It’s here: the day to begin our 28-day prayer focus. Whether you are a beginner in spiritual things or one who has had a close walk with the Lord for many years, I believe that your walk will be enhanced by this study. We will lay one brick at a time until we have a “prayer fortress” built around us. And with that, we should have much confidence in our ability to pray!
So let’s get started. Today, we need to take a self-assessment to see where we are, and to do that, let’s read Ezekiel 47: 1-12. To make sure that we are on the same page, I’ll paraphrase these verses. Ezekiel had a vision of water flowing from God’s throne out onto the land. An angel was escorting Ezekiel as they walked out into the water. First they came to water up to their ankles. Then as they walked out farther, they came to knee-deep water, loin-deep water, and finally water over the head. (The angel called it “water where you swim”). Then the angel took Ezekiel back to the bank and they discussed what they had encountered.
Some years ago, as I began a deeper walk with the Lord, this passage became very meaningful to me. As I read, I saw myself very clearly. I had always considered myself a Christian, even when I had been more interested in achievement and status than in Jesus. But as I read, I realized that there was much more to the Christian life than I had experienced. The water represented the Holy Spirit, and the levels showed how involved the believers were with the Lord. I had a vision of my own. I saw that there were many people standing in ankle-deep water, and as the water got deeper, the crowds thinned out. When I looked out at the deepest water, there were very few people.
Yet the angel clearly told Ezekiel that the water where you swim (where you are no longer in charge of your life, but God is), that is the depth where there is the greatest provision and healing. I knew that I wanted to be there – out in the deepest walk I could find with my Lord. I also knew that I had maintained a very shallow walk until that time.
The angel went on to say that the shallow water had no healing or provision. I knew that that was one reason why so many people who called themselves believers were frustrated and unfulfilled in their lives. That is where I had been standing, and I knew what it was like. I wanted more.
So as part of your self-assessment, where do you think you are standing? Are you in ankle-deep water? Do you call yourself a Christian, but hardly ever pray or read the Bible? Do you feel that when you try to talk to God you aren’t sure He’s heard your prayers? All of these evaluations are quite common. But I promise you that there is more for those who desire it. Ask God to help you as we go on this journey. Ask Him to show you new things about Him and about you. Ask Him to speak to your heart in new ways – and open up His truth to you. As you go about your daily schedule, try to stay tuned to hear God’s direction. Try to be aware of Him and His hand on your life.
If you consider yourself to be walking at a greater depth, please pray for the new-comers, but also pray for the Lord to show you more. Then you might take communion and remind yourself of God’s goodness to you personally.
Think about this verse today: Rev. 3:20 Behold I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come into him and dine with him, and he with Me.
Let’s open our hearts to all that He has.
Suellen
P.S. Photo by Mickey Estes Photography
