When You Can’t Pray Anymore
What is your heart longing for? A godly mate? The return of a prodigal? A satisfying job? You are waiting. You are praying. You are fasting. You are forgiving. You are doing everything you know how to do, yet the longing remains unfulfilled. Hope deferred makes the heart sick (Prov. 13:12, NKJV).
I love this compelling Scripture: “You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing … And, He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him (Ps. 145:16, 19, NKJV). You can trust the Lord God.
Launch Into the Deep In Luke 5, we read the story of Simon Peter fishing. He had been up all night fishing and had caught nothing. NOTHING! He, a professional fisherman, had worked all night for nothing. His livelihood was fishing. His friends were into fishing. He lived in a fishing village. If anyone could make a catch, surely it was Peter. But he fished all night in vain.
You can easily relate to Peter. You have been up all night fishing unsuccessfully – the loneliness continues, the rebellious child has not returned home, the bills keep piling higher. … and, you know how to fish! Your heart feels sick.
Jesus arrives on the scene. He is not known for being a bass pro. He was a carpenter’s son from landlocked Nazareth. Jesus did not own a boat. Had He ever cast a net? In this fascinating story, He has the audacity to tell the fisherman two things to do – launch into the deep and let the nets down for a catch (Luke 5:4).
Might He be saying the same to you? Launch into the deep. Let your net down. What is this deep? What is the net you need to lay down? Can you trust Him with these most vulnerable heart longings? These questions demand an answer.
The Mighty Lion of Judah Some years ago, I had a heavenly encounter in which I saw the Mighty Lion of Judah. He was a magnificent Lion, strong and all-powerful. He was slowly walking around His throne in heaven. In this encounter I knew deep in my being that He was fully aware of all things on earth, both good and bad. Yet, He was unshaken. The Lion of Judah was strong. He was in control. Following this experience I am much better at trusting Him regardless of what things look like in this physical realm. Dan (my husband) and I even had a serious car wreck in which we easily could have been killed. We were totally at peace as the car rolled again and again.
The Lion was there with us, fully in control. He was, He is, and He will be trustworthy. You can trust Him with the deep things – the wounds and disappointments in your past, the fears and uncertainties in your present, the heart desires and hopes for your future. Dare you launch into the deep?
Drop Your Nets – It’s Fishing Season And the nets? The secure nets – the default actions and reactions, the personal traditions and habits, the independent way of thinking – these nets need to be dropped. Letting down our nets releases another wave of insecurity or fear, doesn’t it? Sometimes layer after layer of nets must be released until we get to the secure place of, yes, you guessed it – trust.
Peter reminded Jesus that they, the pros, had been fishing unsuccessfully all night long. Then he makes the all-important statement, “… at Your word I will let down the net” (Luke 5:5). And you know how this story ended, they caught a great number of fish, so many that their nets were breaking from the tremendous catch.
Simon Peter heard the clear directive given by Jesus. He immediately responded in spite of his own experience with fishing. He then pulled in a massive, astonishing load of fish. Peter’s desire was abundantly fulfilled.
It is fishing season. The Holy Spirit is granting fishing licenses to all. Trust God in the deep. Release your net to Jesus. Listen. Hear. Obey. And, you will be astonished as you realize the desires of your heart.
In Jesus’ mighty name I decree:
• You will trust in the Lord, and He will give the desires of your heart (Ps. 37:3-4).
• As a righteous one, you will not lean on your own understanding, trusting God to direct your steps (Prov. 3:5-6).
• You will heed what you hear (Mark 4:24).
• You will hear swiftly (James 1:19).
• You will walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16).
Reprinted from The Elijah List. Linda Wilson, along with her husband Dan are the co-founders of Supernatural Marriage & Missions. They have taken their message of Spirit-led intimacy to numerous countries throughout the world in an effort to encourage the kingdom and prepare the bride for the bridegroom’s return. Together they have published five books, including 7 Secrets of a Supernatural Marriage and Lovemaking. Dr. Dan & Linda were also executive producers of the popular worship album “CHOSEN.” The Wilsons have been happily married 34 years. Email Linda at [email protected].
