Records Room

Over the years I have sought to learn all I could about different types and levels of prayer. 

There is private prayer in your prayer closet. There is corporate prayer in the local upper room, whatever church or organization may be involved. 

In each of these, there are a variety of prayer types which we experience:

supplication, intercession, deep groanings of the Holy Spirit (when we just don't have the words). 

I could go on and on because the Bible lists so many different kinds of prayer.

Each believer has a unique call to whichever type of prayer fits their ministry. Each level and layer is precious to the Lord. It is His special time alone with you. 

One of the most telling documents we have is the record of Jesus' prayer, given to His disciples when they asked Him how to pray. 

Having worked in a catholic school, I am aware of how the "Our Father" or "The Lord's Prayer", can sometimes be used as a formula prayer. 

Even in other believers circles I have observed this type of formula prayer being used. 

Yet, Jesus was present with the disciples, they were in deep and personal fellowship, when He shared His heart with them. 

So, we need to unpack scriptures like this in the light of relationship. In the light of dialogue, two way conversation. 

Speaking and listening, responding and releasing situations with our prayers. Prayers of forgiveness.

He begins with "Our Father" because He is inviting the disciples into a closer walk with His Father. 

It is the aspect of forgiveness which I want to focus upon in this blog. 

It is in the light or revelation of forgiveness, I was shown a room in heaven, called The Records Room.

And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. Luke 11:4

One of the many classes I have taken was Contemplative Prayer with Pastor Ed P. and Kent L. at our local Vineyard. 

I hesitate to call any prayer class....

a class.....its more like a workshop. 

We discuss the scriptures and share testimonies and then we go home and seek the Lord for more understanding as we pray. 

This was like that....a workshop...we had as one of our special speakers, a Priest, who had been trained in contemplative prayer within the Saint Francis of Assisi order. 

Father Joseph was a wonderful example of a man of prayer. I know, because I went on to pray with this man of God at the Mission where he lived.

During this workshop- My husband and I, along with a couple of friends, would sit in our living room and worship. Then, we would go quiet until the profound quiet of the Lord would completely engulf us. 

We set aside enough time, as long as was needed, and sometimes it would be 20 minutes before all the mind noise would stop. 

We were taught to have a specific scripture, to keep our mind tethered to, when the noise and distractions started (which you know will almost always happen). 

Each time we would repeat the scripture to focus and return to listening for the Lord's voice. 

After tarrying there for at least 40 minutes to an hour, after we felt the quiet lift, we would each share what we heard or saw. Amazingly, never failing, what each of us spoke, would fit together. This would show us the assignment we were to pray for. 

Its like going into the Courts of heaven and receiving a verdict from the Holy and Sovereign judge. We wanted to pray His way. He was willing to sign our request.

So.....having explained the process...this is what happened one day when we were praying in this manner. Instead of being invited into the garden of prayer, I was taken into a Records Room. 

I knew I had been lifted out of my body into a record room within the heavens. I sensed an angel present and the atmosphere was very serious, very somber. 

It was not at all like the dramatic and beautiful Courts of Praise.  First,  I had looked around at the never ending shelves of books which were records of peoples lives.  After I took time to admire and appreciate the immaculate handiwork of the entire room, I found myself focusing in on the center of the room. 

I was drawn in to the desk in the center of the room with an open book in the center of the desk. It looked much like this photo (above) but the room was massive. 

Somehow, I just knew that it was an incredible honor to be allowed even a glimpse into this place, it was holy and it was terrifying due to its contents.

You see, I had been praying, why are our prayers not more effective? Why are we not seeing more break through? 

Our church had a 24/7 prayer room. We were basically a church made up of prayer warriors and evangelist on the move, in the streets and malls. 

We were passionate about our walk with the Lord. We were dedicated to our cause, like none I had known. Yes, we did see mighty break throughs yet sometimes we were shocked at the lack of outcome in certain areas of our prayer focus. 

We were all determined to continue to seek the Lord fervently, until we knew why. 

The entire book of Matthew 18 was basically downloaded into my heart by contact with that book on the desk and the angel directing me to focus on The Book.

How the Lord does this, I do not understand but He is indeed The Word, so when you ask, sincerely, He will answer you. 

Sometimes we understand better with pictures than with just words. He knows our make up.

Even so it is not the will of the Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish. Matthew 18:14

In this passage the Lord goes on to speak of reconciliation with your brother, removing offenses and binding and loosing. 

These powerful passages are often taken out of context. I was guilty of this as I stood in this terrifying room. Life happens and broken and hurting people often hurt the ones whom they are closest to. 

After a while, offence sets in and we want compensation. 

The angel, who was my escort, had a message to deliver, once the down load of scripture was complete. 

The angel stood by as I took it all in, then the message began to unfold itself.

"If you desire to be a powerful prayer warrior, you must release forgiveness to these records which are a part of your experience.

 Only the records which the Holy Spirit reveals and which you are withholding forgiveness. 

Release them to the Father, so that His holy angels can go on assignment to help those recipients enter into their blessing, their life, their potential, their grace from above.

Just as Jesus released you and some loved one also released you in their prayers.

You have the authority but you hold back due to lack of understanding of the vastness of His forgiveness and provision. "

During the Passion, the quiet Lamb of God, withheld His voice and His tongue through all He suffered, which was so unjust. 

(understatement if ever there was one)

Yet, when He did pray on the cross, it was a prayer of forgiveness.

Father forgive them for they know not what they do. 

Relationship and forgiveness is linked to all verses in Matthew 18. 

I encourage you to read it all in the light of the records room. We can only do this with the help of the Holy Spirit and the Lord of forgiveness upholding our tender and aching hearts. 

If He requires it, He will help you do this. It may be the most important prayer you have ever prayed.

Release the records which He shows you to release. This does not mean you are excusing anything, you simply are sending them back to the Courts of Heaven so the Almighty can work His works of  redemption. 

He is the Sovereign Judge of all records. This is what happened in Job 42, Job was required to pray for His friends who had misunderstood him, and had misunderstood the Lord's purpose as well. 

Job was required to release the records, then and only then was he restored to his place of authority. 

All else was restored as well, for he had lost it all.