Passion For Jesus Ministries

MAINTAINING A GODLY FOCUS DURING WORSHIP AND PRAYER

A universal problem when praying to a God that you cannot see is what we can call the “wandering mind.” One minute you are focused on seeking God or calling out to him in prayer for Him to intervene in your life or in the life of someone you are praying for. Next thing you know, you realize that you have ceased praying and that your mind has wandered a thousand miles from where you started. I can’t tell you the times I have found myself there.

There are many religions, to help their adherents overcome this problem of the “wandering mind”, teach them to “gaze into the vast emptiness of the human spirit” in search of spiritual or eternal realities. This is not only false, it is dangerous. We never want to be guilty of just opening our mind or consciousness up with no spiritual protection.  We have an enemy, a spiritual thief id you will, that is just waiting for someone to make his job a little easier by their leaving the door open.

We are to open ourselves up – but only to God. We are to set our inner spiritual gaze – but only upon God and His beauty. We have to avoid any counterfeit gazing when we focus upon God with the eyes of our heart. The difference is the difference between life and death. All religions have a form of prayer and of worship; but as believers in Jesus Christ, we do not “just” pray, we pray to the living and true God. We do not “just” worship, we worship the one and only true God.

22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, 23 but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! (Matthew 6:22-23)

Who or what captures our focus greatly affects our prayer life and thus the totality of our existence. I found two Biblical, and thus safe, areas that have proven to be beneficial in helping me overcome the “wandering mind” syndrome. The first is focusing on the throne of God, and the second, focusing upon the indwelling presence of God’s Holy Spirit.

I have been involved extensively in the prayer and the prayer movement for 33 years. I received a supernatural call and commission to teach His Word to His people in 1977. One of the first areas that the Lord commissioned me to teach on was prayer. Over the years I have noticed one area that many believers struggle with related to their prayer lives – the ability to sense that God is real.

When I say they struggle with sensing that God is real, I don’t mean that they don’t believe that God is real or that they wouldn’t universally state that they know God is real if you were to ask them. But many believers struggle with, not the knowledge or belief that God is real, but rather with the experiential knowledge that He is real and involved with their daily lives and experience. Big difference.

It is important that we recognize that God is real (Heb 11:6). But it is as important that we experientially know that He is not only real, but that He is real to us – or another way to say it – that we can sense or feel that He is real or involved personally with us. We are to love God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength (Matt 22:37; Mark 12:30). In those verses replace the word love with enjoy or experience. We are to enjoy the Lord with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength. We are to experience the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. God wants our whole being to experience and benefit from knowing Him, not just our mind.

Human beings are triune in nature, much like God. God is a triune Person. God is one Person – One Godhead. Within the One Godhead there is the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit - Three distinct Persons, yet One God. As human beings we have three components in our make up as well; spirit, soul and body. We have three components, but there is still only one person. Do you see?
 

If we are to have a healthy relationship with God, each of our core components (which are intertwined and function as one being) must “contact” God. Our heart, our soul – made up of our mind, our will and our emotions – and our body should be “connecting” or actively interfacing with God, and our strength should be focused towards knowing and enjoying Him.

Where many experience their problem in regards to connecting with God, is that they don’t sense or relate to Him as a Person – just as real as any other person. They “know” He exists, but He isn’t “real” to them. They pray, but it is like they are praying into the air, they are conscious of talking to a real Person. In other words, there is a reality disconnect. That reality disconnect is fatal to our prayer lives, it strangles our faith.

As I stated earlier, many have confessed to me over the years their struggle with “focusing” in prayer. The cause, in most cases, is simply what we have been discussing, namely they are not actively conscious of speaking to a “real” Person. One key that will open up this awareness to us is our God-given ability to visualize, using our renewed mind and sanctified imagination. God has given us many revelations/pictures in Scripture that have been revealed for the purpose of fueling our imagination so that we could “see” what He is emphasizing to us.

I have been taught by the Lord the importance of the principle of “visualizing” many aspects of the Scriptures and the truths that His Holy Spirit desires to reveal to us. One of the areas in all of our lives that can richly benefit from this is our personal/private/devotional times with the Lord.

Using the Scriptures as a basis, our God-given ability to visualize with our mind as the tool, and the guidance, anointing and empowering of the Holy Spirit as the energy, I recommend the following technique as an “aid” to help you “focus” and make your time spent with God in prayer more “tangible” and meaningful.

