PRAYER THAT CONNECTS-8 "The Place of Seperation"

PRAYER THAT CONNECTS-8 “THE PLACE OF SEPARATION” (series) Nov 12, 2017 

PREPARATION TO PRAY

GOD laid out 10 Requirements with which Aaron was to Prepare himself to enter His Presence in prayer and receive His blessing of Atonement.

Since GOD’s standard of Holiness has not ended, these 10 Requirements remain in place today.

Only, we no longer perform these symbolic rituals, as Aaron did, but we practice their actual fulfillment through our relationship with Jesus.

1. APPROPRIATE GOD’S GRACE
2. PUT ON RIGHTEOUSNESS
3. PUT ON TRUTH & HONESTY
4. BE CLEANSED WITH THE WORD
5. WORSHIP GOD

 

#6 - SEPARATE YOURSELF

Lev. 16:17 Nobody is to be in the Tent of Meeting when Aaron enters to make atonement in the holy place until he goes out, and he has made atonement on his behalf, on behalf of his household, and on behalf of the whole assembly of Israel.

The 6th Requirement in preparation for entering GOD's Presence, is to SEPARATE YOURSELF. When Aaron entered the Most Holy Place to pray he had to be alone, and no one was

allowed to conduct activity or be in the Holy Place until he came out.

When we come to commune with Him, GOD must not have to share our attention with anything else.

You need to get away from distractions that pull your attention from the Lord. That includes...

• people talking
• the TV
• your cell phone
• even listening to music (if you’re getting into it)

Jer. 29:13 You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with ALL your heart.

Seeking AND Finding GOD when praying requires ALL your heart...

ALL = Mental Attention, not emotional intensity

Lack of Attention is the #1 reason for failing to FIND the answers GOD has set before us.

The greatest threat to prayer for the modern Christian is the inability to give GOD your Undivided Attention...with ALL your heart.

In the modern Culture of Connectivity people are addicted to information. We can barely break away from the digital stream to think independently.

Satan doesn’t have to attack our faith or theology. He simply uses our addiction to the digital stream of the world to enslave our attention, so that we can’t seek and find when we pray.

THE TENT OF MEETING

Nobody is to be in the Tent of Meeting when Aaron enters...

Even when we gather for corporate worship, the term, Tent of Meeting promotes the concept that Prayer is turning aside from your regular activities in order to MEET with GOD.

Sometimes we mistake our faith in GOD’s omnipresence for fellowship. Prayer isn’t based on GOD being with us, but rather us being with Him.

The reason that GOD taught Prayer through the MODEL of The Tent of Meeting, was not to promote the idea that Prayer only works in special holy places. But rather to a safeguard against human spiritualism.

The MODEL of The Tent of Meeting, was meant to instill the reality that Prayer brings US into a Meeting with GOD.

Matt. 11:28 COME to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

COME = Come apart and follow

John 7:37 On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him COME to me and drink.

John 6:35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever COMES to me shall not hunger,

The PLACE where GOD meets us isn’t in a special building. It isn’t even a place in you. But prayer is a Place in GOD.

John 16:33 I have told you these things so that IN ME you may have peace. In the world you have trouble and suffering, but take courage–I have conquered the world.”