Independence is an American ideal, but God-dependency is a believer’s necessity.

As Americans we are rightly proud of our Declaration of Independence. It took a lot of courage for those men in 1776 to declare their independence from the mightiest nation on earth at the time, realizing the great cost it would take to actually achieve that independence. From that day on, independence has been a coveted American trait. Our folk stories are filled with tales of poor but proud individuals who, against all odds, “pulled themselves up by their own bootstraps.”

We still have a strong tendency toward independence. We don’t like to be told what to do. We want to do things ourselves. We have a distaste for those who could make it on their own, but instead rely on the generosity of others. Much of this high regard for independence is good and honorable. The danger arises when we carry it over into our relationship with Jesus.

God will have nothing to do with the independent person. He deals graciously with those who have learned that they are in every way dependent upon Him. “He opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6). It is, however, a very difficult thing to make the switch from a culture that glorifies independence into a lifestyle that demonstrates complete dependence upon God.

Hear what God’s Word says concerning our inability to function properly apart from depending upon Him:

“Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain” (Psalm 127:1).

“I know, O Lord, that a man’s life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps” (Jeremiah 10:23).

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).

“Not that we are competent to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God” (2 Corinthians 3:5).

The most practical way to live the life of dependence upon God, is to make prayer the central activity of our lives. In prayer we recognize our need and God as the One who can meet our need. We come before Him with empty hands, having nothing to offer but our need. This is the place that causes many to resist being people of prayer.

Ronnie Floyd in his powerful book, How to Pray, gets to the heart of the matter as he shares two critical statements concerning prayer:

• Prayer occurs when you depend on God.
• Prayerlessness occurs when you depend on yourself.

God is calling us to put away the childishness of thinking we can do anything without Him—our Creator. In humility we need to draw near to God and confess our inadequacy and complete dependence upon him.

We can say that we believe we are dependent upon God, but it is in our daily prayer lives that we will see the “rubber hit the road.” In the life dependent upon God, prayer becomes as natural as breathing – all that we do is brought before the Lord. There is no aspect of life that is outside the realm of prayer.

We should begin the day by thanking God for the night’s rest and the new day. This attitude of recognizing that all we have comes from His hand, will cause us to spend much time in prayers of thanksgiving in the course of our daily activities. This is a big step in acknowledging our dependence.

Throughout each day we can draw near to the Lord in intimate prayer, getting to know Him better. In prayer we put on our armor and trust in the victory of the One who died on our behalf. We can submit our thoughts, actions and words to Him. Simply and in humility, we can ask Him for direction and provision for the day. Asking for the outpouring of His Spirit, we can pray God’s blessings on those we come in contact with, and bring loved ones, pastors, missionaries and world leaders to Him for His intervention and work in their lives.

God desires us to come to the place where we can admit that we are hopeless and helpless on our own, so that he can call us to a Declaration of Dependence as we humble ourselves before Him in prayer and worship.

Used with permission of www.harvestprayer.com.

Image: FreeImages.com/Bas van den Eijkhof

The most powerful discipleship method for new believers is prayer. We MUST pray for them so that they will be able to conform to the image of Christ. The Lord’s Church should be filled with individuals who are growing in their relationship with their Lord and Savior and experiencing spiritual growth. If the Church will pray for and train up every new believer in love and service, we will be better equipped to advance God’s kingdom on this earth! Some churches form a prayer circle around new believers upon their confession of faith and make a commitment before the Lord to nurture and train them. Here are several key prayers to pray for the brand new in faith:

• For Spiritual Maturity: Father, I pray that this one who has just recently placed his/her faith in you will grow to spiritual maturity, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. May he speak the truth in love so that he will in all things grow up into Christ. (Ephesians 4:13-15).
• For Humility to allow others to teach and train: Lord, may this new believer open his/her heart to those who are more mature in faith so that his love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that he may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God (Phil. 1:9-11).
• Pray that they, being filled with the Holy Spirit, will discover and utilize the gifts God has given and use them to the best of their ability.
• Pray that they will have a daily, disciplined quiet time in order to know the Word of God and develop a powerful life of prayer.
• Pray that they will be able to resist the enemy and overcome sin when it arises in their lives.
• Pray that they will develop a fruitful ministry for the kingdom in their local church, community and beyond through the power of the Holy Spirit.
• Pray that they will be bold in their witness to unbelievers, having courage to share their testimony.

From The Harvest Prayer Messenger. Used with permission of www.harvestprayer.com.

As a matter of fact, I believe we need to pray for one another’s physical needs in a much more effective way than we have in the past. Our prayers sometimes sound like this: “Lord, bless brother so-and-so in his illness. Give direction to his physicians. And if it be thy will, bring him to health. Amen.” Though I don’t fault the heart behind that prayer, I want to suggest some ways that we might sharpen our prayers for those who are ill.

Who can pray for the sick?

All Christians are given that privilege, though there may be those who are more gifted in this area than others. Certainly elders are to be involved in praying for the sick. James writes, “Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.” James 5:14-15

When and where do we pray for the sick?

We should pray in our families for the sick We should pray in the routine of everyday life. We should pray in our small groups or Sunday School class. We should pray in the whole church, whether it is coming forward for prayer by a prayer team, or by the elders, or in a prayer room after a service.

How do we pray for the sick?

There is no divine methodology. The most fascinating aspect to the healing ministry of Jesus is His astonishing variety of methods employed to bring about healing. Anything from a touch to a mud-pack was used by Jesus to demonstrate His Father’s desire to heal. Jesus shows us that methodology is not doctrine. He gives us the freedom to pray in various ways that work.

A number of years ago, I had the privilege of being in a seminar on healing prayer taught using John Wimber’s methods. I believe that Wimber’s basic five steps are a good, well-balanced approach to praying for healing. The five steps with my commentary are as follows: