When facing danger, who do you turn to? As a Christian, nothing gets you closer to God when you find no other option but Him. Whenever you are in need, you can tend to make many vows and promises to God. But what does God find when he does a litmus test on your life? Does He find what you profess near people or confess personally to Him?
The greatest tragedy is not an unanswered prayer but an unoffered prayer. God does not want you to turn to him only when faced with danger. He wants you to talk to him all the time. God always wants you to have no option but Him.
We talk to God through prayers. Jesus, through the parable of the persistent woman, encourages us about the importance of praying constantly and not giving up. He presents a scenario where there is a judge who does not fear God nor care about people. In the same city, there is a widow who had been wronged by someone, and she seeks justice from the judge.
The widow repeatedly comes to the judge and asks him to grant her justice against her adversary. However, the judge ignores her and refuses to help her. But the widow does not give up. She keeps coming to the judge and pleading for justice until her case is heard.
Prayer brings light to your situation. It offers answers to our deepest most searched questions and is a sure pathway to access to the Kingdom of God. Prayer offers us an opportunity to have a relationship with God.
God is not transactional. He wants us to relate with Him daily. He is not a vending machine that we put money in and he offers you a drink. Do not offer him prayer so that he can release blessings or answer your prayers. Many times we do not receive what we ask for, despite God assuring us that he answers the desires of our hearts, because we lack a sincere relationship with God.
A relationship with God makes Him hold you in high regard like Job. God reveres Job and speaks highly of him, before allowing the devil to tempt his faith. Job remains steadfast in prayer after losing all worldly possession.
God also speaks highly of Jesus during baptism, asking the world to listen to his son in whom he is well pleased. The same was witnessed during the transfiguration of Jesus, a divine revelation and confirmation of Jesus’ identity as the Son of God.
Just like Jesus trusted in God throughout his tribulations, Paul in Philippians 4:6-7 encourages us not to be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present our requests to God. Prayer, Paul says, enables you to enjoy the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, and guards your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus.
Jeremiah in Jeremiah 29:13 adds that you will seek God and find Him when you seek Him with all your heart. Prayer thus solidifies your relationship with God. He craves to spend time with you even though he knows you. Prayer empowers you to do greater things and keeps you on the straight and narrow road.
In Matthew 26:41, Jesus asks us to watch and pray so that we do not fall into temptation. James 5:16 encourages us to confess our sins to each other and pray that we may be healed. It adds that the prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. Righteousness is, therefore, the instrument of power.
We ought to understand that we are in the presence of the Lord at all times and anywhere we are. Speak life and be a carrier of life everywhere you go. You cannot carry Godly presence if you do not relate with Him. Living life without God is a scam. Surrender and give it all back to him. Let your prayer not be lip service.
Job 1:1
Job 1:8
Jeremiah 29:13
Matthew 17:5
Matthew 26:41
Luke 18:1-8
John 14:12-14
Philippians 4:6-7
James 5:16