# Do NOT Begin to PRAY without doing this First: C.S. Lewis Messages  ## Prayer and the Two Dimensions - Prayer is a powerful tool for believers, but many [[Christianity | Christians]] fail to take it seriously, and a distracted prayer can lead to spiritual ruin [(00:00:30)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ_hFHf9rZg&t=30s). - There are two dimensions of prayer: the Earthly and the Heavenly, and only the Heavenly dimension is effective [(00:00:47)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ_hFHf9rZg&t=47s). - God gave humans dominion over the [[Earth]], but to exercise this authority correctly, one must operate from a higher spiritual realm, which can be accessed through prayer [(00:00:55)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ_hFHf9rZg&t=55s). - To have access to this higher spiritual realm, one must pray and operate from the presence of God, which is above all earthly problems and difficulties [(00:01:30)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ_hFHf9rZg&t=90s). ## Distractions in Prayer - The enemy often intervenes and distracts people from true prayer, diverting their attention to their own concerns [(00:01:55)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ_hFHf9rZg&t=115s). - Praying "In the Flesh" occurs when a person's heart and mind wander during prayer, preventing their spirit from truly accessing the presence of God [(00:02:13)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ_hFHf9rZg&t=133s). - This type of prayer has no effect in the spiritual realm, and people who pray in this way may remain unchanged despite years of prayer [(00:02:58)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ_hFHf9rZg&t=178s). - True prayer, as described by C.S. [[C. S. Lewis | Lewis]] in Mere [[Christianity]], is renouncing one's own will and giving oneself over to [[Will of God | God's will]] [(00:02:49)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ_hFHf9rZg&t=169s). - Focusing solely on oneself during prayer is harmful, and pride is considered the utmost evil, leading to every other vice [(00:03:23)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ_hFHf9rZg&t=203s). - Getting distracted from prayer to think about one's own problems gives more importance to oneself than to the moment of connection with the divine [(00:03:52)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ_hFHf9rZg&t=232s). - People who do not truly understand what it means to be in the presence of God tend to treat spiritual matters casually, allowing the flesh to dominate the spirit [(00:04:01)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ_hFHf9rZg&t=241s). - When praying, it's common for people to feel drowsy or fall asleep, but this can be a sign that the devil is trying to hinder their prayers, especially when God is about to do something significant in their life [(00:04:32)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ_hFHf9rZg&t=272s). - Some people prefer to lie in bed to pray, but this can lead to a comfortable state that hinders effective prayer, as stated by C.S. Lewis in Mere Christianity, where he notes that the presence of God is the hardest reality to remember and the easiest to forget [(00:04:59)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ_hFHf9rZg&t=299s). - During prayer, the mind tends to wander and get distracted by tangible and immediate things, leading to laziness and ineffective prayers [(00:05:07)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ_hFHf9rZg&t=307s). ## The Importance of Fervor in Prayer - In Revelation 3:1-16, [[Jesus]] rebuked the church in [[Laodicea on the Lycus | Laodicea]] for being lukewarm, stating that he prefers [[Christianity | Christians]] to be either strongly devoted to God or openly opposed to His ways, rather than being lukewarm [(00:05:27)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ_hFHf9rZg&t=327s). ## Praying in the Spirit - There are two types of prayer: one that is ineffective and another that is praying in the spirit, which is the only type that reaches the presence of God [(00:06:30)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ_hFHf9rZg&t=390s). - Praying in the spirit occurs when a person is fully immersed and surrendered to God's presence, and it's not distracted by external factors [(00:06:33)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ_hFHf9rZg&t=393s). - According to C.S. [[C. S. Lewis | Lewis]], prayer is a response to the presence of God in our lives, and when we perceive this presence, we are truly praying [(00:06:47)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ_hFHf9rZg&t=407s). - A believer who prays in the spirit is completely focused on God, with their body, soul, and spirit fully engaged [(00:07:09)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ_hFHf9rZg&t=429s). - To be an effective [[Christianity | Christian]], one must learn to completely surrender their spirit to God's presence during prayer, avoiding distractions in mind, body, and spirit [(00:07:19)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ_hFHf9rZg&t=439s). - The reason for this is that whenever a person is worshipping, their spirit will be where their mind is, so if the mind is focused on something else, the spirit will not be in God's presence [(00:07:36)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ_hFHf9rZg&t=456s). - [[Jesus]] said in Matthew 6:21 that where our treasure is, our heart will be also, and Proverbs 23:7 states that as a person thinks in their heart, so they are [(00:07:58)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ_hFHf9rZg&t=478s). - A true believer who is worshipping God may be physically present on [[Earth | earth]], but their spirit will be in the manifest presence of God in [[Heaven | heaven]] [(00:08:20)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ_hFHf9rZg&t=500s). - It's only at this stage that a believer will begin to encounter the manifestations of God's presence, as they are not worshipping in the flesh [(00:08:33)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ_hFHf9rZg&t=513s). - When a person prays, they