Who in their right mind would pray for God’s fire to fall on them? But it wouldn’t let me go, I couldn’t shake it. It seemed like every song I was led to listen to, every preaching I heard and every spiritual image I saw was that of fire. For weeks, time and time again my daily thoughts bought be back to praying for His fire to fall on me.
Because I couldn’t shake it, I knew it was the Holy Spirit. So instead of resisting it, I lifted my arms to receive. My prayer was, “Yes Lord, let your fire fall afresh on me”. To thrive in my current season, I need a fresh touch from Him. I asked Him for fresh oil, fresh anointing, and for power to do all that He’s called me to do. Then as God always does when you commune with Him, He will speak truth to your spirit. He gently whispered, “Indeed, I come to dwell with you as you abide in my presence. But I also come to refine, to purge, and to burn away”.
Ooh. That sounds a bit painful. Who wants parts of them burning away? Who wants to feel the searing pain of their flesh boiling, bubbling up and falling off? Who wants to feel the sting and smell the stench of singed hair and burning flesh?
And I’ve got plenty of experience being burned. When I was two years old, I got a third degree burn on my elbow after leaning up against my great-grandmother’s potbelly stove. I still bear the mark on my elbow. In my early youth, I got 2 bad iron burns on my legs that are still prominent today. When I was about 10, I ran up to tell my mother something as she was smoking a cigarette and I can still see the burn on my shoulder today. I’ve been burned by people who said they cared only to have betrayed me. Yes, the evidence of the burns is still there but the salve has been applied and I am healed.
Today, I raise my hand like a second grader eager to answer the teacher’s question and I say, “Ooh..ooh…ooh pick me!”
Yes Lord, let your fire fall on me. With the fire comes your presence. With the burning comes your healing.
In the bible, His fire is often a manifestation or representation of His presence, His being, His power and His judgment. His fire burns white hot. He is pure, holy and righteous.
“But who will be able to endure it when he comes? Who will be able to stand and face him when he appears? For he will be like a blazing fire that refines metal, or like a strong soap that bleaches clothes. He will sit like a refiner of silver, burning away the dross. He will purify the Levites, refining them like gold and silver, so that they may once again offer acceptable sacrifices to the Lord.” Malachi 3:2-4
I welcome his purification. I want my offering of praise to be acceptable in His sight. I want Him to burn away those things in my life that are not becoming. I want my offering to be a sweet smelling aroma. Oh but the stench of my:
~Anger
~Irritability
~Frustration
~Resentment
~Jealousy
Those things will fall to ash when consumed by His fire.
If you desire His fire to fall afresh on you, join me in prayer.
Oh Most Gracious and merciful God, I come boldly before your throne that is ablaze with fire. I look into your eyes oh Lord that blaze like fire. You are the ever-burning flame. Let that flame remain lit in my life. I thank you for the fire that purifies me. I thank you for your fire that burns away impurity, leaving behind that which is precious in your sight. You oh God, are Esh Oklah, a jealous God and a consuming fire. Consume my heart. I will burn brightly for you. My embers will glow as a light in the earth for you. Thank you for your fire that empowers me, equips me, purges me and goes with me.
Join me in worship as we welcome the fall of His fire.
Stick with me for the next few Mondays as we’ll be talking about the fire of God. May your heart be set ablaze.
As always, it is my prayer that you’ve been Inspired To Live Fully!
Happy to connect with friends sharing the Good News Purposeful Faith, Grace & Truth, #LifeGivingLinkup
