"No One likes it lukewarm. Not even the Lord."
This little saying is printed on my favorite coffee cup, and taken from the movie WarRoom. (If you haven't seen it yet, it's worth the watch!) In the film, an elderly lady name Miss Clara invites Elizabeth in for coffee. As she asks the younger woman about her prayer life, she serves Elizabeth a lukewarm cup. Of course, Elizabeth is disgusted. that's when Miss Clara gives Elizabeth the great quote.
The scene in the movie is cute and funny but it also carries a strong point. We don't like our coffee lukewarm. Lukewarm milk will make us sick. So how does our lukewarm prayer life make God feel?
I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.So we obviously don't want to get lukewarm with the Lord! But as humans, it's easy for things to get busy and without realizing it, we do let our prayer life and relationship with Christ become lukewarm. What then?
So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Rev. 3:15-16
Our Lord explains the answer a few verses down.
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. Rev 3:20
A chalkboard art I made for a friend.
Jesus is sweetly calling. "Let me in. Make me a priority. I want to be your everything."
But how do we bring the fire back into our prayer life? The Scripture holds the answer to this as well. Here's a few that have been brought to my mind during difficulty.
- Read your Bible and pray EVERY day.
Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. James 4:8a - Recall the Lord's faithfulness in your life and thank Him for it. We see the Psalmist do this many times. The psalm will begin with his woes and a very discouraged tone, but by the end he is exalting the Lord and his heart is lifted.
In what ways have you brought the fire back into your prayer life? Share your thoughts for your chance to win a custom chalkboard art like the one pictured below!I'll help you design it, then I'll make it and mail it to you.
My Mother in law/love,Sandy Faye Mauck really inspires me to trust God and read the Word every day
ReplyDeleteThat's wonderful, Kelly! It's always a blessing to have godly parents and examples. My mom is a prayer warrior as well and she is one of the greatest blessings God has given me.
DeleteRather than praying quickly right before I go to sleep at night, I have started running a hot bath and as I relax in the bath, I collect my thoughts and take a great deal of time in remembering those I know and even those I don't know but have heard about in prayer. I think the power of prayer is great and I want to do all I can do in offering up people and their situations to God.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds lovely, Melanie!
DeleteI too take time to pray at the end of the day, but it's usually lying in my bed staring out my window at the night sky.
I need to build mine back up again - this is a great conviction and reminder!
ReplyDeleteI know the feeling, Susan. I too have been convicted about it recently...thus the inspiration for this post. :) It's not too late to start.
DeleteThanks for your very motivating post. I pray as I prepare for my night's rest and what better way is there to fall asleep?
ReplyDeleteThanks for this encouraging post. Your words, "Read your Bible and pray every day" reminded me of ths SS song. "Read your Bilbe and pray every day and you'll grow, grow, grow". I pray as I take my early morning walk before there is a lot of traffic on the streets, throughout the day and then as I'm falling asleep thanking God for His blessings and specific needs of others. I'm so thankful my mother is a great example to us children as she will read and study her Bible daily along with her prayers. My marternal grandparents were in the ministry and left a legacy for our mother and their grandchildren.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your chalk board art and the giveaway, Amber. God bless you as you minister to others through your writing and other talents God has gifted you with.
My Sunday School teacher and Sunday School Superintendent have encouraged me in when I studying, to use the different Bible translations I have side by side and it is amazing how much I've learned doing this. It has made me hungrier. As for my prayer life, seeing the hurting family and friends on Facebook and the prayer requests we share in Sunday School lately have left me with a never ending list of spiritual and physical needs. My own family seems to have a never ending list just for the ones in my house as well. Seeing the prayers answered, makes me pray harder.
ReplyDeleteThere's so much going on today in the world, in the country, with family, with friends, it's easy to rush your prayers to get it all covered. When I catch myself doing this too many times, get on my knees & simply thank the Lord for His goodness & blessings. It certainly brings peace & new hope, which, in turn, adds fire. Thanks so much for sharing with us! rw620 AT aol DOT com
ReplyDeleteI'm finding these new coloring books/journals centering on Bible verses really help me make time to memorize, pray and stay in the word..
ReplyDelete