ADVANCE COPY

Prayers from the

River

Andee Sellman

Land of Seven Rivers

Land Of Seven Rivers Foundational Series

Book One

Prayers from the River

Crafted Prayers and Daily Reflections

Andee Sellman, Land Of Seven Rivers

Land of Seven Rivers Foundational Series: Prayers from the River
Land Of Seven Rivers, www.landofsevenrivers.org

Copyright 2016 Andee Sellman, Land Of Seven Rivers

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical,
photocopying or otherwise, without the prior written consent of the publisher. Short
extracts may be used for review purposes.

Land Of Seven Rivers, P.O. Box 685, Brentford Square, Vermont, Melbourne, Victoria,
Australia, 3131

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from The Message: Bible in
Contemporary Language, Copyright 2004 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-1-64136-065-4
 Dedication

My life has never been the same since I came across Graham Cooke and the
revelation he carries around living our lives in the presence of our God who
by His very Nature is good.

God longs for deeper connection, so He can manifest in and through us to

bring revelation of His Nature to us and those we encounter daily.

I am a person who finds it challenging to slow down. It means I have had to

be deliberate in my commitment and purposeful in my journey into deeper
relationship with God and to the place where I can experience His rest and
rhythm. I had to get a taste of what His rest and rhythm were like to value
them enough to pursue Him in greater measure.

The prayers in this book came out of that journey, and are for those
travelling deeper into a relationship with God. Whether youre just starting
the journey or are further along than me, I know he responds to our desire.
First and foremost He is our good Father, desiring connection with His
children.

I dedicate this book to you, the people who choose to slow down, allowing
God to encounter you and challenge you to walk with Him in ever increasing
intimacy.
Land of Seven Rivers Foundational Series

I believe that the Christian life is a journey of deepening relationships with

God and people. In fact this journey is more like a dance than anything else,
because the rhythm with which we deepen those relationships is a vital part
of the overall process. Rhythm sets the tone for both the dance and
relationships. This rhythm may be set by external factors, including the
people with whom we are in relationship, or it can be established from
within and the way we determine to live our life.

When we decide to take the journey toward deepening relationships there are
two seemingly opposing ways to proceed. The first is to acknowledge points
of similarity and the other is to look at the ways in which we are different
and unique.

I have journeyed in my relationship with God for more than forty years. I
grew up in the Anglican Church and then experienced the Methodist, Baptist
and Pentecostal expressions of Christianity. During my time in these
churches and communities I had a tendency to look for the points of
similarity. Phrases such as, We are all one in Christ and the monologue
format of many Christian events has led much of Christendom to seek points
of similarity, mistaking them for unity.

The desire of many communities to fulfill the plans and purposes of God has
led them to DO the purposes of God as opposed to BEING their unique and
best selves in Christ. It is true that an efficient way to accomplish necessary
tasks is to find and encourage points of similarity so that people can co-
operate more efficiently. However, similarity should not be confused for true
unity. True unity in God comes when we can acknowledge and embrace the
diversity of personality and ways of BEING in Christ. DOING the work of
God then becomes an expression of our BEING in Him. It is born out of the
overflow of unity and in that place our DOING commands the blessing!

Psalm 133:1-3 (NASB)

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
For brothers to dwell together in unity!
It is like the precious oil upon the head,
Coming down upon the beard,
Even Aarons beard,
Coming down upon the edge of his robes.
It is like the dew of Hermon
Coming down upon the mountains of Zion;
 For there the Lord commanded the blessinglife forever.

It is interesting to note that the author talks about unity in the context of
dwelling. Dwelling refers to living with one another and being in unity
abiding together rather than accomplishing. Relationship is at the core. Our
DOING needs to be rooted and grounded in relationship and in BEING our
unique selves.

Psalm 139: 13-14 (NASB)

For You formed my inward parts;
You wove me in my mothers womb.
I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Wonderful are Your works,
And my soul knows it very well.

In my role as a strategic business consultant, I help people identify and

understand their personality. When we are able to appreciate our uniqueness
and identify both the strengths and challenges of our particular personality,
including the effect it has on the way that we perceive and relate to the world
around us, we are empowered.

I dont believe its possible to experience the breadth and depth of

relationship with God in the absence of an appreciation of our unique
personalities. Your personality has an enormous bearing on the way you
develop relationships with others, your relationship with God being no
different. Discovering the unique qualities of peoples identities and the way
that they outwork in relationship and community is fundamental in
understanding the concept of being the Body of Christ. The foot understands
that it needs the hand in order for the body to fully function!

We all need a way of journeying towards deeper revelation and relationships.

