DAILY VIDEO DEVOTIONAL
Most Christians long for a dynamic and fruitful prayer life. Yet, many find themselves defeated when it comes to their communication with God. If the average church member were to be asked how much time he or she spends in prayer, most would probably be too embarrassed to answer the question. That’s not a criticism. Just a statement of fact. Yet, prayer holds the key to developing intimacy with God and consistency in our walk with Him.
What is victorious Christian praying and how do we become such intercessors? There are three parts of that question – what is prayer; what is Christian praying; and what is victorious praying? In order to be victorious in our praying, then we must understand the essentials of what prayer is and what it’s not. Prayer is not a religious obligation. It’s not a formal ritual. It’s not seeking God as though He’s some Santa Claus in the sky.
In its purest form, prayer is simply intimate communication with the Father. It’s those who know Him getting to know Him better. It’s a loving and listening relationship with the God who created us and saved us. This understanding of prayer will change a person’s perspective on prayer and enable him to enter into victorious Christian praying. Without it, prayer becomes drudgery and duty rather than adventure and victory. The latter is what God desires for each of us.
I’ve walked into a revolution, the aftermath of an attempted genocide, and into the middle of a nation torn by war. I’ve met with members of Parliament, Supreme Court justices, cabinet members, and a prime minister. But I can honestly say that none of those experiences compare to the utter thrill and excitement of coming into the presence of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. There’s no greater joy than having intimate, meaningful conversations with the One who created the universe. Think of it – the God who hung the world in space; He who put the stars in place – this same God desires to commune with us – heart to heart. Wow! Nothing can match that.
Prayer is the communion of two hearts. Thus, there lies a great difference between praying and Christian praying. Most praying today consists of religious duty rather than genuine Christian praying. Muslims pray. Jews pray. Hindus pray. Church members pray. So, what’s the difference in Christian praying and religious praying? Religious praying is man’s attempt to reach up to God. However, genuine Christian praying is God making a way for us to enter into His presence and have fellowship with Him.
God is absolutely holy. It would be impossible for anyone or anything unholy to come into the presence of a completely holy God. That’s the whole reason that Jesus died on the cross 2000 years ago. When Jesus died on the cross, the Bible says, “At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom” (Matt. 27:51 NIV). The curtain was that which separated the holy of holies, from the holy place. Only the high priest was allowed to enter the holy of holies because that was the place of the manifest presence of God. And a sinful man could not enter into the presence of a Holy God. But when Jesus died, He made available to us the forgiveness for our sin and provided cleansing for all who believed on Him.
Therefore, by the grace of God, we have access into the presence of Almighty God. Think about that. You and I, by the blood that Jesus shed on the cross, can have access into the presence of the Creator of the universe. That’s Christian praying. Coming to God – not by our own religious works of righteousness – but by His grace. That changes the whole concept of prayer. It’s no longer duty. It’s delight. It’s not religion, but relationship. It’s not defeat. It’s victory – victorious Christian praying.
Matthew : Chapter 27
45) From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. 46) About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli,[c] lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).[d] 47) When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.” 48) Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. 49) The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.” 50) And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. 51) At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split 52) and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. 53) They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and[e] went into the holy city and appeared to many people. 54) When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”
Book of the Month
Sammy Tippit told his fiancée, “I can’t promise we’ll be rich, but life won’t be boring.”
Sammy had no idea what an understatement that would become. Beginning in the bars of Baton Rouge and the nightclubs of Chicago, Tippit has shared the news of life-changing faith in Christ all over the world – including in the middle of a revolution in Romania, the aftermath of genocide in Rwanda, and war in Burundi and the Congo.
Sammy’s lifelong adventure has come at a great price. He’s been cursed, threatened, arrested, deported, and blacklisted. He’s also been personally broken, ravaged with illness, and devastated by grief.
Yet he continues to preach to in stadiums, in open fields, and via satellite technology to hundreds of thousands around the globe. For all other books…
About Sammy Tippit Ministries
STM has been providing inspiration and help around the world for nearly 50 years. Sammy Tippit, founder and president, is a world renowned counselor, teacher and evangelist with experience serving and helping people in over 80 countries. Sammy provides materials that help people tackle a broad array of social, societal, psychological and spiritual issues. He is particularly passionate about making materials accessible to other countries around the world. Sammy is married to Debara “Tex” Tippit, and they have two children and five grandchildren.
Sammy Tippit Ministries is a registered 501c3 non-profit organization.
Contact: info@sammytippit.org
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