Prayer Focus

Heart Guide for Lesson 8:
Beholding the True Image

Let your prayer time be a time when you seek to behold Jesus better - not only a time for going through a wish list or a to do list or a confessional. Seek to behold Him with an unveiled face (2 Corinthians 3:16-18). Exact vision is not required! Just 'glimpse' or vague impression is all one usually needs or gets.[1]

Don't be discouraged if you get off to a slow start. In devotional exercises we usually begin without inspiration as someone once remarked, 'I begin in the flesh and end in the Spirit.' In other words we begin with effort to approach God, even in dryness or heaviness.

Consistency and perseverance in simple expectancy allow the Spirit to bring a greater grace. But don't try to force any special moments to come! You are the peaceful garden basking in 'Son-shine' (see Psalm 131). Let the Lord be free to come and go like a butterfly that just might drop in!

In seeking to behold Him it is very helpful to 'unveil' your face. An unveiled face signifies: [2]

1) A Tender Heart: We are not closed or hardened by bitterness, fear or shame.

2) An Honest Heart: We remain open and transparent about our pain, weaknesses, failings and sins. We live in the light (1 John 1:7). We don't hide how we really feel or who we are.

3) A Confident Heart: We are willing and able to take the veil off because we believe in grace!

We can exercise consistency in the routine without any loss of confidence before God since even un-anointed, yet transparent praying works wonders for our transformation. Be honest with God about everything, even about the lack of apparent anointing or seeming 'deadness.' Just don't let it become a stumbling block to you and eventually you will get past it.

Return to Beholding the True Image: Head to Heart Guide for more ways to go deeper into these truths or stay 'on course' by going to the...

Endnotes