Cultivating Intimacy with God through the Posture of Prayer

Introduction

• Theme: Deepening intimacy with the Lord.
• Importance of both corporate gatherings and personal, private moments with God.
• Invitation: To grow closer to God individually in 2024.

Key Points

Intimacy in the Secret Place

• Real intimacy with God requires personal encounters in the secret place.
• Corporate gatherings are important, but personal relationship with God is irreplaceable.

Personal Experience

• The speaker’s journey: Realizing God could be personally known and striving to know Him.
• God's constancy in the speaker’s life amidst changes.
• Significance of the Holy Spirit: Sent to be with us always.

Cultivating Intimacy

Through Prayer and Worship

• Worship as an invitation to develop a private relationship with God.
• True worship: Meant to lead to personal dining (intimacy) in the secret place.

Steps to Cultivate Intimacy

1. Be Intentional

   • Actively create space for God.
   • Personal time with God cannot be accidental; it requires planning.

2. Be Focused

   • Undistracted time with God.
   • Modern application: Turning off the phone to minimize distractions.

3. Unashamed

   • Be vulnerable and transparent with God.
   • In the secret place, there is no need for pretense; God knows everything.

4. Simple

   • Avoid vain repetitions and complex prayers.
   • Authentic, straightforward communication with God.

5. Relational

   • Move beyond transactions to deepen the relationship.
   • God desires engagement, not just requests.

Encouragements for the Year

• Intentionality: Encourage crafting intentional time with God daily.
• Depth of Relationship: Fostering deeper connections beyond corporate worship.
• Consistency: Continue cultivating intimacy regardless of external changes.

Practical Tips

• Starting Point: Pray in the secret place, starting with simple, honest conversations with God.
• Commitment: Make a personal commitment to prioritize time with God this year.
• Engagement: View the relationship with God as continual engagement, not just during crises.

Action Steps

1. Seek God with All Your Heart

   • Value the pursuit of God highly—like seeking a valuable treasure.

2. Focus on God's Presence

   • Actively seek to find and remain in God’s presence.

3. Prioritize Relationship with God

   • Make God the highest priority in daily life.

Closing Prayer and Worship

• Prayer: For intentional, focused, and unashamed engagement with God.
• Worship: Expression of deep need and love for God.

• Annual Aim: To cultivate a deeper, more personal, and consistent walk with God.