How Much Time Should I Spend Praying?

If you love someone, you spend time with them. You do this not because you have to, but because you want to.  Time is a major currency of love.

Those of us who claim to love God should naturally desire to spend more time with Him. We can do this by praying, worshiping, meditating upon his Word, etc.  I don’t believe in excessive formality and can find nothing in the New Testament that stipulates such.

What I do find myself conflicted about is how much time to spend in the Lord’s presence. In my youth I was inadvertently taught by some to measure spiritual growth by how much time I was spending in prayer.  “How can you still be praying for only 1 hour each day?” they would ask, “Why have you not progressed to 2?”   In more recent years I came across a minister who regularly advocated praying in tongues for at least 1 hour each day for better spiritual health.

You have the verses of Scripture that speak against making a pretense of long prayer, but then you also have Jesus himself praying all night on mountain tops.  You have “the Lord’s prayer”, short and succinct in Matthew 6, and then you also have prayers such as John 17 which are longer and see Jesus pouring out his heart to the Father.

My conclusion? It’s not about whether the prayer is long or short, but about the quality of the connection itself. I believe that because we love God, if we love God, we will ultimately gravitate towards spending more time with Him in various ways.  This will happen automatically and not out of a sense of obligation or in a burdensome way. I also believe that if we spend no time with Him at all, then this is a sure signal that something is wrong with our spiritual state and eventually, this disconnect is likely going to become apparent in our daily lives.

May God fill our hearts with more love for Him and cause us to enjoy spending time in His presence!

What Church Do You Go To? Does it Matter?

I hate that question with a passion, because I have found it to hide a truckload of Christian prejudice in my time. “What church do you go to?” I remember being asked that question while still a college student by a well-meaning evangelical acquaintance. “I attend a Methodist church…” I began. “Oh, so you’re not ‘born again'” my young acquaintance responded. I was incredulous, insulted, and a little bit angry. I discarded the rest of my cordial answer and latched on to his prejudice instead. “So, I can’t be ‘born again’ because I attend a Methodist church? You think nobody there is saved?”

He began to explain himself, pointing out that some churches do not accept the Holy Spirit. Little did he know that there were and are many people in all denominations of Christianity who enjoy the full revelation of the Godhead – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – and seek to obey his Word as revealed in the Bible. He also didn’t understand that I actually came to faith in an Evangelical setting,  had worshiped for a while in a Pentecostal gathering, and was at that time helping out with the Sunday school in the Methodist Church.  I didn’t interact much with that man after that day; he retreated into his Christian prejudice and I into my cave of righteous indignation.

Denominationalism is not of God

So easily do we forget Paul’s exhortation in his first letter to the Corinthians:

“I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas ”; still another, “I follow Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul?”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭1:10-13‬ ‭NIV‬‬
http://bible.com/111/1co.1.10-13.niv

We Christians sometimes live as if those verses do not exist!  We define ourselves by our separate congregations, assuming ourselves to be the sole custodians of the whole truth and looking down on other expressions of the faith through our holier-than-thou spectacles.  The Pentecostal denounces the Orthodox because the latter is too quiet.  The Othodox denounces the Pentecostal for the opposite reason.  One Christian congregation emphasizes holiness at the expense of the message of grace.  Another shouts grace from the rooftops leaving the holiness message unexplored.  Yet another emphasizes the gifts of the Spirit above all things, while their estranged brothers focus on deep study for the careful understanding and application of the scriptures.  Each congregation looks down on the others, each secretly believing they know best, and each seeking their own glory and expansion.

Non-Denominational Gatherings Do Exist

The fact that a gathering calls itself non-denominational does not make it so.  Is the congregation seeking the growth of the wider body of Christ as opposed to its own numbers?  Is it seeking to do so in collaboration with fellow Christians from other congregations?  Do sermons from the pulpit or stage focus on Christ as the Saviour and role model, or is there undue reference and deference to the human leaders?  If not, I humbly submit that it is still denominational at heart.

I have sat under many church leaders in many congregations and am most grateful for the ministry of those who understand these words of Jesus, and share his heart expressed in this prayer:

““My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”
‭‭John‬ ‭17:20-23‬ ‭NIV‬‬
http://bible.com/111/jhn.17.20-23.niv

  • Martin Luther’s Mistake?

  • Complete unity.  I sometimes wonder if the Protestant split led by Martin Luther was a mistake.  In the midst of all the injustice and the heresy in the established Church of the day, was there another way in which the matter could and should have been dealt with, to bring change and revival within one body?  Was division the right answer? Examine the fruit – division, subdivision and ultimate fragmentation.  Each denomination breaks away because it has uncovered truth being ignored by the parent denomination, and runs strong for a while until they become the orthodoxy and another denomination breaks out again from under them.  Ultimately, we are faced with multiple groups, including many fragments accountable only to themselves, lacking the oversight of any elders of the faith and running unchecked with all manner of private revelations and visions.  Surely this is not how it was meant to be.

    What About Heresy?

