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Jesus, You Know It All: I Need You!

Jesus
You know it all
How I feel like a failure.

Jesus
It is tough to believe
That you still love me
When others despise.

Jesus
I know that your cross
Was for my sins
And you knew how I would blunder
Along the way.

Jesus
If I may ask
How many second chances
Will you give
When time after time I fail?

Jesus
I know there is no answer
To that question
For you did not count the sacrifice
Nor your life did you hold dear.

Jesus
I trust in your blood
And its cleansing power
That it shall make white and pure
All the stains.

Jesus, LORD of all,
Shoulder my burdens
And lead me on.

Jesus
I know not the next step
I have to take.
It’s all dark, and I fear.

Jesus
Would you encourage me this day
With one word of yours.
Even if you remain silent
I trust that you are there.

Jesus
I need you.

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Unless You Bless Me

All of us have tried praying or happily listened to others praying, “I will not let you go unless you bless me (Genesis 32:26).” Easily said than done. Why?

Not one of us is willing to struggle with God and prevail. Jesus asked us not to go for vain repetition in prayer. At the same time he said, “Ask, Seek, Knock.” Each of those verbs shows an increasing intensity in prayer.

At another time Jesus told about importunity (shameless boldness, persistence) in prayer. That word means a boldness which violates normal behaviour. A man goes to his friend’s home at midnight seeking bread to serve for his guest. He was desperate and he got an answer.

Jesus was quick to point out that the request was granted not because of the fact that the man was his friend but because of the boldness of the request (Luke 11:8).

Jacob was both desperate and bold. He was desperate because he was in great fear and distress at the thought of meeting his brother Esau. He was at the end of his wisdom for scheming and deceiving. He had no more ideas left. He desperately needed help. And he knew only God can, and not his scheming (see Genesis 31:9).

Jacob again was bold. He knew that unless he had God’s blessing he amounted to nothing significant. He had seen trouble and been in difficulties. Yet he did not ask for anything to meet his earthly needs. That goes against our daily prayers, and against common sense. He sought God with great desperation and boldness: “He struggled with the angel and overcame him; he wept and begged for his favour (Hosea 12:4a).”

And Jacob ended with a limp. Blessings in life are not given without the limp. That is the sign God has touched you. That is the sign that you were made weak in your natural self that in God you might be strong. Paul had this limp, the famous “thorn in the flesh.” But God’s grace was abundant to him. It was sufficient. God’s power was made perfect in his weakness (see 2 Corinthians 12:9).

Therefore pray with persistence. You ought to pray always and not give up (Luke 18:1). The beauty of prayer is that God rarely changes circumstances. He did not cause the fire to be drenched with rain for the three friends of Daniel nor did God kill the lions for Daniel himself. Instead God made them victors over their very negative circumstances.

This is what the Psalmist found true about prayer: “When I called, you answered me; you made me bold and stouthearted (Psalm 138:4). Prayer changes you first and you alone. Often our prayers are focused on changing our husband or wife or parents or children or boss or friend or teacher or neighbour or enemy. God has nothing to do with them.

We should not forget but remember that in answer to Jacob’s prayer, Jacob was changed to a man with a limp whom God had touched. Jacob’s name was changed from what meant as a deceiver to Israel meaning one who struggles with God. Absolutely nothing happened to Esau! God did not deal with him at all.

Therefore when you pray, “unless you bless me,” be ready to get that limp. Then you are safe because God has touched you. His Almighty hand is upon you. Jacob will still meet Esau. But that is a kind of anticlimax because he had already met God.

Have you?

Remember, to meet God, Jacob had to be left alone (Genesis 32:24)!

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Let Us Be Honest About Prayer

Most of us pray. Yes, for an approaching exam, when sickness comes, during financial crisis, and when there is some other trouble. At other times it is just routine “Bless me O Lord and my family (and sometimes we add, “only ME and MY Family”; which means O Lord hope you understood that means bless only us and no one else)!

Let me be honest. Most of our prayers are good for the trash can. And it goes right there. Why? Because God looks at our heart. He cannot be fooled. He sees the motive with which we ask. And as our Father in heaven; a wise parent, he denies our requests.

But God is calling us to pray. He loves to hear from us. And he is a Lover. Yes, he is a Lover who loves to spend time with his loved ones. But what do you and I do? We just rush in saying, “I have too many things to do today. Watch over me. And in case I have done something wrong, forgive me. Just to keep my conscience clear I read Psalm 23 at night and Psalm 121 this morning. Please remember for me Psalm 91 which I didn’t find time to read. So bless me  O Lord.” 

It doesn’t matter if you don’t feel like praying. Jesus pointed that out; didn’t he? “The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” Fight that feeling of discouragement and pray. It is not grammar or quoting the correct verses that matter. What matters is that you start praying.

Some people tell you that you should start praising God, then confess your sins, then tell your needs and present the needs of others before him. There is actually no rule for this. You just open your heart before God.

Be honest with him. Talk to him just as you talk with your best friend but with reverence. Approach God telling him that you come to him only on the merit of the blood of Jesus. That is the only password that God accepts. Do not trust anything else when you come to God.

Tell him your fears. Tell him your temptations (he already knows about them). Tell him your failures. Tell him your dreams and desires. There is nothing you can’t tell him.

Ask God to change you. Do not pray to change others. That is self-righteous praying. Often we pray, “Lord, change me” and then refuse to accept and rebel against the people whom he brings to our paths to change us. It can be your close relatives, your colleagues, your neighbour, or even your enemies. They are God’s chosen instruments to bring down your pride and bring brokenness in your heart.

So what can you do today? Just right here and now pray to God. Just tell him whatever comes to your mind. And make it a point to remember him often during the day. It doesn’t matter in what situation you are in. The simplest prayer you can pray is “I love you, O my God.”

Then ask God the Holy Spirit to help you. It is clearly told us that he helps us in our weakness in prayer (see Romans 8:26, 27). When he himself will lift up our hearts to God in prayer, why don’t we ask him to help us? And the Spirit of God will always pray according to God’s will. What does that mean? It means that he will pray for what is best for us in God’s eyes. And that prayer is always answered.

Finally, look at the ministry of Jesus today. He always lives to intercede for us (Hebrews 7:25, Romans 8:34). Yes, he is praying for you and me. What a truth that is! And he prays for you with compassion because he understands what you are passing through fully. He is your elder brother in heaven. 

That is why Robert Murray M’Cheyne wrote: 

“If I could hear Christ praying for me in the next room, I would not fear a million enemies. Yet distance makes no difference. He is praying for me.”

It is also encouraging to read this: “It is a consoling thought that Christ is praying for us, even when we are negligent in our prayer life; that He is presenting to the Father those spiritual needs which were not present to our minds and which we often neglect to include in our prayers; and that He prays for our protection against the dangers of which we are not even conscious, and against the enemies which threaten us, though we do not notice it. He is praying that our faith may not cease, and that we may come out victoriously in the end. (Berkhoff, Systematic Theology p. 403).

