THE PRAYING CHRISTIAN PART 1

THE PRAYING CHRISTIAN - PART 1

Happy New month people. I want to welcome everyone into a joyous month filled with glad and good tidings. Amen. It is a new week and another time to journey together on a flight that will forever change our lives. My prayer is that everyone receives from this series fresh insights and an insatiable desire to pray. Amen

The topic for this new series is "THE PRAYING CHRISTIAN". I want to admonish everyone that we stay connected throughout the series, so as to enjoy all that is available for us.

As a way of introduction, there are a number of scriptural references that tell us of the need for prayer. Let us take a look at few;

Matthew 6:9 "After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name".

Luke 1:10 "And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense"

Luke 18:1 "AND he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray and not to faint".

1 Thessalonians 5:17 "Pray without ceasing"

In the Old testament as well, we see instances that showed Prayer isn't just a New testament covenant. 

1 Samuel 1:10 "And she (Hannah) was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the Lord, and wept sore".

Job 42:10 "And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before".

From the scriptures above, we understand that it is important that we pray. Even today, many understand that they must pray whether by virtue of them belonging to a praying ministry or a church, but only few understand why we pray. Only few understand the rudiments of Prayer. Moreso we understand if the purpose of a thing is not known, its abuse is inevitable. This is why so many pray and when it looks like there are no answers forthcoming, then they quit praying. But as someone who has  more deeper understanding, you know that when you pray, you must receive answers.

Mark 11:24 "Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them". Verse 23 "For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith".

Nevertheless, we must understand that there is a way we pray a prayer that gets answered and if we must pray effectively, this must be well understood. We must understand that Prayer is not a once and for all engagement; it is something you have to be consistent with. 

Acts 2:42 "And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and *in prayers*".

Prayer is a force that has the capacity to change whatever situation but it does not operate according to the dictates of man. Prayer speaks to God more than it does to us, hence, the answers that stem from it have everything to do with God's own times and seasons, not our own times and seasons. Thus, when it appears as though, it is delayed, what do we do, we keep on praying. 

Luke 18:1 "we ought to pray and not faint". 1Thessalonians 5:17 "pray without ceasing". John 16:24 "Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full".

The latter part of John 16:24 should always be the end result of our prayers. There is no doubt that at certain times, when we pray, we receive answers immediately but at certain times, it might not be as immediate as we had it earlier. This does not mean God is not in the mood to answer us but we must learn that we cannot limit God to a certain way and manner of doing things. The same God that gave you an early answer is the same God that gave you an answer which (to you) appears to be delayed. However, we must know something, that there is no delay with our God. He gives you what is best for you, and at the time that is best. To you it may appear as though it is delayed, but He is telling you that now is not yet the time. The Bible makes us know that He has the times and the seasons with Him (Ecclesiastes 3:11); so He knows the right time for you.

To also buttress this; at times, God may be using what appears as a delay to us as a means of building us. Those times while we wait for the answers are not necessarily wasted times but He (God) is actually in the process of preparing a fertile ground for the seed He is to plant in us. You can understand this in this manner:

We all know that there are some seeds that require Loamy soils to grow and there are others that require Sandy soil. What happens if a farmer plants the seeds meant for a Loamy soil on a Sandy soil. As many may know, the characteristics of both soils differ; hence, the planted seeds may not do well. Therefore, it is not only important that the seeds be planted, but that they be planted on good grounds.(Read Matthew 13:3-23 The Parable of the Sower)

Verse 7-8 "And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:8 But others fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold".

Therefore, it is imperative that we understand this so we can learn to continue till we receive our desired miracles. Pastor E.A Adeboye in one of his teachings, said and I quote "if God had answered all my prayers the very first time I asked, I would not be as deeply involved with Him as I am today". And this is actually very true. Brethren, let us then understand that as much as we pray, we must learn to also persevere till our desired results come. 

TO BE CONTINUED

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