Effective communication: Prayer

Summary: Prayer is a desirable mechanism of communication without which we lose our entitlements. It is not only the most appropriate but the recommended means through which we must produce change in our various endeavours. When people lose things, it produces despondency, discouragement, discontent and loss of enthusiasm. Only those who can raise themselves up and look beyond the prevailing issues that can qualify for restoration. Prayer therefore, is a demonstration of faith in the ability to deal with the circumstances at stake. It is not asking God to do what He wouldn’t do (especially when motivated by passions and envy). It is that communication with the Lord that gets our minds into a state without which we fail to receive things from God. Prayer is not only performed when eyes are closed. It should be embarked upon without ceasing. Sessions of hearing from the Lord and responding to Him should form a significant part of prayer.
Revision: 1Sam 30:1-20
Texts: Mark 1:13; Matt 17:3; Mark 11:24; Eccl 5:2; Hab 2:1,2; Isa 30:21; 1Jn 2:27; Luke 1:38; 1Sam 3:21
1.       Using the verses above, discuss the value of good communication with the Lord.
2.       In Matt 6:7,8 Jesus taught that we should not use repetitive words in prayer as our Father already knows what we need before we even ask. Why then do we need to pray? Why did Jesus spend so much time in prayer and yet was not repeating His words?
3.       How does the Holy Spirit help us? Rom 8:26; John 16:13
Human knowledge and interpretation of events have been helpful to solve lots of problems. This mechanism is however, limited in several ways. We need daily uninterrupted interventions from The Lord in order to lay hold on the inheritance that belongs to us. “Mercy drops round us have been falling, but for the showers we plead.”

Comments

Post a Comment

We value your comments:

Popular posts from this blog

Acts of God

Introduction: There exists a series of historical and contemporary facts demonstrating that the acts of God have tendencies towards enhancing joy and laughter. Absence of God in any life or place is evidenced by chaos, disarray, confusion and sullenness. The converse is true. God’s presence is marked by a change in the atmosphere towards genuine peace, celebration, liberty and abundance in life. The “finger” of God is actively involved in our daily lives and has the capability to bring us joy and laughter. We need to harness the benefits available to us in Him. Texts: Mat 4:23-25; Exod 8:19; Luke 11:20 ·         Discuss reasons and immediate reactions following God’s interventions. Ps 126: 1, 2. 2Kings 4:15-17. 1Kings 17:13-16. Mat 4:24. Acts 8:8 ·         Why does God allow misfortune? John 9:1-3. Exod 7:3. Job 1:8. ·         Being God’s offspring, discuss how our actions can m...
Read more

Self Evaluation

We are encouraged to routinely check on ourselves so as to avoid condemnation. Judging oneself prevents others from judging us. Also, as we get close to the end of the year, it will be helpful to sit back, critically take a fair look at things that have transpired spiritually and otherwise, and ascertain areas of improvement for the future. Everyone competing does so for a prize. We must run according to the rules, otherwise we may be deemed to have gone through the race dubiously. You will require humility to go through the study. Texts: 2Cor 13:5-7; John 15:5-8,16 1. What is the purpose of our calling according to the scriptures above? 2. What do we prevent by embarking on self-evaluation? 3. Practicals: i. Are you aware of your personal resources: talents, skills and spiritual gifts? ii. To what extent have you yielded these to the service of God? iii. What is your purpose in life? iv. Do you have a clear vision(s)for your life? v. What is your personal mission? vi. In which area...
Read more

Goal driven life -Introduction

It is a true statement the fact that if you aim at nothing, you hit something; and that is, Nothing.  It is a factual lie that the good things that happen to us do so by chance. Even miracles happen to people that show disposition for them. For fear of not being described as failures, many people prefer to continue “sheepishly” in life, allowing the theology of “whatever will be will be” , shunning away from drawing out plans for their lives. Whether we set goals or not, it is certain that we are inbuilt with appetites to succeed and be celebrated. There are several people that play soccer, but the most celebrated person is the one that gets the ball into the goalpost. Anyone you see in the present world that is making concerted progress and being celebrated is doing so on a pedestal of set and pursued goals. Most of the Bible is a literature of goals, approaches to fulfilling them and advice on how to live out goals. There is no better example for us to use than that of Jesus (Heb...
Read more