Nancy Taylor Tate
“…Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the Lord of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the Lord of hosts” (Zechariah 1:3).
How important our times of prayer are! I am so thankful for the National Day of Prayer proclaimed by President Harry Truman in 1952, that we as a nation continue to celebrate and which we had opportunity to participate in last week. I also am grateful for continued prayer in so many places and hearts, as we turn our faces toward God in worship, praise, and supplication.
Prayer, simply said, is talking with God. It involves a two-way fellowship where we learn to listen, as well as to share. It is precious times of being in His presence as we fellowship with Him.
Through His Word and those times of fellowship, we come to know His heart and His way of thinking. We come into alignment with Him—who He is and what He is doing. As we yield to the Lord, He can then use us; the Holy Spirit prays through us according to the will of God (Romans 8:26).
As we fellowship with the Lord, we also become positioned in Him. There is a comfort in Him that we can come into in no other way than by living in His presence and spending quality times apart with Him.
As you may know, we have a little dog named Jethro. There are times he senses something is about to happen. He does not know what, or when, or how, but he feels transition in the air.
What is important to him during such times, is that I am holding him. He’ll run up to me and whimper or jump on my leg. As soon as I pick him up, he is at rest. Now it doesn’t matter anymore, because come what may, he is in our arms; whatever happens, he is with us. And as long as he is with us, he is at rest and happy.
This is the place in Him the Lord is calling us up into during the turbulent day we live in. There are times when I simply pray, “Abba Father,” as I express my trust to my heavenly Father, knowing my life is in His hands. I understand my relationship with Him. I know He is all-knowing and all-powerful. Therefore, I can rest, knowing I am in His hands. Even greater, the whole world is in His hands!
May that peace, trust, and rest fill our hearts as we face the events of our day. May the Lord have a people who are anchored in Him, whose lives are in His hands, and through whom He can show forth His glory.
The Lord is raising up a people who know Him. God has always had a witness during every time and season. We are that witness today. How wonderful we can share the good news—our God reigns! Salvation belongs to our God! God loves each one! His strength and wisdom are available if we would but turn to Him!
Paul expressed a desire that communion and fellowship in the Holy Spirit be with each one.
“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen” (2 Corinthians 13:14 KJV).
The Amplified expresses it like this:
“The grace (favor and spiritual blessing) of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the presence and fellowship (the communion and sharing together, and participation) in the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen (so be it)” (AMPC).
The Passion Translation says, may the “love of God, and the precious communion that we share in the Holy Spirit be yours continually!” (TPT).
As we continue to fellowship with the Lord, may we keep in mind that “the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:16b KJV).
I like the way the Amplified says, “The heartfelt and persistent prayer of a righteous man (believer) can accomplish much [when put into action and made effective by God—it is dynamic and can have tremendous power].”
Living in His presence! Taking times apart to fellowship with Him! Fellowshipping with others in the Holy Spirit. May His heart find expression and His will be accomplished through a people who have learned to trust in Him.