Save me from my comfort, and paper religion, false conversion. Make me a wall.
Save me from my complacency save me from my delusion
This is from a song on one of my IHOP CD's. Song of Song 8.10 talks about being a strong tower, a wall. In context, it is talking about the Beloved becoming mature and is now ready to be given to her lover. She is strong now; able to stand on her own. She is no longer bound to her family, but ready to move forward in life. God wants us to be strong and sturdy so when the winds blow and the storms rage, we are firmly rooted and grounded and not shaken. To take it even further with our prayers some are called to be intercessors. These people must have some might within to pray for others. Some are called to be intercessors, healers, prophets, teachers, speaking in tounges and interpreters of tounges (1 Cor 12; Ephesians 4). The prayer in this song is that the intercessor would be like a strong tower so they may be faithful and stand in the gap on behalf of the lost, they have been chosen as watchmen on the wall (perseverance). I hope this makes sense. I have been writing this for a while and I hope is understandable. I could write on and on my thought forever. So here are my thoughts and prayers.
Comfort.
The things that feel good. The things I know. My understanding . If I don't understand then I don't w worry about it. Comfort is what I feel when I climb into my bed and my toes that were once frozen without socks, get warm and cozy and I am able to fall asleep "comfortable". What about those who don't have a bed? blankets? socks? These are things that have blessed me that I never think about.
Save me from my comfort that I become complacent in Father. Save me from the things that keep me in my ways and keep my eyes off of you.
Paper Religion.
My interpretation of this is being legalistic, "religious", forgetting about the relationship aspect of God, following the laws because it is the right thing to do, works without faith.
Save me from the works that I do without faith Father.
Save me from following the rest of the body, but help me to find my individuality. Save me from paper-chain-people cut-outs crowds so that the all that you talk about in John 3.16 may be reached.
False conversion.
In the end times there will be prophets both good and evil doing signs and wonders (Matthew 24.4,11; Mark 13, 2 Peter 2). People are looking for reality right now. They are looking to fill the longing that is within them. They are looking for something that fits "who they are" or what goes with their lifestyle. Who is praying for them to fill the hole within with God? Save me from false conversion Father. Save me from false prophets that do not proclaim your name. Save me from the works that come from these false prophets that bring false conversion. Conversion: shifting from one life-style to another (at least for me and becoming a Christian) or culture (totally my interpretation and I really don't know what the dictionary says- just thinking about me when I was saved and "converted to Christianity).
Save me from my complacency.
To be complacent. this is like a negative term to me for being comfortable. Lets look at the prophets I forget about. Amos 6.1 " woe to you who are complacent in Zion, and to you who feel secure on Mount Samaria... you dine on choice lambs... drink wine by the bowlful... Therefore you will be among the first to go into exile... "
Zephaniah1.12 "At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps and punish those who are complacent... who think 'the Lord will do nothing either, good or bad'..."
For Amos he was talking about living off the "fat of the land" and soaking up the blessing but not searching out for God. He provided so much for Israel, but yet they are having the hardest time turning to God and thanking him for the awesome signs and wonders he has done for them completely!
For Zephaniah when the Babylonians went through the city with lamps they dragged people out of their hiding places into the open. Judah thought that God would protect them because they are "his chosen", but yet they failed to devote themselves to God wholeheartedly that God released them from his grip.
Save me from my complacency Father. Save me from my comfort that takes my eyes off of you. Save me from the things that keep me from moving forward. Save me from the distractions that keep me from your best.
Save me from my delusions.
What is a delusion? Is this something that I conjure up in my mind, then expect things to go the way I though out in my mind? If this is the case, I pray that I may take every thought captive and present it to Jesus so that it would line up with His will (2 Corinthians 10.5). according to
Webster, Delusion is "a persistent false psychotic belief regarding the self or persons or objects outside the self". The things inside are not real, but what do you do when the thoughts won't leave your mind and you pray about it everyday to leave or change- that something, anything would happen? All I can say is that perseverance is being produced and through that character is produced...(Romans 5.3; James 1.3; 2 Peter 1.6).
Save me from my delusions; thoughts that cloud my mind from seeing truth and reality. Save me from myself that I may die so that you truly can live (holy cow, this is the hardest prayer for me).
My ultimate prayer is that the desires of my heart may line up with God's desires and through that the impossible would happen- in Hillside Community Church, any student ministry (College, youth), Duluth and beyond. Anyone can do anything and God can give gifts to anyone to do anything. People can heal once or carry that gift all their life (or with any gift).
Ok I could again, keep going but I will stop and get back to this later. Peace out Beloved.
