Genesis 17:1 (KJV)
I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.

1 Peter 1:16 (NASB)
because it is written, “YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.”

In the book, “A Guide to True Peace: Or a Method of Attaining to Inward and Spiritual Prayer”, by Francois Fenelon, he writes:

“Prayer is a guide to perfection, and the sovereign good; it delivers us from every vice, and obtains for us every virtue; for the one great means to become perfect, is to walk in the presence of God. It is only by prayer that we are brought into and maintained in his presence; and when once we have fully known Him, and the sweetness of His love, we shall find it impossible to relish anything so much as Himself.”

Psalm 23:1 (NLT)
The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need.

It is only through prayer that we can establish the type of relationship expressed in Psalm 23. I have all that I need. Prayer isn’t about just about asking and getting from God, although He does want to hear our desires, it is first and foremost a means for God to change us. It brings us to a point where we are fully dependent on Him and our greatest desire is to be holy as He is holy.

Prayer is often referred to as a spiritual discipline. Many cringe when they hear the word discipline, because it brings up images of work and even suffering. While prayer is a spiritual discipline, I’m beginning to view it as a spiritual blessing. It is, as Fenelon said, a guide to perfection, the perfection that God wants for all of us.

Come and pray with us on Tuesday night at 7pm. Join us as we walk before God, on the sanctification road to perfection.

Always praying for the glory of God,
Chris McKean