Knowing God as We Are Fully Known

Today, as the Underground, we come together in prayer and fasting. Every great move of God in the Bible and throughout history begins with Extraordinary Prayer and Fasting. From the other side of eternity, we will find that the most influential people were not, perhaps, Presidents or Prime Ministers, but the people who walked with God through passionate prayer.

Knowing God as We Are Fully Known

We who are completely committed to Jesus and dedicated to spreading his message can face many challenges in life. These difficulties can become even more difficult to cope with when we are isolated and lose sight of our connection to God’s love. Instead, we may start to define ourselves based on the distorted views that others project onto us.

1 Corinthians 13:7 says, “For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.”

When my self-image becomes what I think others want me to reflect, I end up broken, my mirrored self-image is shattered, and I am far from the one God wants for me. However, When I look to God for my self-image, I see Jesus reflecting on me. I see all that is holy and Good of God. I see a strong foundation, one that is full of Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Goodness, Kindness, Gentleness, Faithfulness, and Self Control. (Galatians 5:22- 23).

We live our identities out through our beliefs, experiences, and behavior. When our intellect and experience are at odds, we live in disequilibrium. When our behavior and past formative experiences conflict, we may struggle to feel steady. Disequilibrium is a significant cause of anxiety. When we behave other than how we believe, anxiety can fester and grow into an ugly monster. Our spirituality is a part of our central guiding compass, redirecting us when we get off course or are unbalanced. The Gospel of God’s Kingdom brings change first to our inner selves, then to our outward selves. Jesus wants us to be whole people, to know him and be known.

Considering these common struggles, pray through the following today:

Dear Heavenly Father,

We come before you today as your devoted followers and ministers of your gospel message. We acknowledge that even though we are fully committed to you, we
are not immune to the challenges and problems of life. Sometimes, these difficulties are intensified by feelings of isolation and a distorted self-image that leads us away from your love.

Your Word reminds us in 1 Corinthians 13:7 that our current understanding is limited, and we see only a reflection of ourselves. But we eagerly await the day when we will see you face to face and fully know as we are known by you. Help us to remember that our true self-image can only be found in you, not in the expectations of others.

When we look to you for our self-image, we see Jesus reflecting upon us. We see your holiness and goodness shining through us. We recognize that our foundation is strong, built upon your love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self- control, as described in Galatians 5:22-23.

Lord, we acknowledge that we live out our identities through our beliefs, experiences, and behavior. Sometimes, these aspects of our lives are in conflict, causing us to feel unsettled and anxious. We pray that you would bring equilibrium to our hearts and minds, aligning our intellect and experience and bringing harmony to our behavior and past formative experiences.

May your Holy Spirit always guide us back to you when we veer off course or lose our balance. We understand that your gospel brings transformation, starting from within and then radiating outward. You desire for us

to be whole individuals, fully knowing you and being known by you. Show us what it means to live a life of discipleship, just as Jesus demonstrated in the gospels.

In your mercy and grace, help us to find our true identity in you and to live out our faith in every aspect of our lives. May your love and truth permeate our thoughts, actions, and relationships. Grant us the strength and courage to face life’s challenges, knowing that we are fully known and loved by you.

We pray all this in the name of Jesus, our Savior and Lord.

Amen.