Praying God’s heart – the prophetic calling

Amos 3:7 Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.

- God lays His burden on those who have an ear to hear His heart
- Why His servants the prophets? Is it because they are radically obedient?
- Are we willing to give God the listening ear?
- What would be the reaction that God is looking for in us?
- Do we first, hear the message and respond according to His desire?

1. Example of hearing

1Sam 3:1 And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision. 10 And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.

- Samuel was the beginning of a prophetic ministry after the Judges
- Crucial start of the prophetic ministry in hearing from God when the Heavenly Word was scarce
- God desired for someone to hear His heart and found in a boy whose spiritual heritage was inherited from his mother
- In 1 Sam 1:9-13 Hannah would weep before the tabernacle. The character God saw in her was i) one that sought God’s mercy (Hos 6:6 For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.) ii) Willing to receive with open hand iii) responded in faith even to Eli the backslidden priest’s ‘encouragement’ iv) God responds to brokenness (Psa 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.)

2. Example of having the right response

Gen 18:17-19 And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do; (18) Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? (19) For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.

- The man or woman whom God can trust with His burden is one that i) known of God, ii) has the family in Godly order, iii) just and make right judgments

Gen 18:23 And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?

- Abraham knew the right respond, which was in accordance to His mercy
- God desires that non perish (2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. )

3. The prophets calling

- Generally even in churches today people with the prophetic gifting are treated as fortune tellers instead of being messengers of God
- Abraham was not known to have penned or spoke words of prophecy as we understand it
- God recognized him as a prophet mainly because He gave God the listening ear and responded in prayer

Gen 20:7 Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine.

4. What is really in God’s heart for us to pray?

Mat 6:9-10 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. (10) Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

- We generally ask for our concerns rather than God’s Kingdom (Matt 6:33), perhaps we don’t trust Him enough?
- Many of our prayers miss God’s heart because it is more self-ward than God-ward
- God is looking for a remnant that don’t treat Him as a ‘sugar daddy’ or ‘santa claus’ but those who would listen and identify with what’s in His heart
- When His concerns become ours it’s the start of a deep relationship in prayer that hit the target which He will respond

Jas 4:3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

5. How would God respond to our prayers that concerns His heart?

Rev 8:3-5 And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. (4) And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand. (5) And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.

- If our prayers touch His heart and not our human desires (or even lusts), God will take our prayers and acceptable incense and give a resounding Heavenly respond
- Do our prayers hit the ceiling without eternal significance or do they reach the highest Courts of Heaven?
- God wants to establish His Kingdom and want us to be part of it for we reign with Christ in the Heavenly places but do we speak the Heavenly language in prayer?