So my dear friends, all kinds of success and prosperity you have is good. But how sad it is when you don’t abide in Jesus through the reading of God’s Word and prayer. Just lift up your heart in prayer right now and say, “Thank you, Lord.”

And don’t stop there. For the next one week, try to pray as much as you can. Do not keep aside a particular time. Pray deliberately whenever you can. While you watch TV or the internet, or when you are chatting, playing, taking a bath, in the kitchen, while teaching, studying or driving; just talk to God in prayer. He is listening.

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Leadership Lessons from Nehemiah–a Man with a Burden and a Man of Prayer

Nehemiah was the leader whom God used to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. A study on his life will help us understand how to be an effective leader.

First of all, Nehemiah was a man with a burden in his heart. As the Book of Nehemiah opens, we find Nehemiah weeping as he heard the report about the walls of Jerusalem being broken down. This was the city where the Temple of God once stood. This was where prayers where offered to God. But now because of the sins of God’s people, God had allowed enemies to destroy it.

Nehemiah was one person among many others who was carried into exile to a foreign land at that time. And when he heard about the destruction of Jerusalem he broke down and wept. This was because he was concerned about what concerned God. A leader is one whose heart has a burden for what God is concerned about.

During Nehemiah’s time, God wanted to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. God was able to act through Nehemiah because Nehemiah had the same concern God had about Jerusalem. Today, God is concerned about people who have not heard the good news of Jesus Christ. A Christian leader therefore is one who has a concern to spread the good news about Jesus Christ.

Secondly, Nehemiah was a man of prayer. Even though he held a position close to the king, he did not neglect praying to God. He spent time in mourning and fasting and praying before God. In other words, he spent much time in prayer in secret. Therefore he found favour in the eyes of the king when he made a request to go back to Jerusalem to rebuild its walls.

A Christian leader is a person who spends much time in prayer. He finds time even during his busy schedules to pray and talk to God. This is what Jesus also asked us to do. In the Sermon on the Mount he said, “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you” (Matthew 6:6 NIV).

In the same manner, we find that Nehemiah’s life and work are full of prayers. Some of them are on-the-spot prayers, very quick and brief. But God gave answers to all of them. Some Bible Teachers call these prayers, “arrow prayers” of Nehemiah. They are shot to the throne of God whenever he faced a crisis. But we need to note that Nehemiah had absolute confidence that God would answer these prayers because he had spent much time with God in secret prayer.

To conclude, let me remind you two valuable lessons on leadership you learn from Nehemiah. A leader is one who shares God’s concern for people. Again, a leader is one who spends much time in prayer especially in secret

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“Abba, Father!”

In prayer, Jesus showed us his total dependence on his heavenly Father. It was his goal to please him. In fact, Jesus did nothing without seeking God’s approval.

He addressed God as “Abba, Father (Mark 14:36).” (Abba is an Aramaic term which young children used to address their fathers. It can be translated as “Daddy.”) The only exception was when he felt forsaken on the cross. Even though he cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” he ended by saying, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”

Now that prayer (Psalm 31:5) was what every Jewish mother taught their children to say before they slept at night. Jesus, after having experienced the darkness of our sin’s burden on him, fell asleep into his Father’s arms.

We have just seen that Jesus ended his life with prayer. As we look back at the beginning of his public ministry we find that he began with prayer too. Luke records that the Holy Spirit came down on Jesus in bodily form like a dove “as he was praying.”

We do not know exactly what he prayed for; but it is reasonable to guess that he prayed to be anointed and filled with the Holy Spirit for his ministry ahead. If he needed the strength of the Holy Spirit, can we imagine that we can do without the Spirit’s help?

Interestingly the Holy Spirit, whom God has poured into our hearts, is also called the Spirit of sonship and also the Spirit of God’s Son by which we are enabled to call God, “Abba, Father (Romans 8:15, Galatians 4:6).” In no other religion do people call God, “Father.” But the Holy Spirit enables us to do so with freedom and confidence.

And we can boldly come to the throne of grace calling God, “Abba, Father,” because of the blood of Jesus shed on the cross. It is the shed blood of Jesus on the cross that has parted the curtain and gave us entrance to the presence of God (Hebrews 10:19—22). Therefore no matter how despairing and dark your situation is; with confidence call out to your heavenly Father, saying, “Abba, I need you.” There is no time when that prayer is not heard!

Again, by calling God “Abba, Father,” Jesus was teaching us that prayer is primarily not asking for something nor shouting aloud; but it is a relationship of love and friendship with God. Therefore, in childlike trust, let us approach our heavenly Father.

Let us go to him with a view of spending time with him just enjoying his loving presence. In such moments, love does not ask anything but simply takes time to adore our great and awesome God who is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love!

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Prayer Is Conversation with God

A better understanding of prayer can help us be great communicators; for prayer is conversation with God. When Jesus taught about prayer (recorded in his famous Sermon on the Mount), he said:

“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

Several key thoughts emerge from this single statement on prayer:

The most revolutionary thought is that prayer is a relationship. It is talking to your Father in heaven. It is not that God does not know what you need. That is not the reason why Jesus encouraged those who heard him to pray. It is because God delights to hear his children speak to him because that is the most natural way of expressing a relationship. The Father in heaven is near and approachable when his children come to him in prayer.

The second thought is that prayer is spending time alone with God. This happens only when there is love between man and God. For those in a love relationship do not mind spending time with each other, however long hours it takes. Unfortunately the common thought is that prayer is some kind of burden when you put on a long face. But God promises joy to his children in his presence when they spend time with him in prayer.

Another thought is that Jesus encouraged people to talk directly to their Father in heaven. He said to “go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen.” The focus is on you and God; all alone:

What a picture this is! Can you imagine the privilege to have God as your audience? What will you speak? Yes, in the secret place of your talking with God, you can be honest with him. It is here that you open your heart and let God know of all your fears, doubts, anxieties, worries, temptations and expectations.

And imagine again the truth that you need no one else’s help to pray. Jesus said that you can approach God directly in prayer. What a privilege this is! Nothing is said about perfect grammar, right pronunciation or a particular language to pray. Even a broken heart too burdened to say words is accepted by God as genuine prayer. What a comfort this is!

Then there is the promise of reward. One way of seeing reward is how God teaches us humility and dependence on him in prayer. He refines our character and makes us better by helping us wait for the answers he has kept for us. This is the toughest part for it goes directly against the tech savvy “I want it and I want it now” generation. But in the waiting process, the praying man or woman is changed to be a better person; and that is definitely one reward of prayer.

Let me conclude with one final thought. There is a great promise on prayer in the Bible which says: “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” The invitation to pray is God’s. His promise that he’ll answer your prayers is true. And there are things unknown to us that God will show us when we pray. What more do you want to ask for?

Bible quotes (NIV): Matthew 6:6, Jeremiah 33:3

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But When You Pray–the Prayer in Secret!

Prayer is in an invitation to be in a closed room with God the Father.