must be able to present their case before God and be heard, as this is the type of prayer God truly wants, as stated in the Gospel of John 4:4, where Jesus said God is spirit and his worshippers must worship in the spirit and in truth [(00:08:44)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ_hFHf9rZg&t=524s). - Praying or worshiping with a wandering mind or distractions is not worshiping in truth, and continuing to pray in this manner will not yield results, as earthly problems will hardly respond to such prayers [(00:09:08)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ_hFHf9rZg&t=548s). - Praying in the flesh results in earthly and powerless prayers, but praying in the spirit transports the spirit to the Heavenly realm, where one is seated far above all principalities and powers [(00:09:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ_hFHf9rZg&t=571s). - True prayer transports one directly into the manifest presence of Almighty God, lifting the spirit to the Heavenly places where one is seated with Christ, far above all powers and authorities, as stated in [[Ephesians 6 | Ephesians]] 2:6 [(00:09:53)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ_hFHf9rZg&t=593s). - When praying, one's spirit is immediately conducted into the very throne room of God, elevating them above circumstances, enemies, and opposition, as stated in Ephesians 1:21 [(00:10:12)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ_hFHf9rZg&t=612s). ## The Authority of Prayer - Prayer is not just talking to God, but being transported to another dimension, accessing supernatural resources and Heavenly Realms, and sharing in the supreme authority of Christ [(00:10:41)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ_hFHf9rZg&t=641s). - C.S. [[C. S. Lewis | Lewis]] states that prayer is not a magic trick, but a direct connection to the Divine Essence, where the realms of [[Heaven]] and [[Earth]] meet, and the authority of the Almighty is manifested through our words [(00:10:53)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ_hFHf9rZg&t=653s). - Praying with all prayer and supplication in the spirit, as exhorted in [[Ephesians 6]]:18, accesses the authority and power of the [[Holy Spirit]] [(00:11:13)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ_hFHf9rZg&t=673s). - Prayer is entering the control room of the universe, and one must approach God with reverence, understanding the importance of prayer, and operating from a higher spiritual realm where everything addressed on Earth must obey one's voice [(00:11:34)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ_hFHf9rZg&t=694s). - When praying, one is speaking from Heaven itself, where they are positionally seated with Christ, and their voice carries the authority and command of Heaven, as stated by C.S. Lewis in Mere [[Christianity]] [(00:12:17)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ_hFHf9rZg&t=737s). ## Protecting Prayer Time - Prayer is a means by which God invites us to participate in his Divine work, taking us to a level of communion where his authority and power are reflected through us [(00:12:22)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ_hFHf9rZg&t=742s). - Protecting prayer time with vigilance is crucial, as it is an incredibly serious and solemn moment when one gains direct access to the power and supremacy of [[Heaven]], and the enemy will try to interrupt prayers because he knows what is at stake in the spiritual realm [(00:12:40)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ_hFHf9rZg&t=760s). - To effectively pray, one must dismantle the operations of the enemy and undermine their influence, as stated in James 5:16, which says the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective [(00:13:03)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ_hFHf9rZg&t=783s). - When praying, it's essential to focus on [[Jesus]], the author and perfector of faith, as mentioned in [[Hebrews]] 12:2, and allow the [[Holy Spirit]] to intercede for God's perfect will to manifest on [[Earth]] [(00:13:27)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ_hFHf9rZg&t=807s). ## The Nature of True Prayer - Prayer is not a tedious religious ritual but an inspiring adventure where the omnipotent and miraculous power of the almighty is accessible to those who become [[Christianity | Christians]] [(00:13:42)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ_hFHf9rZg&t=822s). - When a person becomes a Christian, their spirit is instantly united with the spirit of Christ, and true prayer is an exchange of intentions where one surrenders their concerns and desires and receives the peace that only God can give [(00:13:50)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ_hFHf9rZg&t=830s). - As stated in 1 Corinthians 6:17, whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit, and when praying, one's prayers are not merely their words but the words of Christ, with the authority and power of Christ flowing through their prayer voice [(00:14:15)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ_hFHf9rZg&t=855s). - As an ambassador of the King of Kings, one's prayers on [[Earth]] summon the forces of [[Heaven]], and [[Jesus]] said in [[John 15]]:7 that if one remains in him and his words remain in them, they can ask whatever they wish, and it will be done for them [(00:14:48)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ_hFHf9rZg&t=888s). - Jesus Christ himself is interceding on one's behalf, as stated in Romans 8:34, and the [[Holy Spirit]] also intercedes for God's people in accordance with the [[Will of God | will of God]], as explained in Romans 8:26-27 [(00:15:12)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ_hFHf9rZg&t=912s). - When praying, one is exercising the authoritative words of Christ that remain in them, releasing his power through their prayers, and having Christ himself intercede for them [(00:15:59)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ_hFHf9rZg&t=959s). ## Approaching the Throne of Grace - Prayer is the very lifeline that connects one to the heart of God and unleashes his divine