The Time Is Now - Developing A Lifestyle Of Prayer

12. In John 15: 7 -8, what are the conditions ("if' statements) for asking what we wish? What does this say about our relationship with God?

13. Why does suchprayer, and thefruit home of it; bring Godpleasure?

14. How might you imitate the desires ofjabez (1 Chronicles 4:1O)?

The stronger the passion, the more you pray; and the more you pray, the stronger the pas­ sion. Devotion to prayer gets you in touch with God's dreams for yourself, your family, your church, your community, your world. God's desires become your desires, consuming you, as you spend time with Him in prayer. That passion will attract people to you and to your dreams. It will inspire confidence in those under your care. Passion guides your every waking thought and deed, gives you reason to gladly make sacrifices. You adopt a new value system, a worldview that is alien to the pas­ sionless, but that is thoroughly familiar to God and those closest to Him. Trivial things stop mattering. Steps of obedience that used to "seriously inconvenience" you now become small prices to pay for God's glory. Setbacks and losses become manageable, hurdles on the road to that which consumes you. Passion ignites this mindset and causes it to burn brighte1; until you blaze for the Lord, attracting people from miles around to the spectacle. You will set fire to some of them. While Jesus spits lukewarm believers out of His mouth (Revelation 3: 16), He delights in the longing heart. This is the heart God wants in all of us, and it will grow as you pray.

15. How would you describe the level ofyourpassion? Why?

Talk with your Father about your passion. Invite His evaluation, and ask Him for insight as to what drives you and what holds you back. Thank Him for passion He has given you, and confess to Him any hindrances. Ask for more passion and for wisdom as you move on. Finally, write here at least one specific goal that will help ignite your passion or cause it to