"Kneel Before Him"

 Reflections4Life™ February 5, 2023

“Kneel Before Him”

“Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!” Psalm 95:6

Scripture Contemplation: Matthew 6; 17:14; 20; Mark 1:40; Acts 21:5; James 5…

©Ruthe McDonald.

I am going to keep it straight and forward with you. There are many who have no prayer life. Oh! We say we pray and for the most part, we do. Yet, our prayers are lacking substance, direction, many times selflessness, and often power. Still, others have no prayer life, no inclination to pray unless they find themselves in a situation with no foreseeable way out. It is time for us to put on our big girl panties and big boy underwear and kneel before the Lord, establishing a healthy prayer life that is not just words but poignant, powerful, and effective communication between God and us.

I decree that this week’s Reflections are a source of continued encouragement and inspiration for your heart mind and soul. It is time for us to get back to the basics and begin to kneel before the Lord, waiting on Him and believing in Him and His word, no matter what the circumstances dictate. A healthy prayer life makes all the difference. If you want to know what is in the heart of God and what He has for your life; then you must kneel before Him, laying everything on the line with effective prayers that reach the heart of God.

Being Honest

If we are honest with ourselves, we will admit that we all have been there at one time or another in a place of stagnation; a place where prayer is no longer an integral part of our lives. For many, we have given up and have decided that praying does not work. That God is not listening, nor does He care about our petitions.

You could not be more wrong if you believe that. Even in our disobedience, God implores us to come to Him and repent, so that we may be redeemed and receive the benefits that the Blood of Christ affords us. Kneeling before God, showing our reverence and respect for Him, and all that He has done is a sign of gratitude and trust. It signifies our willingness to lay aside everything that we are facing and come before our Creator, knowing that He will and has answered our prayers even if it does not look like it.

Be honest. How diligent and faithful are you when it comes to praying? Do you set aside quality time to spend in the presence of God? Are you consistent in building your relationship with the Father? Do you make it a priority in your life? Have you made the time between you and God a sacred event and made sure to get rid of all distractions? I'll raise my hand and tell you the truth--I am not always consistent in prayer time/life. This is what I seek the Father to help me with. As part of learning consistency, God gave me a task that causes me to be consistent. It is like growing muscles. You must work it to grow it, and keep using it, so as not to lose it. Prayer is a muscle.

Most of us have prayer lives that look like an Indy 500—it is over before we even started. A few words are spoken quickly; asking what we want and for forgiveness but never taking the time to communicate and being quiet to hear God speak back. Yes! He does speak to us, also; if we care to listen and develop a prayer life that is sacred and inviting to God.

There is Power in Prayer

James 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

Make no mistake, Beloveds. There is indeed power in prayer. There is the power to change lives and to change our circumstances and situations if we can believe and live accordingly, being open to the will, plan, and grace of our heavenly Father.

Communication with our Heavenly Father strengthens us. It prepares us for what lies ahead. It provides a cover for us each and every day. Prayer has the power to release the angels of God on our behalf.

Daniel 10:12-14 ¹² Then he said to me, “Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words. ¹³ The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia, ¹⁴ and came to make you understand what is to happen to your people in the latter days. For the vision is for days yet to come.”

James 5:17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months, it did not rain on the earth.

Joshua 10:12-13 At that time Joshua spoke to the Lord in the day when the Lord gave the Amorites over to the sons of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, “Sun, stand still at Gibeon, and moon, in the Valley of Aijalon.” ¹³ And the sun stood still, and the moon stopped until the nation took vengeance on their enemies. Is this not written in the Book of Jashar? The sun stopped in the midst of heaven and did not hurry to set for about a whole day.

Prayer--a healthy and steadfast prayer life--connects us to God in ways that our human heart, mind, and spirit cannot comprehend. It connects to the heart and mind of God and enables us to learn the truths of God. When our relationship with God is ensconced in prayer, we will learn the heart of God and His voice. We learn the mysteries of the word of God that in turn gives us the power to move in a way that is filled with confidence and authority. Knowing the heart and voice of God is powerful. It allows us to see things and to know things, and have the ability to stop some things from occurring.

Kneeling Before the Lord

The act of kneeling before the Lord is not only a physical act of surrender but also our hearts kneeling in submission to God and to His ways and plans for our lives. Kneeling in prayer to show honor and respect for our Heavenly Father, as He in turn blesses, anoints, and strengthens us for what lies ahead.

There is so much that we gain and can learn in our prayer life with God. There are things that God desires to show us, tell us, and give us. But these can only happen in a posture of prayer, obedience, and surrender to His will in our lives. He waits on us; having already invited us into His presence, into His courts and sacred chambers. All we have to do is show up and dedicate the time that only belongs to God.

My Beloveds, May the spirit of peace and prosperity finds permanent rest in your lives. I decree that every good thing that God has ordained for your life will become evident to you. Kneel before Him. Make a commitment to bow before the Lord and allow Him the pleasure of speaking to your heart as He fills you with His love, wisdom, and power. Let God remind you of His purpose for your life and strengthen you for the journey that we call life. You are blessed. Now go, and be a blessing.

©2023. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.