Christian Writers Circle

Intimacy with Christ through Prayer
by Judy Hitson

I Thessalonians 5: 17 KJV Pray without ceasing.

Stop.
Quiet.
Be still.

Like you would snuggle in a comfortable bed under warm blankets on a cold, winter night, snuggle in the loving arms of Jesus Christ with the comfort of His Spirit who gives you life. Take a few deep Holy Spirit breaths, like the song, written by Michael W. Smith, “This Is The Air I Breathe.”

Shake off anything that would hinder the flow like shooing flies away. Yes, shake off any worry, fear, doubt, anxiety, unforgiveness or fill in the blank and receive God’s peace. This is a prayer of my heart from Psalm 139:23-24: Search me, O LORD, and know my heart. Try me and know my anxious thoughts. Show me if there is any hurtful, offensive or wicked way in me and lead me in the everlasting way. If you pray this prayer to the LORD and anything comes to mind, confess it and stand on God’s promise, I John 1:9 NKJV If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Don’t allow any enemy to hinder your soul. Let the Holy Spirit flow life giving words to you and enjoy peace in the presence of the Lord.

Praying is like breathing, Andrew Murray, a favorite author of mine, writes. As you draw near to the Lord, He will draw near to you. (James 4:8) With clean hands and a pure heart, ascend the hill of the LORD. (Ps.24:3-4) Be blessed in communion with Him lifting your soul, your mind, will and emotions, to the living God standing on the truth of His word.

This is not a ritual of legalism but deepening your love relationship with Jesus Christ, in communion with Him in prayer.

As I read I Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing, I was struck by the Spirit revealing a process as I read through the Scripture passage of verses before and after: to rejoice always, to be thankful in everything for it is God’s will for us in Christ Jesus and do not quench the Spirit.
(I Thess. 5:16-19) We could read more and plunge the depths but will stop for now at this place and shift to another Scripture on prayer.

As I began the year on intimacy with Christ, I was led to begin with prayer in Matt. 6:6 ESV But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

     This was my first memory verse for 2014. The more I thought about it and chewed on it like a favorite meal, it took me deeper in the love of Christ. My heart was touched and my spirit soared, thinking about our children and grandchildren as God’s rewards in our lives. All the intimate moments, hours and days in the secret place with the LORD in prayer have been worth it to enjoy the good days and bear the most difficult days.

As we practice drawing near to God, coming close to Him (James 4:8), we taste and see the LORD is good (Ps. 34:8), and develop a deeper love relationship with Him. For me, the Lord says to start the year writing on intimacy with Him through prayer.

Where are you in your relationship with Jesus Christ? Do you know His great love for you that you love Him because He first loved you? (I John 4:19)

Is your prayer life like breathing?

Whatever the case, I encourage you to draw near to the Lord, enjoy His love for you, His presence with you and experience intimacy with Him starting with prayer.*

Post note: *From Funk & Wagnalls Standard Dictionary, International Edition, 1963, I wanted to share with you a meaningful definition I found on prayer: ……….4 Communion with God and recognition of His presence, as in praise, thanksgiving, intercession, etc…………….