Prayer as an expression of love

Inspired by: Prayer as a way of walking in love ~ Francis Chan (http://bit.ly/es5cBh)

I'm listening to a talk by Francis Chan on the topic of prayer as a walk in love. There is something that he just said that stuck out to me. He was painting the contrast between "busy… get a bunch of stuff done" prayer and prayer that emanates out of worship of Him. So often we get caught up in the things that we are doing "for" God. We make all these plans and have all these great ideas and we just ask God to bless them. Rather than that, Francis talks about this idea of abiding in Jesus. His words indwell us. We meditate much on Him, His goodness, His grace, His holiness, His love, His justice. When we are abiding in Jesus we are consumed with Him. I wanted to say we are in worship, but I think that term has become too ambiguous much the same way that love now can be interpreted as lust. There are times when you are in the word that you are locked in. You get it. You are excited to be there and you don't want to leave. You have just seen a part of Jesus or the Father that blows your mind. He is so good that we feel small and He feels big and you are more than ok with that.

This is the abiding that I think we strive for. When we are walking that way, daily striving to stay near to God in all that we do, God honors our prayers. In 1 Peter 4:7 it says, "The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer." So what are we getting drunk on that is clouding our judgment? Is it media, friends, good times, drinking, the significant other? Gut check: How much time are you spending with Him rather than all the other distractions? I'm not saying you can't take your nose out of the book. What I am saying is that when you close the book, you don't have to close your mind to Him. Keep Him near in your conversations, in your activities, in your work. Stay "sober" for the purpose of prayer because the end of all things is near. Abide in Him and pray what He lays on your heart. If you abide, you may just get to the point that you are surprised when He doesn't answer a prayer.