Prayer Requests and Gratitudes

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Praying in Secret

~~~ 2 Kings 2:1, 6-14 ~~~ Psalm 31 ~~~ Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 ~~~

Elisha learned many things from Elijah as they traveled together.
On this day Elisha knew, what the prophets confirmed,
 the Lord would take Elijah up to heaven.
In their final conversation together, Elisha states his bold request.
He was alone with Elijah who had just rolled his mantle to part the river.
They crossed on dry land to the other side.

When they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha,
“Ask for whatever I may do for you, before I am taken from you.”
Elisha answered, “May I receive a double portion of your spirit.”

They now stood together on the other side.
This is where God takes Elijah up into the heavens.
Amid the fiery whirlwind, one thing remained behind.
The mantle/cloak belonging to Elijah was left on the ground.
This was now to be the mantle of Elisha.
He stands there alone.

...when he could no longer see him,
Elisha gripped his own garment and tore it in two.
Then he picked up Elijah’s mantle that had fallen from him...

Elisha tears his mantle in two.
He is leaving his former life to enter into his new life.
He no longer had need of his mantle...he had been given
his inheritance...the mantle of Elijah.

He picks up Elijah's mantle wondering about God's plan for him.
Doing what he had witnessed Elijah doing previously
 he rolled it up and parted the water.
He now crossed on dry land.


Elisha, as prophet,
was now to be one who gives a voice to God's eternal word.

So here we are today we no longer have Elijah or Elisha standing before us,
but we will always have the voice of God's eternal word.
Our challenge is to listen for his word.

When we enter into our inner room
 and close the door it is just you and God.

...when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door,
and pray to your Father in secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

The prayers we make in secret are no less valid
 than the request Elisha made to Elijah before the chariot
 carried him up to heaven.

It was not Elijah who granted Elisha's request, but rather God.
God chose Elisha to carry on the role of prophet
 as he had been mentored to be through Elijah.

...Ask for whatever I may do for you...

Go into your inner room and pray to the Father in secret.
He hears your voice no matter how small.
He listens with compassion and mercy.
The Father sees what is hidden in your heart...
All that you hold secret in your heart the Father
 sees and knows what is best for you.

Even when we do not have the words in prayer the Holy Spirit
presents our needs to the Father on our behalf.

Too many ways God is blessing us to comprehend.
Just be grateful...he is with you.
~~~Peace~~~

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