Nancy Taylor Tate
Going back years ago, as a ministry we would always start the new year with a week of prayer. Some of you may remember that! Or have a similar tradition! How special those times were! Though I am not in that same setting today, I still like to begin each year with a dedicated season of prayer, whether we are alone or having a gathering.
These dedicated times of prayer do not have to be just once a year at a traditional time. They can be anytime we sense the nudging of the Holy Spirit to set aside focused time to be with the Lord.
As we set aside time to be with Him, He will be with us! There is a progressive revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ, that which the Lord would make known as we “follow on to know the Lord.” This understanding goes beyond our own personal lives, to that which the Lord would do today.
“Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.” Hosea 6:3
“Parousia” is a compound, New Testament Greek word that relates to the Second Coming of Christ; this word also relates to the “Presencing” of the Lord, in which He is beginning to reveal Himself in a greater and more personal way, to those who would receive Him.
“Para” means to come alongside of. “Ousia” describes what is coming – Yahweh, the great I AM! In other words, the I AM is coming to stand with and surround us, to fill the very atmosphere with His presence.
There are three days in the economy of the Lord: the day of law, the day of grace, and the day of His kingdom. The disciples lived during the transitional time between the day of law and of grace. We are living in the transitional time between the day of grace and of His kingdom.
Just as the early disciples were empowered in their day when, after His resurrection, the Lord presenced Himself in their midst and opened their eyes to know Him, so the Lord is making His presence and His person known today.
Seele Kinne spoke of a visitation that was yet to come where “the cloud of His heavenly presence will as never before, hang over this visitation.” This is the time frame we are living in today! As the Lord makes His presence known we are hearing reports of great numbers of people who are turning to Christ.
As people turn to Christ, there is also an upward call within the church, where the Lord is calling us back to our first love and a deepening of our relationship with Him. From that place of oneness with Him, His desire is that we might become joined with Him in that which is He doing today.
Essential in our fellowship with the Lord are our times of worship, prayer, and spending time in God’s Word. Times in our personal prayer closets work together with our times in corporate gatherings. Both prepare the way for God to move not only in our lives, but in the world today.
“Deep calls to deep…” Psalm 42:7.
The deep in the heart of God, longing for our fellowship. The deep cry in our hearts, as we respond. Times of refreshing in the presence of the Lord! May the Lord continue to fill the very atmosphere with His presence, as He manifests His presence and makes Himself known.
May He find resting places. Not just places to visit, but where His presence can abide and remain. May He find places of fellowship! Those who would be a part of that which He would do today.
A prayer my dad first prayed first prayed when he was a young student in Bible school, I have adapted, as my prayer to say, “Lord, if there could be a people, in whom You could be who You want to be and do what you want to do, Lord, we are available.”
Places marked by the presence of the Lord! Lives marked by the presence of the Lord. May the Lord raise up many.