Message by PASTOR TOLU ALADESANMI
Text: Matthew 6:5-13
The most important part of the template that Jesus gave His disciples for prayer is the fact that we are talking to our daddy. We can come boldly to Him in prayer. God wants us to come into a relationship with Him and enjoy His presence as our daddy.
If prayer is all about asking God for bread (as most people do), then there will be a problem when there is no more need to ask for bread (maybe as a result of relocation or exposure to a better life).
Prayer is meant to be communication with God. It is more than asking for bread and butter.
What Does Prayer Do for Us?
1. Prayer brings us closer to God: Prayer should help us know God more and by extension draw us closer to Him. Genesis 15 records a conversation between God and Abraham. In Exodus 3, we see God introduce Himself to Moses and then a conversation followed. By Exodus 33, the conversation had deepened as a result of a closer relationship. Our openness to God determines the depth of His conversation with us. Moses prayed to know God more and even asked to see God’s glory (Exodus 33:12-23) God is willing to reveal Himself to us.
2. We pray in anticipation of God’s promises: If we are anticipating something, then we pray about it. In Acts 1:14, the disciples prayed for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (the promise). In Acts 2, they received the manifestation of that promise (Acts 2:15-18).
3. Prayer is our weapon of defence: In the place of prayer, we can receive defence against the attack of the enemy (1 Peter 5:9-10). It’s not God’s plan for us to suffer for long as a result of the enemy’s attack. He always makes a way of escape. We must take our stand and resist the devil.
4. Prayer is our weapon of offence: You may be doing something new or about to do so (e.g. starting a new business, entering a new territory, etc.) and that is looking for trouble in a sense (Joshua 2:9, 24). Don’t be afraid to launch out in faith. You can trust God for victory through prayer (Psalm 44:3). We can take what belongs to us in the place of prayer (Psalms 20:7-9).
5. We receive power, courage, boldness, and strength in the place of prayer: Ephesians 3:15-19 helps us see the power of God and what it can do in and through us.
6. We receive wisdom, guidance and ideas in prayer: When the Apostles needed to make a critical decision of finding Judas’ replacement, it was prayer that helped them (Acts 1:24-25). Don’t make a decision casually, pray about it. You can ask God for wisdom whenever you need it (James 1:5).
7. God reveals secrets and truths in the place of prayer: Daniel experienced this. He could tell what was in the heart of a man through prayer (Daniel 2:27) You can spend time in prayer to ask God for secrets. When you call unto Him, He will answer and show you great and mighty things (Jeremiah 33:3). Nothing is meant to be hidden to you. It will only stay hidden for as long as you don’t pray about it.
This week, make up your mind to pray. Say to yourself now: “I will pray!”