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CBN.com – Recently someone asked me to take my own spiritual temperature. I told them at this point in my own spiritual journey, frankly, I have no idea where I am. I’m just pressing on, enduring, persevering, walking by faith with trust and some hope.
I’m in need of a new sense of purpose. I feel like I’ve lost the passion. Whatever happened to the burning in my bones? Much of the “Christianese” currently practiced in America is far afield from anything I want to give my life to.
My prayer life is a mumble, sometimes a groan, sometimes just a meditation from my heart. I read the Word with faith, but there are few things speaking. I’m afraid if I open my mouth I don’t know what will come out.
However, I did open my mouth as I spoke to some of our staff here at CBN. Here is what came out.
One of my spiritual mentors, T. Austin Sparks, once wrote, “The greatest need of the hour in the church is for men and women of vision and courage.” Sparks defined vision specifically as: “those who have had a divine illumination by the Holy Spirit in their own hearts as to God’s purpose and emphasis for this age.”
Author Harold Rosenberg said, “The people of an era must either carry the burden assigned to their time or die under its weight in the wilderness.”
I want to fulfill the purposes of God to my generation and then “fall asleep.” Not die in the wilderness like the children of Israel.
This kind of burden or rather care, concern, responsibility, will result in a consuming passion for the purposes of God and with it an acceptance of the cost of its realization.
There are very few people today of whom it can be truly said, “That man has a message from God for the time in which we live.” We need men and women with a specific mission and access to an open heaven. No more verbiage. Let our words be directed heavenward.
One night the Lord told me, “You’re in sin.” I said, “What did I do now?” He led me to the Scriptures, and I opened my Bible to I Samuel 12:23: “As for me, far be it for me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you.” How is that for sin? We should be praying for one another.
And while we are talking about it; here is my prayer for you from Ephesians: “I pray the eyes of your understanding are opened so you might know the wonderful future He has promised to those He called.”
We need a fresh anointing. We need to come back to our first love. We need a fire in our bones.
If we ask, He will answer. Be assured that God will complete what He began in us. Don’t buy into discouragement, disillusionment, or failure. “Look unto Jesus the author & finisher of our faith,” says Hebrews 12:2.
We are currently in a period of 40 days of prayer and fasting for the United States. Start with your families, friends, enemies, churches, and expand to the nation. We’re in election season, a pivotal moment in our country’s history that should be soaked in prayer. Think outside the borders. Ask God to give you a sphere of the USA, world, and people group to pray for. It’s more than words. Our lives should be God’s prayer.
I leave you with this -- the words of English poet laureate Alfred Lord Tennyson: “More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of. Wherefore, let thy voice rise like a fountain for me night and day.”
Scott Ross welcomes your feedback.
A caring friend will be there to pray with you in your time of need.
