Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 1 John 4:1.

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2.

Both of the above Scripture verses were from my devotionals. And this, from Henri Nouwen: “The prayer of the heart is indeed the way to the purity of heart that gives us eyes to see the reality of our existence. This purity of heart allows us to see more clearly, not only our own needy, distorted, and anxious self but also the caring face of our compassionate God. And before we speak any words, the Spirit of God, praying in us, will make his presence known and gather people into a new body, the body of Christ himself.” Can you imagine?

I’ve had two days of remarkable shared encounters with God with others. Yesterday in a small women’s Bible study we prayed with and for one another after sharing needs. I had asked for help with prayer because I am exactly what Nouwen described above – needy, distorted, anxious and in turmoil; and that state of mind twists me something terrible! And I’m not alone! We are each of us so insecure and Satan piles onto our fears and insecurities reinforcing them. And before we speak any words…the Spirit of God, praying in us, will make his presence known and gather people into a new body, the body of Christ himself. And He does. He is right here with us. And this morning in our Friday Retreat learning together about prayer with John Ortberg’s video. Pray a need or concern for one week faithfully in prayer to our Creator God – Father, Son, Spirit. Pray. Listen. Don’t manufacture miracles. Our group will pray individually a prayer for 3 weeks.

And what do we find? What the psalmist knows in Psalm 84. How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God…Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you…Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage…They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion…Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked…For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless…Lord Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you. v. 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 10, 11, 12.

One of our members this morning said that God is always at work, like a train moving forward, and we can participate with Him in prayer…a pilgrimage! Henri Nouwen added this, “When that vision remains clear and sharp, it will be possible to move into the midst of a tumultuous world with a heart at rest.” A heart at rest because I am with our living, compassionate God now talking with Him and listening. How we each of us need that rest and peace only God can provide. Before sharing what my need was yesterday, I was searching a little frantically for what would be appropriate. Help with prayer. And I knew as that thought grew steadily within that that was my need. So I shared that with the group and found comfort, help, support, understanding. Shared prayer, shared need…shared love and all of that from our Father who loves us so deeply it cannot be contained! And what do we find? Our God praying in us, making His Presence known. He longs to gather us! We are not alone. Pray. He’s here. Always. Can you imagine what it was like this morning to learn about prayer when that was what I was seeking? The caring face of our compassionate God…praying in us, making His Presence known and gathering us into a new body…the body of Christ Himself!