Prayer

Prayer Closet

Tina K. Roach Christianity , , , , , , , , , ,

Many of us have a “prayer closet.” And I have even said that my car is my prayer closet…I do a lot of praying in there. But, really, our bodies should be our prayer closets!

We should be “praying continuously.” No matter what we are doing or where we are – we have an “open line” to our Father…and He has an “open line” to us!

I am learning how to enter into the “secret place” of being alone with Him – no matter where I am or what is going on around me….

**I first posted the above message on Facebook in 2012. As I read it again, the line “and He has an open line to us!” jumped out at me.

I would tweak that statement now to read – and He SHOULD have an open line to us.

Brothers & Sisters, I hope as we enter into prayer, we remember that prayer is a two way conversation. We bring our needs, hopes, and desires to the Lord…and then we pause expectantly waiting to hear from Him.

He DOES want to speak with us. Are we positioning ourselves by giving Him the time and attention to actively hear from Him?

We need to lean in and draw near to the Lord! He’s waiting and ready to respond!

The Heart of Jesus

Tina K. Roach Christianity , , , , , , , , , , , ,

**Posted 15 years ago…but still for today! I remember this encounter with Jesus like it was yesterday:

On the Fourth of July, as my church joined many others to pray for our country, I found myself praying a prayer that I had been praying for the last few months. “May I have Your Heart, Lord.” I had been praying this prayer because I know that it is only through the Heart of Love that I can pray as I should.

I prayed that morning that I would feel what He(Jesus) felt as He looked at our country…that I would know His Heart. Well, Jesus answered my prayer as I sat in the front pew after taking communion. As I sat in the pew and watched my fellow brothers and sisters file past me, I knew that the Lord had His Hand upon me. I couldn’t get up from my seat. I knew that “something” was coming.

Usually, when church is over, I hop out of my seat and begin speaking to my friends and visitors. I don’t know what went through their minds as they may have noticed Tina still sitting in the front row, alternately staring into space and closing her eyes in prayer. Even then, I could feel a sadness begin to overtake me…tears very slowly began to trail down my face.

The Lord held back until the church was almost empty…and then it came. A deep sadness overtook me and I found myself weeping with deep heaving sobs. This type of deep intercession has happened to me a few times in the past. Some people call it “travailing.” One place that speaks of this kind of intercession is in Galatians 4:19 where Paul is talking to the Galatians: My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you. I believe that God is in a time of “birthing” or releasing new things upon the earth. He is looking for those that will partner with Him to be His “vessels” of birthing. It is not the kind of intercession that can be “worked up.” I believe it is the Holy Spirit praying through us.

So, Jesus answered my prayer. I felt His Heart, I knew His sadness as He looks upon our nation and sees those things that go against His Heart for us… But, He didn’t stop there. I began interceding for not only our nation, but for the world, for Israel and for my church. Oh, my brothers and sisters! I believe that the Lord is looking for those that would be willing to ask for His Heart…that would be willing to be used as His vessels of intercession now upon this earth. Do not take it lightly! His Heart is not an easy thing to carry.

Ever since He answered my prayer, I find myself at times being “caught up” in His Heart. I look at others and the love I feel for them is so much deeper than it has been in the past. I thought I loved them…but I realize now that the kind of love that God wants us to walk in is not something we are capable of. It is only through allowing the Love of God to flow through us that we can truly love.

We are called to be the Body of Christ on this earth. I pray continuously for the Lord to let me be His Hands, His Feet and His Mouth as I walk out my destiny and calling. But, recently I have added to that request…..Lord, let me be Your Heart. I have come to the realization that no matter what He has me do…no matter what He has me say…it MUST be covered and infused with His Love, His Heart.

Beloved of God, will you join me today and ask for the Heart of Jesus? He is calling His Bride to Himself…He wants to join His Heart to ours. Are you willing…

RISE UP!

Tina K. Roach Christianity , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Years ago, I had done/said something that I regretted. The circumstances around it have faded in my memory. But, I still remember the regret and condemnation I was feeling at the time.

I went to the Lord in prayer and asked for His forgiveness. A few days after that I again felt myself in the throes of regret and condemnation. I again went to the Lord in repentance begging for His forgiveness. This went on a few more times…and then I heard the Lord lovingly say to me:

“Tina, I forgave you the first time you came to me…now you need to forgive yourself!”

Dearest Brothers & Sisters, I believe there is someone who is reading this post that is living in the same place that I was…living under the spirit of condemnation. If you haven’t repented of your action to the Lord and asked His forgiveness…I encourage you to do that today! Also, if it is involving a person, I would encourage you to go to the person and ask their forgiveness.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

God has given us a sound mind…the mind of Christ! (1 Corinthians 2:16). We need to get our thoughts aligned with His thoughts…with His truth. We need to “…take every thought captive to obey Christ…”. (2 Corinthians 10:5)

Beloved of God, DO NOT let the enemy weave a stronghold of condemnation, fear, shame, and doubt within you! Stand strong…stand on the promises of God…stand on the truth of God! Take up the SWORD OF THE SPIRIT, which is the Word of God, and wield that sword against anything the enemy throws at you!

Tear down the strongholds of the enemy and let the LORD be your stronghold! He [Jesus] is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be greatly shaken. (Psalms 62:2)

RISE UP, MIGHTY ARMY OF THE MOST HIGH GOD! PUT ON THE ARMOR OF GOD! PICK UP THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT AND BE STRONG IN THE POWER OF HIS MIGHT!! THE TIME IS NOW!! HALLELUJAH!!

Taste & See…

Tina K. Roach Christianity , , , , , , ,

When we taste something, we are experiencing it in a deeper way than just looking at it; talking about it; or even smelling it.

We are being invited in this Psalm to experience the Lord in a deeper way. We are invited to go beyond talking about Him and studying His Word….which is needed and good! But, we are invited to go deeper! To draw nearer…to seek His presence…to talk WITH Him and not just pray TO Him.

We are invited into RELATIONSHIP with the Lord! Brothers & Sisters, are you ready to join me in seeking a deeper and closer relationship with our Lord? What do we need to do in order for this to happen?

The Lord is good!! Trust Him, draw near, and experience Him in a deeper way…