Tag Archives: Dependence on God

Holy Spirit, Prayers, Unity

Pentecost: A Call to Absolute Reliance on God

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When the day of Pentecost had fully come, the disciples were not busy making plans or debating strategies. They were hidden away, hearts low to the ground, souls turned upward. “When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place” (Acts 2:1, NASB). They were not idle. They engaged in tear-soaked prayer—quiet, desperate, persistent prayer in the Upper Room (Acts 1:14, NASB). Pentecost teaches us that absolute reliance on God begins not with action but with prayer.

Prayer was not an afterthought; it was the furnace where their dependence was forged. In the Upper Room, they wept, waited, and wore the floor thin with their knees. They had no other plan. They had no fallback. The strength to fulfill the Great Commission could not be conjured by willpower—it had to be born in prayer. If we are to learn anything from Pentecost today, it is this: we must return to the Upper Room posture. Absolute reliance on God means sinking to our knees and refusing to rise until He answers.

In our generation, prayer is often the last resort. We strategize first, act second, and pray third. Pentecost rebukes this order. The fire of God falls on soaked altars, on lives marinated in the secret place. Prayer must again become our lifeblood, not a hurried sentence but the slow, aching cry of a heart desperate for Him. The world tells us to be busy; Pentecost calls us to be still before El Shaddai, the All-Sufficient One, and wait for His power.

Pentecost also reminds us that prayer is corporate as well as personal. “These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer…” (Acts 1:14, NASB). They were of one accord—not arguing about doctrinal differences, not boasting, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos.” Their hearts were knit together in humility and dependence. Division would have quenched the Spirit before He even came. In that upper room, the Spirit of God found a vessel unified and emptied.

And what was the cry of their hearts? These disciples, hunted and threatened, did not ask for protection. They did not pray, “Lord, send angels to defend us,” or “Deliver us from our enemies.” They prayed for boldness—the holy courage to preach the gospel without fear (Acts 4:29, NASB). Absolute reliance on God means trusting not in physical safety but in the triumph of His Word. They understood what it meant to be crucified with Christ. Their lives were already laid down; they sought only the strength to proclaim the Name of Yeshua boldly, even unto death.

The Church today must recover this fearless heart. If we long for revival, we must pray not for ease but for fire—not for comfort but for courage. Absolute reliance on God means trusting Him to sustain, strengthen, and embolden us when the world rages against us. God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and sound judgment (2 Timothy 1:7, NASB).

Beloved, the lesson of Pentecost is clear: if we are to walk in the power of the Spirit, we must first kneel in utter dependence. Absolute reliance on God is not passive—it is an active, unyielding trust formed in the furnace of prayer. Like the disciples, we must forsake all other hopes, all other strengths, and look only to Him who promised, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you” (Acts 1:8, NASB).

Our world is desperate for revival, but revival will not come through clever sermons or polished programs. Revival will be born when men and women of God are found once again in Upper Rooms, floors damp with tears, hearts lifted like incense. Pentecost calls us to be that generation.

Self-Reflection: Walking in Absolute Reliance on God

For the Believer:

  • Am I seeking the fire of God through tear-soaked prayer or am I relying on my own strength?
  • When fear rises, do I pray for protection, or do I ask God for boldness to proclaim His Name?
  • Have I set aside personal ambitions to become fully dependent on El Shaddai, the All-Sufficient One?
  • Is my heart unified with my brothers and sisters, or is division hindering the move of the Spirit in my life?

For the Local Congregation:

  • Are we a church of prayer or a church of programs?
  • Have we created an Upper Room culture where dependence on the Spirit is our first response?
  • Do we spend more time strategizing or more time seeking the face of God together?
  • Is boldness to preach the Gospel part of our prayers, or have we settled for safety and comfort?

For the Denomination:

  • Are we leaning on heritage and tradition, or are we actively dependent on the living Spirit of God?
  • Are we unified in mission and spirit, or divided by secondary matters that grieve the Holy Spirit?
  • Have we lost our boldness, forgetting the fearless prayers of the early Church?
  • How will our generation be remembered — as those who sought revival through prayer and unity, or as those who trusted in human plans?

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Prayer

O Sovereign Lord, we come to You stripped of all pretense and power. Teach us again to wait before You in prayer, to soak the ground with tears, to hunger for nothing but Your presence. Forgive us for trusting in our strength and teach us absolute reliance on You. Birth in us the Upper Room cry, the unrelenting groan for Your Spirit. And when You come, Lord, grant us boldness—not comfort, not safety—but boldness to declare Your Word without fear. May our lives be the altar, and may Your fire fall again. In the mighty name of Yeshua, we pray. Amen.

