What is Lectio Divina and How It Will Benefit Us Today

Lectio Divina, derived from Latin meaning “divine reading,” is an ancient Christian practice that fosters a prayerful and contemplative approach to engaging with Scripture. Rooted in monastic traditions, it has been cherished by believers for centuries to cultivate a profound connection with God through the study of His Word. Many believers may not be aware of the practice of Lectio Divina or may not have been exposed to it, especially within the Evangelical churches. If individuals are not introduced to the practice or educated about its benefits, they are unlikely to engage in it. To begin, we learn that the practice of Lectio Divina typically involves four key steps:

Lectio (Reading): This step involves selecting a passage of Scripture and reading it slowly and attentively. The purpose is to listen and receive the words of the text without rushing or analyzing. You have to relax and seek to “experience” the passage. It’s not a bible study.

Meditatio (Meditation): In this step, you reflect on the words and phrases that stood out during the reading. The aim is to ruminate on the meaning and message of the text, allowing it to resonate deeply within your spirit.

Oratio (Prayer): Here, you respond to the Scripture passage through prayer. This step involves expressing your thoughts, emotions, and desires to God. This prayer is prompted by the insights that you have gained from the reading and meditation.

Contemplatio (Contemplation): The final step is a period of silent contemplation. It is a time for your being to be still before God. This practice of silence and stillness is a tough one for most modern believers. Learn to open your whole being to the presence of Jesus, and allow Him to speak and work in your heart.

Engaging in Lectio Divina can benefit us in several ways today:

Deepening our Relationship with God: I have discovered that Lectio Divina allows me to have a personal and intimate encounter with God through His Word. I am not studying the Word but engaging God Himself. It helps me draw near to the Lord and ultimately, cultivate a deeper relationship with Him. Throughout the day, I have this sense of connection and communion with the Lord.

Nourishing our Spiritual Life: By engaging with Scripture prayerfully and reflectively, I have gone beyond mere bible study. Lectio Divina allows me to receive spiritual insights, wisdom, and guidance from God’s Word. My faith has been strengthened because of the spiritual sustenance provided by this approach.

Developing a Listening Ear: In our fast-paced and noisy world, Lectio Divina teaches us to slow down. Being a busy pastor, I too have to learn how to slow down and listen attentively to God’s voice. Lectio Divina helps me develop a receptive posture, thus enabling me to discern the leading and direction, not only in my life but also of my Church’s life.

Growing in Scripture Understanding: Through the practice of Lectio Divina, unlike what I had learned in seminary, I actually gained a deeper understanding of the meaning and message of the Bible. It allows me to engage with Scripture experientially and that is a more holistic and transformative way, going beyond mere intellectual comprehension.

Cultivating Inner Peace and Stillness: This is the best part – Lectio Divina provides me with a space for inner peace, stillness, and contemplation. I get to rest in the sweet presence of the Lord. I find solace in His Word, and experience His peace that surpasses all understanding.

In summary, Lectio Divina is a powerful spiritual practice that helps us engage with Scripture in a prayerful and contemplative manner. It deepens our relationship with God, nourishes our spiritual life, develops our ability to listen to His voice, enhances our understanding of Scripture, and cultivates inner peace and stillness. By incorporating Lectio Divina into our daily lives, we can experience greater spiritual growth and intimacy with God.

Here is a video lesson by Rev Grace Kang-Ong on Lectio Divina

https://youtu.be/BgDncnNJPeM?si=zHHr_6KZyN7M-Fd_
Rev Grace Kang-Ong offers a valuable teaching on Lectio Divina, guiding individuals in this ancient practice of sacred reading. Her video provides practical steps and insights, enabling participants to engage with scripture deeply, reflectively, and prayerfully. It is a transformative resource for those desiring a richer spiritual connection. Listen to this encouraging message by Rev Grace Kang-Ong and be blessed. Rev Grace Kang-Ong is one of the founding Pastors of FaithLine International Ministries. She is the Assistant Coordinator of Elijah Challenge Asia, a Director of the Healing Encounter Ministry, a Board Member of Foursquare Malaysia, and also one of the Regional Representatives of Haggai.

Embracing God’s Direction Instead of New Year’s Resolutions

For many years, I had tried to embark on a new year with New Year’s resolutions to better myself. To be honest, I failed in achieving many of those resolutions and along the way, brought a lot of guilt to myself. However, now I believe that as Christians, we have a unique perspective towards New Year’s resolutions. Rather than relying on our own strength and resolutions, we are called to seek the Lord and trust in His guidance. In this article, let’s explore three key reasons why seeking the Lord surpasses the need for New Year’s resolutions.

GOD’S GUIDANCE PROVIDES TRUE DIRECTION
Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.”

Entering the New Year is akin to God leading Abraham to the promised land of Canaan. Just as Abraham stepped into the unknown, leaving behind familiarity and comfort, we too are embarking on a journey of uncertainty in 2024.

