Part 1: Developing Spiritual Disciplines
Prayer is not an option for the disciple; it is the very air that he or she breathes. Just as the runner must know how to breathe correctly, so a disciple must learn how to pray. The disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray. He taught them to pray by both word and example.
We must devote ourselves to a lifestyle of prayer (Colossians 4:2). Devoting ourselves to prayer is not an activity, but a relationship with a Person. It is both a discipline in setting aside designated time and a delight as we learn to abide in His presence throughout the day. There are many passages in the Bible, which inform us that God expects us to pray. Richard Foster in his book “The Celebration of Discipline says,”
“All who have walked with God have viewed prayer as the main business of their lives. The words of Mark, “And in the morning, a great while before the day, he arose and went out to a lonely place, and there he prayed.” This stands as a commentary on the life-style of Jesus. Martin Luther declared, “I have so much business I cannot get on without spending three hours daily in prayer.” He held it as a spiritual axiom that “He that has prayed well has studied well.” John Wesley said, “God does nothing but in answer to prayer,” and backed up his conviction by devoting two hours daily to that sacred exercise.”
After I was first saved I desired to know God. I longed for someone to personally disciple me and teach me how to walk as a Christian. In my hunger and thirst for the things of God, I discovered the best Teacher I could ever have received and it was the person of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit became my Teacher and He taught me how to pray. I along with you, looked at the life of some of these great men and women of God who had gone before, and wondered how I could ever attain to the commitment of prayer, which they displayed.
I want to encourage you, that you can have as deep a walk with God as you desire. If you too, will give yourself to the Holy Spirit, He will help you in your weakness. Think about it. Do occasional joggers suddenly enter an Olympic marathon? No, they prepare and train themselves over a period of time.
God is not asking you to become a master in prayer overnight. He is asking you to start having a consistent time of prayer everyday. If you will consistently start praying as one of Christ’s disciples today, then you can expect to pray with greater authority and spiritual success a year from now than at present. It is time to begin your spiritual journey in prayer, by learning to yield your heart completely to the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.
1) Find the time that is right for you whether morning, mid-day or night.
2) Develop a habit so that you are consistent.
3) As you develop a disciplined habit it will become a delight to meet with the Father.
4) Learn to carry your time of prayer with you as you become more sensitive to the Spirit’s life, voice, power and guidance.
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