October 6, 2012 - Sincere Motivations

Prayer focus for October 6-12, 2012

When we pray we release energy into the atmosphere.  And we pray from our heart.  Jesus said out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.  So it's important we know the intents and motivations of our heart, because we want to release Holy Spirit energy when we pray and not anything from a selfish motivation or evil influence. 

It's an ongoing process to examine our hearts and motives.  God is continually working in us--enlightening us, delivering us, sanctifying us. Not only do we need to be free from the obvious things like pride, selfishness, envy, greed, etc. but also things like guilt & self-loathing.  Those things are not to be confused with humility!  We also need to know what effect emotional pain and hurt is having on us.  All things are working together for our good!  Even the people and circumstances that trouble us.  As we worship and pray from a sincere and grateful heart even during tough times, the authority of our prayers increases.  (See James 5:16-20).

During prayer today, I found myself doing some self-examination, asking God to cleanse my heart and open my eyes to those things I need to see about myself.  I realized that being around an atmosphere of worship, by the true Spirit of God, (in Spirit and in Truth), has set me free from all kinds of deceptive thinking/influence that I wouldn't have seen any other way.  We Christians have to be (continually) filled with the genuine Holy Spirit and not just "good" religious behavior! 

My prayer is for all of the worship leaders in our churches to be influenced by the true Spirit of the living God to a greater degree than they currently are.  To press in deeper to Him, to cry out for Him in a way they never have before.  Also that the pastors do not become envious as the worship leaders rise up and flow in a greater depth of the Spirit.  Pastors need to feel secure in the love of God and in their position in order for this to happen.  And worship leaders can help by making sure their pastor knows they respect them.  God, let there be no envy between these two positions!  Let each one recognize their place and put the unity of the Spirit above individual calling. 

Open the eyes of our heart Lord!  Let true worship from a sincere heart rise up from Waterford as a fragrant offering that is pleasing to You!