Embracing the Heart of Jesus: The True Essence of Prayer and Christian Life

 "To all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God" (John 1:12).


To receive means to embrace Jesus Christ into one's heart. Then, what does it mean to embrace Jesus Christ into one's heart? It means that if one's heart, thoughts, obstinacy, and aspirations were the focal point until now, they will now concentrate on the heart and thoughts of Jesus. As Paul proclaimed, 'I no longer live, but Jesus Christ lives in me'. Similarly, one's obstinacy, desires no longer hold sway. Paul claimed that he once counted all his boastings as refuse. Now, God's hope and vision take precedence. Now it is a life of striving to grasp those who have been ensnared by Christ Jesus. Many Christians would likely concur with this point, even if they do not live accordingly.


However, what many Christians mistakenly view as prayer is, in fact, not so. Prayer is a means of approaching God, and simultaneously embracing God into one's heart. However, during prayer, we come to understand that we persistently cling to our own obstinacy, thoughts, and wants. This is rather discomfiting for a God who delights in communing with us directly. The worst conversationalists are those who obstinately cling to their own opinions and talk solely about themselves. In front of God, if we ignore God's thoughts, perspectives, and heart and only amplify our foolish obstinacy and demands, that is not prayer, but violence. Such prayer is possible only for the sun, moon, and stars in the sky, which are inanimate and unmanned bodies. As long as the prayers of Christians do not change, selfish Christians, Christians who only think of themselves, and Christians who are like pigheaded person will not disappear.


If the teaching on prayer does not undergo change in the Korean church, Christians will not change either. A person who merely accepts Jesus is not a Christian. Only those who always heed and follow the views, thoughts, and hearts of Jesus are true Christians.




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