The Compromised Heart.

"Get it out of your mind that this is about you, where you now will be able to get something that you want... God is drawing  you into Himself so that you might understand who this great God is, how powerful He is, and how loving He is, and how He wants you to experience His grace and love and be an avenue of that grace and love." -Rev. Dr. Sam Vassel

What are the markers of a compromised heart?

Asking in ignorance. Our wisdom, at best, is finite. There are occasions where we really have no idea of the future consequences of our request. As Pastor Sam said, "If God should give you everything you ask for, you would be in so much trouble."

Mixing faith with doubt. If we are engaging the process of prayer while at the same time thinking that God is unable to address our prayer, then our prayer will not be heard. (see James 1:5-7)

Concern with personal will instead of God's will. This involves engagement of spiritual disciplines (tithing, prayer, etc.) not for the purpose of worship, but in an attempt to manipulate God into giving us what we want. As our pastor noted, "That is the attitude of the witch doctor."

The rationalization of disobedience. Pastor Sam referenced the error of King Saul, in which Saul decided to disobey God's order as a means of acquiring what was pleasant and convenient for himself (then explained away his disobedience as an act of worship). (see First Samuel 15)

As we engage the spiritual work of prayer and fasting, let us remember that we are not involved in this prayer effort to acquire what we want. We are in this prayer effort to understand what God wants.

Lord God, we are praying... and we are listening.

Got Tired?

"Sometimes, you know, you get a little tired. It doesn't seem like it is working so well; and there are all kinds of forces saying 'Give up, take it easy, work it out yourself-- God is not working.' But this is a time for you to recommit to trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding." -Rev. Dr. Sam Vassel

*God hears and answers prayer.

*God is completely trustworthy.

*God knows everything.

For the Christian, the above statements about God are not up for debate. Yet, we still get tired of engaging prayer. Our pastor noted, though, that we should encourage one another: to have faith, and to believe that God is able to do above and beyond what we can ask or imagine.

Is there something, or someone, that you have decided is no longer worth the effort of prayer? As we go through these forty days, let us regain our strength and return to this discipline of prayer. But as we pray, let us remember a few things:

*God is not bound to our concept of time.

*God's will supersedes ours.

*God will not address prayers and fastings borne from a compromised heart.

Tomorrow, we will reflect on the role of the compromised heart in unanswered prayer.