Faith Still Comes by Hearing
Tuesday, September 8, 2009 at 03:04PM Well, if you read this blog much, or if you attended my classes on Lovesickness at ZSM (watch them here), then you know that I pray for myself on Wednesdays. I have been receiving so many questions about this (what do I pray for myself, how do I pray for myself, why do I pray for myself,etc). Because this seems to be a hot topic, I'm going to be sharing a bit each week about the practical ways that this prayer over my inner-man fleshes itself out in my life on Wednesdays. I will also be posting these in the Works for Me Wednesdays Blog Carnival and opening the comments for discussion. I would like to create a little conversation about the practicals of praying for ourselves! For a little background on the reasons that I pray for myself, I recommend reading my post here.
Okay, so right now I am focusing on the strengthening of my inner man. Paul prays this way:
"...that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God." Ephesians 3:16-19
I am finding myself really longing for this strengthening right now. I want my inner man (or my inner life), to stand strong despite circumstances. I don't want to be blown around by the surrounding condition of my life. That changes from moment to moment. A strong inner man will stand firm in faith and hope, whatever the climate of my day.
Now, when I first started on this journey, I would "think" a lot about praying for myself. That is not the same as praying. I would also "worry" a lot internally about the things that I wanted to pray about. That is also not praying. Praying means I actually pray - I actually engage God in a conversation. Two real people talking about something - in this case, my desire to be strengthened inside by the power of His Spirit.
One element that I have added recently is praying for myself OUT LOUD. This sounds silly, but I really need to hear myself pray these words. I need to hear The Word prayed over my heart - it doesn't somehow make it less valid if its my own voice that I hear! This is His Word - it's living and active, it's sharp, it pierces. I need it and I need to hear it.
"Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of Christ" Romans 10:17
I don't think that this verse only applies to salvation. Faith still comes by hearing and hearing by the word. If I need to be strengthened in faith (an inner-man issue), then I need to hear the word. The potential is endless - I can pour these words of life over myself all day! My kids think I'm nuts (my daughter asked me why I am talking to myself all the time), but I don't care. I like modeling this prayer for them, and I know that as these words wash over my heart, they are washing over them too.
It works for me! Praying out loud over my inner-man on Wednesdays is really helping me. How are you doing praying for yourself? Is there anything that you have found to be working? Are you seeing any fruit? Drop us a comment and lets go at this together!
Racquel
Reader Comments (2)
Great post. Thank your for discussing your prayer life here. I don't pray for myself out loud unless it is "God, give me strength!!" while my twin boys are driving me crazy :) By the way as far as your kids thinking your nuts they are all going to think that about us at some point I would rather it be regarding prayer, wouldn't you? :) Enjoyed your post and found you via WFMW.
thanks for this post. I linked it to my own WFMW post. Blessings!
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