SEPTEMBER 11

GIVEN UNTO PRAYER

“They compassed me about also with words of hatred; and fought against me without cause. For my love they are my adversaries: but I give myself unto prayer.” (Ps. 109:3-4)

David loved, and because of that love they fought him, so in that strait there was but one position and attitude for him, he gave himself unto prayer.

Prayer moved through all three realms, body, soul, and spirit.

Body, praying readily concerns itself with “saying prayers,” noting the ritualistic form, kneeling, clasped hands, bowed head, etc. In no way would we intimate that this is wrong, it simply bespeaks of the outward form and ceremony, more than the deeper and intense reaching out for God.

But one day it was said of the Pharisee, Saul (later called Paul), “Behold, he prayeth…” (Acts 9:11). As a Pharisee he knew all about the forms of prayer, pious attitudes, but there was a new dimension in his praying now, having met the Lord on the road to Damascus. This also is brought out in James 5:17, Young’s trans. “Elijah was a man like affected as we are, and with prayer he did pray.” He put his soul into his praying. Now Elijah, as Saul, was doing more than concerning himself with outward observance, body position, choosing the right words, he became intense, there was emotion, will, desire – he put his soul into his praying.

But there is yet another realm beyond both body praying and soul praying, to become prayer incarnate, a living, spirit intercession. Here we find that “The Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” (Rom. 8:26). Beyond all sound, beyond moans and groans – our spirit joined to His, the intensity of desire is lifted to the throne of God, to find its communion and fulfillment.

Prayer is the pouring out of desire,
The searching flame of our inward fire,
Seeking the way that doth lead up higher, -
Prayer is the longing God did inspire.

Ray Prinzing