This is particularly true in western society, where demand for instant access
to quick and easy answers is the norm. We seem to mistake the broad and
complex knowledge base available at our fingertips for understanding. I
cant help but wonder whether we ever take the time to journey with
concepts, letting them change us, before rushing on to the next cerebrally
stimulating experience.

Conversation, in all its forms, is a key component of deepening relationships.

For those of us used to a monologue style of Christianity, we need to
develop new forms of dialogue in our relationship with God so that
communication becomes a truly two way exchange.

We each need to take responsibility for working out what type of

relationship we want to have with God and how we go about deepening it.
One of my favourite scriptures says, Work out your salvation, a clear
encouragement to take responsibility.

Philippians 2:12-13 (NASB)

So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my
presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your
salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you,
both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

The Land of Seven Rivers Foundational Series has been written against this
reflective backdrop. It is designed for you to take time to reflect on your
relationship with God and others. This should happen in the context of
prayer, reading the word, and abiding in God. It is not designed to be a series
of books that you read and receive a cerebral hit only.

Each devotional is designed to facilitate a deeper conversation and closer

relationship with God. This means taking the time to ponder and listen. Slow
down and let the words and concepts settle in your mind and heart. Let Holy
Spirit speak to you about how you see both God and yourself.

My hope and prayer is that after journeying through the foundation series
you know yourself better, that you have discovered new facets to your
relationship with God, and are having regular and authentic conversations
with Him.

Enjoy the journey.

Andee
 Introduction to Prayers from the River

In 2011, I began a journey that would take me deeper than I thought possible
in my relationship with God. I started the process of discovery about his
Nature, His Heart and how He as the Creator works in and through the
natural world.

I spent most of my life striving to be successful, building my career in

business around getting the job done. My pace was frenetic, and I was
proud of the fact that as soon as anyone gave me a task Id move heaven and
earth to accomplish it.

This way of operating looked good, but it was often to the detriment of
relationships, particularly with my family. I was so busy doing that there was
little time for connecting relationally. When I attempted to connect, people
would often pull back in reaction to the intensity I projected. I was used to
walking into a room and having people turn or subtly walk away so they
didnt have to encounter me. Unaware of the atmosphere I carried, I was
often left wondering why people reacted in that manner.

Looking back, I can see that God wanted to slow me down so that I could
connect with Him and those around me. It was while I was still operating
from this doing mode that the Lord gave me a simple challenge. He said,
Andee, will you go and listen to the sound of the river? Im not sure how
many times He asked me before I heard Him. Thankfully God is gentle and
patient, and He waited for me to pause long enough to hear His voice.

I honestly had no idea what it would be like to go to the river, let alone slow
down and listen. I realise with hindsight that I embarked on the journey
treating it as a task to be completed rather than a relationship to be
developed. Still, I made my trips to the river a priority. It was the first thing
that I did each day, knowing how easily I got caught up in the hurly burly of
daily life. I was fortunate enough to have access to a stream that runs in a
reserve near my home, so I was able to make my way in the quiet of each
morning for about three months and listen to the river.

The first few times were quite frankly humourous, as Id manage to stop for
a few moments, never long enough to truly listen to the flow of the water.
But I persevered and found that I was increasingly able to simply stop and
listen.

Earlier in my life there was a time when I endeavoured to stop and be still
for periods of ten minutes. This was a great exercise, but one which
frustrated me when I felt I had better things to do. This time though, as I
spent moments by the river, I began to like it. My routine was to walk past
my listening spot and then on the way back, stop and sit on a set of rocks. I
soon discovered that I was longing to be there. I developed a longing for that
different pace. I began to purposely slow the speed at which I walked and the
pace at which I talked, all of which had a calming affect on my life.

At the same time I started to consider the atmosphere around me. I became
intentional and things began to change. I realised that it was a less stressful
experience for others to be in my company and I enjoyed the fact that this
unhurried pace was giving me time to enjoy and be in the moment. I had
been in the habit of rushing from one task to the next and this new pace
allowed more space to enjoy the richness of the moment.

Graham Cooke has been an inspiration, as well as changing my perspective

on life, for the better part of a decade. His series The Way of the Warrior,
transformed my understanding of what it meant to live a life of freedom
from a place of peace and rest. While my journey to the river played a
pivotal role in me learning to live in this new way, it was Graham who
introduced me to crafted prayers, and through him I began my own study of
the fruit of the Spirit.

The prayers in this book were initially composed during my time beside the
river in 2011. I subsequently re-crafted them after a Graham Cooke
conference in Melbourne during 2016. Graham suggested that we look back
over our crafted prayers and prophetic words, leading me to review the
journey I had taken over the previous five years. When I re-read my early
prayers I noticed that my words were predominantly pleading in nature
rather than victorious or relational. Since I first penned these prayers God
has become far more personal, a real friend and confidant. I am far more
secure in my relationship with Him and the redrafting of the crafted prayers
reflects the upgrade in our relationship.

I love reading over the prayers and the meditations that go with them. I feel
as though they contain a measure of the journey from a rushing, success
driven maniac, to a human being able to rest in the presence of our majestic
God.

As you journey through the pages of this book you will discover that the
reflections are posed as a series of questions. They are designed to draw you
into a conversation with God. They are reflective in nature and I encourage
you to sit in them and let God bring an answer to you rather than trying to
figure them out. Some will resonate with you, while others may take more
time to draw you into a deeper space with God.
Feel free to personalise and build upon these prayers. My prayer is that they
would be a catalyst to upgrade your relationship with God and provide
inspiration as you craft your own prayers. May they find a place in your
heart and bring revelation of the wonder of God at the river.

Prayers From The River
Day One

The wonder of a Father who believes in me, a Father who is always
delighted in me, brings a buoyant sense of joy. In a culture where little is
free or freely accessible, my relationship with my Father has a unique and
life giving nature to it.

Knowing that our Father delights in us gives us the confidence to boldly

approach and receive an upgrade in the aspects of His nature that are not yet
manifest in our lives. From this new vantage point we can revel in the
richness, fullness and freedom of His presence.

Reflection

In which areas of my life do I long for freedom?

What is God saying to me about the current level freedom in my life?

Is there anything in my belief system that is holding me back from

understanding His goodness towards me?

What does God have to say about my current belief system?

What does the place of delight look like for me?

What is God saying to me about the upgrade He is offering?

Further Reflection

Why not open a conversation with God around how He wants to bring
further upgrade of His nature in and through you?

2 Peter 1:3


Day Two


I am innately task orientated. This can be a great talent, enabling me to
accomplish many things efficiently and presenting me to the world as a
powerful and successful human doing. But for those of us wired toward task,
we must intentionally engage relationally or risk being full of outward
achievement and success whilst creating a wasteland of damaged
relationships.
For those more relationally driven people, being is a more natural state. My
wife Fran is one such individual, and her priority will always be around
connection before task.
How are you wired? Are you naturally a doer, or one who is adept at being?
Both represent facets of the nature of God and neither is a complete picture.
Thats the wonderful thing about being part of the body of Christ; everyone
is included, everyone displays a unique aspect that adds to the whole. No one
manifestation gives us the complete picture of God, and neither has the
monopoly on virtue.
Regardless of how we are wired, the Fathers perspective is completely
different from our natural minds. He brings an outlook that encompasses
ever-expanding breadth and depth. The manner in which He opens up our
thinking while showing us the wonders of His ways brings a fulfillment that
will surpass all of our wildest imaginings.

Reflection

What is the level of my desire to move see into the spiritual realm?

How open am I to increasing my desire?

How can I become more vulnerable towards God?

Further Reflection

Why dont you sit with God and ask for a fresh revelation of what it means
for you to engage with Him more fully?

Ephesians 1:18

Day Three


There are probably a gazillion songs written about love. Thats because in
every human heart there is a longing to love and be loved. One of the secrets
of true love is that the more intimacy we desire, the greater the vulnerability
required. Correspondingly, there is an increased risk of being hurt.
In order to develop in love, we must lay ourselves open to the loving
kindness of the Father. This is often more easily said than done. Many of us
have learned through experience that vulnerability is a gateway to pain. Once
we have been hurt it takes courage to place ourselves knowingly in this
position once more. But its different with God. His nature never changes
and He engages with us in love and kindness simultaneously. He will never
hurt us because it is not in His nature. We may misunderstand Him and lose
connection, but His nature never changes and His words and His ways are
higher than ours and always for our benefit. .
Gods love is perfect in nature and overflows from the love flowing freely
between Father, Son and Holy Spirit. In this incredible union there is the
freedom to both give and receive love. This is the dance that He invites us to
partake of. As we receive His perfect love, the one that casts out fear, we can
both give love and receive it from those around us. The key is in the ability
to receive. The measure to which we are able to give love is determined by
the measure to which we are able to receive His love and live from His
loving-kindness. This love knows no depth or height and it knows neither
life nor death. As we live from this love, we can be vulnerable, knowing that
Love Himself loves each of us tenderly and infinitely.

Reflection

Am I open to letting His loving kindness overwhelm me?

Am I aware of areas in which I am not open to receiving his loving

kindness?

Further Reflection

Open up a conversation with God around his loving kindness and listen for
the song he may be singing over you

1 John 4:7-19
Day Four


The wilderness experience and feelings of barrenness are common to every
human being. They are usually not the seasons we refer to when sharing our
story. They are often viewed through the lens of distance, abandonment,
even shame and guilt. We forget that Jesus experienced both barrenness and
the wilderness, and from that place was launched into three years that
changed the course of history.

When I feel unsure of myself I tend to close off the sections of my life that
are prone to experiencing shame. Although I know Jesus dealt with all my
shame and guilt when He gave His one and all encompassing sacrifice on the
cross, the unredeemed aspects in me have difficulty coming to terms with
that. Its like I have these corridors that are shut off and I want to forget they
even exist.

The Father wants us to live in freedom. Jesus came that we might live an
abundant life. By closing off sections of our lives we prevent God from
setting us free. He is gently and lovingly helping us to get over ourselves and
give Him access to every area of our lives. When we take the risk, He will
come in a way that is energizing, exhilarating, invigorating and completely
life-giving.

Reflection

Are there any barren areas of my life that God wants to flood with His
presence?

What would convince me to allow Him more access and what is the value I
believe would be experienced if I do?

Further Reflection

Why not open up a conversation with God about the ways in which He wants
to bring His refreshing to you?

John 10:10, Matthew 4:1-11

Day Five


Friendship is something that I long for. I am an extrovert and verbal
processor, and I need friends! I need those around me who are able to listen.
I need people in my life who add to my thoughts and sometimes butt in and
help redirect me when Ive drifted off into the abstract, which even I have
difficulty connecting with!
We are not meant to do life alone. It doesnt matter who you are or how you
connect with others, Jesus came to restore relationship, first with God and
then with each other.
The thought of a 24/7 friendship with Jesus is so reassuring to me. Although
He can seem difficult to connect with when Im not positioning myself to
hear Him, the truth is He never leaves me and He never changes. He is
always life giving and His influence in my life is refreshing, restorative and
revitalizing. I love the sense of travelling with Him, where I can relax and let
all my worry ooze out of me and into Him. His love is the antidote for my
worry and when I give it to Him, His nature absorbs and overcomes every
ounce and we travel in the rich atmosphere of our love connection.
There is no one exempt from this incredible invitation to relationship. Jesus
is offering you an upgrade in your relationship with Him and that cannot
help but overflow into every other relationship. Thats the beauty of
friendship with God; it is giving by nature and inclusive in design.

Reflection

What type of friendship am I looking for with Jesus?

What sort of friendship does Jesus want to have with me?

Am I ready for an open and transparent relationship?

How would I prepare myself for this type of relationship? And how
transparent and open would I want the relationship to be?

Further Reflection

Why not start a conversation with God about the upgrade in friendship He is
offering and ask Holy Spirit to give you the next step?

John 4:9-10, John 17:21, Galatians 3:28

Day Six


I have noticed that I get out of step with Gods rhythm when I succumb to
the pressures of my western urban existence. There is so much to DO that
the benefit of purely BEING is lost on me, failing to arrest the task driven
nature of my personality. I hear myself saying the words slow down, and
yet the lure to complete another task, to get that one last thing done, keeps
me pushing through when stopping would be far more beneficial.
When I am feeling task driven I particularly love the fruit of Patience.
Patience is defined as:
The capacity to accept or tolerate delay, problems, or suffering
without becoming annoyed or anxious.
The fruit of Patience is one of the best things with which we can nourish
ourselves. Patience requires that we slow down even pause in the midst of
our day. It is not something that can be accomplished by us; we are
encountered by patience and it changes us if we allow the Holy Spirit to
work in us.
I find that as I feed my soul with this aspect of Gods nature, the urge to rush
is overcome by the satisfaction of staying connected. Patience is not only
good for me; it helps me hold on to my God connection when Im itching to
get the next thing done.

Reflection

How is your patience? Is connection more valuable to you than

accomplishment in the moment?
What is the current momentum of my life?

What does Jesus have to say about my current momentum?

How can I start responding from my relationship with God rather than from
any external circumstances?

Further Reflection
Why not open up a conversation with God about moving with Him and
stopping with Him?

Galatians 5:22-23
Day Seven


There are times in life when circumstances overwhelm me and I give into a
stinking way of thinking. I know that Im not alone. We are all on occasion
pushed and pulled by situations either of our making or beyond our control.
It is in these moments, when our belief in His nature is under threat that we
need to focus on a part of His nature that restores belief.
I love meditating on the fruit of the Spirit. They speak of Gods character
and nature, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness and self-control. I find that as I set my mind and heart on one or
more of them, my belief in His unfailing goodness towards me is restored.
God invites us to feast on the fruit of the Spirit. He longs for us to not only
encounter these facets of who He is, but to have them make a home in us.
When we appropriate Gods nature as displayed through the fruit of the
Spirit it makes it all but impossible to remain in skepticism and doubt. There
is always a choice, but the more we allow ourselves to be nourished by them
and for their power to work in us, we are moved back into relationship and
on our relational journey with Him.

Reflection

What am I responding to when I begin to doubt?

What does Jesus have to say about His nature towards me in these moments
of doubt?

What attributes of the character and nature of God bring me back to the truth
of His love and grace in my life?

Further Reflection

Why not start conversations with God about the upgrade in the flow of
revelation He is offering to you?

Galatians 5:22-23
Day Eight


The fruit of the Spirit are my favourite way of accessing places of encounter
in God. My natural tendencies are harnessed and re-directed when I choose
to allow the fruit to manifest in and through me. The fruit that He offers
restores my soul. It is here that I find Him and He encounters me with more
of who He is.

If we give ourselves to this invitation, we not only get an encounter, we get

HIM. Words are not needed in this place. Here we can be still and
vulnerable. This is where we can allow ourselves to be loved on by Him.
This is where we can adore Him and experience the exhilaration and joy of
being caught up in the midst of the Godhead.

I have found that it is in this place of encounter that I am able to drink in the
wonder and beauty of Him, deepening and expanding my connection with
each of the persons of the Godhead. When I live from the Tree of Life,
allowing the fruit of the Spirit to permeate my being, my relationships are
life giving. I am able to give as freely as I have received. When others
around me live from the Tree of Life, I am able to receive from them as well
as from God. When we live from His presence at the Tree of Life and allow
the fruit of the Spirit to manifest, communities truly reflect the union and
communion between Father, Jesus and Holy Spirit.

Reflection

Am I living from the Tree of Life?

How aware am I of the fruit of the Spirit in my life?

What would it take for me to position myself in Him, in the fullness of the
Tree of Life?

Further Reflection

Why not begin a conversation with God about what fruit of the Spirit He
would like to display in and through you in this season?

Galatians 5:22-23, Revelation 22:1-5

Day Nine

The wonderful thing about a river is that it is in constant movement. The
natural flow of a river generates life as it transports both the old and the new.

As I stand on the banks of the River of Life there are choices. How will I
interact with the river? Will I throw my worries into the river and watch
them float away? Will I jump into the river and let it wash over and refresh
me? Or will I stand back behind gates of fear and let my present
circumstances dictate my thinking? Will I close myself off from allowing the
living water access to me?

For me, the access point for the River of Life is through the gate of
vulnerability. My journey to vulnerability and receiving the fullness of the
goodness of God is through surrender.

For others I have talked to, the gate of truth is their access point to
vulnerability. I suspect that the gates of access to the fullness of the living
water are as diverse and creative as the multitude of personalities in
existence. Whatever your gateway to vulnerability, its only as we embrace it
that the River of Life will have full affect. If we choose to jump in the river
without making ourselves vulnerable, the living water cannot affect us. The
living water may be flowing around us, but we wont be open to receiving all
that is meant for us. We can only receive to the measure that we are
vulnerable to the goodness of God.

Finding that gate and having the courage to open it to Jesus is my access
point to a deeper connection with Him. The drink that I long for is available
when I move through the gate of vulnerability and into a place of greater
intimacy with Jesus.

Reflection

What does a drink of living water look like for me?

How can I enter the river and drink of the living water?

What is my access point to the River of Life, and how can I make myself
vulnerable to Jesus?

Further Reflection

Why not open up a conversation with Jesus about how you can access the
River of Life and drink the living water that He offers?
Revelation 22:1-5
Day Ten


I dont know about you, but I am not easily drawn into places I am unsure of.
When I encounter something for the first time I tend to be a little standoffish,
choosing to observe rather than engage. Over the years I have found that I
can rob myself of relational upgrades because I feel the need to protect my
heart. Many of us react out of fear based on our experience of a broken
world rather than responding joyfully to the invitation to an upgrade in
intimacy from an infinitely good and trustworthy Father. We may know that
we have nothing to worry about but this isnt always enough to raise our
courage to a level where we can confidently and purposefully move into new
experiences.

The amazing thing is that when it comes to God, our apprehension is

completely unfounded. I find that my natural mind gives me completely
wrong information about how the Godhead see and feel concerning me. This
information is again, based on my history, rather than the evidence of the
goodness and kindness of God towards me on a daily basis.

Every time we choose to go through the gate of vulnerability towards the

Godhead, we are choosing to trust the One with whom the ongoing
experience is infinitely positive. We can relax and let Him draw us into
deeper places and higher spaces.

Reflection

What does depth of relationship mean to me?