For this to succeed, you will need to get alone, away from any distractions. Pull down the shades, turn off the TV, the radio, the telephone, and get before the Lord. Close your eyes and invite the Holy Spirit to come and make God “real” to you.

GAZING ON THE THRONE OF GOD

 The first tool to help you “realize” when you are praying that you are talking to a real Person is what I call gazing on the throne of God, utilizing the throne scene from Revelation chapters 4 & 5.

1 After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” 2 At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne. 3 And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald. 4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads. 5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God, 6 and before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal. And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind: 7 the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with the face of a man, and the fourth living creature like an eagle in flight. 8 And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!” (Revelation 4:1-8)

Revelation 4:1-8 describes for us fifteen different facets of the beauty realm of God that are reflected around His throne. Each of these facets describes various dynamics of the beauty of God the Father as He sits upon His throne in His heavenly throne room. Let’s take a moment and quickly examine a few of them.

Picture yourself in a large open area in heaven. There in the center of this area is a large white throne with God sitting on it. It is important that you actually see the throne in your mind’s eye. Can you see it? God is sitting on the throne. His clothing is as white as snow; His hair is white like wool.  He is emitting (throwing off) a jasper and carnelian hue (jasper is the same as emerald green, carnelian is a ruby red).

By the way, I never try to look at His face. The Scriptures tell us that God is light and that His appearance is brighter than the sun itself. He clothes Himself with a garment of light. So I use blinding light as an overlay of this whole scene.

1 Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, you are very great! You are clothed with splendor and majesty, 2 covering yourself with light as with a garment…(Psalm 104:1-2)

Next, the Scripture tells us that surrounding the throne is an emerald rainbow. Because it is a rainbow it contains the full array of colors in the visible spectrum, yet its predominant hue is like that of an emerald. The rainbow first appeared on earth after the flood in Genesis 9 as God’s sign to mankind that He would give mercy.

8 Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him, 9 “Behold, I establish my covenant with… never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.” 12 And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you…for all future generations: 13 I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth…16 When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” (Genesis 9:8-16)

Mercy didn’t start in Genesis 9. Mercy has always been a part of God’s nature. God did not primarily encompass His throne with an emerald rainbow because of man’s need for mercy. From eternity past, God’s mercy has endured continually.

Picture the rainbow. Actually “see” the emerald hue.

Next, though it isn’t mentioned in this text, we know that there is a second throne at the right hand of God with Jesus (the Lamb) seated on it. These two thrones are surrounded on either side by twenty four smaller thrones, and seated on them are twenty four elders. The elders are also dressed in white and are wearing crowns of gold on their heads. See the thrones, see the elders. This isn’t pretend - you are there (Eph. 2:6). One possible way they may be arranged is twelve on each side of the two thrones – since there is a river of fire that flows out from the throne.

9 “As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days took his seat…his throne was fiery flames…10 A stream of fire issued and came out from before him…(Daniel 7:9-10)

God’s throne is burning with fire; its foundations are ablaze with the glory of God. A river of fire is flowing out from the foundation of the throne into a sea of glass, clear as crystal located directly in front of the thrones. You and I are in that sea of glass that burns with the glory and Presence of God. This sea of glass is a vast sea where all the saints of history will gather before God and His Lamb, Jesus. 

Can you see the thrones? Can you see the blinding light, the emerald rainbow? Can you see river of fire proceeding from the throne engulfing you as you stand before the throne in the sea of glass? Picture it, see it.

Out of the throne come flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. See the lightning, hear the thunder. I can hear it now, even as I write this.

Next, we are told that in front of the thrones there are seven lamps blazing. Actually see the lamps. These lamps are the seven spirits of God. Next, thousands upon thousands of angels, seraphim, cherubim, heavenly hosts and redeemed saints are continuously ministering before Him and to Him; ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands are before Him.

Then we are told that flying around the throne, are four heavenly creatures, and they are covered with eyes, in front and in back. The first creature is like a lion, the second like an ox, the third like a man, and the fourth like a flying eagle. Each of the creatures has six wings and is covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. See the creatures, they are real, you know. Actually, in your mind and with your heart (your spirit), hear the creatures as day and night they never stop saying: "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!"  Join in with them as they worship. Don’t be a spectator, be a participator!

