Only a Prayer Away
Cynde Layne Wilkerson
Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul. But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me. Ps 66:16, 19-20

Recently, I found on old cassette in my car with a compilation of songs I put together years ago. All of the songs have been ministering to me and I have thoroughly enjoyed listening to the early works of artists I love. While talking to the Lord this morning, words from one of the songs dropped in my spirit; one very simple, yet powerful phrase, “if you need an answer, just pray.” It was the perfect song to accompany what I’m feeling and wanted to communicate this morning; God is only a prayer away.
 
Now, it’s not that this is some new fangled idea because the Bible clearly speaks to prayer and supplication, as well as fasting throughout both the old and new testaments. However, in thinking back over events and the testimonies that rose up after concluding a 72 hour prayer shut in, I have seen and heard of God’s work on behalf of not only myself but for others as well. The testimonies of what prayer will do has been phenomenal.  So many had a testimony, including myself, and everyone wanted to tell of His goodness, His mercy and grace, and what He had done for us, not only collectively, but individually and how He heard and answered prayers because we had sought God. This in turn, incited others to praise with us while we gave all glory to God. The running, the shouting, the dancing, the praising, the worshipping, and the rejoicing were the results of that sharing. As David stated, “Come and hear, all that reverence God and I will tell you what He has done for my soul!”
 
In this Psalm, David praises God for His sovereignty and His power in the earth. He also wanted to acknowledge God for His favor , goodness and His mercy towards his people. If we could remember to just think on these things (Phil 4:8), we would remain excited, as well as grateful about what God is doing for us and His church on a continual basis. How could you not be overjoyed to hear how the prayers went out and returned with deliverance, healing, salvation, finances; whatever the concerns (Psalm 138:8), whatever the desires of the heart (Psalm 37:3-5), or whatever we were believing God for. We must, because it is imperative to declare His mighty acts and what he has done for us among the people. Whether they know Him personally or not... we must tell of His goodness.
 
God lets us know that no matter what happens in life, no matter the circumstances or the situations, He is only a prayer away. When we seek God in prayer, with a sincere heart and stand upright before Him, He has to honor His word. Truly, we serve a prayer answering God. We are known for quoting often that "prayer is the key and faith unlocks the door." I have no desire in quoting clichés but I want to be found believing that God will and that God can. This is what moves God; this kind of unfeigned faith and belief in who He is. I have been remembering Isaiah 65:24, and the Lord said to His servants, “And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.”  I am excited and overjoyed about what God is doing not only for me but in the lives of His people!
 
Lately, I’ve seen unbelievable movement on the part of the Lord in my life and these things that were done, no man could have done. Clearly, the Lord has been showing me that it could be no other, besides Me, the Lord thy God. Honestly, if I didn't know Jesus, I might have been alittle scared, but I can tell you that I was overwhelmed and amazingly, in awe! It makes your faith levels soar to higher heights! It’s not that I don’t believe that He can, I am amazed at how He does things. There is absolutely no mistake in your thinking that only God could have done this. Why should we doubt when we see what He has done and will do for His people? I intend to keep myself in position for further blessings as I continue to walk upright before Him and be found doing what He has purposed for me to do. It’s just a matter of “pray and believe."  Keep moving and keep working and let God be God. If I keep my mind stayed on Him, I'm in perfect peace, His peace and concentrate on what the Lord has for me to do. Not worrying about what is going on around me because He knows all, sees all and is in control of all. He's got this!

In lieu of what I’ve seen transpired (and still watching) and how the Lord has been true to His word; knowing that He will never leave nor forsake us and how He will uphold us with His hand, we must just continual to praise Him for His faithfulness and His mercy towards us. David reminds us of that today, to tell of His goodness.
 
“Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul. He hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.”  
 
Remember He is only a prayer away!

Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde
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Do the Word
Cynde Layne Wilkerson

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. James 1:21-25
I had the pleasure of hearing an encouraging word with rich nuggets over the weekend. Always while listening, I am “listening” and jotting down key points, which sparked today’s title. As I begin to write, it made me think of the scripture in James that speaks to being doers and not just hearers of the word. It is so easy to hear a good word and then not meditate on the content. When we do this, we usually end up losing out on the effectiveness and the power of the word and how it is applicable to our lives. This is such a powerful passage that it is worth delving into for inspiration because we cannot be just hearers of God’s word and not do.
This small little word carries a lot of weight. Let’s look at its core meaning. The word do indicates that someone performs an action, an activity or a task. It is also a verb, which denotes action. Which tell me that when faith, which also signifies action, is activated, it produces doers. That statement alone is something to chew on for a minute.
If we would take hold of the word and apply it accordingly and without hesitation (taking God at His word without question), we would not only be inspired but motivated to do the word. It is more than measly or pointless words written and more than the little knowledge we obtain, but it is proven and demonstrated by our obedience. First, we must study to show ourselves approved unto God, listen to the Spirit of God, get an understanding, and then do (acting upon) what the word says. In other words, true hearing is more than just listening; the word must be received, meditated on, and then applied because hearing involves an obedient response to God's word. Simply stated, faith will cause us to obey the word.
James makes it very clear what is needed as doers of the Word. I love the explanation of NIV says: Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.
In the passage, James imparts wisdom and is passionate about sharing what is the outward evidence or proof of what inner faith looks like, as well as the works of that faith and the characteristics of that faith. Chapter 1 is profound and clearly a testament of what faith looks like and what faith displays in works and how faith will produce a doer. If and when we believe God at His word, and begin to have a true understanding of Him, we will desire to please Him. We will yearn to not only become a listener, but a doer. It will be us in action, doing the word!
My question: what is the purpose of receiving and having the word in us if we are not living to our full potential as God intended and not utilizing the word to benefit ourselves; let alone trying to be a carrier of the word to give to others? Why would we want to live beneath the promises of God and settle for less? We were not born to be average; we are children of the King! This is certainly food for thought and should give us something to meditate on. Even Joshua spoke to this very thing when he told us that he meditated on the word night and day, that he may observe "to do" according to all that is written in the book … why because after you have done all that is according to the book, then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success (Joshua 1:7-8). Joshua didn’t have the indwelling power of the Holy Ghost, yet he believed God at His word. He walked with God and was determined to do what the word said because it possessed the promises of God. Joshua saw Him work first hand. How much more should we, as the redeemed, the ones who say we are saved, sanctified and filled with the precious Spirit of God trust Him and have the faith to do and stop living less than.
What a great example, and a promise, along with so many others, for us as encouragement, as a word of hope, confidence, and courage if we would just simply do the Word. Jesus says, “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Whosoever comes to me, and hears my sayings, and does them, I will show you to whom he is like.”
When we do the word, we activate our faith and when we begin to take action in any situation or circumstance according to God’s word in order to change it or allow Him to work it in, things in the heavenlies start to take place and movement gets underway so that it can manifest here on earth. Let’s find ourselves taking God at His word and be not a forgetful hearer as our scripture states, but a doer of the word because if we do we shall be blessed! 
It’s in the Word!
Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde
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