Maximising the blessedness of the altar of prayer!
Happy new year and welcome to your year of Turnaround Encounters! I believe we had definite encounters with God via praise in the month of December, 2019. It is my prayer that all God is set to do in our lives this year will be actualised, in the name of Jesus! As our custom is, the month of January is our annual prayer and fasting season, and in the light of this, this week, we shall focus on: Maximising the Blessedness of the Altar of Prayer!
It is very important for us to know that there are set protocols to observe in order to make the most of the prayer altar. For instance, we understand according to the revelation of the Word that Abraham referred to God as the judge of the whole earth, he said, That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right (Genesis 18:25). So, we must observe some protocols in His court room. Scripturally, there are prayers protocols that must be observed for our prayers to go through (Isaiah 43:26).Prayer is entering into the court room of the Most High God, the judge of all the earth; hence, we must observe the required protocol to make the most of it.
These Protocols include:
Thanksgiving and Praise: To gain access to the court room of God, we must not come complaining but in thanksgiving and praise. As it is written, Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name (Psalm 100:4).
Pray According to the Will of God: We serve an orderly God; there are too many people praying without getting nothing other than the fact that they prayed but never received one answer once. This is because they do not pray according to His will (1 John 5:14-15). Jesus taught them how to pray thus, After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:9-10). This is the priority that guarantees our audience with Him. Then, what is His will? He does not want anyone to perish but all should come to repentance(2 Peter 3:9;1 Timothy 2:4).
Therefore, prayer without answer is religious futility. Jabez prayed and demanded for a change of story, then God answered him. Concerning him, the Bible records, And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow.And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested (1 Chronicles 4:9-10).He was a man born in sorrow; his destiny was shattered, battered and beaten, but he prayed for a change of story and God granted him his desires. We do not serve a dead God, we serve a living and a covenant keeping God. Thus, when we observe these fundamental protocols as we engage the altar of prayer, all things shall be added to us(Matthew 6:33). Furthermore, every good thing of life is our entitlement in Christ and we can demand for them on the altar of prayer. As it is written, According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue (2 Peter 1:3). He has given us all things richly to enjoy(1 Timothy 6:17).So, all the good things of life are our inheritance in Christ and we can make demand for them on the altar of prayer(Matthew 7:11; John 10:10).
Here is a mystery; it is not just seeking the good things of life for ourselves but seeking the good things of life for others, which commits God to making it happen for us (Ephesians 6:8).God turned the captivity of Job when he prayed for his friends andthe Lord gave him twice as he had before(Job 42:10).Let us invest into the lives of those who are challenged in one way or another and as such, we get God committed by covenant to step into our affairs. Therefore, we must not consume all our prayer hour on ourselves alone, there are challenged individuals around us; we have to be bailout agents for them by investing spiritually for their rescue. This is a covenant strategy for committing God to the issues of our lives.
In conclusion,it is only the prayer of faith that delivers; therefore, we must mix the Word with faith in our hearts in order to return with our desires. However, you must be born again. If you are not, this is an opportunity to do so. Simply say the following prayer: Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me of my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. Today, I accept You as my Lord and personal Saviour. Thank You Jesus for saving me! Now, I know I am born again! For further reading, get my books: Winning Prayer, Satan Get Lost and Born to Win. I invite you to fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, the covenant home of Winners. We have four services on Sundays, holding at 6:00 a.m., 7:55 a.m., 9:50 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. respectively. Also, you can join our live services via Facebook: David Oyedepo Ministries International, Twitter: @Davidoyedepomin, Instagram: davidoyedepomin,YouTube: Living Faith Church Worldwide, Hebron 95.9 FM, Winners World App, Impact Africa TV (on Startimes and NigComSat), Domi Radio and via the Church Satellite. I know this teaching has blessed you. Write and share your testimony with me through: Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria, call 01-4548070, 01-4548280, or E-mail: [email protected].
