I had the privilege to attend a Living Proof Live conference in early June featuring Beth Moore. She focused on teaching the elements needed to A-D-V-A-N-C-E the gospel of Christ.  One of the key elements is to hone our offensive weapon of prayer.  She challenged us to shake up our prayer life so that we are fervent, committed, energized and passionate in our conversations with the LORD.  I have been pondering the positions of prayer that she outlined- face down, kneeling, sitting and standing.  Mostly I sit as I pray and write in my prayer journal.  I realized how much I needed this refocusing in my own life to energize my times with the Lord.  I’m going to write about these positions one at a time and hopefully, my discussion and questions will help you to rethink your own prayer life.

Going face down in prayer is not something I do.  I have to ask myself why not?  In scripture, those confronted with serious problems or with God’s presence fell face down before the Lord.  Moses in Numbers 16:4 fell face down when confronted with Korah’s sin, Joshua 7:6 says Joshua went face down when confronted with Achan’s sin, Ezekiel 1:28 tells when Ezekiel saw God’s radiance he fell face down.  In the New Testament the leper came to Jesus and fell face down seeking Jesus’ healing in Luke 5:12 and in Matthew 17:6 Peter, James and John fell face down upon hearing the voice of God speaking to them on the Mt of Transfiguration.  Do I feel my problems are not serious enough to warrant going face down before the Lord.  Being face down is a position of abject submission and helplessness in front of Almighty God.  Isn’t that where I need to be to seek His solution to my problems and ask for His mercy?    Scripture does not describe Hezekiah as being face down when he presented his letter from Sennechrib to God pleading for his mercy and deliverance in 2Kings 18, but I envision Hezekiah as being face down, spread out in utter submission to God.  He laid his case before God seeking his solution to an impossible situation.  Hezekiah trusted God for the outcome and received a miraculous deliverance.

What impossible situations are you facing right now?  Do you feel that something-a relationship, a job, a situation, a conflict is beyond help?  These are the situations where God longs to help us.  Consider going face down in prayer and laying the problem before God and asking for his mercy.   Then get up and trust God with the problem knowing that God has already taken care of it!  Remember 2Samuel 22:31  “As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless.  He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.”  Also Jeremiah 29:11 “I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD,” plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Blessings as you seek his face- face down in abject submission.

Linda

OK- so here is my adversity for this week.  I was rear ended on my way to work on Friday.  My car may be totaled, I have been in a lot of discomfort do to whip lash, unexpected expenses to cover and missed hours at work.  I could let those things consume me with worry about what might be the outcome, how long the situation will persist, how much it will cost- will I be able to afford it…..

When things happen in your life do you want to blame others or God for this happening to you?  I know that God is sovereign and nothing that happens to me happens by accident.(2Chronicles 20:6 and John 10:29)  God is good and wants only good things for me. (Psalm 25:8 and Psalm34:8)      So how do I resolve this seeming conflict of God’s goodness and bad things happening?   James 1:2-4  says “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work, so that you many be mature and complete, not lacking in anything.”  (NIV)  God’s word tells me to take things in stride and be confident that God can and will use this adversity to grow my character helping me to learn how to stand firm and be persevering. Satan wants me fearful and worrying.  Those are his tools to undermine my faith and trust in God.

I don’t know if I’m at the place yet in my walk with God that I really rejoice when adversity comes, but I am beginning to recognize those times and see that God is greater than anything I am facing and that I can trust Him.  Here are a few verses that help to turn my perspective to Him when adversity comes:  2Corinthians 12:9-10   But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”  Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  For the sake of Christ, then, ” I am content with weaknesses, insult, hardship, persecutions, and calamities.  For when I am weak, then I am strong.      Philippians 4:19  “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”  and Lamentations 3:21-23  “But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (ESV)   These verses assure me of God’s sovereignty and care.  I can rest in Him knowing that He will provide, be merciful each day and will not give me something that His grace will not be enough to cover.  Those are assurances that allow me to get up each morning, persevere and claim victory in Him in spite of the adversities I may face that day.

I pray that these words of encouragement will help you the next time – probably today! that you face adversity.  Turn to Him and let him see you through it. God is the master of turning lemons into lemonade for each of us.

Have a Blessed day.

Linda