My computer was running slowly the other day. I deleted all the unnecessary files, rebooted…all those quick fix things didn’t seem to work. I finally closed all my programs, opened the system tools menu and ran a program that defragments my files. I waited. I waited some more. It took FOREVER, it seemed. Hours and hours while one file after another was moved to another place on the hard drive, freeing up more “contiguous space” on my computer memory. It worked. My computer began to run faster.
I am currently engaged in Priscilla Shirer’s Bible study, DISCERNING THE VOICE OF GOD. On Day 4 of the first week, she begins explaining the importance of having a Spirit-led prayer time. This is differentiated from the time of mental prayer, during which I work through my mental prayer list. “I ask for forgiveness of sins, offer Him thanks for specific things, bring Him needs for which I desire His intervention, and intercede on behalf of others. Instead of ending my prayer time when my list is complete, I wait and quiet my mind so I can move to a Spirit-led time of prayer.”
Shirer went on to ask why it is important to connect with the Spirit in prayer, and recommended we read I Corinthians 2:10-12.
For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. (NASB)
After reading it I was immediately reminded of my computer…how things weren’t working as they should have been, and how the computer needed to move some files from one place to another to get everything in order and free up some necessary space. There is no way I could have known what needed to be moved where, or how to even attempt to get it done. I simply took the time to wait for the computer to do its work so the defrag could be completed.
It’s the same way with my prayer life. Some days things simply aren’t working like they need to. I am running along, doing my prayer stuff and finishing after my list is recited. How desperately I need to wait on His SPIRIT to come in to my life and DEFRAGMENT my files…to VIRUS-CHECK my system. I don’t know what I need or even how to get it done…but HE DOES! My job is to WAIT PATIENTLY on Him and put my YES on the table. Unconditional obedience, no matter how long I must wait on Him, or what He asks me to do or not do.
I am currently engaged in Priscilla Shirer’s Bible study, DISCERNING THE VOICE OF GOD. On Day 4 of the first week, she begins explaining the importance of having a Spirit-led prayer time. This is differentiated from the time of mental prayer, during which I work through my mental prayer list. “I ask for forgiveness of sins, offer Him thanks for specific things, bring Him needs for which I desire His intervention, and intercede on behalf of others. Instead of ending my prayer time when my list is complete, I wait and quiet my mind so I can move to a Spirit-led time of prayer.”
Shirer went on to ask why it is important to connect with the Spirit in prayer, and recommended we read I Corinthians 2:10-12.
For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. (NASB)
After reading it I was immediately reminded of my computer…how things weren’t working as they should have been, and how the computer needed to move some files from one place to another to get everything in order and free up some necessary space. There is no way I could have known what needed to be moved where, or how to even attempt to get it done. I simply took the time to wait for the computer to do its work so the defrag could be completed.
It’s the same way with my prayer life. Some days things simply aren’t working like they need to. I am running along, doing my prayer stuff and finishing after my list is recited. How desperately I need to wait on His SPIRIT to come in to my life and DEFRAGMENT my files…to VIRUS-CHECK my system. I don’t know what I need or even how to get it done…but HE DOES! My job is to WAIT PATIENTLY on Him and put my YES on the table. Unconditional obedience, no matter how long I must wait on Him, or what He asks me to do or not do.