Sunday, 5th March 2023
Alex Buabeng-Korsah
TOPIC: KEEP THE PRAYER FLAME ABLAZE
THEME SCRIPTURE: “I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.” - 1 Timothy 2:8
PREPARATORY QUESTION:
- Is there a best time and a best place to pray to get results?
- How can we ensure that our prayers are effectual?
Prayer is one thing that cannot be dissociated from the Christian life. Having received the Holy Spirit, the believer can generate and use explosive power through prayer. Through the power of the Spirit, we can be effective and efficient in this life as God's children. Hence, a low prayer life results in weak spiritual life. There are many theories surrounding prayer. Some of the theories indicate that prayers at certain times of the day or night are more effective than at other times. Others direct that praying and fasting on your day of birth is the most results-producing. Most of these theories have no basis in the Holy Scriptures.
It is as a result of some of these suppositions, when it comes to prayer that Paul, by the Spirit, gave clarity on where to pray and how to get results through prayer.
Among the Jews, it was believed that “there’s no way for the prayers of the nations of the world to ascend, because the gates of heaven are only open in the land of Israel.” This is why Jewish prayers outside the land of Israel are said facing or directed towards Jerusalem. But the Holy Spirit, through Paul, reveals to us that men can pray everywhere (in any place or at any part of the world) without wrath and doubt, and that prayer will ascend (1 Tim 2:8).
By this revelation, the prophecy was fulfilled, as recorded in Malachi 1:11, and the dispensation which Jesus spoke of, at the well of Jacob is come to pass (John 4:21).
Throughout scripture, men have prayed by spreading their hands towards heaven or God (1 Kings 8:22; 1 Kings 8:38; 1 Kings 8:54; Ezra 9:5; Isa 1:15). Lifting up of hands has been an emblem of the elevation of the heart in prayer to God. If these hands are unholy – taken bribes, shed blood or inflicted pain on others – how can the elevated heart be pure and acceptable before God? Further, anger and unforgiveness are prayer-hindering acts. Never let the sun go down on your anger (Eph 4:26) because anger kills the fire of an effectual prayer. It is not possible to talk about effectual prayer without mentioning doubt.
The absence of faith is doubt. Many Christians pray (ask) and pray, hoping to see results before believing that God has answered them. This is one of the biggest challenges of praying Christians.
If you want to see before you accept that you have been heard and answered by God, you will never see. When you pray, Precious one, believing that you’ve received, you shall have them (Mark 11:24). If you see first, it ceases to be faith. Rather, you must believe to see the glory of God (John 11:40).
Precious One, a tea bag will not release its flavor until it goes through hot water; sustain your life with fervent prayer. Life is not always fair but you can handle it with explosive prayer; pray like never before. From today, you are keeping your prayer flames ablaze, producing extraordinary results to the glory of our God. Hallelujah!
FURTHER READING – 1Kings 8:22- 54
QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD:
- How well is the flame of your prayer life burning?
- What can you do more to glow your prayer life?
PRAYER
Precious Father, in the name of Jesus, I lift up my hands towards heaven and I receive grace to pray everywhere every day. I release out of my heart men and women I have not forgiven, letting go of protracted anger and all forms of doubt, in Jesus’ precious name, Amen!
1-Year Bible Reading Plan
Leviticus 11; Psalm 110; Psalm 111; Psalm 112; 2 Corinthians 3; 2 Corinthians 4
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