Understanding
God
and Prayer
by W. Clyde Martin
Understanding
GodIf you want to understand life better,
understand that everything exists
for Christ. This is a fundamental truth that must be the underlying motive for
living and praying. This must be the starting point for our prayer life. If one
has a huge view of Christ our God and understands fully the meaning of
Colossians 1:16, "By Him all things were created, both in Heaven and on
Earth...all things were created by Him and for Him"----then and only then will
we understand God and Prayer.
It is an awesome thing to be closed up in a closet with the omnipotent,
omniscient omnipresent God Who not only allows us, but desires us to bow before
the triune throne in the Name of Christ and communicate ultimately and
intimately with Him.
NO LONGER AWESTRICKEN
The Church has lost the "awe" of God. Today man's view of God is small
instead of big, vague instead of clear, minute instead of mammoth. Many no
longer comprehend the scope of God's supremacy. Not until we obey His
command in Matthew 6:6, "enter into thy closet, and shut the door" will we
understand the power of prayer. The close-up view in the closet allows us
an intimacy with Christ that reveals how big God is.
WE MUST REALLY KNOW GOD
In His purpose to encourage and strengthen The Twelve and His disciples just
prior to His departure for Heaven, Jesus said, "Let not your heart be troubled.
Ye believe in God, believe also in me". He speaks to the twelve who have
given their all-in-all to do God's will. Already by faith in God they had left
all and followed Christ. What deeper meaning is in this saying of Jesus? Is
there a danger that one might believe that God is, yet be limited in knowledge
of Him? How much can a believer really know about God?
Most believers don't bring to life a great vision of God. Today's society has
almost no vision of God. Our churches have lost their awe of the supremacy
of the Creator of all things. Many New Testament churches have turned to schemes
and hi-tech means of reaching the masses, thus seeing no need of mass
evangelistic crusades that depend on the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to bring
conviction of sin and the power of the Gospel to set the sinner free of the old
life.
GROWING A CHURCH
I must confess at my age I struggle to understand the terminology of today. If
"growing a church" means that the redeemed are growing in grace. I, too, rejoice
in the growth. By His grace we are saved and by His grace we continue. Growing
in grace is an act of God's power, mainly through the study of God's Word and
prayer.
Under the banner of CHURCH GROWTH, some are proceeding with the method of "
drill and train" tactics to regiment their increased attendance thus by-passing
God's given "power to make man become the sons of God." (John 1:12)
Unfortunately, the typical lives of many sincere Christians are filled with
futile efforts to make themselves spiritual by means of church activities only.
The greatest need for building an evangelistic New Testament church is to
fortify the assembly with genuine intercessors who have access to the mind of
God and can communicate, cooperate and participate with the Trinity in a
church-wide ministry of prayer.
END- TIME KNOWLEDGE
The end-time conditions of the Church are now upon us and if we want our
lives to be what God intends them to be in this world and in the Church, we must
really know God. Increased knowledge is promised by God for last day living.
Most 21st Century people do not have a great vision of God. We live in a society
where God is simply omitted.
UNDERSTANDING AND PRAYER
God is best understood in the Closet. When the "door is shut", we are alone
with God and He welcomes the intimate fellowship with His redeemed children.
With our words and praise offered in seclusion we can freely "tell Him all about
our troubles and trials." It is in the secrecy of the Closet that we feel we
have the understanding ear of God. His promise is that He will hear and see us
in secrecy and will reward us openly.
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