Integrity- People of God

Prayer is a conversation with God. The purpose of prayer is to commune with Him so that we may get to know Him and thereby get to know our true self. Prayer is the process that changes who we are by changing the way we think. In fellowship with God we learn of His character and His love for us, which will change the way we think about ourselves and others. When we live in community with God it changes how we view ourselves and causes a change in the way we act and live our lives and how we respond to the things around us.

When we converse with God it alters the way we perceive things and in that it alters our reality. A person’s perspective, the way they think and believe, is their reality. Whether it is rooted in truth or a lie, because their mind believes, it is their reality. In this world system, we are trained to believe certain things about ourselves and others and though they may be lies, it is all we know. We were taught to value ourselves more and to devalue others. But when we are in fellowship with God we see His love for us and for all mankind. With the love of God in us, it will begin to change our reality to His truth and the love of God can be expressed through us.

Romans 5:8-10 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.

Many people want to serve God to receive favour from God: for a better day, a better life, or better finances and what He can do for them. When life does not reflect those expectations of what people believed they should receive then they get discouraged and disappointed with God. In their perspective or in their reality, God has let them down. They become hurt or even angry with God for not blessing or protecting them, but truth is they do not know Him.

In God’s reality and truth, we are called to be like Christ; to die to self and to live a life to become like Jesus, the image of God on the earth. God sees us through the life of Jesus. We are to show love even when we are not loved, to be a blessing when we are being reviled; to show favour and forgiveness to those who do not deserve it. This we can only do when the love of God rests on us because we have spent time with God and know His heart for the lost. Out of love for God who loved us, we will live our life for His glory, His kingdom and the people created in His image.

When we stay in fellowship with God through prayer and communion we get to know His heart and the love He has for us. In this close communion we come to realize nothing can separate us from the love of God. It is in this assurance of His love that we can face life’s challenges without dread. Because we know Him and His love for us is so great, we know He would not leave us but will be with us in all things. God will bring us into victory.

Romans 8:35-38 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Many people read their Bibles just to know about God and to see His works. But we should read our Bible to know Him, really know Him through His word. We should ask God to reveal Himself to us so that we may know Him, the One True and Living God. When we know and understand Him we will know the love He has for us and this love will move us into a deeper, richer knowledge, love and greater understanding for Him and others.