Like Abraham, we are called to trust in God’s guidance, even when the path is unclear. As we surrender our plans and desires to Him, He leads us into new territories, blessings, and growth. Just as Canaan held a future of fulfillment for Abraham, the New Year holds endless possibilities for us. With faith and obedience, we can step into the year ahead, knowing that God will faithfully lead us to our own promised land of purpose and blessings.

Our human resolutions often come from our limited understanding, but seeking the Lord invites His divine wisdom and guidance. When we surrender our plans to Him and seek His will, He directs our paths in ways far beyond what we can imagine. Let us trust in His faithfulness and lean on His understanding rather than relying solely on our own efforts.

Practical Steps: Spend Quality Time in Prayer – Set aside dedicated time each day to communicate with God. Share your thoughts, emotions, and desires with Him. Do the Handing-over prayer and listen attentively for His voice. Prayer is a vital channel of connection and intimacy with God. If you want to know where to go, pause and ask the One who has already been there.

GOD’S TRANSFORMING POWER BRINGS LASTING CHANGE
When we are in Christ, we become new creations. Instead of relying on fleeting resolutions, we have the privilege of experiencing God’s transformative power in our lives. Through seeking the Lord, He works within us, renewing our minds, transforming our hearts, and empowering us to live out His purposes. Our focus shifts from self-improvement to becoming more like Christ. And that is when our purpose and goals are being established.

The transformation of a caterpillar into a butterfly serves as a powerful illustration of the supernatural work of God in our lives. No matter how hard a caterpillar may strive, it cannot bring about such a remarkable metamorphosis on its own. It requires the mysterious and wondrous touch of God’s hand.

Similarly, when we seek the Lord and invite His guidance, He begins a transformative process within us. Through His grace and power, He works in the depths of our being, reshaping us from the inside out. Our own efforts and striving are insufficient to bring about the profound growth and flourishing that God intends for us.

Just as the caterpillar must surrender itself to the cocoon, we too must surrender ourselves to God’s transformative work. In His loving care, He shapes our character, renews our minds, and molds us into the image of Christ.

Practical Steps: Engage in Regular Bible Study: Through the study of His Word, and obedience to His commands, we participate in this divine transformation. Make studying and meditating on God’s Word a priority. Read the Bible daily, seeking to understand its teachings, principles, and stories. Reflect on how it applies to your life and ask the Holy Spirit for guidance and illumination.

As we yield to God’s guidance, we will experience a remarkable journey of spiritual growth. Like the emergence of a butterfly from its cocoon, we are transformed into something beautiful, vibrant, and free. We gain new perspectives, develop godly virtues, and bear the fruits of the Spirit. So, instead of trying to fulfill our New Year’s resolutions, we simply bear the fruit of the Spirit.

GOD’S PRESENCE SUSTAINS AND STRENGTHENS US
In the presence of the Lord, there is fullness of joy. Instead of striving to fulfill resolutions in our own strength, we can find true fulfillment and joy in God’s presence.

In Isaiah 40:31, we read, “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles.”

Eagles serve as a powerful symbol of strength and soaring above the earth. These majestic birds rely on the currents of the wind to effortlessly lift them high into the sky. Similarly, when we abide in the presence of the Holy Spirit, we discover a wellspring of renewed strength and the capacity to rise above our challenges. His presence becomes our source of sustenance, lifting us up when we feel weary and empowering us to navigate life’s difficulties with grace and resilience.

Life’s trials and tribulations can be overwhelming, but when we fix our gaze on God and abide in His presence, we gain a newfound perspective. We begin to see our challenges as opportunities for growth and transformation. We discover that even in the midst of difficulties, God’s sustaining presence lifts us up above the storms, granting us the ability to soar with wings like eagles.

Moreover, God’s presence empowers us to navigate life’s complexities with grace and resilience. In the New Year, as we dwell in His presence, we receive His wisdom, guidance, and inner fortitude. We find the strength to persevere, to make difficult decisions, and to press on in the face of adversity. His sustaining power equips us to overcome obstacles, endure hardships, and emerge victorious in the midst of life’s trials.

Practical Step: Cultivate a Lifestyle of Worship, Solitude, and Mindfulness of God’s Presence:

Build Up The Habit of Worship: Develop a habit of worshiping God not only during church services but also in your daily life. Offer Him praise, gratitude, and adoration throughout the day. Sing songs of worship, write your own songs and poems, or use creative expressions to worship Him.

Seek His Presence in Solitude: Set aside moments of solitude to be alone with God. Find a quiet place where you can disconnect from distractions and simply be in His presence. Use this time for listening, reflecting, meditating, and experiencing His peace.

Practice Mindfulness of God’s Presence: Throughout your day, practice being mindful of God’s presence with you. Remind yourself that He is always with you, guiding, comforting, and loving you. Constantly invite Him into your thoughts, decisions, and actions.

CONCLUSION
By seeking God’s guidance, we find true direction in life. His wisdom and guidance help us navigate the complexities of our journey in 2024, providing clarity and purpose. Through His transforming power, we experience lasting change. God’s love and grace mold us into the image of Christ, renewing our minds and transforming our character. And in His presence, we find sustenance and strength. God’s unwavering presence sustains us in times of trial, lifts us up when we are weary, and empowers us to overcome challenges with resilience. By embracing these truths, we can live a victorious life in 2024, marked by divine guidance, transformation, and the abiding presence of our Heavenly Father.

The Distinction Between Commanding Healing and Praying for the Sick: Why We Do Not Say “Amen”

In our healing ministry, Grace and I used to encounter people who were curious why we did not say “Amen” after we commanded healing for the infirm. In the ministry of healing, there are two types of ministers, and thus exists a distinction between commanding healing and praying for the sick. We who were trained by Pastor William Lau of The Elijah Challenge, practice the “healing command” approach. The other approach practiced by other churches is by praying for the sick. While both practices aim to alleviate suffering and restore health, the approach and intention behind each differ significantly. This article explores why we do not say “Amen” after commanding healing, as opposed to concluding prayers with this customary word.

Understanding the Difference:
In the New Testament, Jesus and His disciples commanded healing for the infirm, they were not engaging in prayer but rather rebuking infirmities or demons. This practice is more biblical because we are engaging in spiritual warfare and through the power and authority of Jesus, we can directly address and cast out ailments or spiritual entities that are causing the illness.

On the other hand, praying for the sick involves seeking God’s intervention and guidance in restoring health, often accompanied by supplication, intercession, and surrendering to His will. It is not wrong to pray for the sick but in our experience, we find it to be less effective. For example, in the previous twenty years of my ministry, I prayed for the sick and only about ten people were healed. However, since 2005, after Grace and I had learned the “healing command” method advocated by The Elijah Challenge, we have more than 10,000 people healed.

The Act of Commanding Healing:
When commanding healing, as recorded in Luke 9:1-2 and also Luke 10:9, we assert our God-given power and authority as believers in Jesus Christ to rebuke diseases or pain. By invoking the mighty name of Jesus, we confront and drive out these afflictions. This act of rebuking is not a form of prayer but rather an authoritative divine power against the infirmities or spiritual forces at work.

Rebuking Infirmities or Demons:
In commanding healing, sometimes, we have to address infirmities or demons associated with sickness. The Holy Spirit gives us spiritual discernment that certain illnesses may have spiritual origins or be influenced by evil forces. By rebuking these infirmities or demons, we aim to release the person from their grip and restore them to health. This practice aligns with biblical teachings that emphasize the power of Jesus’ name in overcoming all evil forces.

The Absence of “Amen”:
The word “Amen” holds significant meaning in the kingdom of God, often used to conclude prayers as a way of expressing agreement, affirmation, or acceptance. However, when commanding healing, the absence of “Amen” is intentional. This omission reflects the distinction between prayer and rebuking. Commanding healing is not a supplication to God but an authoritative act against the infirmities or demons causing illness.

Praying to God:
In contrast to commanding healing, when we pray to God for healing, we always conclude our prayers with “Amen.” This ecclesiastical practice signifies the end of the prayer and expresses trust in God’s will and power. By saying “Amen,” we express our submission to God’s authority and accept His plans for our lives.

Summary: The Distinction Between Commanding And Praying
The distinction between commanding healing and praying for the sick lies in the approach and intention behind each practice. When commanding healing, we rebuke infirmities or demons in the name of Jesus, addressing them directly without engaging in prayer. As a result, the customary word “Amen” is not used. Conversely, when praying to God for any request, we conclude our prayers with “Amen” as an expression of trust and submission to His will.

The Immeasurable Reward of Loving Jesus

Loving Jesus is a central tenet of our Christian faith, and it is a lifelong journey of growing in our relationship with Him. For true believers, Jesus is not just a historical figure or a wise teacher, but the Son of God who came to earth to save humanity from sin and death. The Bible teaches that God loved the world so much that He sent His only Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for our sins. Through faith in Jesus, we can receive forgiveness and eternal life, and we can experience the transforming power of His love.

Loving Jesus is more than just believing in Him or acknowledging His existence. It means having a personal relationship with Him and making Him the Lord and Savior of our lives. How do we know whether we have a deep personal relationship with Jesus? A piece of simple evidence is our regular communication with Him.

When you love someone, you want to spend time with that person, and fellowship with him or her. With God, it would be how often we really communicate with Him through prayers. Pastor John Piper said, “Prayer as a relationship is probably your best indication about the health of your love relationship with God. If your prayer life has been slack, your love relationship has grown cold.”

