Today’s Reading:
MATTHEW 6:7-8
"And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words" (v. 7)
In the passage read, Jesus taught us that using vain repetition and many words do not determine that God would answer our prayers. As children of God we are expected to pray regularly because Jesus did not say” if” you pray but said “when” you pray. God does not answer prayers because of your long hours used in praying, only a prayer prayed in faith and in understanding that you are talking to your father will be answered. What happens when we pray? It will always be for our good, and it will come in God’s own time and way. It will come from our heavenly Father who, in His love wants what is best, in His wisdom knows what is best, and in His power does what is best.
When you pray, you enjoy God. No joy on earth can compare with the joy of knowing God and meeting Him in a relationship. David had a taste of it when he said to the Lord: “. . . you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand” (Ps. 16:11). Prayer is a pathway to joy. It’s impossible to talk with God or listen to Him and not, in the end, experience joy. In Old Testament times, prayer and joy came together in His “house of prayer.” God said of foreigners who bind themselves to Him, “. . . these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer” (Isa. 56:6–7). You can experience the same joy in prayer today. You don’t have to go to a “house of prayer” to meet Him. You can meet the Father anytime, anywhere, about anything through Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son. That is joy, pure joy! The more you pray, the more you will enjoy God.
When you pray, you win over sin. Sin is your worst enemy. Sin is a terrible, misery-producing, down-dragging force. It’s an enemy that wants to destroy you and drag you down to hell. Freedom from the guilt of sin becomes yours when you trust Jesus Christ as your Saviour and Lord. You can also gain freedom from the power of sin—its power to harm and hinder you in the midst of your daily lives. Jesus wanted His weak, sleep-prone disciples to gain victory over sin as they waited with Him in Gethsemane. He said, “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak” (Matt. 26:41).
When you pray, God gives you “good gifts”. Jesus emphasized His Father’s willingness to give good gifts to His children by comparing Him to earthly parents who know how to give good gifts to their children. He added, “. . . how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” (Matt. 7:11). The “good gifts” Jesus spoke of are spiritual blessings like grace, wisdom, joy, peace, power, and holiness. God wants to give His children these gifts. He doesn’t promise to give us everything we ask for. But when we ask for “anything according to his will, he hears us” (1 John 5:14–15). “He hears us” means He agrees to grant what we have asked for. When you pray for others, God releases His grace and power into their lives. “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (James 5:16). Prayer makes a powerful difference in the lives of those you pray for. Prayer itself has no power. When you pray for another person, no vibes, force, or grace flow from you to them. All the power in prayer is God’s power. He acts in powerful ways in response to our prayers. “Prayer is the key that unlocks all the storehouses of God’s infinite grace and power. All that God is, and . . . has, is at the disposal of prayer. Prayer can do anything God can do, and as God can do anything, prayer is omnipotent.”
Prayer can move mountains. It can change hearts and shape families. It can transform neighbourhoods and even nations. It’s the ultimate source of power because it is the power of Almighty God. This power is available to the most humble Christian. James reminds us that Elijah was “a human being, even as we are.” He prayed that it would not rain, and it didn’t rain because God heard his prayer (James 5:17–18). Your prayers can make a difference in people’s lives!
OLAJIDE OGUNFUWA
Prayers:
My heavenly Father, you that in your love want what is best for me, please in your power do what is best for me, in Jesus’ name.
Lord, help me to give myself to prayer and also enjoy your presence, in Jesus’ name.
Father, families, and homes that need your intervention, please intervene, in Jesus’ name.
I pray for all our Church leaders, please Lord, uphold and strengthen them in faith, in Jesus’ name.
Every power of the devil and hell working against the progress of Nigeria, I command them to scatter, in Jesus’ name.
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