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See Also

Personal Holiness

Create in Me a Pure Heart

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right and steadfast spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10, AMP)

This cry echoes from the soul of every believer who has stood face-to-face with their own brokenness. It is not the prayer of the self-righteous but of the exposed—those who have come to see the depth of their sin and the instability of their flesh. David, once a man of power and promise, wept these words after his own deception was uncovered. But it was in that very moment of divine exposure that hope began to rise. For God does not expose to destroy—He exposes to heal.

Yeshua knew well the weakness of man. When Peter, full of zeal and good intentions, swore loyalty even unto death, the Lord replied, “Before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times” (Matthew 26:34, NASB). Peter did not believe it. He trusted in his own strength, as many of us do. Yet when the rooster crowed and the shame of his denial pierced him, it was not the end—it was the beginning of mercy. Peter wept bitterly, but those tears were the water God used to begin purifying his heart.

So often we hide from the Holy Spirit’s conviction. We numb ourselves with busyness, justify our failures with excuses, or point fingers to deflect blame. But the Spirit of Truth was sent not to condemn us but to cleanse us. “If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves… If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:8–9, NASB). He exposes not to shame us, but to restore us.

The instability of our flesh is no surprise to El Shaddai. He formed us, He remembers we are dust (Psalm 103:14). But He desires hearts that are yielded, not self-reliant. As Jeremiah wrote, “The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9, NASB). The answer? Only God. And only He can create in us a new heart—not patched up, not remodeled, but made new by the breath of His Spirit.

Beloved, it is a dangerous thing to trust in our own goodness. Good habits, strong character, noble deeds—these are but fading garments if they are not clothed in grace. “Apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5, NASB), Yeshua said. To walk in truth, we must first ask to be undone. The fire of holiness begins with the broken cry: “Create in me a pure heart.”

Let this prayer rise like incense before the throne. Let it be your confession when pride whispers that you are strong. Let it be your anchor when sin has knocked you low. For God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). And to those who call on Him with a contrite spirit, He draws near.

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Expose me, Lord, and make me whole,
Not for my shame, but for my soul.
Let not my sin stay hid or deep,
But purge with fire and let me weep.

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Prayer

Father, I stand before You in need. I cannot trust in myself, for my strength fails and my heart wanders. But You, O Lord, are faithful. Expose the hidden places of my soul. Tear down every false strength, every secret sin, every shadowed idol. Create in me a pure heart, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Fill me with Your Spirit, and let me walk in truth all my days. Let me decrease, that You may increase. In the name of Yeshua the Messiah, Amen.

See Also

Humility

The Glory Belongs to God

“Not to us, LORD, not to us, but to Your name give glory, because of Your mercy, because of Your truth and faithfulness.”
— Psalm 115:1, NASB

You must fix this truth in your soul: the glory belongs to God. Not a portion, not a part—allof it. Anything good in your life, anything holy or helpful or wise, flows from the Spirit of the Living God. You bring the vessel, but He brings the oil. Every time you speak truth, walk in love, or minister to the broken, it is because El Shaddai has moved through you. Indeed, the glory belongs to God alone.

Do not be deceived by praise. The man who takes credit for the work of God builds on sand. Remember what Macarius of Optino once said when someone praised his spiritual counsel: “Only the mistakes are mine.” That was not self-pity. It was the spiritual sight of one who knew his own flesh and trusted only in the Spirit of God. Let that become your conviction. Always remember, the glory belongs to God and not to man.

The glory belongs to God—and Scripture gives us a clear picture of what happens when someone forgets this.

The Glory Belongs to God
Moses strikes the rock in anger at Meribah, and water flows forth—yet the cost of disobedience is the Promised Land withheld. (Numbers 20:10-12)

Look at Moses.

He was chosen, empowered, and sent. The sea split at his word. Water flowed from the rock. Manna fell when he prayed. But in a moment of anger and pride, he struck the rock and claimed the glory for himself. “Listen now, you rebels; shall we bring water for you out of this rock?” (Numbers 20:10, NASB). It seemed small—but in that moment, Moses acted as if the power was his. God still brought water for the people, but the consequence was severe: Moses would not enter the Promised Land. Why? Because he did not treat God as holy and did not give Him the glory (see Numbers 20:12). Even Moses had to learn that the glory belongs to God.

You must take this to heart. Even the most anointed among us can fall if we begin to believe the power comes from us. The glory belongs to God. You are the mouthpiece, not the message. You are the branch, not the vine. “For it is not you who are speaking, but it is the Spirit of your Father who is speaking in you” (Matthew 10:20, NASB).

