Dear Women Who Pray:
“Everyone kept feeling a sense of AWE; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles” Acts 2:43
My husband and I have been trying to make it, as often as possible, to the Wednesday night prayer meeting. God has shown us the importance of gathering together to pray for one another. We have experienced God answering our prayers and have seen change occurring in our relationship with the Father. Plus God commands us to pray! With all that, some times I trudge in to the prayer meeting tired and grumpy, feeling I’d rather be home in my PJs getting ready to jump into my comfy bed.
Such was the case a few weeks ago. Before we ever left the house, I was telling my husband to reconsider going. “Wouldn’t it be nice to just sit at home and veg out?” It’s starting to rain, let’s just get cozy, cuddle and watch a movie!” Thankfully my husband didn’t listen to me. He probably was thinking “get behind me Satan”! So we go to the prayer meeting and I walk in telling the group I was tired, I'm weary, etc. Complain, complain, complain. Even though I had a poor attitude, God in His mercy ministered to me. I repented and God gave me a wonderful prayer time.
The next day, I was listening to a teaching on the book of Acts. Acts describes to us the church after Jesus’ crucifixion and how the church is to operate today. The above scripture says the believers kept feeling a sense of AWE as they were continually (vs. 42) devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. I realized I didn’t have that sense of awe, or reverence as I entered the prayer meeting. I wasn’t entering the prayer meeting with expectations of intimately worshipping my God. I got to thinking of how God’s Word said the people were continually devoting themselves to gathering together. Whether it was for a church service, a Bible study or a prayer meeting, they were devoted to meeting together.
I began reflecting on the type of attitudes I experience when I am going to a prayer meeting, Bible study or Sunday service. We all laugh and say how crazy it is to get to church on Sundays; but perhaps that is a good time to call upon the power of the Holy Spirit that dwells in us to empower us to develop and nurture a sense of AWE every time we gather together. When attitudes of weariness, grumbling, complaining or despair enter into our minds, we should immediately take those thoughts captive and repent of them. We are to always remember that whether it’s walking into church, a Bible study or a prayer meeting, our attitudes are to be filled with reverence (AWE). We are worshipping God Almighty - Elohim our Creator.
So when you begin experiencing those yucky feelings, repent and call upon the power of the Holy Spirit. Remember it is an act of worship to the King of Kings each time HE allows you to be a part of a church service, prayer meeting or Bible study group. When you are able to partake in fellowship with other believers, it is a gift, not drudgery.
Awe struck,
sharon