Another important way of showing our love for Jesus is by following His commandments and living our lives in a way that honors Him. Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). This means that we must not only believe in Jesus but also live out His teachings in our daily lives.

As Frederick H. Taylor said, “Christ is either Lord of all or is not Lord at all”. Are we allowing Jesus to rule all aspects of our lives? To choose and pick what He can rule and what He cannot only means our unwillingness to give Him all of our hearts. In this case, Jesus might have to step out of our lives and leave us to our own devices. Many have gotten it wrong and tried to avoid obedience because they do not want to be “imprisoned” by it. What a tragic choice! Obedience is actually not bondage but freedom for it is the only way that God can hold our hands and lead us along this assured path to real freedom.

Jesus wants us to love our neighbors as ourselves, forgive those who have wronged us, and show compassion and kindness to those in need. Therefore, loving Jesus also means loving others as He loved us. Jesus taught us to love even our enemies and to show compassion and kindness to all people. He said, “By this, all will know that you are My disciples if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). This means that we must not only love those who are like us but also those who are different from us.

Talking about loving the unlovable, I must confess that it wasn’t easy for me and my team of orphanage volunteers to take in those street children who lived on the streets of Phnom Penh in Cambodia. They were naughty, quarrelsome, thieving, and absolutely filthy with lice in their hair. They were unlike the average children who have a certain degree of innocence in them.

After spending time living on the streets, they adopted the dirty tricks of the world. At a very young age, these unfortunate children, in order to survive, had learned to be manipulative, conniving, and cunning. Some older kids in our orphanage were fighting among themselves, stealing from our orphanage, and bullying smaller or younger kids. However, despite these, the love of Jesus motivated us to continue and take good care of these children. In fact, we went on to establish two more orphanages and were able to bless over 1000 homeless children.

We must seek to build bridges of understanding and compassion, even with those who may come from different social backgrounds, disagree with us, or hold different beliefs. We live in a skeptical world that is enveloped in competition, aggression, suspicion, and fear. And all these may affect us to become prejudiced against certain professions, certain races, and certain social classes. However, when we love Jesus deeply, we will soon discover that His love is helping us to take down these barriers. He comes in to open His arms of love through our lives. This love opens a passageway for hostility to become hospitality. A zone of Agape love is created to welcome the very people we fear or doubt. As Henri Nouwen so aptly said that in this zone, “strangers can cast off their strangeness and become our fellow human beings.”

Loving Jesus is not always easy, and it requires us to make sacrifices and put Him first in our lives. But the reward of loving Jesus is immeasurable. Through His love, we can experience joy, peace, and a sense of purpose that cannot be found anywhere else.

As we love Jesus more deeply, we can also grow in our love for others and become a reflection of His love to the world. We can become agents of change and transformation, bringing hope and healing to a broken and hurting world.

In conclusion, loving Jesus is at the heart of our Christian faith, and it is a journey that requires us to continually grow in our relationship with Him. Whether we are just starting our journey or have been walking with the Lord for many years, we must always strive to love Him more deeply and share His love with those around us. Through His love, we can become the people that God created us to be, and we can make a positive impact in the world.

Here is a message by Rev Albert Kang that elaborates more about what Agape love is:
https://youtu.be/uRQ0B1Cs-RE

Here is a message by Pastor Karen Wong about the secret to tapping into God’s reservoir of love:
https://youtu.be/nFSVd-4N5MU

The Lost Art of Christian Meditation

Christian meditation is a spiritual practice that can help you to connect with God on a deeper level and gain a greater understanding of His will for your life. It is a way of quieting your mind and focusing your thoughts on God’s truth.

We all know that Jesus spent long hours meditating and praying. He did that in the early morning hours way before dawn. He was showing us an example of what a true child of God should do regularly. We should have a deep and loving communion with our Father in heaven as often as we can. This discipline of Christian meditation is the essence of true discipleship.

In antiquity, believers also spent much time meditating and contemplating the Word of God. Some of these early Christians isolated themselves in desert communities to meditate and pray. They could be doing household chores or weaving baskets, but their minds, and hearts would be meditating on the scriptures in silent contemplation.

The island of Singapore is where I was born and grew up. My father owned a chicken rice business along East Coast Road. So, I spent many hours at the seaside in Katong. One of the things that I loved to do was gaze at the sea. In my young mind, I wondered what was beyond the horizon. Was there a God out there?

There was a mystery hidden in the crashing waves and vast open sky. Every cloud that floated by seemed to carry a silent message that eluded me. I sat for hours, alone but not alone. The silent quests of my wondering mind had kept me too busy to be alone. Little did I realize that I had stumbled upon “contemplation”. Later, when I became a Christian, this sense of wonder and awe helped me to contemplate and meditate upon God’s Word and His wonderful presence.

