He Has Set His Affection On Us

We have had the privilege of teaching some discipleship classes during the past two weeks to some of the local believers. I got to share on how to study the Bible and also the importance of doing burns. A burn is just a word for an extended time of prayer and worship. We have done two 8 hour burns already and are planning to do one more before we leave. Here’s a brief rundown on the importance and reason why we do what we do. 

1. We were made for it. 

From the very beginning we were created for intimacy with God. In Genesis, we read how God walked with Adam and Eve in the cool of the day. We were made for fellowship with the Creator! After Adam and Eve sinned, we read in Genesis 3:9  that God asks, “Where are you?” I love that the first thing God did after man sinned was come looking for him. This can be an incredible reminder to us now, that God wants to hang out with us. He wants to spend time with us. He’s asking, “Where are you?”

2. He’s worth it. 

Malachi 1:11 reads, ” ‘My name will be great among the nations, from the rising to the setting of the sun. In ever place incense and pure offerings will be brought to my name, because my name will be great among the nations,’ says the Lord Almighty.” His name will be great among the nations. He is worth all of our praise and adoration. Let’s be a part of seeing this verse come to pass - let’s make his name great among the nations!

3. It changes things. 

1 Samuel 16:14-23 is the story of where David is called into Saul’s service. We read that an evil spirit tormented Saul, however when David would take his harp and play relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him. When we worship Jesus, it changes the spiritual atmosphere. It is an incredible thing to worship Jesus in nations and places where darkness seems to reign and to proclaim the truth and victory of Jesus. We exalt Jesus and enthrone him with our praises. Not only does the spiritual atmosphere change when we do this, but we change as well. As we worship Jesus, he is so faithful and good to us that he comes and ministers to our hearts and reminds us of who he is. We can’t worship Jesus and not be changed. 

There are many other reasons why extended prayer and worship are needed and a good thing, but those are three main ones. If you’ve never participated in a burn or something similar to this, I can’t encourage it enough. The thought of praying or worshiping for that long can seem daunting, but I bet you’ll be surprised at how easy it is to hang out with Jesus. 

12 May 2011 ·

• Tags
• burn
• worship
• prayer