Mission

Mission: To connect every burdened soul to the Lord by the power of the Word and anointed prayers for self transformation and actualisation of divine blessings.

Vision

Vision: A transformed society of believers, basking continually in the glory of Christ Jesus.

Thursday 23 February 2012

CONSISTENCY AND PERSEVERANCE IN PRAYER

Text: 1st Thess 5:17, Col 4:2

Consistency and Perseverance in prayer is to be steady, to persist, to determine, to be regular, to endure, or to carry on in prayer without relenting. The scripture enjoins us to “pray without ceasing” as found in 1st Thess 5:17. Col 4:2 says; “continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving”.(NKJV).

It is commonly said that you should pray until you get a response. Do not be weary or tired of praying. In fact you can never exhaust your prayer points. You should never give up and you should be expectant. Prayer involves talking to God and God talking to you. So you should be expectant.

Our Lord Jesus Christ whom we are all aspiring to be like often withdrew himself to lonely places to pray. In Luke 5:16; the scripture says “so He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed”. He was always doing this consistently and persistently. No wonder the popular song “Prayer is the master-key, Jesus started with prayer and ended with prayer. Prayer is the master-key”.

Prayer is one of the spiritual exercises a believer must regularly get involved in. Prayer must be offered regularly and frequently everyday to God in Jesus name. It is an expression of our relationship with God. Jesus Christ expects us to pray regularly. Prayer is not optional. Luke 11:1 says “one day Jesus was praying in a certain place, when He finished, one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord teach us how to pray as John taught his disciples”. And Jesus taught them how to pray. God delights in talking to us and it is during prayer that communication with Him can occur. Jesus told His disciples a parable in Luke 18:1 to show them that “they should always pray and not give up”. Jesus said in Luke 21:36 “Be always on the watch and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen and that you may be able to stand before the Son”. Luke 21:37b “and each evening, Jesus went out to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives”.


The Bible teaches us to pray ahead of evil days. How often do you pray? Do you persevere? Be consistent, pray without ceasing. Be persistent in prayer. It is a good spiritual exercise accompanied with spiritual benefits. How persevering are you?

Paul admonished the brethren to pray for him; Rom 15:30, “I urge you brothers by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me”. Also in Eph 6:18 the scripture says “And pray in the Spirit in all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints”. The scripture says in Col 4:2 “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful”(NIV).

Prayer is the walking stick of a Christian. It is a spiritual exercise you have to engage in. A prayerless Christian is a powerless Christian. A family that prays together stays together. And remember you have to pray continually. Jesus was always doing this when he was on earth. He is still interceding for you with His Father. Paul was always praying and always asking people to pray for him. Hence the success in his ministry.

Nehemiah in Nehemiah 6:9 &16, 13:14 &31; prayed consistently and persistently to God to be able to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem. He faced opposition and humiliation from people but because he was consistent in prayer God saw him through and the project was completed.


1st Samuel 1;1-20; Hannah the wife of Elkanah was always going to Shiloh yearly to pray to God for the fruit of the womb. God answered her, gave her Samuel and also made her mother of many children. Her yearly journey to Shiloh, consistency and persistency in prayer were honoured.

Moses, Aaron and Hur consistently and persistently supported Joshua with prayers when he was on the battle field to fight for Israel against the Amalekites. The staff of God in Moses’ hand supported with persistent prayers and support from Aaron and Hur helped Joshua a great deal to overcome the Amalekites as recorded in Exo 17:8-13. How often do you lift up your hand to the throne of the Lord?


God expects us to pray.

In Jer 29:12; The Lord said “Then you will call upon me and go and pray to me and I will listen to you”.

God keeps reminding us that we should pray. 2nd Chro 7:14 says “If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and PRAY and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land

Do not forget that the devil is roaring about looking for whom to devour. The devil does not stop roaring. So your prayer must be continous, non-stop, without ceasing, it has to be an exercise that must be frequent, consistent and regular. Consistency and perseverance make you to be more godly, replenish your spiritual life and make you to be closer to God.

Brethren, PRAY without ceasing and continue earnestly in prayer. It is good to remind ourselves in this sermon how to pray. Note that prayer is offered to God in the name of Jesus Christ.

Steps to take in prayer
1. Start with hymns, praise, worship and thanksgiving

2. Contemplate the Lord, adore, appreciate, bless, reference Him for creation and for His awesomeness. Bless Him for kind deeds, protection, favour and mercies. Thank Him for specific favours, blessings He has bestowed on you, your loved ones and people in general.

3. Ask for forgiveness of sins, for ingratitude and disobedience in all forms

4. Make your requests, desires, aspirations, supplications and wishes known to Him

5. Be quiet and wait to receive from Him.

6. Thank and bless Him for answering your prayers in Jesus’ name.

Prayer
Father, grant me the grace to pray consistently and the grace to persevere in prayers in Jesus’ name. (Amen).

3 comments:

  1. More grace mummy, may the Almighty God help you more than human understanding.

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  2. Very interesting, This is in-depth word of God, well detailed. Keep up the good work Mummy.

    Jegi

    ReplyDelete