(Mat 13:19 NIV) When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart.
This morning we continue our series entitled, “Re-Energizing Your Prayer Life,” by continuing with hurdles to answered prayer. Yesterday we looked at the second hurdle, “Mental assent, with no action.” Today we will look at hurdle #3, “Hearing the Word, but not absorbing it.” We must internalize the Word if it is going to make an impact. Said another way, we must get the Word down inside the soil of our heart if it is going to germinate and produce a harvest. When we don’t absorb the Word it often goes in one ear and out the other. Our text tells us that satan can actually steal it away. How does He steal it? When we don’t understand it. If we are confused about the Word we just heard, we cannot apply it – we cannot maximize what we do not understand – therefore that Word cannot take root in our heart and it is easy for the enemy to come in and take it from us. And believe me, that is the enemy’s #1 concern. Satan does not mind if we have money, or influence, just as long as we don’t get the Word down inside of us and start walking in it. Our money and influence pose no threat to his satan’s kingdom unless we are committed to living in accordance with the Word of God! Well, you may be thinking, “But Rick, what does this have to do with prayer?” Actually, a great deal. It is difficult to have an effective prayer life when you don’t have the Word down inside of you.
David asked the question, “How can a young man keep his way pure?” He then turned around and answered it, saying, “By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you” (Ps 119:9-11). Living in accordance with the Word is what keeps us pure before God. When we know that we are pure before God we are able to pray with confidence and boldness. Hiding God’s Word in our heart – internalizing, processing, and applying it – will keep us from sin; and therefore greatly assist our prayers.
John the revelator said, “Let this message sink into the ears of anyone who listens to what the Spirit is saying to the churches” (Rev 2:7). Just like there are levels of understanding, I believe there are levels of hearing and receiving. 10 people can hear the same message and get 10 different things from it. John wanted his message to literally “sink” into the ears (and hearts) of those who were receiving what the Spirit was saying to the churches. As we receive the Word of God – through reading, teaching, or preaching – our goal should be to allow it to sink into our hearts and to apply the message we glean from it. The more we do this, the more effective our prayer life will be.
So what does this mean to you today? It means the Father wants you to absorb His Word so it can get down in your heart. Paul said, “Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all” (1 Tim 4:15). When we absorb the Word and we truly get it down in our heart, it will take root, produce a harvest, and the results will be evident to all. However, if you fail to get the Word down in your heart it will be difficult for you to pray when you are facing a challenge all alone. When you are sitting in the midst of a challenge, with no one around, and without a Bible in your hand, your ability to pray and to fight the fight of faith will be directly related to the amount of Word you have absorbed in your heart. No Word, no power.
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for this teaching. I am committed to getting the Word down in my heart. When I receive the Word through preaching, teaching, or my own personal study, I will receive it with a readiness of mind. My mind will be alert and active, my heart will be open to receive, and I will do all that I can to understand and absorb the Word I am receiving. The enemy cannot steal a Word I have understanding of, but I know that when I don’t have understanding and I am confused about something, then that Word has yet to take root in the soil of my heart and it is susceptible to the enemy’s attacks. But that won’t happen to me. I receive the Word with gladness, I internalize it to get it down in my heart, and it produces a harvest in my life. The more Word I have in my heart, the better equipped I am to pray and to fight the fight of faith. I live by faith, because I live by every Word that proceeds from out of Your mouth Father! In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper!
