Life Of A Disciple Part 2: PrayerShembull

Part Two, Week Two - Bill Johnson

I (Bill)  love so many subjects, but the subject of prayer is one of the ones that impacts me the most. I believe that it’s a privilege to commune with God and make a difference in the course of history. The strength of my life is my adoration of Him - a burning heart for Him - and being a worshipper is what positions me to pray effectively. Something happens when we subconsciously become aware of the heart of God as we spend time in worship and adoration, praying with insight from connection with Him.

This is why it’s so crucial for us to pay attention to what place we are praying from. Complaining, for example, is prayer in reverse, and offense can come to us disguised as discernment. These actions reveal to us that we are losing the battle over our own thoughts and that we’ve not positioned our hearts to pray from His presence.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 charges us to rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and in everything give thanks, for this is God’s will. Any situation that we cannot rejoice or give thanks in, we are losing the battle over our thoughts. Rejoicing and thanksgiving are absolute, pure expressions of faith. They refocus our attention, affections, and our prayers to be from God’s presence and plans. 

Something happens when we pray in the presence - things move at a higher pace, to higher levels, on more effective routes. Everything changes when we pray from affection and waiting on Him!

1. What does worship and adoration look like in your life today? How can you grow it? 
2. How are you managing your thoughts and your attention?
3. What are you doing to make yourself mindful of God’s presence?
4. How are you praying for those around you, and cultivating tenderness in line with God’s heart for them? 

Listen to Life of a Disciple: Part Two, Week Two with Bill Johnson at bethel.com/disciple.