The Apostle Paul understood this. He said, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth” (1 Corinthians 3:6, NASB). Let this be your mindset too. When people are blessed by your words, when prayers are answered, when hearts are healed—fall on your knees. Don’t reach for praise. Reach for God. He alone is worthy. After all, the glory belongs to God.

Prayer

Abba Father, You are holy and worthy of all glory. Forgive me for the times I have touched what belongs to You. Guard me from pride. Keep me small in my own eyes, and great in Your presence. Teach me the lesson of Moses—to speak when You command, to act in obedience, and to always give You the glory. Let every work of my hands bring honor to Your name, not mine. The glory belongs to You, forever and ever. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

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See Also

The Pursuit

Pursuit and Restoration

Jehovah Jireh – The Lord Who Provides

O Lord, my God, You are my Provider.
In the wilderness of my soul, You give what I need.
Your mercy flows like streams in the desert;
Your love satisfies my every longing.
You call me to trust like a child, unburdened and free,
For You delight in those who come with simple faith.
Teach me to depend on You fully,
And to seek not the treasures of this world, but the riches of Your heart.

Jehovah Rapha – The Lord Who Heals

Jehovah Rapha, You are the Healer of my wounds.
Restore the broken places of my spirit, O God.
Where pride has scarred, Your grace humbles;
Where doubt lingers, Your peace restores.
You hide Yourself in deep darkness, drawing me near,
Teaching me to walk by faith, not by sight.
Heal me, Lord, that I may see You clearly,
And declare Your goodness in the land of the living.

Jehovah Tsidkenu – The Lord Our Righteousness

O Lord, my Righteousness, let Your justice reign in my heart.
Search me and cleanse me of all unrighteousness.
Rain down Your righteousness like a flood,
And wash away all that is not of You.
You hide from the proud but reveal Yourself to the humble;
Those with childlike hearts find refuge in Your truth.
Teach me to walk upright before You,
To love what is good and hate what is evil.

Jehovah Shalom – The Lord Is Peace

Jehovah Shalom, You are the calm in the storm.
When the winds of life rage around me, You are my peace.
In the stillness of Your presence, my soul finds rest.
Let Your peace, which surpasses understanding, guard my heart.
O Lord, You reveal Yourself to the trusting,
But to the self-reliant, You remain hidden in mystery.
I will lay aside my striving and rest in Your embrace,
For Your peace fills every longing of my heart.

Pursue the Lord with all your heart

Jehovah Nissi – The Lord Is My Banner

Jehovah Nissi, You are my victory.
When the battles rage, You raise Your banner over me.
In You, I triumph over my enemies;
In Your strength, I stand unshaken.
Lift my eyes to see Your banner of love,
And remind me that the battle belongs to You.
As a child trusts in their father’s strong hand,
So I will trust in You, my Warrior and King.

Jehovah Rohi – The Lord Is My Shepherd

Jehovah Rohi, You lead me in paths of righteousness.
You restore my soul and guide me with Your staff.
Even in the valley of the shadow, I will fear no evil,
For You are with me, and Your rod comforts me.
You call me to come like a child, unafraid and dependent,
To trust Your voice and follow wherever You lead.
You are my Shepherd, Yeshua, and in You, I lack nothing.

Jehovah Elohim – The Lord, My God

Jehovah Elohim, You are my Creator and King.
Before the foundations of the earth, You knew me.
You knit me together in my mother’s womb,
And Your plans for me are good and perfect.
You hide Yourself from the wise in their own eyes,
But You show Your face to those with childlike faith.
O Lord, my God, I seek Your face alone.
You are my beginning and my end, my all in all.
Let my life be a reflection of Your glory,
And may I dwell in Your presence forever.

Selah.

Beloved, hear the call of the Lord today. He is not far from you; He waits with open arms, longing for you to come to Him. Have you grown weary in your pursuit? Have the distractions of this world stolen your gaze from His face? Return to the Lord with all your heart!

He delights in the faith of a child—a heart that trusts without reserve, a spirit that runs to Him without hesitation. Stop striving in your own strength, stop seeking answers in what cannot satisfy. The Lord calls you to lay down your pride, your self-sufficiency, and come to Him with humility, with desperation, and with an unrelenting desire for more of Him.

The time is now to pursue Him with all your might. Chase after Him as though your very life depends on it—because it does. “Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on Him while He is near” (Isaiah 55:6, AMP). Do not delay! He is the God who provides, who heals, who restores, and who reveals Himself to those who hunger and thirst for Him.

Turn from the fleeting things of this world and set your heart on eternal treasures. Let your cry be, “More of You, Lord, less of me!” Seek His face and His righteousness with every ounce of your being. For when you seek Him, you will find Him. When you draw near to Him, He will draw near to you (James 4:8, AMP).

