{"id":32389,"date":"2023-10-27T15:20:32","date_gmt":"2023-10-27T19:20:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/?p=32389"},"modified":"2026-02-04T17:03:40","modified_gmt":"2026-02-04T22:03:40","slug":"worship-wednesday-first-things-first-with-consumed-by-fire","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/?p=32389","title":{"rendered":"Worship Wednesday – First Things First – with Consumed by Fire"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/a>
Photo Credit: Heartlight<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Then the man and his wife [Adam and Eve] heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the breeze of the day, and they hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord called out to the man, “Where are you?<\/strong>“<\/em> – Genesis 3:8-9<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

One day in a place where Jesus had just finished praying, one of His disciples requested, \u201cLord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.\u201d So Jesus told them, \u201cWhen you pray<\/strong>, say: \u2018Father, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come… – Luke 11:1-2<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin<\/strong>. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence [boldness], so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. <\/em>– Hebrews 4:15-16<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is it that keeps us from praying?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is it shame or fear? Yet God calls for us to show ourselves to Him. He looks on us with deep compassion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is it not our practice? The disciples witnessed both Jesus’ pattern of prayer and His power to live a life pleasing to the Father. They didn’t ask what was His secret. They seemed to know it was his dependence on the Father through prayer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is it our sin that makes us too shy to talk to God? He is not surprised at our struggle. He knows our weaknesses and loves us still. We have a sinless mediator in Jesus and because of Him we have access to the Father.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prayer can be hard for me for all the above reasons. Add to those the weight of so much need in the world, and I find myself too quickly distracted by the world’s chatter. Oh to stay in the quiet of His peace!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So I pray a bit then switch to over-thinking and worry, or drop out altogether to some other cheap substitute to prayer. Nevertheless, because of His long-suffering with His children, He draws us back to Himself, and I return often to that throne of grace. As a child running to my dad…the best dad we could ever hope to have. Father God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Have you read Tyler Staton<\/a>‘s Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools<\/a><\/em> yet? It has been my guidebook (alongside the Bible) in recent months toward a deeper walk with the Lord.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tyler Staton introduces his readers to writer teacher John Mark Comer<\/a>. Comer is the founder of Practicing the Way<\/a><\/em>. This is a website with the focus<\/a> of offering a pathway to becoming like Jesus in community<\/em>. All of the teaching and resources are free, and I’ve been grateful to God for how He is speaking to me in this space. My hope is to be part of a prayer community in our local church. Pray with me for this. Are you part of such a community?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a>
Photo Credit: YouTube, John Mark Comer<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Comer’s series on prayer is also available on YouTube. All four messages are linked below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

YouTube Video: Prayer – Talking to God – John Mark Comer<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

YouTube Video: Prayer – Talking with God – John Mark Comer<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a>
Photo Credit: YouTube, John Mark Comer<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

YouTube Video: Prayer – Listening to God – John Mark Comer<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

YouTube Video: Prayer – Being with God – John Mark Comer<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a>
Photo Credit: YouTube, John Mark Comer<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As often happens, while thinking about the whole practice of prayer in my life, I heard the song below on the car radio. It preached!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Worship<\/a> with me to the deeply intimate song “First Things First”<\/em> by the band of brothers Consumed by Fire<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n