It is a privilege given to you–to be alone with God. It also means that God is giving you absolute attention when you pray.

A closed room means that this is a private meeting. What you talk with God is in secret. But the promise is that God will reward you openly.

You need not have fear when you are alone with God. This is simply because you are invited to pray because of your relationship with God. He is your heavenly Father.

Therefore prayer is not a duty or a burden. It is a time you experience intimacy with God. It also means that there is absolutely nothing you cannot open up before God–even things that you are ashamed of and are unable to tell anyone else!

You are also asked to close the door and pray. What does it mean? It means that you should prepare your hearts to speak to God. And practically, as much as possible, set apart a time and place, where you might not be disturbed when you pray.

Again, Jesus emphasized one element in prayer we shouldn’t miss. Those who do not know God try to make prayer a repetition of phrases, magical chants, or even use memorised words. Do not babble (talk in a foolish, excited and not understandable way) like pagans is what Jesus said.

But Jesus pointed out that the effectiveness of prayer is not in meaningless repetition. Why? He said it is because God your Father already knows what you need before you ask him.

Then what is the need of prayer? Simply that God loves to have you come and talk with him.

You might ask him many things without knowing what you actually need. The beauty of prayer is that you learn to pray by praying.

And in talking with God you realize what you actually need. For example you might want a trouble removed but what you may actually need is grace to stand up under its pressure. And you learn to say, “your will be done,” because his will has now become your will through prayer.

Finally, the absolute certainty of God listening to, and answering your prayers is made clear. Oh, there is no end to doubts when you pray. But no prayer is going to be unheard.

Therefore pray. Your Father in heaven is listening. The world prays motivated by fear. You pray because you love God and you are loved by him.

Isn’t that awesome?
—
Post based on Matthew 6:5–8 and 10
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Pathways of Prayer

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Call to Me and I Will Answer You

“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”1

There is an invitation. God is calling out to you to come and speak with him. Therefore prayer first of all is about listening to God

Then there is a promise of a response. I will answer you. Prayers are always answered. We rejoice when some of the answers come. At the same time we get dejected over others; especially when the answer is No to our requests.

There is also a mention about the limits of our understanding. God, in response to our prayer, will show us things which we have no clue about. Yes, there are divine possibilities in prayer.

Interestingly the answer is given in response to your prayer. So many people are worried whether God listens to them when they pray. If you pray with a sincere heart without hiding sin in your life and without wrong motives in asking, then God will surely answer your prayer.

Jesus taught many things about prayer. He taught us to speak to God who is our heavenly Father. He said that there is no need to keep on repeating words over and over, again and again, as God our Father already knows what his children need.

Again Jesus taught that we should persist in praying. Sometimes the answers are delayed. Then we should not lose heart and give up praying. Patience and perseverance will rain down God’s blessing in due time. God knows when is the best time to answer prayer.

Our duty is to ask, seek, and knock. Sometimes it is the boldness in our requests that becomes an indicator of the kind of faith we have.

Well, it should console us that God records all our tears. Jesus understands our pain because it is recorded that he wept.

He also promised that answers to prayer will give us joy. His death on the cross where he shed his precious blood has torn apart the curtain that blocked the entrance to God’s throne room.

Now each one of us can go near to God with confidence because Jesus as our elder brother is there to speak a word on our behalf. This is his assurance. Therefore he urges us to ask in his name.

What is even more surprising is that God has promised to help us when we do not know what to pray for. In our deepest moments of anguish and sorrow the Spirit of God will lift up our hearts to God with groans that words cannot express.

One of the greatest prayers Jesus uttered was when the cross came near. He knew what was going to happen. Naturally he asked God if it is possible to avoid the cross. Then knowing that it was God’s will that he shed his innocent blood for the forgiveness of the sins of all, he prayed, Abba Father, not what I will but what you will.

It is also interesting to note that Jesus prefaced his prayers with a word of thanks. Saying thanks even before an answer comes is a looking forward to what God is going to do even when our circumstances look desperate. Then the peace of God will guard our hearts. So let us thank and praise God in our prayers.

Above all, when a husband and wife love each other they spend a lot of time talking. Sometimes the talk is about sweet little nothings; but it builds up the relationship. Likewise prayer is a love relationship with God where little nothings can be talked about and secrets of the heart laid bare open.

Prayer is a life-long process like breathing. Natural and spontaneous. And none of us will ever graduate in prayer because each new day there is something new to learn about God in prayer.

Therefore open up your hearts before God and pray. Call to him. He will answer you. There is no greater audience you can have than the King of the universe listening to you!

—

Read more posts on prayer:
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Pathways of Prayer
1 Jeremiah 33:3

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Lesson 35: Let Us Draw Near to God

This Lesson is part of John’s Gospel Easy Notes Series. 

Intimacy with God

Jesus spoke hard-to-digest language when he spoke about having intimacy or close communion with him. He told: “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you (John 6:53).”

Do not say this is a hard saying and leave Jesus like many of the disciples did (see John 6:60, 66). Instead move closer to Jesus. This is how it can be done:

As we look at Hebrews 10:22 we are encouraged. It says, “Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water (Hebrews 10:22).”

Let us draw near.

Let us draw near because a new and living way has been opened for us. Therefore we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place, that is, heaven’s throne room where God dwells, by the blood of Jesus. (Hebrews 10:19, 20). Tell God that you are approaching by the blood of Jesus. You are then given right of access.

Let us draw near.

Let us draw near because our elder brother Jesus, who is the great priest over the house of God, is already there in God’s presence. He ever lives to intercede for us (Hebrews 7:25, Romans 8:34). When he is there, and you approach by his blood, God is happy to welcome you as a brother or sister of Jesus. Remember Jesus is all mankind’s representative in heaven as he shared fully in our humanity.

Let us draw near.

Let us draw near with a sincere heart. That is a repentant heart. There might be hidden sins in our lives. Ask God to search them out (Psalm 139:23). When you allow the Spirit of God to search you like how a security personnel frisks you before you enter a high security area for hidden things, you have a sincere heart.

Let us draw near.

Let us draw near with full assurance of faith. We need to have faith in the blood of Jesus. We need to have faith that his blood is more than sufficient to take care of our sins.

“There must be a full assurance of faith that there is a Holy Place where we can dwell and walk with God; that the power of the precious blood has conquered sin so perfectly that nothing can prevent our undisturbed fellowship with God.”–The Power of the Blood of Jesus by Andrew Murray

Let us draw near.

Let us draw near is a call has special reference to prayer.

“There are moments of closer fellowship when the soul turns itself entirely to God to be engaged with Him alone.” — Andrew Murray.

Each time you pray just think of the blood of Jesus. Ask God to remove sin in you through the blood of Jesus so that any known or unknown sin will not come as a barrier between you and God. Take time to be conscious that you are now in the very presence of God by the blood of Jesus. And then pray.

