03/10/2014 - YOU HAVE TO MASTER THE ART OF PRAYER

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Let my prayer be set before You as incense, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.  Psalm 141.2

David learned how to pray, and that is why he was victorious in his requests to the Lord. Just as an athlete has to master the rules of the sport he practices, so must we observe the guidelines of prayer. Like in the case of sports, timing is crucial, and we too must understand the right time to do the prayer of faith. The details are what make the difference. Every winner knows that nothing happens by chance; what really counts is the way he acts.

For the psalmist, his prayer had to be set before the Lord as incense. If he did not speak as a natural man, but instead he spoke what the Spirit of God was revealing to him, his requests would be accepted. Even if you are angry, never speak to the Lord in an impolite way or use human arguments. He is not to blame for your lack of understanding. Your way of praying is responsible for your failures.

The incense offered on earth does not need a human vehicle to be taken to heaven; rather, one of the laws created by the Lord will provide its lifting up to God’s presence. Nowadays God does not instruct us to burn incense literally, as it used to be in the times of the Old Testament. In those days, incense represented a subtle and firm prayer, which not everyone was able to do, since God’s grace had not been sent yet.

When grace came—brought by the Lord Jesus—it started to equip (with heavenly virtues) those who listen to the Word of God. These virtues make us pray in a way that is pleasing and acceptable to the Most High. For those who have already surrendered their hearts to Jesus and were born again, there is no condemnation (Romans 8.1), which would hinder the answering, by the Lord, to their prayers.

Lifting up hands is a symbolic gesture. You do not have to do as Moses did. When he held up his hand, the Lord would make Israel prevail against Amalek and his army, but when he would let down his hand, Amalek prevailed (Exodus 17.11). This act means that you must use the power that the Father has given you. Every time you do that, the Lord will accept your attitude as an act of righteousness done by you.

Do not use only ordaining. The Lord gave you two hands—here represented by his will and power. Therefore, do not do his work in a slack manner, as if you disliked that which the Lord commanded you to do. Follow the instructions that Gideon gave to the three hundred that God gave to him to defeat the Midianites (Judges 7.17-20). They cried out for the Most High and Gideon. Cry out for the Lord and his mission too!

In God’s eyes, it is very important that you enter the battle with all your heart, all your soul and all your strength. From one side, use God’s grace, and from the other side, your will. If your hands are held up, your victory is certain, because the Father will be pleased at the biblical way that you are serving him.

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares