Christian Prayer That Moves God's Heart - Part 1

How should Christians pray so that God hears and His heart is moved. Charles Spurgeon said “Prayer is the slender nerve that moves the muscle of the Almighty.” A nerve is something very small, isn't it? I have some damaged nerves because of knee surgery. If you strike my left knee in a specific spot I will not feel anything. I have never seen directly what a nerve looks like, but all my muscle movement depends on it. Spurgeon saw prayer like a nerve that will move muscle of God. I like the picture. It reminds me of Psalm 89: 9-13,

You rule the raging of the sea; when its waves rise, You still them. You crushed Rahab like one slain; with Your mighty arm You scattered Your enemies. The heavens are Yours, and the earth also is Yours; the world and all that fills it, You founded them. North and south, You created them; Tabor and Hermon shout for joy at Your name. You have a mighty arm; strong is Your hand, and high is Your right hand.

My prayers more often feel like little unseen nerves than like bulging muscles or a strong hand. I am the nerve - God is the muscle. I do not need to worry about how ‘strong’ my prayer is. My faith must rest in God's ‘muscle,’ not in myself.

So how do nerves of ours and muscle of God work? How should we pray? What should we expect? Let us discuss together one of my three thoughts...

Christian Prayer.

Our prayers will become more satisfying if God is the focus. Have your father or mother ever accused you of loving them only because of money? God wants a relationship with us more than anything. John Piper says “God is most glorified in me when I am most satisfied in Him.” Why don't we try taking the first part of our prayer simply to speak with God - before asking Him for anything?

Discipline your mind and heart to speak only about Him and about how He delights your heart. Pray this verse:

“One thing I have asked of the LORD, that is what I seek: to dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD and to enjoy His temple.” (Psalm 27:4)

Continue with this verse:

“O God, You are my God, I seek You; my soul thirsts for You, my body longs for You, like a dry and weary land without water. So I gaze upon You in the sanctuary, beholding Your power and Your glory. Because Your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise You. So I will bless You as long as I live and lift up my hands in Your name.” (Psalm 63:1-4)

We will discuss the other two points in the next article.

Questions:

1. Are you more focused on your requests and problems than on God?
2. What will help you make prayer a priority?
3. What will you do differently in your prayers?

Your brother,

Malcolm

*Church GKDI is currently in 35 cities. We have Bible Study activities in every region; if you need information or would like to get involved in them, contact us at contact Church GKDI Official: WhatsApp 0821 2285 8686 or Facebook / Instagram GKDI Official Related article:  Christian Prayer That Moves God's Heart - Part 2