“Brethren, ‘let us draw near.’ Let us pray for ourselves, for one another, for everyone. Let the Holiest become our fixed abode [home or place of residence] that we may carry about with us everywhere the presence of our God.” – Andrew Murray

Let us look at cleansing found in Hebrews 10:22. The following is taken from Andrew Murray’s book.

“There is for us a twofold cleansing with water and blood. Baptism with water is unto repentance for laying aside of sin. ‘Be baptized and wash away your sins.’ While the blood cleanses the heart, the inner man, baptism is the yielding of the body, with all its visible life, to separation from sin.”

“The power of the blood to cleanse inwardly cannot be experienced unless we also cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh. The divine work of cleansing by sprinkling of blood and the human work of cleansing by laying aside sin are inseparable.”

“We must be clean to enter into the Holiest. Just as you would never dream of entering in to the presence of a king unwashed, so you cannot imagine that you could come into the presence of God, in the Holy Place, if you are not cleansed from every sin. In the blood of Christ that cleanses from all sin, God has bestowed on you [given to you] the power to cleanse yourself. Your desire to live with God in the Holiest must always be united with the most careful laying aside of even the least sin. The unclean may not enter the Holiest.”

“Praise be God, He desires to have us there. He desires our purity that we may enjoy the blessing of the Holiest—that is, His Holy Fellowship. And He has taken care that through the blood and by the Spirit, we may be clean.”

Let us draw near.

“The Holiest Place is open even for those in our congregations who have not yet truly turned to the Lord. For them also the sanctuary has been opened. The precious blood, the living way, and the High Priest are for them also. With great confidence we dare to invite even them, ‘Let us draw near.’ ”

Let us draw near.

The invitation comes especially to all believers. Be not satisfied to stand in the porch. It is not sufficient to cherish the hope that your sins are forgiven. ‘Let us draw near’; let us enter within the veil; let us in spirit press on to real nearness to our God. Let us draw near and live nearer to God.”

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Lesson 29: The High Priestly Prayer of Jesus

This Lesson is part of John’s Gospel Easy Notes Series.

John 17

Isn’t it amazing that the Son of God prayed while on earth?
He lived without sin.
But he did not live without prayer.

Hope that gives you an idea of how much we should lean on God in prayer!

Here, like the high priest praying before offering sacrifice, Jesus is praying before he offers himself as the once for all sacrifice (Hebrews 9:26). Now he knows that his mission is finished, he wants to go home (v. 6—8). His last prayer on the cross, recorded in other gospels is a prayer that every Jewish mother taught her child to pray before going to bed at night (Psalm 31:5a, Luke 23:46). What a lovely way to go to sleep and go on from this earth to the home of heaven!

Jesus dedicated himself or sanctified himself to go to the cross. He also prayed that his disciples or his people will be equally dedicated to their role in making known his redemptive work—the finished work on the cross (John 19:30).

His prayer in Aramaic would begin, Abba (John 17:1. Compare Mark 14:36). (Abba is a term of great intimacy and affection used to address a father in the Palestinian homes of those times.)

For more about the what prayer meant to Jesus, read this fascinating article on Lovesark: The Prayer Life of Jesus Christ

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Lesson 18: “I Am the True Vine.”

This Lesson is part of John’s Gospel Easy Notes Series. 

John 15:1
Israel the Vine and Jesus the True Vine
Jesus is speaking about the intimate union we can have with him. In a theological sense, Israel was the vine that God had planted (see Isaiah 5:1—7). But it continually failed to witness to God and was not the light God wanted it to be to the nations of the world. Now Jesus is applying the image of the vine to himself. Therefore he emphasizes the word “true” vine. Through belief in him, we the branches, the church or the body of Christ can bear fruit by abiding or remaining in him.

Warning
The warning in this passage should not be missed. God the Father cuts off every branch that does not bear fruit. As far as the vine is concerned this is literally true. Too many branches without fruit take away the nutrients away from the fruit-bearing branches. Therefore it was important to mercilessly cut off branches that did not bear fruit. And the wood of the vine was good for nothing except to be burned and destroyed!

As we are busy with Christian activities including that of in social media, have we forgotten to bear fruit? Busyness is not the same as fruitfulness! The possibility of being rejected by Christ because of our uselessness in his kingdom is a very serious warning. Jesus is calling us to remain in him. Any busy Christian activity without remaining in him comes under the threat of this warning.

Remember that the only reason why Jesus cursed the fig tree was because it  had plenty of leaves and gave an appearance or pretense of fruitfulness but had no fruit in it (Mark 11:12—25). It can happen to you and me if we do not produce fruit.

Pruning
God the Father prunes the branches. Often the difficulties that come into our lives are part of this pruning process. The process itself is painful. But there is a purpose. That is to make us even more fruitful.

Pruning can also be compared to a sculptor like Michael Angelo creating a statue, for example, out of marble. He chisels away all that does not look like an angel if he is making the statue of an angel. The process is painful if the statue indeed had life in it; isn’t it?

A Disciplined Life
The call to remain in him or abide in him is a call to a disciplined life. It calls you and me to give up sinful attitudes, rebellion, pride and disobedience to God.

“To ‘abide in me’ expresses the continuous act by which the Christian lays aside all he might draw from his own wisdom, strength or merit to derive all from Christ” – Godet.

Prayer
Prayer is a continual expression of our remaining in Jesus. When we pray in the way God wishes us to, our prayers will be focused on bearing fruit for God’s glory rather than on getting our selfish desires met. It is only when we pray for God to be glorified in our lives can God answer our prayers in the name of Jesus. In Biblical times a name represented the entire personality and character of a person. So our prayers should always reflect the character of Jesus for it to be answered.

There is nothing wrong in asking for our needs to be met. But when we forget the fact that Jesus came to this world to save sinners and that message has to reach the ends of the earth and we have to do our part; then our prayers will take a different tone.

Griffith Thomas points out, “There is scarcely a passage in the Gospels without a self-assertion of Jesus coming out in connection with his teaching. His message and his claims are really inextricable.” If you remove His claims, you will have to remove His life and teachings also. These three are so closely linked that you cannot remove one and keep the other – from The Supremacy of Christ by Ajith Fernando.

Abide in Me
(John 15:4)
Remain in me.
Never forget this lesson.
Do not try to be too busy for God.
What he desires is that you come and spend time with him.
Most of us were taught to spend five minutes in reading a Psalm and in prayer each day.
How misleading that advice was.
If you can rise up early than usual you can easily spend an hour with God.
It will become a habit.
It is love for him that makes it possible.
Don’t ask me how to do it. If you thirst for him you will find him. See Jeremiah 29:12, 13.

I read somewhere the story about a novelist who fell in love with a woman. He tried to win her heart but she was not interested. Anyway he presented her a copy of the latest novel he had written. She took that and just threw it in some corner of a shelf in her room. After some years she for some strange unknown reason fell in love with him. The first thing she did was to find that copy of the novel she had thrown somewhere and read it in full. What made her do it? Love for the author. Simple; isn’t it?

Bible reading becomes a joy when you fall in love with the author. Bible reading then becomes a secret meeting between two lovers!

