“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1-2).
Praying for God to move through you in anticipation of miracles and healings is so exciting. Being in need of a miracle is challenging and vulnerable. Pursuit of both brings us to a place of desperation and contending for God to move through us or on our behalf. Sometimes when we are pursuing the power of God, whether we need a miracle or we want to see God move through us, we can get a little sidetracked with the power and lose sight of the power source. As we are contending for those needs so near and dear to our hearts during the fast, or have a deep desire to partner with God and see him move, let us remember to take time just to be with him, without any other agenda.
We do not want our relationship with God to become transactional. God is always pursuing us, loving us, protecting us, intervening on our behalf, creating for us, providing for us, delivering us, interceding for us, listening to and answering our requests, speaking to us, and the list goes on and on. Responding with expressions of love, admiration, and thankfulness are important to him and for us. Just like we like to be appreciated and romanced, so does God. Our worship and expressions of thanks and love is the only thing we can give to God that he has not already given to us. We have been created to worship him. Worship helps focus on the only one worthy of our praise. God is our safe place, he is the solution to every problem, he is the one who puts breath in our lungs, he is the God who saves, he provides for our every need, he is the lifter of our heads, the distributor of joy. He has overcome the power of the enemy and gives us his power and authority. He is a good father. He never leaves us, never fails us, always has time for us. He is almighty, victorious, full of kindness, grace, mercy, and justice. There is no one more powerful. No one more worthy of our time and attention.
God loves us so fully and completely just because we are his kids. It is not based on what we do for him. It cannot be earned or lost. Our pursuit of love for him should be the same. We love God because he is God. He is worthy of our love and affection regardless of what he does or does not do. One of the best ways to bring our relationship with the Lord back into balance is through worship. When we worship, we take our eyes off of us and fix them firmly on him. Worship welcomes God’s presence. Worship is the place where we appreciate who God is and what he has done. As we shift our focus this week purely back to our Heavenly Father, let his presence wash over you. Just be with him. Listen for his voice. Be extravagant in your expressions of love for him, just like he is extravagant in the love he extends.
Listening Prayer:
Ask the Holy Spirit what is on his heart today. Ask him if there is anything he would like from you that would minister to him. Write down what you hear and act upon anything he asks you to do.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I confess there are times when I am more focused on what you can do for me than on simply being with you. I repent of having an unbalanced relationship with you. Holy Spirit, teach me to listen and remind me when I need to just be with you. Purify my motives for spending time with you. I offer you my attention and my worship. May it be a pleasing and fragrant offering to you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Resource: Bible Verses on Worship
“But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”’ (John 4:23-24)
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:1-2)
“If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” (Daniel 3:17-18)
“Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength! Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him! Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness; tremble before him, all the earth; yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved. Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice, and let them say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!”’(1 Chronicles 16:28-31)
Worship Song:
“Nothing Else” by Cody Carnes
“Awake My Soul” by Hillsong Worship