THE 3 PLACES OF PRAYER
Self-Centred (Outer Court) Prayer
As a child is self-centred, of necessity being cared for and nurtured by its parents, so our God is a generous benefactor to young believers. As we learn the basics of faith in the Outer Court; repenting at the Altar, washing, learning, growing, in the 'water of the Word' of the Washing Basin, so our God looks after us; as our 'God-parent' - with a capital G!
Because we naturally love receiving, many Christians choose not to grow up! And so we find many believers of 10, 20 years or more, still absorbed in self and in what God will do for them! When God tries to train them by withholding blessing, as any good parent should, they blame Him for all the problems in their life, like a spoilt child throwing tantrums.
People-Centred (Holy Place) Prayer
As we grow up, both in the natural and the spiritual, we generally start developing consideration for others. When we allow the Holy Spirit to penetrate our life, daily changing us more into the image of Jesus, we start to place the needs of others above our own, both in prayer and practise. Intercession on others' behalf both develops and grows.
Many fine Christians seek this high place in prayer, having much influence in heavenly realms. And stay there!
God-Centred (Holy of Holies) Prayer
But there is yet a higher calling for mature 'spiritual wrinklies' (mature believers of all ages, wrinkled or not!), to aspire to. When the veil in the Temple was supernaturally torn in two from top to bottom at the time Jesus died, the spiritual Altar of Incense (representing our worship of God) was taken from the Holy Place and placed in the entrance of the Holy of Holies.
At this Altar is found the highest place of prayer. Worshipping our God in spirit and in truth. An intercessory burden may well remain, but this time it is generated from God's heart rather than our own. For we are now bearing His burdens.
As we lose ourselves in worship of Him, so the Holy of Holies opens up to us. The glory of God overwhelms us. Our own desires become unimportant as we submit ourselves 100% to do His will.
Very few are prepared to make such a total sacrifice of self, but the amazing thing is, when you do, you find out that it is not really a sacrifice, but an amazing fulfilment of the real purpose we were created for - to fellowship with the Lord! Hallelujah!
Worth considering, isn't it!
Find out more about us at... http://www.wwj.org.nz/about.php
Newsletter
Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest teaching articles "An idol called the church" & news
Latest Comments
- This is good stuff brother and the heart of the good news. Christ in you is what this is about. Peter said you are the Christ the son of the living Go... More...
- I really liked your article Ian. But it seems your statment about comments being appercated is subject to approvel. Oh well some things never change n... More...
- This thing about what church is and is not could be carried through about all that we learned while in those places. Much of what we call the gospel o... More...
- Thank you for sharing your opinion here. I really value it. More...
- I was blessed. More...