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So David Inquired of the LORD

We all love to run our own lives independently. But in David we find a man who tried his best to seek God for guidance in all situations of his life.

Of course he sinned and failed in the case of Bathsheba, Uriah, and the census he took of the Israelites to name a few of his mistakes.

But during most of his life he inquired of God. It shows his constant dependence on God and trust in God. “From birth I was cast upon you (Psalm 22:10),” said David.

Secondly it shows his eagerness to make God part of his daily living. We often tend to compartmentalize life into spiritual and secular. We get close to God on Sunday and then forget about him the rest of the week. David sets an example in involving God in all things of his life.

Thirdly, God did not discourage David when he inquired of him again (2 Samuel 5:23). Instead, God showed him a different strategy to do battle the second time. If the first strategy told him was to go ahead and fight; the second time it was to wait for God to move ahead. The sign of that was the sound of rushing on top of the mulberry trees.

Again, David not only inquired but listened to God for answers. It means he was not in a hurry to run ahead of God. Often the mistake we make is to tell God and then rush ahead with our plans.

Finally, this was a specific instance of warfare. In our spiritual lives we face many battles with our sinful nature, the flesh, lusts, pride, and worldly ambitions. Now what made David seek God when he faced war instead of relying on his armies? Yes, he understood from his very young age that the battle is the LORD’s (1 Samuel 17:47)!

Hope you will go ahead and inquire of God time after time when you face difficult situations in life.
—
More Manna:

Oil and Honey Hidden in a Field

The Lord Upholds All Those Who Fall

Man Does Not Live on Bread Alone

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Be Inspired by This Example of Mighty Prevailing Prayer!

“There is nothing there (1 Kings 18:43).” Nothingness doesn’t matter if God has promised to send something.

Here was Prophet Elijah on Mount Carmel overlooking the sea. His prayer had just brought down fire from heaven. False prophets had been killed. And he already told King Ahab that there is a sound of heavy rain (v. 41). It was after telling him so, that Elijah climbed to the top of Mount Carmel to pray.

First of all that was a prayer of faith. Three and a half years it hadn’t rained on the land. For God had shut up the heavens in response to Elijah’s prayer (James 5:17). So there was not even a cloud.

But Elijah knew that God who had honoured his earlier prayer to shut up the heavens (1 Kings 17:1), will honour his prayer to send rain. So in faith he told Ahab that heavy rain is coming even before he actually prayed for rain.

Secondly it was an intense prayer. He bent down and put his face between his knees. And prayed. One reason why he adopted this position was surely to shut out his eyes from seeing the perfectly clear blue skies so that he won’t get discouraged.

It was an intense battle in prayer where he closed his eyes to reality and was shut in with God. Can you see a lone man bent down on top of a high mountain? Have you been to God with that kind of intensity at least once in your life?

Thirdly it was persevering prayer. Seven times Elijah asked his servant to go and look toward the sea. Six times the reply came, “There is nothing there.” But he kept on praying until the answer came in the form of a cloud as small as a man’s hand.

How many times do we fail to follow up God in prayer? Keep at it. When God promises to do something, it is not a time to relax but to press on and forward in prayer.

Again, it was boldness in prayer. From where did he get this holy boldness in prayer. He got that because of two reasons:

One, he had that great confidence and consciousness that it was God whom he served (1 Kings 17:1). That is how Elijah makes his sudden and dramatic appearance: “No rain until I say it will.” He had an audience with God before he confronted men. What about you? If you have no time with God, no point in getting excited about Elijah’s exploits at all!

The second reason was that he knew that he did everything according to God’s will, plan, and purposes (1 Kings 18:36). This gave Elijah tremendous boldness in prayer. Prayer is not about playing games; but it is about getting business done. Learn to be intensely and thoroughly professional in prayer!

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Delight Yourself in the LORD and He Will Give You the Desires of Your Heart!

Some religious thinking call for the suppression of desires. Some others say that desires are the root cause of much suffering. The Bible on the other hand says, “Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4).” What a positive statement of truth that is!

Our God is big. That is the first thought here. He is able to meet all that you desire. There are no limits or limitations to the resources of God. He can fulfill your desires through supernatural or miraculous means. But often always he meets your heart’s desires through unexpected human channels.

Delight yourself in the LORD. That is the key to get your desires fulfilled. When you take delight in someone, you desire to spend as much time in his or her company. And the more time you spend with that person the more you start to see things from his or her perspective.

And when delight grows, you even leave decisions of great importance and consequences to him or her trusting that he or she will choose the best for you. How much more you can trust the LORD even as you delight in him (see 37:5, 6)!

The willingness of God to give (see John 3:16) is the next thought. You need not force him. He is not a reluctant selfish miser who will not give away good things (Matthew 7:11). Remember, the reason you delight in God is that you are his child. If an earthly king will meet the desires of his little prince or princess with royal liberality how much more God—the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

Finally, the Bible says, the heart is deceitful above all things (Jeremiah 17:5). We find it difficult to understand our own motives in asking (James 4:3). But God searches hearts and minds and understands every motive behind our thoughts (1 Chron. 28:9) Allow God to search your heart often (Psalm 139:23, 24).

Let all desires that are base, sinful, selfish, silly, and jealous be exposed and thrown out (see 2 Tim. 2:20–22). It is only then you can truly delight yourself in God. Then you will not be pursuing your desires but instead you will passionately and single-eyed be following God.

It is then that this promise of Psalm 37:4 becomes true in your life. If God has promised it in his Word he will fulfill it as well. So let me remind you again, “Delight yourself in the LORD!”
—
Insight
A child is delighted in his or her mom or dad. We, as grownups, can have the same peace and happiness if we remain the children of the LORD too.

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Daniel’s Habit of Prayer

If at all you would like to end up in prison; for what crime might that be? Shocked? We now look at a man who landed in a den of lions for the sole crime of praying to God. That too at the age of eighty plus. His name is Daniel.

When a law was passed in the land that anyone who prayed to any god or man in the next thirty days to be thrown into the lion’s den it was very evident that it was targeted at Daniel.

Those in the court who were jealous of Daniel’s integrity and exceptional qualities were trying to trap him. And the only way they found to do so was to find some way to make his relationship with his God illegal according to the law of the land!

Is your relationship with God known to others? Does your daily conduct reflect this? Can others see that it is God’s hand on your life that enables you to excel in your secular duties? The challenge is to be exceptionally good at your work and let others come to know the source of your strength and wisdom.

Now we find Daniel coming to know that the law has been passed. No panic. No disturbance to his peace. No going to the king to get an exemption. He simply went and prayed “as he had done before (Daniel 6:10).” He got down on his knees and gave thanks to God.

See he had a habit of prayer. Therefore it was his great asset during this crisis. Many believers have not yet developed a habit of prayer. This is the cause of their lack of power with God and with men.

You can pray in your car or while you take bath. That is fine. You can send a quick prayer to God when a situation takes you by surprise and puts you into difficulty. But that is not enough. And if you pray compelled by a sense of duty, you are sadly mistaken in your understanding of prayer.

