HOW TO MAKE PRAYERS WORK FOR US

14th  JULY 2023

“Never be lazy; but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying” – Romans 12:11-12

No doubt, people see prayer as a key to success and breakthrough. But to get faster results from our prayer life, a shift of attitude is very important. The shift entails us embracing a four-pronged attitudinal strategy. FIRST, we have to pray without ceasing. Through prayers, we commit our desires to God by speaking His word over our situation all the time.

SECOND, we have to become alert and work toward what we want, for faith without work is dead. However, there is a big difference between working hard and “overworking yourself”, which the Scriptures do not condone. Although prayer, backed up by faith as a sacrifice to God is the foundation upon which our petition must stand, in addition to prayers, we must commence a process of physical contact and doing some work as the exigencies of the need may warrant. The scripture says in Psalm 127:1-2 that; “except the LORD builds the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keeps the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. Therefore, if you commit your petition to God, you only need to work hard, but denying yourself enough sleep or going through excess stress won’t be good for the body and mind. Remember, sleep and rest are required to keep both body and soul together. So be very careful not to overwork. In any case, it is neither the speed of the horse nor how much trekking we do that determines what level of success we will attain; it’s by the grace of God for those who fear Him and who wait on him for his kindness (Psalm 147:10)

THIRD, we must give thanks to God nonstop. Gratitude opens the heart of God. To give thanks to God, simultaneously as we pray is to tap into the realm of mercy. The mercy of God subdues every opposing force and brings them to work for us, instead of them being against us.

 FOURTH, live in the NOW; i.e. Do not be anxious about the future, for the future is yet to arrive.  Live your life daily as if you have what you prayed for already.  This means you should let your mind be at rest; Only wait on God with hope and positive expectations. This means also that you have to begin to live as if you already got what you prayed for. Practical faith in this regard offers the molecular spirit to actualize our desires. At this point, our desire begins to solidify, and we can begin to see actual manifestations of what we prayed for, and trusted God to give.

Follow these four approaches all the time as you face God with your petitions. God bless you immensely. AMEN

PRAYER

Lord God in the name of Jesus Christ, I pray for the quick manifestation of my heart desires. Father, sanctify and bless all my endeavors toward the realization of my petition. Lord, I offer you this day a heart of thanksgiving and praises for all my travails and joys. I accept them as your will for me. (Name a difficult experience in your life presently and give thanks to God) Like the Apostle Paul, I declare that I am contented in every situation. AMEN

FURTHER READING:  Colossians 4:2