power in their lives and in the world, and one should approach the throne of grace with boldness and confidence, knowing that they have a high priest who sympathizes with their weaknesses [(00:16:15)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ_hFHf9rZg&t=975s). - It's essential to be diligent in guarding one's prayer time, setting aside distractions and cares of the world to focus wholly on the presence of God, and praying in the spirit, allowing one's spirit to be transported into the Heavenly Realms [(00:16:41)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ_hFHf9rZg&t=1001s). - When praying, one is not alone, having the [[Holy Spirit]] interceding for them, [[Jesus]] Christ pleading their case before the Father, and the very words of Christ flowing through their prayer voice, making them ambassadors of the King of Kings and conduits of his power and authority on [[Earth]] [(00:17:06)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ_hFHf9rZg&t=1026s). ## Waiting on God's Will - A people devoted to prayer should be willing to wait in the presence of God until His will is manifested on Earth, and be attentive to the Holy Spirit's guidance and revelation of the Father's heart [(00:17:39)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ_hFHf9rZg&t=1059s). - As they pray, they should be quick to obey the Holy Spirit's promptings, align their prayers with God's perfect will, and trust in His timing and ways [(00:17:59)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ_hFHf9rZg&t=1079s). ## Aligning with God's Will - Prayer is not about getting what one wants, but about aligning oneself with what God wants, surrendering one's agendas and desires to His perfect plan, and trusting that He works all things together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose [(00:18:10)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ_hFHf9rZg&t=1090s). - One should approach the throne of grace with humility, reverence, and a heart fully surrendered to the [[Will of God | will of God]], praying without ceasing and standing in the gap for families, communities, and the nation [(00:18:32)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ_hFHf9rZg&t=1112s). - Believers should have unwavering faith that nothing is impossible with God, and that their prayers can be a sweet aroma to the Lord, a fragrant offering that rises before His throne and moves His heart to action [(00:18:52)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ_hFHf9rZg&t=1132s). ## The Power of Prayer - The power of prayer can be a living example of what happens when God's people get on their knees and cry out to Him in faith and desperation, and it is an incredible privilege and responsibility to partner with God in prayer [(00:19:08)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ_hFHf9rZg&t=1148s). - Believers should pray with all their heart, soul, and strength, in the spirit, in faith, and with the unwavering assurance that their God hears them, loves them, and is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that they ask or think [(00:19:34)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ_hFHf9rZg&t=1174s). - [[Paul the Apostle | The Apostle Paul]] exhorts believers to pray in the spirit on all occasions, with all kinds of prayers and requests, being alert and always keeping on praying for all the Lord's people [(00:20:16)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ_hFHf9rZg&t=1216s). - Believers should never underestimate the power of a single prayer offered in faith and in the name of [[Jesus]], and should never grow weary in their intercession, knowing that their prayers are making a difference in the Heavenly Realms and in the lives of those around them [(00:20:49)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ_hFHf9rZg&t=1249s). - When praying, believers are not just speaking to the air, but are communing with the creator of the universe, who holds all things together by the power of His word and loves them with an everlasting love [(00:21:05)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ_hFHf9rZg&t=1265s). - Believers should approach the throne of grace with confidence, knowing that they have a great high priest who has gone before them and makes intercession for them, and that they can obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need [(00:21:21)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ_hFHf9rZg&t=1281s). ## The Essence of Prayer - The power of prayer is not in the eloquence of our words or the length of our petitions, but in the faith that believes, the love that perseveres, and the God who hears and answers [(00:21:45)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ_hFHf9rZg&t=1305s). - May our prayers be a reflection of the heart of God, a declaration of his goodness, and a testament to his faithfulness, bringing light to the darkness, hope to the hopeless, and strength to the weary [(00:21:55)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ_hFHf9rZg&t=1315s). - May our prayers be a fragrant offering, a sweet aroma that rises before the throne of God and brings joy to his heart as we seek his face, trust in his grace, and surrender our lives to his perfect will [(00:22:11)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ_hFHf9rZg&t=1331s). - Prayer is not just a means to an end, but an end in itself, a sacred communion with the God who created us, redeemed us, and longs to dwell with us forever [(00:22:26)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ_hFHf9rZg&t=1346s). - We should pray with boldness, perseverance, and the unwavering assurance that our God is able, willing, and eager to answer our prayers and transform our lives and our world for his glory [(00:22:42)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ_hFHf9rZg&t=1362s). - May the grace of our Lord [[Jesus]] Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the [[Holy Spirit]] be with us all as we seek his face, trust in his grace, and walk in his ways now and forever more [(00:22:55)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ_hFHf9rZg&t=1375s).