What does God have to say about the depth of our relationship?

How can I allow God more access to my inner life?

Further Reflection

Why not open up a conversation with God around your access to the streams
of living water?

Jeremiah 17:7-8, Psalm 73:28

Day Eleven

Over the course of my life I have heard many people say, I just want to be
happy. Happiness means something different for everyone; whether its the
opportunity to do something, have something, or be free of certain areas of
pain. But every time I hear those words being uttered I cant help but reflect
that happiness doesnt come close to joy.

Joy has an inner depth. Joy is far more than a momentary feeling. Joy is one
of the fruits of the Spirit, containing a quality that fills my entire being. It is
part of the Lords nature, which means you can interact with joy as both an
inward and outward experience. I have discovered that when I combine joy
with living water; I am continually overwhelmed by His presence and His
desire to live in relationship with me.

Its easy to settle for happiness rather than pursue joy, to live from temporary
pleasure to temporary pleasure instead of embracing the call to joy. The only
problem is that happiness will not sustain us in the dark night of the soul.
Happiness will not comfort us when we are grieving; it deserts us and
expects us to pursue it. This is not the case with joy. Joy takes the trials of
life into account and has learnt to rely on a God who is greater than any
circumstance we may face. Happiness then becomes a byproduct of joy.
Happiness becomes an outward expression of a deeper truth.

Reflection

What is my experience of inner joy?

When have I experienced the depths of joy?

How can I connect with the joy found in Gods presence?

What needs to change in my daily rhythm to allow this to become a reality?

Further Reflection

Open up a conversation with God about the depths of joy that are available
to you in this season.

Psalm 16:11, 1 Peter 1:8-9, Isaiah 61:10

Day Twelve

How tempting it is for me to get wrapped up in the intricate details of my
existence and shut out the world. Its all too easy for me to become so
focussed on what Im doing that I lose connection with whats going on right
in front of me. During those times I also keep God at a distance, somewhere
in the background.

Its so much better when I consciously turn my attention towards Him,

inviting His presence to manifest in and through me, saturating the
foreground of my life. Everything is sweeter when I allow my world and His
world to work seamlessly together. The real secret is being intentional in
involving Him in everything I do.

Its easy to move forward without God. Life presses in and intimacy with
Him becomes an optional extra. I know there are many times when Ive
forgotten to be vulnerable with Him, allowing His presence to manifest in
and through me. I have been the one preventing Him from upgrading the
atmosphere around me. The beauty of life in God is that all we have to do is
let go, become wide open to Him, allow our world and His to merge, and we
will move forward together in unity and intimacy.

Reflection

Where is God in my day-to-day reality? Are we moving together?

How can I practically change my perspective to focus on God?

How can I change my life focus to allow this?

Further Reflection

Why not open up a conversation with God about ways in which you can
adjust your perspective in order to focus on Him?

Matthew 6:31-33, Romans 8:5-6, Hebrews 12:1-2

Day Thirteen


The place of nurture is under siege on every front. Particularly in the west,
we have developed into a fast-paced, task-oriented grind. We focus on the
endless things we need to do and places we need to go. It is easier to hurtle
onwards than it is to stop, nurture, and be nurtured. We need to rest and let
the identity that God had in His heart when He created us develop into the
uniqueness He had in mind.

Family is one of the authentic places of being. Its demonstrated in the

Trinity. Father, Jesus and Holy Spirit find their identity in communion with
each other, and it is from this sense of identity that they move and fulfill
their individual and joint purpose.

When I stop and connect with my family I find a place of nourishment that is
simply not available when Im focussed on work. It is not wrong for me to
be out and about, but when I move out in the fullness of my identity after
enjoying a place of nourishment and nurture, the doing flows from a place of
being.

Family comes in all shapes and sizes and is not necessarily defined by
blood ties. Whatever your family looks like, be it blood relations or friends,
it is important to have people with whom we can be our authentic selves,
nurturing and being nurtured in return. We have been adopted into His
family and we can all cry, Abba, Father.

Reflection

What is my understanding of the place of nurture? Are there perspectives

that colour this understanding?

How can I move to a more renewed understanding of the place of nurture?

Am I aware of the Father birthing newness in my world?

Further Reflection

Why not open a conversation with Jesus about the places and spaces in
which you receive and give nurture to those around you?

John 17:21, 1 John 4:4

Day Fourteen


Gods Word says that it is from the overflow of the heart that the mouth
speaks. Whats inside us will eventually find its expression in and through
us. I am a verbal processor; resulting in many unprocessed thoughts popping
out of my mouth. This tendency means that I need to live in constant union
with the Lord. If He is not part of my processing, the thoughts that get
expressed often lack His empathy and have a negative impact on the
atmosphere around me.

