The Mind of Christ: Prayer

 



The mind of Christ 

Prayer


Paul says in 1 Corinthians 2:16 that we have the mind of Christ and in Philippians 2:5 he says to LET this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus. How do we do that?


One way is prayer, Romans 12 says:


1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your *reasonable service*. 2And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.


Paul teaches us to submit ourselves to God in prayer like a sacrifice. The sacrifices were totally consumed by the fire, which in Hebrew is called the eternal fire. When you cook something you change it, you change the color, texture and taste of whatever it is you are cooking. Our prayer life should be transformative. We should be consumed by the fire of the Holy Spirit and changed. Prayer should renew our minds! 


Since Paul is likening Prayer to the daily sacrifices, he says that this is our reasonable service which in the Aramaic is translated as our priestly service. We are acting as Priests and sacrifices at the same time.


Interestingly in the future temple, during Christ’s reign on the earth, we are told not to go out of the temple the same way we came:


“But when the people of the land come before the Lord at the appointed feasts, he who enters by way of the north gate to worship shall go out by way of the south gate. And he who enters by way of the south gate shall go out by way of the north gate.” (Ezekiel 46:9)


Transform your mind by praying in the Spirit (Romans 8:26; Ephesians 6:18; Jude 1:20; 1 Corinthians 14:15) AND with understanding. 


Talk to God like he is a good Father (Matthew6:9-13). 


Finally, Listen! Wait upon the Lord, sit and meditate on his word. Listen for God to speak to you. In doing so we will be able to discern (prove) the will of God in our lives. We will be developing the mind of Christ within us.

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