Sunday mornings my quiet time looks a bit different than other mornings throughout my week. For the past 22 years I have been a part of leading worship and what I have learned from that time is that I am only in a state to lead others into worship if I myself have already entered into worship on my own. For that reason, my Sunday routine typically consists of my listening to a sermon online while everyone else is still asleep.
Yesterday was no exception to my routine. (Have I ever mentioned that I like my routine?) I was listening to a sermon by Craig Groeschel out of Life Church. While he was preaching, this phrase jumped out at me, and I wrote it down: “What you pray about really reflects what you believe about God.”
Not unlike God, when I showed up to worship at Northwood, Craig’s sermon had seemed to prepare my heart for Barry’s sermon. They tied together.
What I pray about reflects what I believe about God. Much of the time, I forget just how big and powerful my God is.
I can pray regularly thanking God for my food. I can pray regularly for God to keep us safe and give us a good day. Those things are fine – in fact, they are good. If I am only praying those kinds of prayers am I limiting my God? Am I revealing that my God is too small or disinterested in my other needs, worries, or dreams?
I believe that when I only pray superficial prayers, I will only know God superficially. When I pray intimate prayers, from the depth of my soul – those heart cry prayers – intimacy with God is the result. I feel known by Him. I feel loved by Him. I feel seen. Cared for. Protected. Equipped. Hope springs forth from places where hope seems impossible.
God desires to be intimate with us. God desires for us to want to be intimate with Him. So what do you believe about God? What need could you be bringing to Him today?
Are you struggling to make ends meet financially? Pour out your need with your God.
Is your marriage falling apart? Not what you want it to be? Pour out your need with your God.
Are you trapped in addiction? Struggling with your work? Looking for something to become passionate about? Desperate to make your life count? Pour out your heart to God.
There is no sickness, no disease, no relationship, no baggage, no circumstance, no hurt, no need, no dream, that our God cannot meet. Period. This God is the Creator of the Universe. This God is the Author and Perfecter of all things. God is before all things.God has produced all things. God sustains all things. God transcends all things. God knows all things. God can do all things. God owns all things. God rules over all things. God is in control of all things.
“Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.” (Jeremiah 32:17)
What you pray about reflects what you believe about God. God is big enough to meet anything we bring to Him.
Blessings!