The ways by which we show trust in God is not merely by the act of prayer but also by love. You may wonder how the combination goes hand in hand. Hear this beloved, Paul said ;
“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.”
1 Corinthians 13:1-3 ESV
In Paul’s presentation, he makes 3 key points to note. Beginning with is the perspective of spiritual activities, which he describes as a nuisance where the element of love is missing. The centre of every activity of the believer is to be surrounded by love. Furthermore, are spiritual gifts, which void of the same element is pointless. Be it the abundance of spiritual knowledge or the highest realms of gifts including the prophetic and even miracles. Jesus in these dealings was always moved by love (Mark 1:41, Mathew 14:14), which backs His works of deliverance and healing. Paul further speaks of sacrifice without which love is in vain. In contrast to the definition of love biblically, let’s delve into what love entails and how it outweighs the above considerations.
“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 ESV
Recognize how Paul’s rendition gives love a personification of character. Patience, kindness, void of envy and pride, respect, gentleness , steadfast, long suffering, honesty, faith and forbearance .Which are all fruits of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), making evident that love has a personified character and bearing fruits glorifies God above all things(John 15:8).
How do you portray these in your prayer life as a believer? By practicing these they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ(2 Peter 1:8 ESV). The potency and effectiveness of your prayer is determined by the posture of your heart. A heart void of resentment, bitterness, pride and falsehood, makes prayer more effective. The practice of these precepts demonstrates one’s trust in God. You see, love has a compartment of meekness and gentleness, which are directly a reflection of our pattern man Jesus Christ. We see that in the description of the women of old who trusted in God( 1Peter 3:4-5). The ways of God are always perfect, His person and character can be trusted. He expects us to operate the same way He does. The practice of the personified characteristics of love draws us closer to God and by this our incense can rise. Remember when the Psalmist says “If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear me:”
Psalm 66:18 KJV
This regards that the instrument that matters most to God when we come before Him is the state of our hearts. Notwithstanding how much we can be transformed in the place of prayer, because a sincere heart the Lord will not despise(Psalm 51:17).
And finally as our Lord Jesus simply puts it “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.”
Matthew 5:5, 8 KJV
There is the character of love which put on, can bring us into the place of true encounter with God. While you pray in all fervency, empty your heart of all guile and trust that the purity and gentleness of the heart speaks volumes in the courts of God. Prepare for a divine date night, Friday Night!