Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Praying Because We Love Him

Whatever the reasons for lack of prayer, the truth is prayerlessness is symbolic of a heart shift away from God. Our Lord Jesus Christ knows that a change of affection is really a transfer of affection from God to self or someone else. Before the resurrected Jesus reappeared to His disciples at the Sea of Galilee, Peter decided to fish there. He told six other followers of Jesus, "I am going fishing." Peter was saying, "I've got to do something; nothing else is happening. Let's go fishing! Maybe permanently!" Following his lead, the other disciples said, "We are going with you also" (John 21:3). In effect, that day Jesus lost over half of his disciples to the fishing industry! The next morning, after breakfast with Jesus, the Master asked Peter the question that would force him to examine his heart: "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?" Answer: More than these fish. One might think Jesus meant the other disciples, but from the context it was fish and fishing! Jesus was asking Peter which he preferred, Jesus or fish! When we stay connected with Christ through prayer and His Word, it's then we become a praying church. Jesus said, "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you" (John 15:7). The greater God and His love become in our hearts, the better we will be able to gain His perspective on our situations and problems that we face. Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferences, and local church meetings.

No comments:

Post a Comment