See prayer is taking you right into the presence of the living God. Even the king knew what kind of God Daniel served. He was addressed like this: “Daniel, servant of the living God,” and “whom you serve continually” (Daniel 6:20). See it was an abiding relationship and a very personal, intimate relationship that Daniel had with God in prayer.

It is not too late. Why not start a habit of prayer today itself? Find a place and time for you to pray. Even Jesus withdrew from the crowds and went to lonely places to pray. If you have some silly excuses about finding a time and private place for prayer, I hope you are greater than Daniel and more powerful than Jesus himself!

And if you have a habit of prayer, know that it will impact your immediate family inspiring them to seek God as well.

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About God’s Will and Right Sexual Conduct

So many youngsters are worried about finding God’s will. In today’s world they are more in confusion about right sexual conduct.

The Bible speaks about this in very clear terms.

Flee.

That means run away from sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 6:18, 2 Tim 2:22). So do not stay in a place, situation or in front of your computer or mobile where you expose yourself to temptation. Joseph ran out of the house when he was tempted sexually (Genesis 39:12).

Avoid that Lustful Look.

The eye is the gate through which most sexual temptations are welcomed and entertained. Of course in today’s world you are confronted with sexually provocative pictures and images everywhere. It is possible to feast your eyes wrongly without anyone knowing it.

The argument is that you are not hurting anyone as all this is in your mind alone. But Jesus said,  “anyone who looks lustfully at a woman has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:28).

Hide.

It is not hiding from God after you sin that is meant. It is hiding God’s word in your heart. That alone will help you not to sin against God (Psalm 119:11). Unless you store up God’s word how can the Spirit of God bring that to your remembrance (John 14:26) and help you to use it as a sword to defeat the devil (Ephesians 6:17)? The more you stay away from reading God’s word regularly, the more easy it is for you to lust.

Finally, Be Honest with God.

Talk to him honestly about your sexual struggles. Name them by its right name: Masturbation voyeurism, pornography, sexual fantasies, fetishes, incestuous thoughts, emotionally involved and sexually explicit chats, and so on. Why is this important?

It is important because you have in Jesus someone who is able to understand you fully, thoroughly, completely and absolutely like no one else. He was tempted while on earth; and that includes sexual temptations as well. So he understands the pressure in your mind as you struggle against temptation. Therefore he is able to help you when you are being tempted (Hebrews 2:18).

But Jesus never sinned. That also means that temptation is not sin. Some are so worried when lustful thoughts pound at your mind. It is only when you stop fighting against it that you open the door for sin to enter in.

Now the Bible encourages us to approach the throne of grace (please note it is not the throne of judgement) with confidence. Yes, with confidence. Some translations say “boldly”! So that you will receive mercy and find grace that will help you in your need which includes sexual temptation. (Read Hebrews 4:15, 16).

My dear friend, the simplest thing you can do now is to tell God your sexual struggle and ask, “Lord, help me.” David’s prayers when he had repented of his adultery is also helpful: “Have mercy on me, O God” and “Create in me a pure heart, O God” (Psalm 51:1, 10).

And never forget that the cleansing fountain (Zechariah 13:1) of the blood of Jesus shall cleanse you. Ask God to wash you clean by his precious blood (1 John 1:7). Right now.

Remember God loves you. You might have told God to give you one more chance for you to be good. And you might have failed a thousand times. Still God loves you. He does not approve of your sin but he loves you.

Run to Jesus every time you fall. Do not stay away from him. And you will experience his forgiving love. He will not give up on you. He says, “You are mine (Isaiah 43:1z)!

The Deception of Innocent-Looking Chat Relationship Outside Marriage

Are You Hooked to Internet Pornography? 7 Steps to Freedom from Sin!

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Why Do We Give Up Praying?

Luke says that Jesus spoke a parable to teach us to always pray and not give up (Luke 18:1). Plainly stated. But easily forgotten.

Why do we give up praying? It mostly happens because most of our prayers are wishes only. Such prayers cannot be sustained.

Then there is the problem of no visible change in situation. Only when you know the mind of God and his will regarding that situation can you boldly and in faith hold on to God in prayer. See Elijah’s perseverance in prayer (1 Kings 18:41–46).

Again we give up praying because prayer demands alertness and watchfulness. Jesus himself said that the spirit is willing, but the body is weak (Matthew 26:41).

Above all, there are two enemies of prayer. Sin cherished in the heart will not get you an answer from God (Psalm 66:18). And disbelief. Often we keep on doubting even when asking (James 1:6). Soon you quit praying.

So what is the practical tip. Get alone with God as much as you can. And pray often. For prayer is the life- breath of a Christian. If you give up praying, you are as good as dead. Prayer is a vital sign of life.

The great encouragement in this parable is that Jesus reminds us that God is not unjust. So how much more will he answer prayer. But he ends the parable asking whether when he comes; will he find faith on the earth?

Without faith in the absolute authority of God over all; we easily give up praying. Do not give up. Keep on praying till he comes!

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Who Is God to You?

Who is God to you? Creator. Provider. Almighty. Judge. All these are true. But there is something more we need to know and experience.

Jesus came to show us this “something more” about God. Jesus came to show us God our heavenly Father. Jesus called God “Abba, Father.” Just as a little one in a family would call Father, “My dearest Daddy!”

We too can enjoy this relationship Jesus had with God. You might be thrilled to note that when God gave his Spirit to you (Galatians 4:6, Romans 8:15, 16), it was the Spirit of sonship (adoption) by whom we cry, “”Abba, Father.”

How much do we realize this freedom God has given? Because Jesus has opened the way to the Father through his blood (Hebrews 10:19, 20), we can now come to God at any time and call him “Abba.” This is the freedom, boldness, and confidence we have to approach God any time!

The best thing in prayer is when you walk into God’s presence and he asks you why you have come and you say, “For nothing Abba; just to be with you for some time!” Call him “Abba, Father!” and rejoice in his love now.

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Go! One Act of Obedience!

It is amazing how one act of obedience can go a long way in fulfilling God’s purposes. Look at the case of Ananias. He was asked by God to “Go!” The reason was that a man named Saul was praying. And Saul was blind for a period of three days.

Ananias was the answer to Saul’s prayer.

But Ananias had no clue as to the change that was happening in Saul’s life. He had heard only of Saul’s past as a persecutor of believers. Now however Jesus the Risen Lord had confronted Saul. And Saul was eager to know this Jesus whom he had persecuted.

And for that reason he was praying. Sometimes we, the disciples of Jesus Christ, fail to realize that some people who do not know Christ are praying—praying for light to shine in their darkness. We have heard only of the past misdoings of these people. But we might never have known about God presently at work in their hearts.

Therefore like Ananias, we also give our excuses—

“Lord this man or woman is known for such kind of wrong behaviour.” We hesitate to obey our Lord’s call to reach out to such people.

