Strength and Courage

Introduction: Prayer is the most unlikely place to commit sin. It could however be a fertile haven to nourish wrongdoing. It is so surreptitious that it requires a disciplined disposition to ensure we do not slip away. Prayer should and can be performed as frequently as possible and for all things as can pass through our minds. Prayerlessness is associated with sinfulness and a malnourished spirit. However, there are times when prayer is not what is required. Additionally, Satan can attack us through “prayer”. Text: Ezek 14:1-4 Discussions: When does prayer cease to become useful? ·          When we pray for the sake of it; Ezek 14:1-4; Mat 6:5 ·          When action is required instead of prayer; James 2:16, Exod 14:15 ·          When an answer has been given to your request ·          When we are boastful tow...

Introduction: We all at one point or the other have felt lazy to pray and thought it was reasonable to feel that way. This may sound true and for which reason, some men of God have advocated “spiritual holidays” so as to return strong! This approach easily sells as we are all prone to accepting the easy way out. One of the reasons for secularism overtaking Christian discipline in developed countries can be traced to prayerlessness. We seek explanations for every issue and when we do not have one, we hang onto a theory as though it were truth. Those who pray about everything are viewed as weaklings and/or people not able to face life in its pure form. The challenge remains for us to understudy certain pitfalls that underscore lack of prayer. Text: 1Sam 12:23, Mark 11:17 Discussions ·          When you believe no one is hearing you. Isaiah 59:1 ·          When you think you are not worth the trouble...

Introduction: If prayer were an easy task, the disciples of Jesus and John would not have requested to be taught. Also, because of human limitations and “infirmities”, God has given believers the Holy Spirit to help us pray effectively. What is often referred to as “the Lord’s prayer”, is indeed an approach and not necessarily aimed to replace originality of our own words. The contents of prayer has always been daunting and for which reason, so many believers find they run short of words; or indeed avoid prayer altogether. Prayer is all-inclusive and virtually any subject can form a component of it. The context in which these subjects are mentioned skews prayer in the path of faith or doubt. Text: Luke 11:1-4   Discussions: ·          How organised should prayer be? Jn 17: 1-8, 9-19, 20-26 ·          What should we pray about? 1Tim 2:1 ·          For ...

Introduction: Prayer is an act or invocation that seeks to activate a rapport with God. Its highest achievement is in being at sync with God. Prayer is advocated by Jesus as the preventive panacea for falling to temptation (Luke 18:1; Matt 26:41). Over the years, the evolution of prayer has virtually eroded its importance. Prayer is seen in no different light from when a lawyer “prays” the judge to consider his client’s plea, regardless of the tenets of the law. The essence and intents of prayer has thus depreciated in meaning over time. Many a Christian “try and err” prayer; or at best recite what they have heard “papa” say. Believers thrive on “borrowed” faith. Although prayers are being said, many fail to qualify to bring desired intentions. No wonder, Jesus spoke, “… Nevertheless when the Son of man comes, shall He find faith on earth?” (Luke 18:8). We will attempt to study the pattern of prayer taught by Jesus. Text: Luke 18:1-14 Discussions: ·     ...