Do not settle for hollow religion or empty ritual. Run into the arms of the living God, the One who loves you with an everlasting love. He is waiting to restore what was lost, to rain down His righteousness upon your life, and to fill you with His peace and joy. Pursue Him, for He alone is worthy.

Lift your heart, lift your voice, and chase after the Lord your God with all that you are. He will meet you in the pursuit. He will be your strength, your hope, your everything. O, return to Him, and find life—abundant, eternal, and full!

See Also

Christian Living

Dependence and Thanksgiving

“Whatever you do [no matter what it is] in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus [and in dependence on Him], giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” – Colossians 3:17 (AMP)

The Christian life is one of absolute dependence on God. Without Him, we can do nothing. Jesus made this truth plain when He said, “I am the Vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him bears much fruit, for [otherwise] apart from Me [that is, cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing” (John 15:5 AMP). Just as a branch cannot survive or bear fruit apart from the vine, we cannot live, thrive, or fulfill our God-given purpose apart from Jesus Christ.

Yet, as we depend on Him, the Word also calls us to a life of gratitude. Thanksgiving is not just an expression of appreciation but a recognition of God’s sovereign hand in all things. From the Old Testament to the New, the Scriptures anchor us in this dual calling: to rely on God fully and to give thanks always.

Dependence on God: Our Only Source of Strength

The Scriptures consistently teach that human strength and effort alone are insufficient. We are commanded to lean on God and not on our understanding.

• “Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own insight or understanding” (Proverbs 3:5 AMP).

• “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the rock and strength of my heart and my portion forever” (Psalm 73:26 AMP).

Dependence on God is not a sign of weakness but an act of faith. It is an acknowledgment that “the Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts [with unwavering confidence] in Him, and I am helped” (Psalm 28:7 AMP). Everything we do—whether speaking, acting, or thinking—must be done in His power, for His glory, and in submission to His will.

Thankfulness: A Command Rooted in God’s Character

The Bible is clear: we are to give thanks in all things and at all times. This is not a suggestion but a command.

• “In every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18 AMP).

• “Let us come before His presence with a song of thanksgiving; let us shout joyfully to Him with songs” (Psalm 95:2 AMP).

Thankfulness is not dependent on our circumstances but on God’s unchanging character. He is good, faithful, and merciful. As Psalm 107:1 declares, “O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His lovingkindness endures forever!”

Thanking Him in Every Season

The Bible is filled with examples of people giving thanks to God in every season of life:

• In victory – David proclaimed, “Therefore I will give thanks and praise You, O Lord, among the nations, and sing praises to Your name” (Psalm 18:49 AMP).

• In trials – Job declared, “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21 AMP).

• In worship – Paul wrote, “Through Him [therefore] let us at all times offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, which is the fruit of lips that thankfully acknowledge and confess and glorify His name” (Hebrews 13:15 AMP).

Even in the heavenly realms, thanksgiving is central to worship. Revelation 4:9 describes how the living creatures in heaven “give glory and honor and thanksgiving to Him who sits on the throne, to Him who lives forever and ever.”

Why We Depend on Him and Thank Him

1. He is the Source of All Good Things – “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of lights [the Creator and Sustainer]” (James 1:17 AMP).

2. His Mercy Endures Forever – “For the Lord is good; His mercy and lovingkindness are everlasting, His faithfulness [endures] to all generations” (Psalm 100:5 AMP).

3. He Fulfills His Promises – “For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us” (2 Corinthians 1:20 NKJV).

Practical Steps to Depend on and Thank God

• Pray without ceasing – “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful” (Colossians 4:2 NIV).

• Offer sacrifices of thanksgiving – “He who offers a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving honors Me” (Psalm 50:23 AMP).

• Live with gratitude daily – “And whatever you do [no matter what it is] in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus [and in dependence on Him], giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Colossians 3:17 AMP).

A Life Anchored in the Word

Dependence on God and thanksgiving to Him are not isolated practices; they are intertwined, creating a life anchored in His Word. As we press into Him daily, we recognize our complete need for Him and grow in gratitude for His unchanging love and provision.

A Prayer of Dependence and Thanksgiving

Heavenly Father, we come to You with hearts full of gratitude, acknowledging that without You, we can do nothing. Thank You for being our strength, our shield, and our source of life. Teach us to lean on You fully and to trust in Your faithfulness in every circumstance. Help us to live each day in gratitude, recognizing Your goodness and mercy that endure forever. May we honor You in all we say and do, offering our lives as living sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving. In Jesus’ mighty name, we pray. Amen.

See Also