Every
human heart was made for this communion. We are all called to a deep
devotional prayer life where we position our hearts before the Word of
God to behold and drink deeply.
The
unique way that God reveals Himself to each individual is precious and
beautiful. Each person is uniquely loved by Jesus as a dwelling place
like no other. He has delighted in our own specific creation and called
it good.
Unless
we understand this beautiful manifestation of God individually
cherishing us, we will consistently despair when He does not come to us
in the same way He comes to another.
A deep prayer life is living the greatest commandment which is to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind and strength.
A
deep prayer life is wrapped up in loving God fully, it has no
limit. This is our primary calling; to live lives immersed in God. When
human beings enter into this immersion, it is the ultimate artwork of
God on the earth. It is the union of God and man.
Jesus
answered and said to her, whoever drinks of this water will thirst
again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never
thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a
fountain of water springing up into everlasting life. (John 4:13-14)
We are responsible to turn inwardly to behold and drink of the indwelling Spirit.
Drinking
of this eternal water on a regular basis changes our thirsts and
cravings. We begin as the woman Jesus met at the well as a quenched,
dry heart running after earthly pleasures, and are transformed to those
satisfied in God alone.
The
Holy Spirit releases His supernatural activity inside us. This is the
part we cannot produce but only receive. It takes God to love God. He
pours His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit. This is the manifest
embrace of God. This is the “superior pleasure” of the Gospel.
So how do we practically practice communing prayer?
First,
we find a consistent place of prayer where ourhearts are able to enter
in peacefully. This will be different for different people.
Next,
we quiet our hearts. It is often good to begin with other forms of
prayer, such as supplication or meditation. This helps the heart flow
more easily into a time of communing prayer.
Thirdly,
we gently bring our hearts into a position of resting love before the
Lord. We must not be concerned if we do not feel anything. Just come
before Him ready to receive whatever He offers.
Focus
on the indwelling Spirit who lives within us. He is a living and active
Person and not just a mere concept or vague Spirit. He is God living
within us. We talk to Him inside our being by uttering simple biblical
phrases out loud. We can do this silently or by speaking and singing.
After
we do this, we turn to Scripture, find our own phrases and speak them
back to Him. For example: “Consuming Fire, seal me with love” (Song
8:6-7; Deut. 4:24) “River of Life, immerse me in Your presence.” (John
4:14; 7:38; Rev 22:1-4) As we begin to say these phrases, speaking
quietly, still and slowly, they are like gentle winds fanning the flame
within our being. After a few minutes, shorten the phrases (ex: only
say “Consuming Love”).
As we continue, God will ignite His word and the whole phrase will begin to live in our being.
Another
way to practice communing prayer is by contemplating encounters in the
gospels. We take an account of Jesus in one of the Gospels and put
ourselves in the story. Because Jesus is always the Word (John 1:1),
these stories have an application which transcend their historical
existence. In contemplating them, we find Jesus addressing us.
Practical
Points: Do not be overly concerned with wandering thoughts. When we
realize we have left our place of focusing on Jesus, gently return.
Distractions
are a normal part when engaging into this kind of prayer. Our minds are
used to racing and emotions used to following. We must give ourselves
much grace and when we realize we are distracted with other thoughts or
emotions, we return to resting in God’s presence.
Sometimes
we fall asleep in our prayer times and that is okay. Do not feel
condemned but simply return to the place of prayer after awakening.
The
answer lies in communing prayer, which means to posture our hearts in a
listening and beholding manner in order to hear and receive His Word.
The Holy Spirit desires to ignite the Word deep within us in order for
it to become alive on the inside and infuse our inner man with mighty
love.
