The Power of Prayer XI

It is good to read the following passages on a regular basis. It is an alignment exercise to remember where you are when you enter the throne room through your prayers.

The Throne Room:
"From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. Before the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God. Also before the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal. In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is, and is to come." Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: "You are worthy, our Lord and God to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being." Revelation 4:5-11

The Image of the Lord:
"…above on the throne was a figure like that of a man. I saw that from what appeared to be his waist up he looked like glowing metal, as if full of fire, and that from there down he looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded him. Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. When I saw it, I fell facedown, and I heard the voice of one speaking." Ezekiel 1:27-28

These passages are breath-taking. When I read them, I cannot help but come into His presence with praise. We must have our compass aligned correctly so we know who we are praying to and what He expects. You can't determine your prayer walk by feelings.

He is the same yesterday, today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8-9)

Brian Toon, Vice-Chairman of the National Day of Prayer, has told me many stories of his days flying in the U.S. Navy. He was an F-14 Tomcat pilot and later became a deck commander. While flying at night, he says that pilots must be adapt to watching and trusting their instruments and gauges. At night a pilot can make several critical errors flying by feeling. In fact, the body will adjust so much that a pilot could be flying upside down and feel right side up. As they pull on the stick thinking they are climbing in altitude they are actually flying straight into the ground. The same is true for the believer. Paul said, “the man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.” I Corinthians 2:14. If you think you understand the spiritual things and are not pursuing God’s wisdom and direction through a balance of Scripture study and prayer, you may be off course. So stay focused and run the race as to get the prize (I Corinthians 9:24).