I need to submit my verbal processing to Him, allowing His thoughts and

suggestions to flow and transform my words into ones that enhance the
atmosphere around me and build up those in my presence.

For those wired as verbal processors, the need to make our tongues obedient
to Christ is a priority. For those who are internal processors, it is about
taking thoughts captive and submitting thought processes to the Lordship of
Christ.

When we are soft towards Him, His thoughts will influence ours; His ways
will become our ways. I find that the more I strive, the more hardheaded my
thoughts and attitudes become. I convince myself that I am right and I
become self-righteously obstinate.

When I choose to let Him invade my heart and mind, my verbal processing
moves according to His heart and is expressed in kinder and gentler ways. I
need Him in the process. I need Him at every step, and the only way is to
soften up and become wide open to Him filling the atmosphere inside me.

Reflection

What does Jesus have to say about the way I process my thoughts?

How can I position myself to be more open to Gods thoughts and

suggestions?

How does Jesus want me to process with Him?

Further Reflection

Why not open up a conversation with God around the dialogue that He wants
to develop and maintain with you?

Luke 6:45, Psalm 139:17-18, Psalm 119:105

Day Fifteen


When I think about my relationship with the Lord, my hearts desire is that I
would be so vulnerable towards Him that we are one. For me, it means that
we are inseparable while maintaining our unique identities. Jesus is my
example in all things, and particularly in this. He desired that we would
experience this oneness, this unity, this delight in being one with the Father.

Jesus was so yielded to the Father that he said, I do nothing on my own but
say only what the Father taught me. And the one who sent me is with me-he
has not deserted me. For I always do what pleases him

As I surrender to the Lord I move effortlessly to the rhythm of His heartbeat.

My life is attuned to His presence. My lifestyle looks like His lifestyle. I am
one with Him and He, in turn, is one with me. We move together in utter
unity.

As we abandon ourselves to Him, everything changes. We are truly seated in

heavenly places and our perspective is that of heaven. From there we
become His temple. From there we become His instrument. From there we
become His ambassador. We take on His yoke, which is easy and fits
perfectly. We dont pull against it. We are in sync with His heartbeat and we
are released to be His authentic and joyful representatives on earth.

Reflection

How can I use my imagination to connect with the way the Father sees me?

Ask the Lord to give you His heartbeat.

How can I slow down to make a better connection with His heartbeat?

Ask the Father to teach you how to take on His yoke and move in time with
Him.

Further Reflection

Why not open up a conversation with the Father about the freedom available
in His rhythm?

John 8:28-29, John 14:20



Day Sixteen


Sometimes I forget to intentionally listen to Holy Spirit. Its usually when I
am wrapped up in my own stuff. But the truth is that He is always with me.
Holy Spirit doesnt leave me when I am distracted; He is already and always
there. All I need to do is turn to Him, incline my ear, and He will speak into
my life again.

The place of vulnerability is incredibly important for me. I come to it via

surrender, and others come to it through trust. Vulnerability to God is the
gateway to communion with Holy Spirit. Whatever our journey towards
intimacy, unless we are able become vulnerable, we might unintentionally
block Holy Spirit from being the prevailing voice in our lives. He is like the
dove on our shoulders, never wanting to dominate, but ready to add His
value to every aspect of life.

It is so much fun partnering with Holy Spirit because He multiplies

everything that we attempt and makes the atmosphere around us a wonderful
place to be in and operate from.

Reflection

What is it like for me to be coached by Holy Spirit?

How would Holy Spirit like to be more involved in my daily living?

What upgrade is Holy Spirit offering me in this season?

Further Reflection

Start the conversation with Holy Spirit about how He wants to coach you.

John 14:26, Romans 8:26-27, Isaiah 11:2

Day Seventeen


Oh how easy is it for me to have a sulk when things are not going my way!
While it may be gratifying in the moment, the problem is that my sulking
increases my loneliness; thanks to the negative atmosphere I create. My
attitude and demeanour chases people away when I really need to be open to
them and let them speak positively into my life.

Thankfully, God will not be chased away. He has no illusions and He loves
me unconditionally. He gently challenges my mood simply by His constant
and loving presence. His refusal to leave me when I am in this place causes
me to turn to Him in times of loneliness. Not only can I confidently turn to
Him, I have discovered that when I do, He holds the keys to my next
upgrade.

This can be true for all of us. When we have the revelation of the constancy
of affection of God, we have the keys to upgrade, in the midst of our
loneliness. When we make ourselves vulnerable to Him, He pours all of His
goodness, mercy, grace and love into us. If we will open up to Him, He
opens up a flow of positive communication that saturates all our lonely
places in the same way that a river carries refreshing water everywhere it
goes.

