Reconnect with the Father at all costs

Rob Streetman Sept. 3, 2019

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Our enemies know war strategy. They know that disrupting communication between central command and soldiers on the ground creates confusion. They know that confusion leads to discouragement, disillusionment and desertion.

Satan, the world and our carnal minds have been diligently working to cut off our connection with the Father. They have, for the most part, been breathtakingly successful. Consequently, the Western church is now desperately handicapped in this war for the souls of individuals and the soul of our communities!

Leaders (myself included) are to blame. We have fallen for the devil’s temptations while allowing the world to distract us and our carnal minds to deceive us. “The devil made us do it” is simple and shameful blame-shifting. Resist the devil and he will flee from you (James 4:7).

Furthermore, we have been crucified to the world and the world to us (Galatians 6:14). The Holy Spirit has been commissioned by God to transform us through the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 3:18).

The battle to which we have been called might still be won. God’s people are overcomers (1 John 5:4). They have a desire in their heart to be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might (Ephesians 6:10). They just need our help to reconnect to their Captain and Commander. It is time we took responsibility as leaders, and exercised the authority we have been given, to reestablish proper communication between God and His people.

Every other spiritual discipline—including Bible study, worship and service—is ineffectual without our knowing God’s voice and hearing His Word. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the (rhema,or spoken) word of God (Romans 10:17). Without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 10:23). Those poor souls in Matthew 7:21-23 found out that even the most fantastic work is lawlessness when done outside the Father’s will.

I am not telling you something you don’t already know. Tragically, we will be held accountable for what we are teaching and demonstrating. The little prayer that we now practice is rote and/or an approach to God as if He were Santa Claus standing behind a vending machine, waiting for us to put in the correct change and push the right buttons. Why would we dare insult Him in this way?

It does not matter how many times you mention prayer or even teach on prayer. Until the leader models relational, listening prayer, the people will continue to suffer this destructive disconnect from the Father. We have got to stop giving lip-service to prayer. We know in our hearts that restoration and revival will continue to allude us—and we will continue to lose spiritual ground—without prayer.

With that in mind, please consider two resources that have transformed my prayer life, and many others. Larry Crabb’s The PAPA Prayer will introduce you to relational prayer. God Guides, a small booklet by Mary Geegh, will edify and encourage you into the power of listening prayer. 

Strategically speaking, reestablishing proper communication between God and His people will be difficult. It will require sacrifice, but we too are overcomers, strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Refuse to listen to the world and your carnal mind.

This might be our legacy. That’s my encouragement. I pray it is yours.

Photo source: istock 

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Rob Streetman serves the body of Christ as President of two parachurch ministries: inLight Consulting (a workplace transformation ministry) and 2:2 Collective (a unity and church growth ministry). He is the author of two books: The Map Maker and A Storm is Coming. Rob’s heart desires is to encourage, edify and equip Christian leaders as disciple-makers and transformation agents—that they would become houses that stand in the storms of this life. He previously worked in various IT industry positions. Learn More »

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