“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise,” says the psalmist in Psalm 100.

Since we are his temple, His gates are within. We turn within allowing our focus to be drawn away from outer circumstances and situations. This is not to imply our Father is not concerned with our world. He most assuredly is, much more than we may realize.

Focusing within is what we need to see clearly, to know reality from the Kingdom inside. This is how situations change. We become aware of His perspectivs and by meditating we see the two streams of thought become one. Then we as His Body release this inner Kingdom upon the earth around us. There is neither lack, poverty, disharmony nor sickness in these heavenly realms that dwell within.

We release and actually create our world through our thoughts and our sight. No wonder God tells us to guard our hearts, for “as a man thinks in his heart so he is” (Prov. 23:7). The thought is the seed planted in your heart, which will produce a harvest.

Before these truths were life to me, there were many years where I had carried guilt about how I hurt my children due to my wrong perceptions of God as well as the pain in my own heart. As I healed, I tried to come up with some plan to see the love of God heal our relationships. As I began to understand the finished work of the cross, Holy Spirit instructed me to see it done and rest in that image. So I did. This was the key that opened up the door, which led to the relationships I now enjoy for the past three years with my 4 adult children and (going on) 9 grandchildren! I’m so thankful!

For years I also couldn’t follow through with steps that would have led me to a successful financial life due to thoughts that I wouldn’t be pleasing the Lord. I had plenty of opportunities but my heart would subtly condemn me if I’d pursue any course that would result in monetary wealth. (I know that sounds crazy, but it was my false reality).

As the truth of my Father’s nature, as well as my own nature as His child, takes root, I am beyond grateful to be freed up from that bondage. I’m so excited for the creative business ideas that my heart is ready and free to walk into.

Prayer, it seems to me, is pivotal to our waking up to Father’s nature and our freedom in Christ so we can see the kingdom manifest in every area of our lives and those around us.

Awakening to our Father’s true nature revealed in Christ – and realizing we are sons and daughters – is foundational to prayer, which is simply communing with God our Father. He is relentless in His pursuit to heal our hearts from the false perceptions we have about Him so that we can walk as His manifested sons in the fullness of who we truly are!