Faith. Works. Life.

Faith without works is dead. (James 2:14 - 26). The heart that trusts in God develops a particular character that is expressed throughout the terrain of the life it represents. We trust and therefore we pray. We trust and therefore we remain still. We trust and therefore we pursue. We trust and therefore we surrender. Every work that is an outflow of our faith is blessed; leading us along the fatted way--the abundant path. 

This week we call you to a deeper measure of reliance on God by inviting the Holy Spirit to work on and in you to bring about sustainable transformation that allows you to love the body that God loves. Walk slowly and prayerfully through our guided reflection based on an adaptation of Susie Larson's prayer for healing featured in her book "Fully Alive: Learning to Flourish--Mind, Body & Spirit". The italicized portions are from Susie's original prayer .

You are a miracle-working God.

Faith: Faith comes by hearing and this by the word of God. (Romans 10:17). Read Matthew 9, about the God who forgives and heals. May your faith increase, knowing that the God of yesterday is still the God of today. (Hebrews 13:8).

Works (Pray. Meditate.): I know that for you nothing is impossible, so I place all the pieces of my life before you with expectation that even the dry places may know wellness again. Help my unbelief. Let it be that my faith in you will grow up to reach the depth of your desire to make me well. 

Set aside 15 - 20 minutes, each day this week, to engage in this meditation on God the Healer. Carving out 15 - 20 minutes just before bed is ideal!

Give me a vision for what freedom looks like for me.

Faith: Proverbs 3:5 admonishes, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding." (ESV).

Works (Pray. Wait. Listen. Write. Run.): Surrender your plans to the Lord's perfect plan for your life. Pray for a vision of what embracing the body God loves looks like for you. Wait expectantly for the reply. Write the vision. Pursue the vision in His strength. For more guidance about how to work your faith in this area consult last week's temple building tip here.

Give me faith to believe You for my miracle.

Faith: Meditate on His promises of healing. Utter them day and night. Exalt His Word to you above the report of man and the evidence now seen. Walk in His counsel, from start to finish. (Psalm 1). Attune your spirit to what the Spirit says, that you might be well in your soul (mind, emotions and will), even as you await the strengthening of your body. (3 John 1:2).  Get your start by looking in the concordance for "healing" and then reading the associated passages to see what widely applicable principles the Spirit illuminates to build your expectation for His intervention.

Works (Pray):  Pray through His promises of healing.

Show me what makes me tired. Show me what masters me and slows me down.

Faith: "Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture." (Psalm 100:3, ESV). God is our maker and our Shepherd. He is intimately aware of what we need to be well. Trust Him to sort through even the minute details of your life: what you eat and drink, as well as what you don't; and what you do, as well as what you don't. 

Works (Watch. Obey.): God will give you the wisdom that you seek. (James 1:5). He may download it to your spirit during quiet time or through the utterance of a friend, acquaintance or medical professional. He may even send you to study! Be watchful--expectant to hear His instruction. Obey.

Help me to lose my taste for that which weakens me, and acquire a taste for that which strengthens me.

Faith: "Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good." (Romans 12:9, ESV). 

Works (Pray): Lord, please change my mind so that it aligns with your will and determination of what is good and evil. Let me hate what you hate and love what you love. Let me cling to what is good, and may my reward be life more abundantly. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Heal me from the inside out!

Faith: "Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life." (Proverbs 4:23, ESV).

Works (Watch. Pray.): Father, I know that you desire to do a deep work in and through me. Make me wise to the traps of this materialistic world. Help me not to cling to outward appearances of wellness and negate the truth of my heart. Deliver me from the folly of allowing external conditions to determine my goals and track my progress. You, be my Counselor. You set my goals, mark my race and track my progress. Birth in me a patience for soul deep work--for your perfect work. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Help me to make the necessary changes. I want to participate with You in my healing process.

Faith: Apart from God you can do nothing. (John 15:5). But, you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. (Philippians 4:13).

Works (Surrender): Trust His action on your behalf. Be so entangled with Him that your life will be an outflow of His. Don't force anything. Let Him set the pace. This is a moment by moment commitment. And when you feel you grasping your life in your hands again, breathe and release.

Awaken fresh life in me! Amen.
 
Happy temple building!

Take care. Bless many