Before I go on with this, I just want to acknowledge the fact that I got amazing feedback in my DMs from the previous post. They were as I said, amazing. Thank you!
For better understanding, do read the previous post— the first of this prayer series— “PRAYER; what and what not to pray about.”
Back to my story!
After realizing my guardian at school wasn’t going to help, I took it upon myself to do that. After all, if my school wasn’t going to be changed again, I could as well find means to survive in it right?
Every morning as soon as my eyes came open, my prayers went something like “phew! Thank you, Lord for the night. Thank you I didn’t have any bad dreams. Protect me throughout the day…” and on and on it went.
And then at night after the day, and just before I retire to bed, my prayers were more fervent, intensified and serious. After all, it’s at night the enemies of our soul wage war na, lol.
My point is this; every night, I ensured I prayed before going to bed. I was scared of the unknown happening, and that was all my prayer everyday. I always felt safe after each prayer session, so I made sure never to miss any. Infact, I could utter the same words of “God please help me not to have any bad dreams. God please don’t let anything happen to me this night” over three times in one night. I was that determined. Haha.
I was scared, extremely so; and that was my first and most important motivation to pray. At that point, I wasn’t interested in building a close relationship with God, I only talked to Him because He made me feel safe. ‘How selfish!’ I can almost hear you say.
This leads me right to what I want to talk about; the point I’m driving at. Motives!
One common theme all those teachings on prayer talked about was the issue of motives. In one of the sermons, it was defined as your heart’s posture in the place of prayer.
It is the nature of man— fallen man— to be selfish by default. As much as it may not be a common trait for you, that nature of self raises its head every once and again.
Sometimes, you may feel your request is justified, but if you search deep you may find self in it.
Why are you really praying for more anointing? Is it really because you want to propagate the Kingdom further, or for something else?
Why are you praying for that soul with all your heart? Is it really because you have the heart and compassion of the Father for the lost, or because you want it to go down in record that it was you who prayed until something happened?
It is easy to tell yourself that your prayer has the right motive, after all, no one sees your heart but God.
It’s easy to allow yourself wallow in the guise of offering righteous prayers; but what really is a righteous prayer? Is it by your definition or God’s?
God really does see the heart. If you think you can deceive Him and make Him believe otherwise, well, think again.
When you offer prayers with your lips, what does your heart really say?
Do your lips say “for you”, while your heart says “for me”? Are the words of your lips in sync with the words of your heart?
Take me for instance; one would easily think I was praying daily to draw closer to God, while in reality, I was only praying for Him to keep me safe.
You may think nothing is wrong with that, but dear, everything is wrong with it when you make it just about you and when you motifs are not set aright.
So yes, motive is your heart’s posture. Is it still having the posture of self and flesh, or is it taking up righteousness— by God’s standard, that is?
What your heart says in prayer is by far more important than what your lips say. So, have the right heart posture while in prayer.
That’s it for today, let’s have the last segment of this tomorrow.
Did you enjoy this read or learn something? Let me know about it in the comments.
Sending love and light your way.
Zoey.
Zoey 