But the Lord insists on his command: “Go.” The reason is that they are praying. They are now responding to the work of God in their hearts. But we have to act in obedience to complete that work. And God is asking us to “Go!”

Ananias obeys.

Imagine; Saul had already seen a vision that a man named Ananias would come and place his hand on him to restore his eyesight. Therefore it was so important that Ananias obey God’s command to go.

Some preachers today get easily discouraged when they minister to only few people. They love great crowds. But see here. God asked Ananias to go to meet one person. Only one person!

What was its impact? Have you ever read from the letters of Paul and your soul was encouraged? Several times; isn’t it? Well this Paul was that Saul to whom Ananias was sent to go. Therefore do not hesitate to go when God calls you to do so even if he is asking you to go and meet only one person to be an encouragement to him or her.

We do not hear much about Ananias later.

But we hear plenty about Saul and benefit greatly from what he preached and wrote. Your role may be to ignite the fire in someone’s heart and then just leave quietly. He or she will carry the torch of faith to distant lands and people.

Let us therefore act when God commands. One act of obedience can create multiplied impact in the lives of many people now and for generations to come. So “Go” when God commands.

What one small act of obedience is God asking from you today?

Refer to Acts 9:10—19

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Ask

Jesus said, “Ask and it will be given to you” (Matthew 7:7).

At first look, this looks quite simple; isn’t it? But is it really that simple? If God gave you a chance to ask him something what would you ask? Are you prepared for such a chance?

King Solomon got such a chance. God appeared to him and said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you” (2 Chronicles 1:7). God, before answering his request, listed out a few things he had not asked for, namely wealth, riches or honour, the death of his enemies, and not even long life! God was pleased that instead of all that is listed above, Solomon had asked for wisdom to govern God’s people.

So if you are confronted with a choice to ask God for something today, what will you ask for? An answer from your side requires real thinking. One thing is for sure, you will not dare to ask God anything that does not suit his character. In simple terms, you cannot and will not dare to ask God to get an unholy desire to be done.

Therefore the command “Ask” naturally excludes everything that is not in tune with God’s character. This is the true meaning of what Jesus meant when he said, “I will do whatever you ask in my name” (John 14:13).

Again, we find Jesus often asking people who sought healing from him, “What do you want me to do for you?” (see for example Mark 10:51). Here Jesus is asking Blind Bartimaeus what his request was. It was obvious to everyone that he was crying out to Jesus to get his sight restored.

Then why did Jesus ask this question to this blind man. See, he possibly might have asked for a large amount of money so that he need not go on begging. Likewise, God gives us a chance to ask so that it might be clear to us what we are asking God for. Here the blind man asked in faith for his sight to be restored. He said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”

Just check the list of things you have been asking God. Do the requests reflect your real need? Or are you asking for lesser things? God is someone “who is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine” (Ephesians 3:20). Do we honour God by asking for the right things?

Jesus in his Sermon on the Mount also emphasized another aspect of asking in prayer. He advised us not to keep on babbling like unbelievers who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Jesus was pointing to the fact that your heavenly Father knows what you need before you ask him (see Matthew 6:7, 8).

So asking in prayer rests on your relationship with your heavenly Father. He knows what you need already. Therefore you can boldly approach the throne of grace to ask. Why? Because, we have a Father who already knows what we need!

That is why Paul advises us not to be anxious about anything. Instead he tells us to present our requests to God with thanksgiving (Philippians 4:6). Before the answer is given, the peace of God which is beyond all human thought and understanding will come and cover you.

He further says that God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus (especially true when you give generously to God) (Philippians 4:19).

To sum up,
When you ask God, ask in tune with God’s character.
When you ask God, ask for your real need.
When you ask God, ask with the sure knowledge that he knows your need already.

Perhaps, you can add one more thought. Be specific when you ask. Solomon asked for wisdom to govern. Blind Bartimaeus asked that he wanted to see. When you are confident that you are asking with pure motives (see James 4:3), you can be bold and specific in prayer.

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When You Find it Difficult to Praise God!

Dear Child of God, are you passing through some great difficulty? Are you finding it difficult to praise God during this time? If so, consider these things:

First of all, the more you keep away from God, the more misery you have to go through. He is waiting expectantly for you to come back to him. Even though you are not feeling like doing so, just say, “I love you, God.”

Then, tell him with honest words that you do not feel like praising him. At the same time, by a deliberate act of your mind and will, praise God. You need not attempt to say much. Just say, “I praise you, O God!” If you are not able to say it with your lips, say it in your heart.

Even as you try to praise God, the Devil will try to bring in negative thoughts—thoughts of giving up, thoughts of suicide, thoughts of anger against your loved ones and so many other evil thoughts into your mind. Honestly it is quite easy to keep thinking such thoughts and feel pity for yourself—that there is no one to care for you.

When such thoughts attack, know the source. Such thoughts do not come from God. Therefore you have to take a stand against this attack in the Name of Jesus—the name of authority to which all hell bows down in defeat. There is only one way of victory; that is to resist the devil. Do so courageously.

Then look up. Your help comes from the Lord who made the heavens and the earth. There is nothing impossible with him. He is ever-willing to help. He is full of compassion and mercy. He is faithful. Therefore think on these things and praise him.

When you deliberately praise God in the midst of your difficulties, you are handing over the battle to him. It is his battle now. The peace of God that surpasses all human understanding will now begin to fill your heart. God will act on your behalf. He is your loving God and heavenly Father. He is near.

Never will he turn away from your heartfelt cries. Therefore in the midst of your tears and hopeless situation, start praising him even when you don’t feel like doing so. Praising God will lift the burden and instead of the spirit of despair, God will give you a garment of praise. This is why Jesus came!

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The Power of Prayer

Prayer the Answer to Worry
Most people constantly worry. You might be one among them. The Bible tells us that prayer is the way to conquer worry. It advises us not to be anxious, but with hearts of thanks and praise, present our requests to God.

He is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or think. And he is able to meet all our needs. So let us cast all our anxieties on him in prayer.

Unity in Prayer Opens Doors
When the church unitedly prays, closed doors open. We have a risen Lord who can walk into any room which is closed. He can open them for you. But this happens through united and passionate prayer.

It is important that those who are praying with you and for you should be agreed on what you are praying for. Then God will act mightily on your behalf and open doors, even prison doors for you when you are unjustly held captive.

The Prayer for God’s Favour
Prayer for favour is something that God answers. When you stand before people in positions of authority who hold the power to make decisions, just ask God to grant you favour in their eyes.

This prayer acknowledges the fact that God is sovereign over all kingdoms and God hears the prayer of the humble. Great things are accomplished in the face of threatening opposition when God grants you favour in the eyes of others.

Pray for God’s Mercy
Pray for God’s mercy to come to your aid when you have sinned against him. There is no need to stay defeated. The cleansing power of the blood of Jesus and the sanctifying work of the Spirit of God is ever available. Seek his mercy today. He relents from sending calamity.

