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A Prescription For Spiritual Health
By Dr. John Wagner
Have you been feeling out of sorts lately? Things just aren't going right at work, your family relationships are strained - but you just don't know why? Everything you try doesn't seem to work. You find yourself losing your temper more often, and for no apparent reason. You may be out of sorts spiritually. Your spiritual health can actually affect almost every other area of your life - including your physical health!
This prescription, followed carefully for 30 days, will return you to spiritual health and vitality! The prescription will require some time each day on your part.
1. Read the Bible two times a day
My recommendation would be the New International Version because of the modern English language it is written in (it doesn't make a lot of sense to read a version of the Bible you don't understand).
Look at Psalm 1:1-3
"Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers."
Read one chapter in the Old Testament in the morning. Beginning at Genesis 1 the first day and then moving on to chapter 2 the second day, and so on.
Read one chapter in the New Testament in the evening. Beginning at Matthew 1 the first day and then moving on to chapter 2 the second day, and so on.
2. Start a journal
From the chapters you read, write down any verses that really seem to impress you. Write down why they impressed you too. Jot down prayers you prayed in your journal. Then write down the answers to those prayers when they get answered. You will begin to see patterns developing in the parts of the Bible that stand out to you. These are often God speaking directly to you about issues in your life, or revealing Himself to you so you can know Him better. Your faith will grow as you begin to see the prayers you pray actually answered.
3. Pray two times every day
Look at 2 Chronicles 13:10-11
"As for us, the LORD is our God, and we have not forsaken him. The priests who serve the LORD are sons of Aaron, and the Levites assist them. Every morning and evening they present burnt offerings and fragrant incense to the LORD."
In the Old Testament incense was often a type or symbol of prayer. Though we are not under the ceremonial requirements of the Old Testament, the principle of praying morning and evening is still an applicable principle in our relationship with the Lord!
Pray 15 minutes every morning after you read the chapter in the Old Testament. Pray first about the verses that stood out to you. If it's something you don't understand, ask God to help you understand it. But be specific - tell God exactly what it is you don't understand and what is giving you the difficulty. Pay attention to what comes to mind as you pray. Write those thoughts down in your journal. If they were something you were instructed to do, ask the Lord to help you be obedient and do it. Then pray for your friends, family members, boss, co-workers, or teachers, etc.
Pray 15 minutes every evening after you read the chapter in the New Testament. Again, pray first about the verses that stood out to you. If it's something you don't understand, ask God to help you understand it. Again, be specific - tell God exactly what it is you don't understand and what is giving you the difficulty. Pay attention again to what comes to mind. Write those thoughts down in your journal. If they were something you were instructed to do, ask the Lord to help you be obedient and do it. Then pray for your friends, family members, boss, co-workers, or teachers, etc.
In case you think, "I wish I could, I'm just too busy..."
Answer these questions:
Q: If you and your boyfriend or girlfriend were separated and they sent you a love letter would you be too busy to read it?
The Bible is our love letter from God!
Q: Do you say, "Oh, I do pray! I pray while I wash dishes or mow the lawn!"?
Q: How would you feel if your boyfriend or girlfriend was always too busy to spend time with you? Or only spent a few minutes with you while they were doing something else?
I'm willing to bet you wouldn't be very happy with him or her! You'd probably feel pretty neglected and alone. Transfer those feelings to Jesus. He loved you so much that He gave his life for you. Why don't you make time for Him. Your eternal destiny could depend on it!
If you would like help, any questions you have about the verses you read, you can email me about them and I will be happy to help you answer them.
At the end of the 30 days read the journal entries you made; go back over the verses that stood out to you and the things you thought about after your prayer times. I believe you will be very surprised how God will be speaking to you and communicating with you.
If you are faithful in taking this prescription you will notice your relationship with the Lord, and your spiritual health greatly improved! And, you will have learned how to listen to the Lord and gotten to know His voice. You might be very surprised at how active Jesus is in your day to day life.
