I read my first book on the spiritual disciplines years ago. The book was entitled Prayer, by Richard Foster. It talked about many different types of prayer, and how each prayer relationship looked in practice. It challenged everything I thought I knew about prayer. With my highlighter ready that day, I began reading. Almost immediately I was marking up the pages ~ literally. I soon gave up highlighting when I realized that nearly every line was covered with bright yellow. The book Prayer was revolutionary for me. And Fervent is too! (Above is my book, Fervent. It's awesome when there's so much good stuff in a book!) Our topic this week: Your Passion. Priscilla writes: “If I were your enemy, I’d seek to dim your passion, dull your interest in spiritual things, dampen your belief in God’s ability and His personal concern for you, and convince you that the hope you’ve lost is never coming back--and was probably just a lie to begin with.” The enemy uses what works. His first attack isn’t against our efforts themselves, it’s against our desire to make those efforts. He wants to destroy our passion to pray. He knows prayer will give us strength. So, to keep us from getting strong, he wants to stop our prayer relationship before it ever starts! “Passion is what burns up the road between a child in danger and a parent in pursuit. … so here’s what I’d say to you. Let’s start here. Praying for this. To recover and maintain your passion...” -- Priscilla Just like that New Year’s resolution we make each year, whether it’s losing weight, exercising more, or whatever, without passion any attempt will fail. The enemy knows that, and he’s choreographing distractions, interruptions, complications, even disillusionment to keep you and your prayers from becoming unstoppable! The toughest part of developing a new habit is sticking to it. Your body will scream out for relief, and your mind will back it up with complaints ~ reason after reason why it’s just not practical right now. I say, it’s not just practical! It’s absolutely necessary! Don’t be a victim! Be a victor! God has given us power to blow the enemy’s games out of the water! Build your prayers! Post them up where you can see and pray them often! Believe in them! Become the victor! Christ has already given us this power! "These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons..." Mark 16:17a ~Andi
2 Comments
Leann Miller
5/14/2016 09:03:42 am
I really liked this chapter. I especially appreciated her insights on the story of Elisha and the retrieval of the ax head. That passion can disappear even while doing the good thing you are suppose to be doing and that passion is borrowed---on loan from God, so only He can restore it. I tend to feel guilty when my passion fades so this was a helpful insight for me.
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Tina Walters
5/16/2016 12:25:36 pm
Leann I love your insights and really enjoying how you can find so many ways to apply this chapter to your life. I struggle with the lack of passion in my life and I wonder why some people it comes so easy and others it a challenge. I need to remember passion is restored from Him.
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January 2017
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