Understanding God
and Prayer
Colossians 1:16 John 14:1
By Clyde Martin

If 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 yourt 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. I agree and appreciate the passionate ministry of John Piper to spread knowledge of the supremacy of God. He expresses: "Not until we really know God and understand His attributes and He is made to look magnificently more attractive than anything in this world, will the Glory of God be known."

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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