When we call on the name of Jesus

"When God is in the Midst" 

When we call on the name of Jesus, He is there, whether we believe it or not. He may not always answer immediately, but He is always on time. He has answers to problems that we might not always like or understand, because God works according to His perfect will. God’s ways do not always make sense to our carnal minds because they oppose Him. In spite of our failures and infirmities, He does not abandon us in our time of need. However, we can cause Him to withdraw from us by taking our problems to sources other than Him. When we invite Him into our dark and discouraging situations, He will show up. God is drawn to darkness because He desires to shatter it with His marvelous light. We must call upon Him. We cannot curse the darkness without actively being the light that dispels it. We cannot be that light without the presence of God. God manifests His presence where the elements of prayer are carried out. The Hebrew word for prayer, tᵊp̄illâ (pronounced tef-il-law'), is defined as:  “a hymn, intercession, and supplication.”

When we worship, intercede, or ask for something earnestly or humbly (supplication), we demonstrate faith. Prayer enables love that is pure and without ulterior motives. This is agape love that is obtained by a connection with the Spirit of God. Our worship of God must be pure. We cannot offer “the sacrifice of praise” that is tainted by idolatry, or unrepentant sin. We see these types and shadows of pure worship in the Levitical Law pertaining to where the sacrifices were to be offered. God gave this command because sacrifices were being made to idols. For the sacrifices to be accepted by God, they were to be brought to a place designated by The Lord, “This is so that the sons of Israel may bring their sacrifices which they were sacrificing [to idols] in the open field [where they killed them], that they may bring them in to the Lord, at the doorway of the Tent of Meeting to the priest, and sacrifice them as sacrifices of peace offerings to the Lord” (Leviticus 17:5 AMP). 

Those sacrifices, which were an act of worship, when offered according to God’s plan, brought peace between God and His people. When God was in their midst, He performed great signs and miracles. He supplied all their needs. He caused their enemies to fear them. We acknowledge the intercessors in the Bible such as Abraham, Moses, and Daniel. But we may not consider the power we have been given to bring God into our situations, and into the lives of those who don’t know Him. We have power with intercession and supplication to turn the tide of judgment and seek the Peace of God for ourselves and others. When a person whose life is in turmoil chooses to try things God’s way, they will find that way of peace that can only be found in the presence of God. This is how lives are changed forever. There is great peace when God is in the midst. 

Beth Marie Evans
Prison Ministry
International Christian Fellowship - Brookfield, Illinois
Info from: Prayer Connect Newsletter - World Network of Prayer - floshaw@wnop-upci.ccsend.com