My soul, wait in silence for God only, for my hope is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation, My stronghold; I shall not be shaken. (Psalm 62:5-6, NASB)
So, how can we use this two-way prayer to worship better? It is not just about what we can get out of this time, but more importantly, it gives us time to worship in a way that builds our relationship with our Savior. It is not complicated rocket science or a delight we cannot comprehend. Two-way prayer is designed to worship God; in doing so, we will understand what to do.
A typical day starts with asking God, “What would you have me do today? What is it you want to tell me?” God answers through the Holy Spirit to our hearts and minds. It may be challenging, or God prompts us to be grateful for his provisions. I try not to have a preconceived idea of what God may say. I need to ask God the right questions. We don’t need to know all the answers if we ask the right questions.
Here is an example from one of my mornings. I woke early this day and asked God, “What about today? My hope is in You, so tell me.” On this day, I sensed God saying: “Forget the to-do list. Forget how you feel on this dreary, overcast, and cold morning. Today, you have an opportunity to serve and care for your wife. That’s what you do when your life partner is hurting. She has surely done this many times for you. I will give you some sacred opportunities to feel my presence today in your service to her. Your service to her says my Son loved his bride and gave his life for her! There is no better example for you to follow. It could be a very good day. I am with you all the way. Our team is what she needs.”
So, after we hear from God, the next part is about our response. It is vitally important to understand that our response and good works do not save us but merely point to the fact that salvation has already taken place in our lives, and what we do is out of gratitude for what has already been done for us.
Then came my response to what I sensed God saying: “The team concept is good. I believe God whispered to me about how being a team involves his Holy Spirit and my physical being. My frail being needed the power and help from the omnipotent Spirit of God. I can do all things but only through Christ who strengthens me.”
This same concept is true in a marriage. Both partners are needed. Both have unique gifts; when done correctly, they work together. I may be unable to explain this in a paragraph, but I have seen it live out over the last fifty-plus years, and it is good.
Each morning concludes with a quote. For example, this quote from Charles Spurgeon sums up where our focus should be and our response: “God grant if we must have two eyes, that they may be both clear ones, one the eye of faith wholly fixed on Christ, the other the eye of obedience equally and wholly fixed on the same objective!”
Prayer – Thank you for speaking and allowing us to hear.