Kevin Holloran states: “Meditation is thinking in the presence of God, thinking God’s thoughts to Him and applying them to our lives, allowing our hearts and minds to be flooded with truth from the Word that the Spirit massages deep into our souls.”

SCRIPTURE MEDITATION
One of the key aspects of Christian meditation is the use of scripture. By meditating on God’s word, you can gain a deeper understanding of His character and His plan for your life. This can help you to make better decisions and live a more fulfilling life. There are many different ways to meditate on scripture, including selecting a passage and reflecting on its meaning, memorizing a verse and reciting it throughout the day, or using a devotional or meditation app. Our church offers help in terms of meditation videos. Please help yourself to these videos andwe trust that they will help you in building up your spiritual life. [For FaithLine’s meditation videos, please click here]

GUIDED MEDITATION
Christian meditation can take many forms, including guided, silent, and group meditations. Guided meditations can be helpful for beginners, as they provide a structure and guidance for the meditation. We do this type of guided meditation in our Church on our prayer nights known as “Faith Power Night”. The participants join us through Zoom and meditated along with us. A recording of the meditation video is posted on YouTube so that others may benefit. [Please click here for a guided meditation by Pastor Karen Wong, the coordinator of Faith Power Night]

Silent meditations can be more challenging, but also more rewarding, as they allow you to connect with God on a deeper level. Group meditations can be a powerful way to connect with other believers and experience the power of prayer and meditation in the community.

PRAYER
Another essential aspect of Christian meditation is the use of prayer. Prayer is a powerful tool for deepening your relationship with God and experiencing His presence in your life. It can involve talking to God and asking for His guidance and wisdom, as well as listening for His voice and being open to His leadership. There are many different ways to pray, including using a prayer book or app, writing out your prayers in a journal, or simply speaking to God from your heart.

PRAYING IN TONGUES
Praying in tongues is based on the fact that the Holy Spirit gives you the ability to pray in a language that is not known to you. This language is a form of communication between you and God. This is an important prayer gift that is given to those who seek it with a sincere heart. This is also a form of worship that allows you to connect more deeply with God. When you pray in tongues, you bypass your conscious mind and speak directly to God in a language that is not limited by your own human understanding. This practice has helped many to express their love and devotion to God in a more profound way.

MEDITATE WITH MUSIC AND ART
In addition to scripture and prayer, Christian meditation can also involve using music or art to help focus your mind on God. Music can be a powerful tool for worship and meditation, as it can help to quiet your mind and focus your thoughts on God.

Every Sunday, after lunch, at 1:30PM, our sanctuary is used for “Open Worship”. This is similar to what is commonly known as “Soaking Service”. The participants may join and leave at any time. We have quiet instrumental worship music playing in the background. From time to time, the participants sing along with the music. There is freedom in movement as there is no fixed way of soaking in the Lord. Some people sit on chairs, others sit on the floor, some pace the floor, some dance, some cry, and some do flagging. The important key is that all who come should be able to open themselves up and spend quality time with the Holy Spirit. This weekly session helps our members to quiet their souls, let go of their struggles, draw near to God, and enjoy His holy presence. If you are interested to join us, here is our address:

Open Worship
Sundays – 1:30PM
FaithLine Centre, 3rd Floor, Wisma TA, 1A,
Jalan SS 20/1, Damansara Utama, 47400
Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia

Coordinator: Pastor Karen Wong – WhatsApp or Telegram @ +60 123503500

Art can also be a powerful tool for meditation, as it can help to engage your senses and connect with God in a new way. As an artist, I really know how true this is. For those hours of continual creative expression with my brush, paint, and canvas, the presence of the Lord was there.

SENSE OF GRATITUDE
Finally, Christian meditation can involve practicing mindfulness and gratitude as a way of staying present in the moment and appreciating God’s blessings. By focusing on the present moment and cultivating an attitude of gratitude, you can experience God’s presence in your life in a new and powerful way. This can involve simple practices like taking a few deep breaths and noticing your surroundings or keeping a gratitude journal and reflecting on the blessings in your life.

Overall, Christian meditation is a powerful tool for deepening your relationship with God and experiencing His presence in your life. By regularly engaging in this practice, you can gain a greater understanding of His will for your life and find peace and joy in His presence.

You are invited to meditate on Psalm 71 with Pastor Karen Wong, the coordinator of Faith Power Night at FaithLine International Ministries:

How To Hand Over All Interrupting Thoughts

One question that I received quite regularly is “How can I pray without interruption to my mind?” For years, I struggled with all the stray thoughts while trying to experience the presence of Christ in my prayer time. Then one day, I found a way and I like to share this with you.

MONKEY BRAIN – The anxiety that we sometimes experience comes from the constant barrage of thoughts in our minds. That barrage is like unruly monkeys jumping in and out. We can call this “monkey brain”.

