What an amazing opportunity prayer is. To boldly go into the presence of God because of Jesus’ sacrifice making the way … to know that I am now considered “righteous” and welcomed into that holiest of places, to stand before the Creator and Deliverer, the never-created God Himself.
By grace, I am honored to present my requests for myself (and others!) to the One Who has power greater than any obstacle. His heart is to hear, to help.
I come with a heart full of gratitude, and He knows how I feel. Often, as soon as I am in His presence, I am overcome with tears and my breath becomes shallow, like seeing a loved one for the first time after a long absence.
And sometimes, I laugh. I am like the young spinning child, safely ensconced in a loving father’s arms as he twirls me over his head. I know I am cherished. I am protected. He encourages me to call Him Father.
There are times when I go to spend time with my Husband, for God has committed to me that He will be that. I never have to experience the “reproach of widowhood” that still exists in many ways for women without a mate. And I experience His tenderness as He assures me that He will never leave, and any need I have has His full attention and commitment.
What precious moments. In His presence. By His Spirit. A series of holy moments…and then
WHAT JUST HAPPENED? Distractions, thoughts entering my mind from a chaotic maelstrom of outside pressures. How did that happen while in the presence of God?
I have an enemy, hellbent on stealing my time with the Father. He comes in unexpected, uninvited, and determined to offset the power that my prayers bring into the earth to stop his continued oppression.
So what do I do when those distractions come? I used to sigh and leave the presence of God. Now I say, “Excuse me, Father” (because He is worthy of me using good manners!)
Then I take those distracting thoughts captive. My thoughts are under my control. He comes in without knocking, but I have the power to control his continued presence in my head. I say to the enemy, “Be gone in Jesus’ name. I control my thoughts and those aren’t staying”
Then I go back to my Father and thank Him that He has given me, and you too, through Jesus, the authority to force the enemy to back down.
Prayer. Intimacy with God. The presence of God in our life. Worthy of our protection from distractions. We are victorious in Him. Our purpose in prayer is to see God’s will come. Let’s stay focused in battle.
For His Glory 