    Of course not every congregation truly follows the gospel of Jesus Christ, and false teachers abound.  There are indeed some fundamentals of the faith which cannot and should not be debated.  But all other things – doubtful things, Paul called them – need to be dealt with delicately and with consideration for one another, leaving the judgement to God. In Paul’s time, it was the matter of whether or not to eat meat sacrificed to idols, as well as disagreements over the observance of holy days and the Sabbath.  In my time, it has been over such things as proper Christian attire, secular music, appropriate Christian music and the place of television in a Christian home.

    Here are some helpful verses of Scripture to consider:

    “Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

    Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”

    Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.”
    ‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭2:14-15, 19, 23-26‬ ‭NIV‬‬
    http://bible.com/111/2ti.2.14-15,19,23-26.niv

    “Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that “We all possess knowledge.” But knowledge puffs up while love builds up. Those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to know. But whoever loves God is known by God.

    But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do. Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak.

    Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall.”
    ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭8:1-3, 8-9, 13‬ ‭NIV‬‬
    http://bible.com/111/1co.8.1-3,8-9,13.niv

    The True Church

    The true Church of Christ isn’t the Methodist or the Anglican or the Evangelical or the Pentecostal… the church – the “body of Christ” – is made up of everyone who confesses with their mouth and believes in their heart that God raised Jesus from the dead.

    “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”
    ‭‭Romans‬ ‭10:9-10‬ ‭NIV‬‬
    http://bible.com/111/rom.10.9-10.niv

    This true church also recognizes that their faith will be evidenced by what they do.  Nobody can truly have faith and live a life unchanged.

    “What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?

    But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

    As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.”
    ‭‭James‬ ‭2:14, 18-19, 26‬ ‭NIV‬‬
    http://bible.com/111/jas.2.14,18-19,26.niv

    Members of the true church are everywhere, in all sorts of Christian gatherings, seeking God quietly or loudly, waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. I believe this with all my heart.  I am not an Evangelical, or an Anglican or anything other than a follower of Jesus Christ… a Christian.

    May he find us faithful when he comes, or calls us home.  May he say “well done…” (See Matthew 25).

     

    Life More Abundantly – An Awesome Promise

    “I have come that they might have life, and have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). What an awesome promise this is. Being a Christian does not mean being sour, sad and deprived of every good thing that life has to offer. It does not mean that we can or should no longer enjoy life. Quite the contrary; the pursuit of Jesus is supposed to bring true fulfillment, true life – life more abundant than what we had before.

    “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace…” (Galatians 5:22). If we are lacking these them we are deficient in our journey. We are lacking the essentials of our walk. Perhaps sin has snuck in through the back – or front – door and robbed us of our joy and peace. Perhaps it’s a lack of faith that has taken our eyes off the Master and placed it on the billowing waves at our feet. It’s no wonder then, that we sink. (See Matthew 14:22-33).  If we can only learn to fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and the finisher of our faith, then we can learn to run this race, walk this walk, and do so with a hop, a skip and a jump.

    I’m not too naive as to think that true devotion to Christ will not bring its share of suffering, because it will. Blessed are you when people persecute you and say all manner of evil against you for falsely for His sake. Rejoice because they did the same to the prophets before you! (Matthew 5:11-12)

    And there you have the full truth; following after Christ does not eliminate problems from our lives, but faithfully following Him unlocks the ability to be joyful and at peace in the midst of whatever life may throw at us.

    Worry about nothing. Pray about everything. Turn your worries into prayers, and then the peace of God which is greater than we can understand will keep our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus our Lord. (Philippians 4: 6-7)

    Life more abundant – not based on how much is in the bank, or how well our relationships are going, or how healthy or comfortable we feel, but based on the faith that God is in control no matter what, and will work it all out for our good. The circumstances become less important, and trust in the One who holds it all together takes center stage.

    Derek Tidball told the story of a young boy who trusted his father was good, despite everyone telling him his father was a Frankenstein who cut people up. He knew his father cut people open at work and but he also knew that his father was good. It was only after he grew up a bit more that he full understood that his father was a surgeon, and he cut people up to heal them.

    I have always loved that story. We can’t understand everything God does or allows now, but we know that He works all things together for the good of those who love Him. (Romans 8:28) This is the source of our joy, our strength and our peace. Our God is good, our God is in control and He’ll make it alright in the end, on this side of eternity or the next. (I Corinthians 13:12)

    Rest, trust, and begin to live life more abundantly.

    Choosing To Love Though We Disagree

    “If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don’t love, I’m nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate.

    If I speak God’s Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, “Jump,” and it jumps, but I don’t love, I’m nothing.

    If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.” – I Corinthians 13:1-3, The Message Bible.

    It amazes and saddens me to see and hear about how many hateful acts are perpetuated in the name of religion. Looking closely at the teachings of Jesus Christ, you see that the central tenets of his message revolve around love.

    “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son…” (John 3:16)
    “Love the Lord your God with all you heart, all your soul and all your might..”
    “Love your neighbor as yourself..” (Matt 22:37-39)

    The gospel message is birthed in, drenched in and fulfilled in love. We can never spread that message authentically, nor can we expect to see long lasting fruit, if we speak out of hatred, pride, superiority or any sort of disdain for our fellow humans.