This is disturbing especially when you want to enjoy the Lord’s presence.

How do you prevent these “monkeys” from interrupting you?

There is a way. It’s called “Handing-over Prayer”.

Most people make the mistake of trying to fight the thoughts that inundate their minds. When you fight a thought, you become “violent”. And that leads to stress. The very idea of fighting may be the reason why you don’t like to spend time with the Lord. It’s just too stressful.

So, what is the ideal way?

Here are some simple steps to help you focus upon the Lord whenever you pray:

IDENTITY – Instead of fighting the interrupting thoughts, you welcome them one by one. When an interrupting thought comes, you acknowledge it. You identify and welcome it. This is important because you are telling your mind not to be stressed by that stray thought. When a stray thought flashes in your mind, immediately identify and acknowledge it. This means that you are in control of it. You are not trying to fight it but you now have the power to manage it.

SHAPE AND COLOR – Some people think in images and pictures. If you are one of them, it may be helpful to give the interrupting thought a shape and a color.

For example, if the thought of a particular fear such as financial bondage comes into your mind, give it the shape of a black ball.

If a good thought comes but it is still interrupting your time with the Lord, you will want to give it a shape and color too.

Take an example, the image of someone you love appears. Identify the person, and in your mind, put a red heart shape frame around the person’s face.

HAND OVER TO THE LORD – Since your purpose is to spend time with the Lord, you will want to hand over all these good or not-so-good thoughts and images to the Lord.

You may lift up the interrupting thought with your hands (real or imaginary) and gently release that interrupting thought to the Lord… just like you are releasing a bird.

The other approach is to open your hands and drop the thought. It’s similar to dropping a heavy object.

Both approaches help to prevent the thought from staying in your mind and free you to worship and meditate upon the Lord.

REPETITION – If the thought interrupts again, gently repeat the process.

CONTACT POINT OF FAITH – Soon, you will realize that you are able to focus upon the Lord better. To help your mind remain in the presence of the Lord, you may like to use a word or phrase to serve as a contact point of faith.

As for me, when I realize that I am losing focus, I will call out, “Lord Jesus”. His name helps me to return my attention to Him. You may use any words. Some say, “Hallelujah” and others say, “Maranatha”. Every time, they are distracted, they simply say that word or phrase to serve as a contact point of faith. So, you can do likewise.

SPEAKING IN TONGUES – If you have the gift of tongues, you may pray in tongues after you meditate upon the Lord and enjoy His presence. Speaking in tongues helps you to remain in the Lord’s presence and also allows your being to rest in His embrace.

I trust that you will enjoy spending time with the Lord as you get saturated with His love and peace. You need to practice and get used to releasing all your stray thoughts and anxieties to the Lord. God bless!

Albert Kang

Here is a video teaching on Handing-over Prayer. Please check it out.
https://youtu.be/SXdOvskQiV8

Why Do You Drink Poison And Expect Your Enemy To Die?

In the teaching of the New Testament, believers and bitterness are contradictory to each other. It’s like fire and water. They just cannot mix. A true believer cannot harbor bitterness in his or her heart. Paul the Apostle encourages every believer to “get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.” (Ephesians 4:31 NLT).

Jesus emphasized that “forgiveness” is part of the basic character of a true believer.
Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?”
Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.”
Matthew 18:21-22

The rabbis of antiquity recommended the “three-strikes-and-you-are-out” approach in forgiving. A person is required to tolerate and pardon three offenses of his opponent. However, after that, he is allowed to retaliate or take revenge.

Peter was more magnanimous than the rabbis because he recommended forgiving the offender seven times. Jesus blew the concept of three and seven pardons out of the water with His “forgiveness” standard raised to “seventy times seven”. Jesus did not mean that we should only forgive 490 times. His answer to Peter set the biblical standard: as believers, as long as the person repents, you have to forgive that person. If he offended you again and again and repented, again and again, you will have to forgive Him. Yes, countless times. The apostles who were listening with Peter finally exclaimed to Jesus in full recognition of their weaknesses, “Increase our faith!” (Luke 17:3-5).

However, you may say that it is easy to say but the feeling of unforgiveness and bitterness is difficult to overcome. It is especially difficult when you have been hurt by those whom you least expected to do so. As time extends, such unresolved anger gradually turns into full-blown hatred and bitterness.

Many believers are stuck in this rut of bitterness and feel totally helpless in overcoming it. The worse thing for them to realize is that the people who hurt them do not even seem to care how they feel. In their deep anger, the devil is having a wonderful time manipulating them. He suggests many ideas of malice and revenge. And that is why bitterness and hatred inevitably become the sin of murder.

Some secretly wish that bad things will happen to the offender such as dying a gruesome death. Others curse these offenders under their breath. The more religious ones pray imprecatory prayers of judgment upon their adversaries even though the teaching in the New Testament does not encourage that. Instead, the Apostle Paul exhorts believers saying, “Bless those who persecute you; bless and curse not” (Romans 12:14).