Look again at what the text tells us: And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who is seated on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, "Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by Your will they existed and were created." See this scene, join in with them as they worship our wonderful, awesome God. Can you feel the awe of being there, as you join with this array of God’s creatures and all of creation worshipping Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24).

Each one has a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers (along with the praise and worship) of the redeemed of all the ages. And they are constantly singing the following song to Jesus, the Lamb of God: Worthy are You, Jesus, to take the scroll and to open its seals, for You were slain, and by Your blood You ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and You have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth."

Think about what you are seeing, what you are hearing, what you are experiencing.

There are many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. See them as they encircle the thrones and the living creatures and the elders and the saints, you included. In a loud voice you hear the multitude sing: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!" Every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them (including you, right?), will sing: "To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!" And the four living creatures say, "Amen!" and the elders fall down and worship.

Picture the scene. Vividly. Work on detail and clarity. See this scene in color. Picture this scene all around you. See it in 3-D.

Now,  take all of this, and then in the midst of this heavenly scene, speak to the Person on the throne, realizing that what you are seeing is reality. Beloved, we are presently seated in the heavenlies with Christ Jesus.

Let the Spirit of God, remove the fetters and limitations of this physical world, and its distractions. Learn to see yourself as you really are through Christ. See yourself where you truly are, in Him and before Him. See yourself, in your prayer times alone, in your corporate worship times, interacting with a “real” Person, for you really are doing that. See yourself speaking into the heart of your heavenly Father in the midst of this awesome scene that has been revealed to us by the Spirit of God.

Please understand, this exercise won’t make it “true,” for it is already true. But it WILL help you to “focus,” to remember what reality is, it will act as a tool to help you renew your mind, to be more personally aware of these realities, these truths, and will, under the inspiration of Holy Spirit, over a period of time, totally revolutionize and revitalize your prayer life. (Revelation 4:1 5:14; 15:2; 20:4; Daniel 7:9 10, 13; Matthew. 19:28; 1 Kings 22:19; Philippians 2:5-11)

One declaimer, some mistakenly think that I might be introducing some new fangled technique that smacks of being new age. This is not new age. Christians throughout all of the Church age have used these techniques as aids to encounter the Lord. It may feel uncomfortable at first, but if you press in, and stay at it, over time, God will become as “real” to you as any other person. In fact, He will become more real to you than any other person.

GAZING ON THE INDWELLING HOLY SPIRIT

16 …our inner self is being renewed day by day…18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

The second tool that I have found to be helpful in assisting me to focus in on God when I pray is gazing on the God inside of me. The Holy Spirit is God – and He is living inside of us. We can begin to fellowship with God the Holy Spirit simply by giving Him our attention; asking Him what He is thinking and feeling, and asking Him for revelation as we study the Word of God. If your mind wanders, ask the Holy Spirit for help. He will help you maintain your focus and He will inspire your imagination.

False religions have counterfeited this. The devil is not a creator, he is a perverter. He can’t come up with new and innovative ideas to deceive us. He can only steal what God originated and then pervert it to pull us away from the real thing.

Have you ever heard of anyone being arrested for counterfeiting $30 bills? No! Why not? Because there are no real $30 bills. Counterfeiters only copy what really exists and has worth. The devil is like that. He doesn’t create new ways to deceive and rip us off, he only counterfeits what is real. We don’t have to fear the false, we just have to be careful to go after the authentic, real deal.
The reason we look inward is because the Spirit of the living God is dwelling inside of us. We are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 3:16). Those in false religions look inward to their own spirit, or to a demonic spirit - confusing it for God and thinking it is endless truth.

Too many believers do not fellowship with the Holy Spirit because they fear they will be deceived. But we have a promise from the Son of God Himself, that if we ask God for the real deal, we will not receive anything false.

7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? 11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! (Matthew 7:7-11)

11 What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; 12 or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:11-13)

If we are hungry for more of God (and you are, right?), and if we are committed to staying true to the Word of God, and staying in fellowship with our fellow believers; if we have committed our hearts to holiness and to following the Person of the Holy Spirit, we will not be deceived. What we will be, however, is delighted, overjoyed, overwhelmed, with the goodness and Presence of our God as He reveals Himself to us in ever-increasing waves of glory.

He is real, and He is worth it. He is inviting you to joy unspeakable and full of glory.

1 …And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” 2 At once I was in the Spirit…(Revelation 4:1-2)