    If one holds true to the tenets of one’s faith, if one is not to compromise based on the social norms of the day, then it is inevitable that doctrinal conflicts will arise between proponents of different religions, and between the religious and the secular-minded folks. How you and I handle these conflicts ought to show who we are, and whether or not we truly follow Christ.

    “By this men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another”, said the Lord Jesus. (John 13:35)

    Does this mean that I have to agree with, or approve of things that are contrary to my faith or my sincere convicted interpretation of scripture? No, a thousand times no. To love someone is not necessarily to agree with them. It is to decide, despite the disgreement, to show kindness; to endure wrong; to be humble; to seek the well being of the other person.

    There is much for us to debate about in our society today: religion, politics, race, sexual orientation, immigration, and so on. You will find committed Christians on many different sides of the respective arguments. Not everyone is right, but the result does not have to be hatred and strife.

    I choose to love you, though I disagree with you. That sentence, sincerely lived, can change our world for the better.

    We All Need to Be Saved – From What?

    The Bible says that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.  You must have heard people talk about being “saved”.  Saved from what?  Saved from our sins. Saved from the Law of Moses, which placed a heavier burden on us than we can bear.  Saved from the curse which condemns all mankind to an eternity of separation from God.

    We all need salvation, no matter how good we think we are.  We are born with sin within us.  Made in God’s image, but tainted by the original sin of Adam and Eve, we are cursed to walk the earth in separation from God, toiling the earth, suffering sin’s consequences and raging at the skies.

    It’s a cliche, oft spoken, that we each have a God-shaped hole inside of us.  I find this truth to be self-evident.  We as humans need to worship something.  We make carvings of wood and stone and bow down to them; we exalt singers and athletes and pour out our adoration upon them; we acknowledge “the universe” or “mother nature” or all manner of spirits; we continually seek out objects of worship because we are made to worship.  Sadly, so many of us miss out on the one who were were originally made to worship.

    Who Were We Made to Worship?

    The Bible tells the story of how the apostles went to a Greek town and found a plaque dedicated to worshiping “the unknown god”.  They proceeded to make known to the people who this unknown God is.

    So who is this one we were originally made to worship?  How do we find Him in the midst of all the noise of this world?  We can find Him because he first found us.  He revealed Himself to mankind in many ways over thousands of years, and finally through His own Son, Jesus Christ.  How do we know? We know because Jesus said so.  His words are recorded in numerous historical accounts, the most important of which are collected in what we now call the “Gospels” in the first part of the New Testament.  How can we trust what Jesus said? Because He proved himself.   Not only did he heal the sick, raise the dead and open the eyes of the blind while on earth, but he predicted his own death and his resurrection!  (See John 2:18-22,  Matt 12:39-40, Matt 16:21, John 10:17,18).

    The Resurrection of Jesus is the Ultimate Proof

    God had sent many great prophets before Jesus.  Even Jesus himself had warned his contemporaries that if they would not believe Moses and the prophets, then they would not believe even if someone came back from the dead.  This sadly has also been proved true.  Jesus was very publicly executed.  He was buried in a tomb, a huge stone rolled in front of it, and guards placed at that tomb to deter grave robbers.  Despite all this, the body vanished on the third day. The third day.  Just like Jesus had foretold.  Afterwards, hundreds of people testified to having seen him alive. They held fast to their testimony,  despite persecution, threats, and ultimately, martyrom.  All but one of Jesus’ closest companions were killed because of their testimony – their assertion that Jesus had risen and they had seen him.   It has been said that scarecly would someone die for something they know to be a lie.  Pretty much all of them gave their lives spreading the good news. Why? Because they knew it was true.  They had seen Him, known Him, and bore faithful witness to His resurrection.

    I believe

    I believe the words of the Apostles.  I believe their record of the words of Jesus.  I will therefore seek to follow His, and their words faithfully.  Having believed, I have felt the impact of God’s Spirit on my heart, on my life, such that I could not walk away even if I tried.  I am a believer for life.

    What will you do with Jesus?

    The evidence is there, laid out for generations and generations, and many have believed through the years.  What will you do with all this?  What will you do with Jesus?  God loves you. He sent His Son to die for you, so that all who believe in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.  Jesus paid the ultimate price for our sins which had separated us from God.  All you have to do is believe in your heart, and then confess with your mouth that God raised Him from the dead, and you will be saved.

    What will you do with Jesus?

    Let Us Walk Together

    I came to know the Lord Jesus Christ from a young age, and have sought to follow him for the last 30 years.  Sometimes I’ve done so faithfully, and sometimes I have not.  I am not yet perfect – far from it, but I do have a lot to say, a lot to share, and a lot to teach.  As I teach, I hope to be taught, as I speak I hope to be spoken to, by you, by God’s Holy Spirit, and by my own God-inspired conscience.

    I plan to write freely from my heart, as the Spirit leads, baring my thoughts, feelings, doubts and fears, being strong and weak openly with you and hoping that all this inspires someone.  In return, I hope and expect open and honest responses, wherever you are on your faith journey.

    Come, let us walk together.  If you have not yet started your journey, come, hear about the path, and consider taking your first steps.