If you can identify with these struggles, here are some helpful steps to help prevent you from poisoning yourself.

TELLING THE TRUE STORY TO JESUS
Stop and consider telling the most accurate story only to Jesus and yourself. Why? Because for too long now, you have created a story for others so as to justify your inner struggle, hurt, and pain. You also provide the reason why it is impossible to forgive the person or persons who hurt you.

Like a good detective, you may have to search through years of scattered memories and historical rubbles to determine the facts of the situations that caused you to retaliate in anger and hatred.

Is it what the person said or did, or is it being made to look ridiculous that offended you?

When I was around seven years old, I was “made a fool” by an uncle at one of our family gatherings. It was actually nothing – this uncle mimicked my childish voice when I addressed him. All my cousins laughed and I felt thoroughly embarrassed. Ever since that incident, I had a dislike for this uncle. It did not amount to hatred but at any family functions, I avoided him at all costs. It was not until I was 40 years old that I realized that it was that particular hurt that caused me to “dislike” this uncle. Thank God for revealing that to me. How did I resolve it?

The best approach to such a negative encounter is to confess, repent and hand the hurt feeling to the Lord in the Handing-over Prayer. That was what I did and I reconciled with this uncle socially and in my heart.

STOP TELLING YOUR STORY TO EVERYONE
One of the hurting people’s weaknesses is the desire to tell their negative stories to just about anyone. You can tell your story to a counselor or pastor so that you may receive helpful counsel and advice. However, if you repeatedly share your negative story with everybody you are keeping that painful memory alive.

When you prayed and surrendered that hurt to Jesus, He had begun the healing process in you. As you keep trusting and handing the struggle to Him, soon that inner wound will be healed.

Repeating your negative story is like digging into your old wound and making it all bloody again. Then Satan will control your life because he strives in conflict and pain. Unknowingly to you, the devil has shackled you with the chains of victimhood.

CHECK YOUR EXPECTATIONS
Another reason for the inner hurt may be that you have unrealistic expectations. Even though it is common for everyone to have certain unrealistic expectations, that does not mean that it is healthy.

An elderly missionary who returned alone to the USA from the mission field of Africa wanted to be treated with great honor and respect. However, the denomination did not really accord him the level of honor that he expected and according to his son, this missionary died an angry and bitter man.

A close relative had an adversarial marital relationship because she expected her husband to be able to read her mind and anticipate everything that she needed. She associated his inability to discern her needs as he did not love her enough. She was perpetually hurt despite the assurance from her husband.

Another friend expected her family members to respond in certain ways and when they did not, she was furious. For her entire life, the sad and often angry memories of her “uncaring” family members were repeated in endless narratives to others.

Unrealistic expectations are damaging because they are too complicated for any ordinary relationship to be established. These expectations are destined for failure. No amount of unforgiveness and bitterness will change your situation. By paying attention to why every unrealistic expectation ends up in failure or quarrel, we may become wiser and better at dealing with such disappointments.

TIME TO HAND OVER YOUR BURDENS

Jesus said in Matthew 11:28-29: “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
The Lord is definitely sympathetic to your hurts and brokenness. You can come to Him with your tale of sorrow, and He will not scorn you. You can cry upon His shoulders, and He will not push you away. In the deep silence, you will hear His voice of comfort and liberty. He will gently untangle your throbbing affliction and His peace will calm that stormy discrepancy.

Every hurting memory does not need to own or control you. Every flood of pain does not need to drown you. When all these come and they will come, all you need to do is to acknowledge each feeling of hurt and pain. Don’t fight it. Just acknowledge it, receive it, and then give it a shape and color in your mind.

For example, someone falsely accused me of something and I was hurt. The inner hurt continued to fester as long as I avoided it. When I took responsibility to acknowledge it. I gently received it and gave it the shape of a square and the color was green. Then what did I do with that angry feeling that had a shape and color? I gently handed it over to the Lord.

You may be wondering whether that painful thought ever come back and the answer is that it kept coming back. And I kept up with the same handing-over process. Then, one day, it just didn’t come back with that emotional baggage anymore. I recalled all the words of the false accusation, but they no longer carried that emotion of hurt, anger, and pain in them. I no longer disliked the person who said it. I was able to honestly pray for him and even fellowship with him without any hesitation in my spirit.

Jesus is not only most willing to give you rest but He assures that you will surely find rest in Him. When you trust Him with all your struggles, you will receive your spiritual refreshment. A strong dose of inner nourishment and deep peace will flow within when you hand every ugly thought and painful memory to Him.

