As we continue to learn on prayer. We have learnt that we can only pray when we look at God as the Father. Else it will be a religious activity and won’t bring the effect of a relationship.
Once we have been acquainted with the Father and have tasted His love, His word becomes like honey to us for obedience (John 17:6), like how David mentions in Psalms. This obedience is different from the one that we have in the law that points us to ourselves. We are called into the obedience of faith (Romans 10:17).
Psalms 119:16 (NET) - I find delight in your statutes; I do not forget your instructions.
Psalms 119:97 (NET) - O how I love your law! All day long I meditate on it.
John 17: 14, world will hate because we are not ordinary.
The practice of reading the scriptures and praying are done in parallel. They cannot be isolated from one another.
The truth sets us free from a wrong perspective and preconceived notions. Jn17:7, We must understand everything which leads our focus to Christ. Understanding of our identity has to change from the person of Adam to the person of Christ.
We have to move into renewing our mind to test that God’s will is good, pleasing and perfect (Romans 12:2). Jn 17:17, Jesus said “set them apart or sanctify in His unique truth”. His word cleanses us from all impure thoughts (John 15:3). We need to have a clear conscience to pray. It’s not God’s requirement. God will always accept us the way we are. But the clear conscience is for us. You can only go far as the knowledge of the truth helps to discern what is from God. So it’s very important to base our prayer along with the reading of the scriptures.
Excerpt from the Sermon Notes of Bro. Samuel V Thomas - Sunday 15th July 2018, Crossway.
Stanley Thomas Isac
Stanley is serving as the Pastor of Crossway Church in New Delhi, he can be reached at stanleytisac@gmail.com
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