The Ebb And Flow Of Intimacy (John Wimber)

The Ebb And Flow Of Intimacy

Jesus only spoke the words of the Father. So, whenever he spoke, and wherever it’s written down, we have the recorded words of the Father. Through intimacy with the Father, we are able to enter into the life of Christ and do the works of Christ. He has called us to do his  works — it’s all a part of the relationship he wants with us. “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do ” (Ephesians 2:8-10).

Because you can come to God any time, it is possible to continually ask him to show you the good works that he has prepared ahead for you to walk in. In asking for God’s guidance in what to pray for, I’ve experienced asking for things beyond my ability to expect to happen.  

There’s an ebb and flow in all relationships. There are times when I’m much more intimate with the Father, and times when I’m much less intimate with him. There are times when I feel like he loves me, and there are other times when everything in me denies that. Relationship with God is like a relationship with a person — it must be maintained and nurtured. It’s like a good garden — it’s got to be worked at if you want to keep it nice. If you ignore your relationship, it will cool off . If you work at it, it’ll warm up. And so it is in a relationship with God.

Even though we often fall way short of representing Christ to the world in a positive way, that still doesn’t change our relationship with God. It may change our enjoyment of the relationship, but it doesn’t change the relationship from the Father’s point of view.

It’s hard to feel intimate with God when I feel unworthy. The devil knows this and “encourages” me to think about all my limitations. Just as I’m starting to pray, the devil will say, “You’re a sinner.” Hard to argue with that one. More often than not, though, I make the mistake of listening further. “Remember what you did yesterday? Remember the thoughts you had? The things you said? What right do you have to talk to a holy God?” He’s got a point, I say to myself, I have sinned. And because of my sin, I really don’t have any basis for approaching God. Before I know it, my prayer is snuffed out, because I listen to the deception of the enemy.

The way out of that lie and back to intimacy with God is simple — be honest. Intimacy in prayer begins with honesty. Call sin by its name; don’t sugar-coat it with psychological labels or cover it with justifications. Don’t let the devil steal your prayer life away by telling you half-truths. Name your sin, confess it, ask forgiveness for it, and allow “the blood of Jesus to purify [you] from all sin” (paraphrase of 1 John 1:9).

John Wimber, Prayer: Intimate Communication (Anaheim: Vineyard Ministries International, 1997), 5-6.

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