A Prayer to Be on Fire for God
By Kelly Balarie
“They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” – Luke 24:32 NIV
I listened to a voice memo text. I focused intently on my friend speaking, yet it wasn’t what she said that got me as much as it was how she said it. My friend has a specific cadence to her voice. She emphasizes some words and draws others out. It strikes me how her friends, too, talk like she does. I suppose, we become like the company we keep.
That same day, another group of common friends messaged me; I met these ladies in another state. As I listened to their audio texts, I noticed, the time they spent together made them talk like each other too. Again, we become like the company we keep. This has spiritual significance…
In Luke 24, we learn that the disciples, on their way to the village of Emmaus, walked with someone that they didn’t know was -- The One, Jesus, The King of Kings! During this walk, not realizing it was Jesus with them, Jesus led them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets. He highlighted scripture having to do with Himself, making it plain as day. They even ate together. It was as Jesus broke bread -- their eyes were opened. They finally knew who they were seated with! Then, just like that – Jesus was gone! He disappeared.
After this encounter with God, did they marvel at how Jesus was there but notice how they missed Him? Maybe. Did they wonder how to keep themselves from missing Him again? I bet. Yet, upon reflection, the words they spoke after this encounter were: “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?”
Revelations 19:12 describes Jesus eyes as “blazing fire”. Because these disciples experienced the fire of Christ, they felt on fire. They were becoming like the company they kept. Our hearts burn on fire when Jesus is with us. Do we spend time with Jesus and find ourselves on fire? Does the fire of Christ become our fire to shine bright and to burn strong in a world that needs the light of day?
I’ve noticed that momentum with God builds. Like a bike, momentum takes a little push before you are off and riding. You may not feel like praying, but once you get going in it – you start moving. You may not feel like spending 10 minutes in God’s Word, but once you get a few days in, keep moving upwards of 30 minutes. You may not feel like worshipping, but once the song is on and you focus your mind, your heart comes alive with passion that you forgot you had. Don’t despise small beginnings with God. Jesus walks with you; I believe He will set your heart on fire.
Let’s pray:
Father, I want to be on fire with love, passion, and a heart for You. I don’t want to fall into Christian complacency, ritual obligations, or monotony. I want my heart to be fully alive. I ask for that to happen now. I want to walk with You and talk with You. I want to praise You and honor You with my whole heart. Father, I want to connect with You deeply and intimately. I want to be awakened to the fullness of Your love. I ask You to awaken me now. I want to see You. I want to know that it is You walking with me and not miss You. Give me a heart to pursue You, eyes to see You, and ears to hear what the Holy Spirit is saying. Let my light shine so bright that all will see You working through me and glorify Your Name.
In Jesus’ mighty name. Amen.
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Related Resource: Jesus Calling - Stories of Faith
Kerry Washington. Andrea Bocelli. Reba McEntire. Mark Wahlberg. Tony Dungy. Matthew McConaughey, What do all of these people have in common? They are all people of faith who have leaned on God in both the good and challenging times—and they’ve shown up to tell their story of faith on The Jesus Calling Podcast. The Jesus Calling Podcast provides a place for people from all walks of life to share the heartaches, joys, and divine moments that keep them going.
Inspired by Sarah Young's classic devotional book, the Jesus Calling podcast has brought encouragement and peace to millions. New episodes drop every Thursday! Listen today on LifeAudio.com or wherever you find your podcasts.
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