Vicki and others,
If a person is going to practice prayer like that, they can expect unusual
results. We first are aware of our surroundings. Then we start enumerating
our out of control and unbearable circumstances that are ripping and tearing
at us, and then other worries and concern take their place in our thoughts,
and eventually, the mind runs out of things to think about or focus on.
Then it becomes quiet inside which gives way to the Holy Spirit. Sometimes
there is just gentle communication between God and the Holy Spirit in your
behalf. You can't hear them talking about you and your situations, but they
are communicating about you since that's the Holy Spirit's job; seeking
God's will for our lives. In other cases, as the quietness of the mind
deepens spiritually, there are simply no human words that can describe your
feelings and another language, which the Apostle Paul called "another
tongue," bubbles up and only God knows it's meaning. This silent type of
prayer I began using back in 1982 when I simply could not think of anything
else to say so with the help of the Holy Spirit, it was said in my behalf
audibly. We now are getting very close to praying without ceasing when
silent praying you, as you described, becomes that real. When we can do it
without trying, we cross over into a different relationship with the Lord
than we ever thought possible. I use silent praying without even stopping
what I am doing. It is the mind multitasking, in a manner of speaking, and
also listening for His voice. Other voices, unfortunately, based upon
circumstances beyond our control, can also interfere with our prayers.
Patience, which is nothing more than thinking about the circumstances and
then persistently rejecting them until they begin to drift away from your
mind's focus, only to be replaced with the persona of the Lord Jesus through
the Holy Spirit, which is "the mind of Christ," begins to prevail
effortlessly. It is this silent form of prayer the causes us to become more
and more spiritually intimate with the voice of the Lord rather than false
voices of the Enemy through circumstances attempting to block this most
natural of ways to pray. Learning the Shepherd's voice allows us to not
even hear the voice of a stranger, John 10:4.
Phil.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Vicki" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sunday, August 04, 2013 8:19 PM
Subject: Re: Pray Without Ceasing
> What a cool experience Phil.
>
> This is probably going to sound strange to you guys. But one experience I
> recently had was on a day I was feeling just exhausted. I knew I needed to
> pray and just spend time in God's word. I turned off all outside
> distraction including electronic devices and sat down to pray intending to
> talk to God. I never said a word. I just sat before God and he did
> whatever God does. I knew in my spirit that I had prayed and heard from
> God as I was refreshed. He knew the intent of my heart and state of mind.
> Later when I did give voice to my prayer I was praying in the spirit. It
> was a very unique experience.
>
>
> Vicki
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Phil Scovell" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Saturday, August 03, 2013 9:38 PM
> Subject: Re: Pray Without Ceasing
>
>
>> Rhonda,
>>
>> One time, probably in the past 3 or 4 years, lots of heavy things were
>> going on in the family. One day, as I sat in my recliner to look for
>> something on my bookshelves next to me, I said, "Lord? I'm sure not
>> feeling where you are right now." I heard this voice in my thoughts say,
>> and I could almost tangibly feel a presence near my face, say, "I'm right
>> here." I laughed and said, "Oh, sorry, Lord. I forgot you were that
>> close." My point? I was looking beyond where the Lord truly was. I
>> thought he had moved away to stand in the distance because of the
>> circumstances I was presently facing.
>>
>> Phil.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Rhonda Partain" <[log in to unmask]>
>> To: <[log in to unmask]>
>> Sent: Saturday, August 03, 2013 5:03 PM
>> Subject: Re: Pray Without Ceasing
>>
>>
>>> Guess I've wondered where God was too!!!
>>> Rhonda
>>>
>>
>
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