Creating a Dynamic Spiritual Life Text: Proverbs 6:6-8, 30:24-25
6 Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, 7 Which, having no captain, Overseer or ruler, 8 Provides her supplies in the summer, And gathers her food in the harvest. Proverbs 30: 24-25 There are four things which are little on the earth, But they are exceedingly wise: 25 the ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their food in the summer;
Creating a Dynamic Spiritual life is a lot like being very successful in the market place. In the market place if a person doesn’t have regular hours, keep a watch over their inventory, and really care about customer satisfaction it’s just a matter of time before big loss occurs! Spiritually, if an individual doesn’t pray and have devotions along with keeping Spiritual inventory in all facets of their life loss will occur!
In sports, there’s something called “two-a-days,” and nobody likes them! In running a 10k race or a marathon the runner who wins will train twice a day for several weeks before the event. Usually a long run in the morning, and then another long run mixed with other training in the afternoon!
Just as all athletes understand that rigorous training will give them the competitive edge, so will consistent prayer, solitude; reading and fasting give the believer an edge!
Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
There are a number of reasons that churches do not grow- location, sacred cows, poor facilities, and so forth.
But perhaps the most logical reason is identified in Jeremiah 10:21 for the shepherds have become dull-hearted, and have not sought the LORD; Therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered.
Notice, when we don’t pray we become dull hearted and we won’t prosper. Plus, everyone will carry their own ambitions and all will become disenfranchised!
Missionary statesmen J.Hudson Taylor said, “The power of prayer has never been fully tried in any church. If we want to see the mighty wonders of divine grace and power, instead of weakness failure and disappointment, the whole church must accept God’s standing challenge. ‘Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.’ Jer.33: 3
Here are 6 important keys to a vibrant prayer life.
1. Pray daily. Dialoging with the king of the universe is important! You may not have much clout anywhere else, but when you pray God listens!
Mark 11:24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.
2.Pray first. Make prayer the first action item each day! Why place such a premium on prayer? Simple. Because when we work, we work. But when we pray, God works!
3. Pray up. Most of our prayers are down here focused but focus on the Father. Praise Him. Honor Him. Glorify Him!
4. Pray out. Pray for others instead of yourself!
5. Pray big. Ask God for big things; don’t be modest!
Ephesians 3:20 Amplified Bible 20Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]—
6. Pray constantly. I Thess.5:17 pray without ceasing,
Before Lester Sumrall went home to be with the Lord I met him. He talked a lot about him and Smith Wigglesworth. He said, “that Smith never went 20 mins without prayer and hardly ever prayed more than 20 mins” (It’s time to ‘Create a Dynamic Spiritual Life’ but it will take some change!)
Ants don’t do too many things, but the work they do they do well! 1.They work together. 2. They work with one purpose. 3. They all work. (They’re busy!)
What if we decide to get creative in our prayer life, as a body, and we begin to place emphasis on one or two important keys in our church no more and no less? What would happen?
