Memorize : Men ought always to pray and not to faint. Luke 18:1b
Devotional Reading: Luke 18:1-8
Communication is the strength of every relationship. Your relationship with God can be strengthened per day through prayer. Prayer is spiritual device by which a believer communicate with God. It is our life line with Heaven. However, for your prayer to be effective and answered, you must pray from the depth of your heart and with clean hands. Psalm 24:3&4; “Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul to vanity, nor sworn deceitfully”. With our clean hands, we must also seek God with the whole of our heart, Jeremiah 29:13 “and ye shall seek me, and find me when ye seek me with all your heart.” In addition to seeking God with the whole of your heart, you must trust God completely and depend on Him. Psalm 20:7&8; “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright”.
I remembered few years ago when I was seeking employment in Nigeria after finishing my education at the time, I had an uncle who was working with First Bank of Nigeria as Personal Assistant to the group MD, a very high & influential position within the Bank. I went to him for assistance to gain employment in the bank, my hope was very high that I will be employed. After visiting him at the bank head office for over a year and completing application forms several times, I did not gain employment while many other people were employed. I was very disappointed and felt rejected, I decided that I will trust God and seek help from Him in prayer. I began to pray, fast and was frequent at night vigil prayers. I went to the church and enlisted myself to do voluntary work without pay, 8 hours every day, 5 days a week for about 9 months, in the 9th month, God answered my prayers, without the help or assistance of man, God made a way for me, I secured scholarship to study in United Kingdom, God provided finance from people who are not members of my family for all.my travel and study expenses; I eventually got much more than I would have gotten working for a bank. God is our greatest helper, He still answers prayer today.
Whatever situation you are in, and whatever it is you are asking from God, don’t give up and don’t be discouraged, God is faithful, He will answer. When you pray, you must ensure that your prayer is in agreement with the word of God and according to his will, not contrary to it. 1 John 5:14b “…if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us” Always make your request to the LORD with thanksgiving, this is an essential element for your prayer to posess the strenght that can produce result. “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known unto God” Philippians 4:6.
It is not the quantity of your prayer that makes God answer, it is the condition of your heart, is your heart right with God? And does your prayer agree with the word of God? A prayer that is lengthy which does not agree with the word of God and according to the will of God is in futility. May our prayers not be in futility in Jesus name.
Through prayer, secrete things are exposed and you recieve answer to your requests; Jeremiah. 33:3 “call upon me, and I will answer thee and show you great and mighty things, which thou knoweth not”.
Prayer is one of our weapons of warfare. It is through prayer we war against the enemy, because our warfare is not against flesh and blood, it is a spiritual battle which we engage through spiritual weapon – PRAYER. –
2 Corinthians.10:3-5. Also prayer strengthen a believer and makes you supernaturally powerful. Therefore, develop a zeal to pray always without ceasing and as you do that your weakness will rise to strength in Jesus name.
Remember that prayer is the key, prayer is the master key! Jesus himself started with prayer and ended with prayer. May the LORD help you to be prayerful in Jesus name. Happy weekend.
Prayer point: O LORD, please teach me how to pray and help me not to faint.
Key Dose: There is no obstacle that can stand in the way of effective prayer.
Pastor James Ademuyiwa
Senior Pastor
In His Presence Christ Tabernacle
