7. New Testament Walkers and Talkers

Check on progress - 2.

Thinking

It is useful to summarise some of the lessons that we find as we read through the New Testament prayerfully.

Conversing with God seems to be more common than formal liturgical prayer; in fact there was little record of liturgical prayer outside the formality of the Temple. The emphasis is more on intimacy, the command to pray, and the absolute confidence that God listens and answers.

Praying

'Have I got it right Lord?

Listening

Yes my son. I frequently choose to speak to your soul in a pre-verbal language that becomes translated into your thoughts. You can then use your mind or intellect to put words around these thoughts, so that my word becomes wrapped in your personality - in exactly the same way as it did for the writers of scripture. I also speak in other ways too.

Praying

This is incredible Lord, to realise that you want to talk to me in this way. Your "still small voice" is quieter than any audible noise, but while you are teaching me to let you direct my thought processes, it's also so easy to block you out.

I also need to distinguish your voice from my own thoughts rising from the subconscious. You have shown me that: -

a.. I need to trust you, the living God, that you do speak in this way.

b.. I need to be aware that "god-ward" thought is not possible unless it is inspired by you, through the Holy Spirit.

c.. I need to come to you first in worship and confession so that I am tuned in and open to hearing your voice.

d.. I need to test a given "word" to ensure that it could not have arisen from my thoughts alone.

e.. I need to test and question any thought for its source from you, by ensuring that it is consistent with the scriptures.

f.. I need to persist and practise listening to you so that I hear you more frequently - often many times a day.

These words are my translation of your voice to me, Lord.

Listening

They are all correct my son. Now write them down and spread the word that this is the way that I want my people to pray today. The new Christians learned it fast. The principles are unchanging, as I am unchanging.

Thinking

There is a beautiful story in Mark 7: 33 when Jesus healed the man who was deaf and dumb. "Jesus put his fingers into the man's ears. Then he spat and touched the man's tongue. He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him 'Ephphatha!' (which means, 'Be opened')." As a result of this we read that the people said, "He even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak" (V.37.).

Praying

Lord, I pray today that you will pray this prayer over me, that my ears may hear, and my dumb mouth may speak - in conversational prayer with you.

Listening

I do, my son. Hear my word now. "Ephphatha."

Praying

Thank you Lord. Now I want to begin with the prayer you taught us - that we know as the Lord's Prayer. These words speak to my soul, but my response is wrapped up in my own personality as I present it back to you in worship.

Copyright Howard Smith 2002. All Rights reserved.

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