Slideshow image

 

 “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” 

Jeremiah 29:13 ESV 

 

“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded..” 

James 4:8 ESV 

 

It is truly amazing that The God who created the universe invites us to come close to Him; that He wants to be found by us.  He is so good and faithful and merciful. 

 

The Bible says, “… The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working..” (James 5:16, ESV)   

 

According to Merriam-Webster, earnest means “characterized by or proceeding from an intense and serious state of mind.”  And one definition of righteous means, “free from guilt or sin.”  So, let’s break this down just a bit… 

 

The only way to be righteous, or free from guilt or sin, is by accepting the sacrifice and shedding of Jesus’ blood on the cross and repenting of our sins…following after Him.  First John 1:9 says… 

 

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” ESV 

 

When we have done these things, there is nothing to hinder us from earnestly seeking Him.  We can seek Him with intensity and a serious state of mind.  Prayer isn’t simply a checklist, (although having list of things you don’t want to forget to pray about is sometimes a good idea) but prayer is a communication with the Father.   

 

I love talking to God throughout my entire day…wherever I am, or whatever I am doing.  If I am alone, it may be out loud.  If I am with someone or in a crowd, it may be in my heart; nonetheless, it is a privilege to communicate/talk to Him as I would my close friend. 

 

I also love starting my day with Him.  As I open the scripture, I may read a few verses, and then discuss them with Him…then read on, stopping to talk over the scripture with Him.  He is near in those moments.   

 

Then there are times when my heart is heavy or burning with a desire to praise and worship Him in earnest.  I have a room—a prayer room—a “war room”—that I go and shut the door.  I sometimes lay on the floor, facedown and seek Him with my concerns.  I sometimes kneel and bow my face to the floor in thanksgiving of all He has done for me.  I sometimes rest in Him because I can get a little too tightly wound at times.  I sometimes cry out to Him, earnestly seeking Him for the burning desire on my heart…whether for an area or issue in my own life or that of others. 

 

In any of those cases, it is a matter of not being hurried.  It is a matter of getting alone with Him without distractions…ringer off, etc.  It is a matter of digging in and waiting for blessing, direction, or relief.  There is not a certain amount of time specified.  That is up to God.  And when I must step away before I feel like I have had His touch of peace in that area, I often step back in again…continuing to seek Him…because…when you look for Him wholeheartedly, you WILL find Him.  You can count on it.