As you hand over all to the Lord, you may want to enter into His service and bask in the light of His teaching. The first “rest” is while serving Him, you’ll find your purpose of being, and the second “rest” is found in His life-giving Word. You’ll discover daily purification from the filth of the world. Both are necessary for your spiritual refreshment and growth. And both these can only be found in Christ and Christ alone. May you refuse to poison your life and surrender everything to the Lord.

Here is the playlist of a compilation of Handing-over Prayer videos for you to listen to and share with others.
Playlist of Handing-over Prayer

Handing-Over Prayer Is A 24/7 Experience

Jenny was troubled by worries about her teenage children not doing well in school. The Covid-19 situation and the two years of perpetual lock-down had taken the enthusiasm for learning away from these growing youngsters. No matter, how she nagged, scolded, and even threatened, nothing changed. She prayed to God but even those prayers were so stressful. She was pleading and her voice of despair seemed to rise no further than her ceiling.

One day, she watched one of my YouTube teaching videos on Handing-Over Prayer. According to Jenny, she followed every step carefully. It took some effort to really believe that Jesus was actually interested in what she had handed over. As she faithfully handed over every thought of concern to the Lord, her body became relaxed with the sweet assurance of God’s presence. And the best part was that she began to see some changes in her children. Her kids actually performed well in their recent class tests. Jenny was elated. She decided to hand over her relational struggles with one of her sisters. And a miracle happened – that sister called her to reconcile. She then handed a difficult client to the Lord through Handing-Over Prayer. I believe you can guess the outcome – the client decided to buy the full range of health products that she had proposed.

Today, Jenny no longer finds prayer stressful. It’s no longer a duty or religious requirement. She mused, “For the first time, I am really enjoying praying.” She said that she loves using this Handing-Over Prayer because she wants to see how God answers her prayers.

What Is Handing-Over Prayer?
You must have read what Jesus said about coming to Him and He will give us rest (Matthew 11:28). Handing-Over Prayer is the process of going to Jesus with every one of our concerns, handing them over and then just resting in Him. One of the biggest struggles that we have when we pray is always the inundation of stray thoughts. We want to focus on Jesus but our minds are refusing to cooperate. And thus, praying becomes a chore. We are always fighting to keep stray thoughts at bay so as to stay focused on the Lord. However, the brain is designed to think. These stray thoughts are like a whole troop of monkeys jumping in randomly into your mind. And that is the reason why many fail in praying is because of this phenomenon.

Accepting All The Monkeys
In Handing-Over Prayer, you will never need to worry about the “monkeys” or stray thoughts. In fact, you learn to accept all stray thoughts and side issues as they rush into your mind. Yes, you have not read wrong – learn to accept all these thoughts. Whether they be good, negative, angry, hateful, lustful, or holy, welcome them.

As Handing-Over Prayer is not violent, you do not need to fight these “monkeys” or treat them as unwelcomed interruptions. As they come into your mind, recognize that they are there in your mind, and identify them. Then gently isolate them for the handing over to Jesus.

Do not ruminate upon them but just hand them over to Jesus. Your mind is not a warehouse for all these stray thoughts. In this instance, you should treat your mind as a clear channel or a transfer station. This means that nothing stays in you and everything flows through you to Jesus.

Do Not Feel Guilty
Anything may come to your mind. It may be thoughts of anxiety or joy. However, as long as they are going to distract your time with the Lord, you just acknowledge and identify them. Take time to gently hand over all your “monkeys”. Do not feel guilty if what comes to your mind are lustful thoughts or even evil thoughts. They are temptations and temptation is not sin. Acting upon the temptation is. There is no condemnation, stress, or demand on your part. Just come confidently before Jesus, hand over and let the Lord take care of all your thoughts and struggles.

As you hand over to Jesus, say this simple prayer: “This thought I hand over to you” or “this thought I surrender to you”. If the thought comes back many times, simply hand it over again and again. Do not resist it – just receive, identify, isolate and hand it over to God.

Where Can You Do The Handing-Over Prayer?
You can do the Handing-Over Prayer almost anywhere. Many believers do it while driving to and from work. Some told me that when they were stuck in traffic jams, instead of getting upset, they took the opportunity to do the Handing-Over Prayer. Many homemakers followed my advice to do it during their daily house-cleaning session. Others do it during their gardening. One creative account was doing the Handing-Over Prayer while showering. There is no limit of creative ways that you can use this prayer approach. It will be ideal if you can find a regular time in the day to do this Handing-Over Prayer. For example, in the morning, just before or after your devotion. The Lord encourages us to pray alone in a private place – “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” (Matthew 6:6).

A 24/7 Prayer
This is indeed an ideal 24/7 approach to prayer and you can actually do what the Bible speaks about “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Praying all the time may be something new to you. Like all habits, it has to be practiced regularly until it becomes a part of your daily activities. I pray that you will enjoy handing over all your struggles and disturbing thoughts to the Lord and just rest in His presence.

Here are some helpful videos about Handing-Over Prayer.