A Winner Either Way - The Christian Online Magazine

hlester@bellsouth.net

Lately I have been leaning more on God than ever before. In doing so, I have found some things I feel I have been lacking in. I have set down some things that I need to allow to take priority in my life and my prayer is they will help you also. Prayer is the key today to get the answers we need to help us with any problem we might be facing in this world we live in. Maybe your world is different than mine. In my world, I find many obstacles to my faith and there are many trials I have to overcome. I truly need all the help I can get. These four things will help you “meet the foe as you daily go” if you will follow them with your heart. There is a song I am reminded of entitled “I am a winner either way”. It lends us to believe that if we follow the things of God, whether we are here on this earth or if God takes us home to be with him, we will be a “Winner either Way”. So, let us use these things to help us reach the goals we have before us and to walk this pilgrim way.

You need to follow these four keys to help you have an effective prayer life:

First are we praying on a daily basis: Ask yourself if you are spending enough time with the Lord on a daily basis? If our prayer life consists only of petitions and intercession, it can lead to anger and frustration. If prayer is not answered in the speed that we wish it to be answered, we can become bitter and resentful toward God. However, if we grow to know God, a delayed prayer will only be an opportunity to pray again. Spending much time with the Lord is one of the only methods to truly know His ways, and not just His acts. Knowing God leads to resting in the assurance of His ultimate goodness, despite the circumstances we see around us.

Hab. 3:17-18 Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.

To be in intimate relationship with God is to make Him number one in our lives, above all others, and above all else.

Matt 10:37 "Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me;

Ask the Lord to show you any idols in your lives that would be number one instead of Him. These idols can take the form of family, friends, ministry, work or even personal dreams.

Second would be worship: As we worship the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, He births intimacy in our hearts. In worship, we are lavishing all our attention and affections toward Him. Sometimes just praising the Lord will make our pain go away; it will certainly take bitterness out of our heart and cause us to lean more on our Lord. Worship cleanses you from the "dirt" you pick up as you walk your everyday life by just living in an unsaved world.

A good anointed worship time refreshes and revives you. It speaks to your spirit the truth about God and His power. To be an effective intercessor, you must be awake in your spirit. Worship will awaken and sharpen your spirit to be in tune with the will of the Lord.

Third would be Repentance: You might say well I haven’t sinned. How about the “sin of omission”? Sometimes we just don’t pray, sometimes we just don’t worship, and sometimes we just don’t study the Word of God. Ask the Lord to search your heart, and to show you if there be any wicked way in it. The Lord is faithful to show us our motivations and secret desires. Keep a short account with the Lord.

1 John 1:8-9 (NIV) if we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

If you know there are wounds from hurts you have received, allow the Lord to heal those areas as you forgive and receive forgiveness and healing. If you find it hard to hear from God, ask Him to show blockages or walls in your own life that are hindering you from receiving and giving to the Lord. Some blockages are unforgiveness, unconfessed sin, disobedience, wounds and hurts. To pray effectively, pray out of a pure heart, so you don't pray in bitterness, anger and judgment.

Prayers prayed out of impure motives are sometimes known as soulful prayers. They are usually not very effective. When the Lord begins to show us things to pray for and our hearts are free from unconfessed sin and judgments toward others, we can pray without prejudice. Intercession is front line spiritual warfare. It is essential that you pray for protection for yourself and your family as you enter into intercession. Sin can provide an open door for the enemy to attack us. If, when you pray for others, you find things falling apart in your own life, ask the Lord to search your heart and show you any doors left open because of your own sin, or sin against you.

Lastly we should practice the presence of God. Practice just "being with God." Just enjoy each others company. Sometimes, just sitting with the Lord in silence can bring deep communion and refreshment to your spirit, soul and body. An earthly example of this sort of "being", would be a loving couple who have been married for years. They do not have to say a word to each other yet a glance or a smile can pass on deep intimacy and "knowing." You don't always have to be talking to Him. You don't always have to be expecting heavy revelation from heaven, in prayer, you can just enjoy being with Him. Part of practicing the presence of God is to understand he is with you always. It is a biblical fact and is not based on your emotions.

Deut 31:6 (NIV) be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."

The presence of God is there all the time. Learning to know He is there, however, will take time and patience. Just drink in His love for in the presence of God, fear cannot reside, anxiety cannot reside, heaviness cannot abide. You need to learn to tune into His presence, it is always there, but we need to practice becoming aware of it. So, let’s follow after God and be a “Winner either Way”.