HOW CAN I REALLY GROW IN MY CHRISTIAN FAITH?

Are you interested in steady, measured spiritual growth? In the first chapter of his book Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, Donald Whitney said, "The Spiritual Disciplines are the God-given means we are to use in the Spirit-filled pursuit of Godliness."

Begin to practice daily just three of the premiere spiritual disciplines that have been used and found fruitful by followers of Christ since the early years of Christianity: Bible study, meditation (holy contemplation of scripture), and prayer.

The early Puritan preacher and writer Thomas Manton wrote, "Meditation is a middle sort of duty between the word and prayer, and hath respect to both. The word feedeth meditation, and meditation feedeth prayer. These duties must always go hand in hand; meditation must follow hearing and precede prayer. To hear and not meditate is unfruitful. . . . What we take in by word we digest by meditation and let out by prayer. These three duties must be ordered that one may not jostle out the other. Men are barren, dry, and sapless in their prayers for want of exercising themselves in holy thoughts" [Donald Whitney, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life (Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 1991), 73].

Make time each day for serious Bible study, meditation, and prayer and you will soon discover that the Holy Spirit is growing you in the grace and knowledge of Christ. As an extra incentive not to procrastinate, consider the advice of an anonymous writer, "You have to do what others won't to achieve what others don't." Add to that encouragement the wisdom of R. Collier found below, and get started immediately.

Open Doors for Sharing Christ

"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should" (Colossians 4:2-4).

We might well refer to prayer as one of the laws of the universe. Just as God allowed men to discover his laws of gravity and motion, he wants people to discover his laws concerning prayer. Strangely, prayer is denied by some, ignored by others, and neglected by many. However, its treatment does not changed the irrefutable fact that God works in response to prayer. The Psalmist recorded God saying, "He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him" (Psalm 91:15). God said to Jeremiah, "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know" (Jeremiah 33:3). Consider Jesus' instructions regarding prayer: "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer" (Matthew 21:22); "If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you" (John 15:7).

One of our particular great privileges is to pray for doors to open for us and others to minister. The apostle Paul was in prison in Rome sometime around A.D. 60 when he wrote to the church in Colosse requesting prayer for opportunities to share Christ. He fully expected to get out of prison and return to his work of evangelism and church planting. Furthermore, he knew that the success of that future work depended on God providing the opportunities. So, what did he do in anticipation of returning to ministry? He enlisted God's people to pray on his behalf that God would make things happen. Paul could have prayed for his release from prison, more comfortable living conditions, or any number of things. Yet, he prayed for open doors for sharing Christ in the future. What does this tell us about the importance of praying that God would give us and others opportunities to share Christ with people?

If we want the blessing of God upon our lives and ministries and the gospel to be spread with success, we must pray for God to open doors for us and others. We must become mighty prayer warriors. Watch the following video that illustrates the power of prayer in evangelism and church planting.