fruit is the evidence of the nature of the tree. A fruit tree’s whole purpose is bearing fruit through to the point of producing seeds to continue the circle of life.
Fruit bearing prayers carry the nature and heart of God. When our prayers are filled with His heart’s desires, they will carry life bearing seeds into the future.
Prayers that move by, and carry His heart are filled with His ways of caring, listening, instructing, and His character. We are filled with His ways through receiving the seeds of His Word, the Bible. His Word is received through hearing. That hearing can come through your own mouth speaking it out, or through the mouths of others. Regardless of how the transmission of His Word comes, make a point of receiving it.
Luke 8:15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.
When His Word has entered your heart, a wonderful satisfaction is found. That place of peace and enjoyment will be sustained as long as you can remain honest before Him. When the Word enters, it brings life AND light. The light will reveal places inside that you may not have yielded in before. This demands an honesty level from you.
Can you be honest about the places in your life the Word ‘pricks’ and ‘prods’ at you?
Can you be honest about the places where you do not trust Him?
Can you be honest about the places where you limit His working in your life?
Can you be honest about the places where you are not surrendered?
Honesty acknowledges the light that shines through the cracks giving an opportunity to open a shut door. Honesty removes the hinges of life’s entanglements. When the things/entanglements of this world are at the very least quieted for a time, hearing God’s voice in prayer becomes easier.
How many times have you heard people talking about spiritual battles and battles of the mind? Maybe not as many as the next person, but it is a popular topic. Most of the sounds of those battles will be silenced with honesty before God. Honesty is the fruit of a humbled and contrite heart. Merriam-Webster defines contrite as: feeling or showing sorrow and remorse for a sin or shortcoming.
There is a balance between being sin focused and honest before the Lord. Once we have come to the Lord, we must let the issues go. A clean slate and a clean heart make for clean ears.
Clean ears welcome words.
Honesty, cleanness, humbled heart = peace and power-filled prayers!
Let honesty guide you and know that this Practical Prayer Practice will increase your connection with your Father.
Believing with you for a more fruitful prayer life this year!