Reflection

When Im feeling lonely, how do I reach out to God? or, do I reach out to
God? or When Im lonely, do I allow God to invade my world with His
love? How do I respond to the love of God in those times?

What does God have to say about my loneliness?

How do I currently hand my baggage over to God in these moments?

How can I turn to Him rather than losing myself in my circumstances?

Further Reflection

Why not start a conversation around what God would like to lift off you in
times of loneliness, and the way in which He wants to comfort you?

Psalm 23
Day Eighteen

I have watched an expert potter molding clay. I am always amazed at how
delicately they work the wet clay, fashioning it into the different shapes. I
am in awe of how, in the twinkling of an eye, the non-descript earth
transforms into something quite stunning.

It always reminds me of the way the Lord develops us. He takes the parts of
us that need reshaping, gently and tenderly prepares them, and then
transforms them. In these moments our role is to relax and lose ourselves in
Him.

My role is to let go and let God work a wonder in my life. To stay away
from doubt and fear, which hinder the molding process, and give the Master
Potter access to all the clay of my life.

When we focus on remaining wide open, we give Him permission to choose

the aspect that He wants to re-fashion and reshape so that His master plan for
our lives continues unimpeded.

Reflection

What is it like for me to have Holy Spirit at home in me?

How can I more allow Him access to the places that need His touch?

What stops me from giving Him complete access to all of me?

Further Reflection

Start a conversation today with Holy Spirit about how you can immerse
yourself in Him and allow Him access to every part of you.

Isaiah 54:1-5, Psalm 139:13-16

Day Nineteen

I am so comforted to know that God is leading me. He is the best Father in
the world, and knowing that I am being led by a Father who is love means I
can relax, confident that He champions and protects my best interests.

It is such a joy to recognise that every day is a new day, ordained by Him.
We can find joy in acknowledging that nothing formed against us will
prosper because He is there in each and every moment. He protects us and
gives us the strategies to step over or around any obstacles, overcoming any
fears that attempt to overtake us.

When I am one with Him I am able to confidently move with and towards
my purpose. It is in this place that our hearts beat together in unified rhythm
and we are inseparable. I love to chat with Him; but it is when He whispers
secrets in my ear or places deep revelation in my heart that I gain the
confidence and courage to be the me he purposed from before time began.

Reflection

Ask God to show you how close He is at all times.

What does perfect harmony and unity look like for me?

What is my experience of God as Love?

What voice am I listening to when I am unable to experience Him deeply as

Love?

Further Reflection

Why not start a conversation with God around His plans and purposes for
your life?

1 John 4:7-8, Zephaniah 3:17, Romans 8:38-39, Jeremiah 33:3

Day Twenty

A life of abandon, while nestled in the loving hands of the best Father in the
world, feels so magnificent to me. The secret for me is allowing Him access
to the areas that I desire to keep hidden. Like a child, I think that He cant
see things that I try to hide, but in reality nothing escapes His loving gaze.

I am amazed at His gentle encouragement to open up. He knows that when I

willingly open up, He can pour love and affection into me, transforming the
unredeemed areas of my life and accelerating my divine development. All
He needs is a wide-open heart and a desire for intimacy with Him to bring
major upgrades in my life.

When we give ourselves to him unrestrained and uninhibited, He feeds us,

cares for us, and nourishes us on the journey, taking us ever higher in His
divine nature. Our reward is that we get to represent Him both naturally and
supernaturally. We can authentically share Him with those around us while,
reveling in the privilege of being involved as He heals and restores them.

His desire is to move through us, not just stay inside, allowing us to share
His wonder with the world.

Reflection

What fruit has begun to manifest in my life?

What level of healing is beginning to flow through me?

What level of abandon to God am I looking for in the rest of my life?

Further Reflection

Why not begin a conversation with God today about the level of intimacy
with Himself He wants to cultivate in your life?

Psalm 46:4, Revelation 22:1

 Conclusion

My prayer is that over the course of reading and meditating upon the prayers
and reflections in Prayers from the River, you have found yourself
increasingly in conversation with God. He is the most wonderful
conversationalist and desires intimate ongoing connection with you.

May this journey with Him grow and expand as you live from His presence
and connect with those He has placed around you.

I wrote a song about the River of God, and it seems appropriate to finish this
book of Prayers from the River with the lyrics of that song.

There is a river that flows from heaven above

There is a river that makes glad the city of God

Ill immerse myself in the flow of the water

I will watch my worries drift away
And Ill find myself with a rhythm running through me
That is heralding a brand new day

For there is a river that flows from heaven above

There is a river that is filled with His liquid love.