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This morning came early. Of course, when bed comes late, morning tends to do that. SLEEEEEPY! I know I have a long day ahead of me. Usually, I have a chance at a nap around lunch time, but today I have a remote from 1 to 4, so no nap today. Early bed is a possibility. We'll see how it goes.
My only option then is to completely rely on God. So, I pray. "God be my strength, and my sustenance. Be my joy, and give me energy for the day." Oh, it is very easy to lay my head down on my desk and snooze for another 30 minutes, or so. But, I know that God wants to meet with me. And I want to meet with Him.
So, I read a little; I pray a little. I read a little, I pray a little. I don't close my eyes - that could be dangerous. I look at things I've written down over the past couple of days (which is quite a bit, actually). I start searching through my notes: several ideas for blogs, or lessons, or sermons, or something. I start looking up different scripture, like a treasure hunt. I start praying in the spirit. I suddenly find myself awake and not near as sleepy. The Lord has given me strength and energy for this morning meeting. Don't get me wrong, I could go back to sleep pretty easily. But the trick now is I don't want to go back to sleep.
The past few times I've had the privilege to pray with a group of people have been interesting. One meeting, I walked in after they had already started praying, and the room was quiet. At first, I was afraid I had missed an ominous announcement or something. The prayers seemed timid; everything lacked punch or enthusiasm, or something. God was stirring in me. I didn't want to come in with some big, boisterous prayer, but I felt God was wanting more out of what was going on. So, I started quietly, but then allowed the Spirit to build up. I kept hearing, "Wake up! Wake up! Wake up! Wake up! Be alert! Be alert! Be ready! Be ready!" I could tell as I was praying, that the Spirit started moving among the others. It was as if new life had been breathed into the soul of our prayer time.
Just a few days later, I had a similar experience. The first couple of people to pray prayed long, relatively boring prayers. Had I kept my eyes closed, I would have fallen asleep. I know this because I suddenly jerked up after a couple of minutes of "meditation." Embarrassed, I opened my eyes and looked around to see if anybody noticed. Satisfied, that I wouldn't undergo any significant ridicule for sleeping through prayer time, I decided I better keep my eyes open. In fact, I got up and started walking around. Again, I could hear the words, "Wake up! Be ready!"
So, I wrote this down: Do I have a blood lust? What is this desire to wage war on the enemy? This passion? This burning, yearning for more - NO MORE SLEEPY PRAYERS! Wake up! Be alert! Jesus is coming!
Oh, I really want to press in to God. Press in to the things He has for us. Jesus is preparing a place for his bride; His bride (us, the church) should be preparing for his return! We don't want to be found asleep and unprepared do we? I sure don't. Wake up, church! No more sleepy prayers!
Father, help us to find the balance between this passion for more and the rest we find in Your tenderness. Your love is amazing, and Your grace is sufficient. Wake us up. No more sleepy prayers.
The Gospel of the Kingdom
3 months ago
This reminds me of one of our nights last week. Brenda and I were going to bed at a regular time, but it almost felt as though we were standing there at the wall of defense waiting for the attack to begin.
Then all at once, Brenda sat up in bed, turned on the light and said, "I don't want to wait until 2 or 3 in the morning for the enemy to attack and then have to deal with it. I want to take the battle to them!" So that's exactly what we did. Of course we were still up an hour or so later, but that particular battle had almost wound down to an end.
The thing I noticed and took away from that night was this- We aren't being defensive any more. We're being offensive. Instead of waiting for the enemy to bring the fight to us, we are storming the enemy's camp and reclaiming the things he has tried to steal, kill and destroy from our family. We are no longer victims, but victors and conquerors, which is the way Father intended it to be all along. By His might and power and by the blood of the Lamb, we are overcoming and advancing the Kingdom.
Woo! Turn me loose this morning!!! I'm with ya bro!