Therefore humble yourselves before God and he will show you mercy. Do not hesitate to seek his mercy for he is a merciful God and he will forgive you, cleanse you and restore you.

Pray for Fruitfulness
Fruitfulness is what God expects from you. Pray for God to help you remain in him. For you cannot produce fruit on your own; instead you have to remain connected to the branch. Our prayer should not be for more effectiveness or more busyness in the Lord’s work.

Our prayer should be for helping us realize our need to depend on God more. Perhaps we should pray to God to prune us. That is a painful process, but it is what yields greater fruit. Therefore pray to God to help you stay connected to him.

Pray for God’s Grace
Maybe, the great power of God is revealed not when we are strong but when we are weak. Paul had a great physical difficulty in his life. He prayed to God thrice to have it removed. But the reply was negative. Yet it came with a promise. “My grace is sufficient for you. For my power is made perfect in weakness.”

In our lives there are certain things which God might not change. Prayer helps us in such situations to enjoy the grace of God more. God finds such people in such situations great channels through which he can reach out to people in need.

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I Believe in Praying

God himself has initiated prayer. He has asked us to call to him in prayer. It is an invitation that we should feel welcome to respond to.

Jesus taught us to persist in prayer. He told that we should always pray and never give up. Therefore we should never be discouraged in prayer even when the answer doesn’t seem to come by easily.

Prayer, when answers are delayed, will reveal our own thoughts to us. It will show us what our real reasons for praying were. It is when our hearts truly delight in God and in the glory of his name that our prayers are going to be answered.

It is a big motivation for us to pray to know that when even a child prays in true faith, God answers. You need not be an extraordinary giant of faith to pray. Even if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can expect to move mountains in prayer. This is what Jesus said.

Sometimes the reason why we have to pray is as simple as God loves to listen to us talk to him. Like any parent would delight in the simplest thoughts that their little children would like to share with him or her.

Prayer shapes our character. Even before the answer comes God changes our heart. When we are fearful, he makes our heart bold and courageous even before he answers prayer. This is a greater miracle than the answer. No wonder the disciples prayed for boldness in witnessing for Christ rather than the stopping of all persecution.

Prayer helps us to stop focusing on our problems. Instead it helps us to see our mighty God, the one able to meet all our needs. Even when everything is shaking around us, when empires rise and fall, his throne is immovable. God is in command always. Prayer makes us know this reality.

Prayer helps us enjoy the presence of God. How else can we know the joy of the presence of God, if we do not spend time with him in prayer?

Finally, the invitation to pray is also linked to the promise that he will answer our prayers and show us great and unsearchable things we do not know. Several are such promises. Some state that even before we finish praying, he will answer. Some other instances tell us that even though the answer was delayed due to opposition in the heavenly realms, the answer was given even as we began to pray!

When all is said and done, one cannot miss the fact that the pages of the Bible contain stories of great difficulties overcome through the exercise of prayer and answers that came when Almighty God answered prayer.

Therefore say with me, “I believe in praying!” And start praying now.

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How to Pray

Come into His Presence

Prayer is talking to God. Therefore the first thing to do is to come into his presence. The Bible clearly tells us that we have right of entry to the throne of grace by the precious blood of Jesus. So first ask Jesus to wash you with his precious blood even as you attempt to pray.

Abba Father

Call God, “Abba, Father.” Jesus taught us that prayer is a relationship with our Heavenly Father. Therefore, you need to come to God with the conscious thought that he is your Father in heaven—your dear Daddy. Earthly fathers would have failed us or injured us or even abused us in several ways. But God is not like that. So approach him with confidence.

Your Helper in Prayer`

Seek the help of the Holy Spirit. God has sent the Holy Spirit into our hearts to make us aware of his love for us as well as enable us to call out to God “Abba, Father.” He also makes real to us the presence of God. More than all this, he helps us in our weaknesses because we do not know what we ought to pray for. Surely he is our helper in prayer. Therefore do not hesitate to ask his help.

Your Motives

Even as we start praying, let us ask God to purify our motives. Basically we are selfish. And most of our prayers are for fulfilling our selfish ambitions and plans. We need to ask God to make our prayers in accordance to God’s will. This will bring glory to God. The purifying of our motives in prayer is a lifelong process and not a one-time achievement.

Unforgiveness
Then there is the question of forgiveness. Most of us carry within us an unforgiving spirit. We want revenge. We are full of hatred. We need to focus on the cross and the big heart God showed us there to forgive us. Only as we understand how much God has forgiven us we will be enabled to forgive others. Some of our prayers never get answered because we do not forgive others.

Do Not Postpone Prayer—Start Now

Possibly, you are reading this page because you have an earnest desire to pray. And it is most likely that you have decided that you’ll start praying tomorrow. Do not postpone prayer.

Now is the best time to start. See, the devil will try his level best to make you postpone prayer. Why? The more you postpone, you will never get started. And in that way the devil’s kingdom will not suffer.

So start praying now. Just call to God and tell him that you love him. That is a great prayer.

Adoration, Praise and Worship

One thing we are slow to learn in prayer is the adoration and worship of God. This is difficult because we do not know how to worship this holy, awesome and majestic God. One way to get to know this Almighty God is to read and meditate on God’s Word on a daily basis. This is because it is through the pages of the Bible that God has revealed himself and his essential nature to us—he is holy!

So when you pray, focus on the Names of God as revealed in the Scriptures. You will find so much inspiration from his names to adore and worship him. You can also focus on the songs of praise you find in the Book of Revelation. You can use them in your prayers. The notes of praise in the Book of Psalms will also help you get started.

Praying for Others

It is recorded in the Bible that, “After Job had prayed for his friends, the LORD made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before” (Job 42:10 NIV) [emphasis added]. Definitely some of our prayers are never answered because we do not have the needs of others as our high priority. It might be true that we are in the midst of difficulties, problems, suffering and even misunderstanding.

So we forget to pray for others. But it is equally or more true that Job’s share of all these difficulties were far greater than most of us are called to endure. Yet God expected Job to pray for his friends who did not understand him at all; but criticized him during his suffering. So make praying for others a top priority.

The Heart of God

God is a sending God. Why? It was because he loved the world. You need to pray for boldness in witnessing for God. You need to ask the Lord of the harvest to send plenty of labourers to win souls for his kingdom. You need to pray for the health and protection and fruitfulness of people involved in directly spreading the gospel among the unreached.

You need to pray for people involved in Bible translation work. At the time of this writing, nearly 2/3 languages in the world do not have the printed Word of God in their language. Pray for missions and missionaries.

Your Family

Though this is listed last, you need to remember that Family is not our idea, but God’s. It was the first institution he created on planet earth and also blessed. As we look around, we can clearly see that Satan has used the world of entertainment to undermine the bonds of the family.

So pray for God’s protection against Satanic attack on your family. At the same time, pray that each one of your family members accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour of their lives. Pray that they may be washed and cleansed by the blood of the Lamb.

The Forces of Darkness

When we are faced with dangers and difficulties, we often focus on people through whom they come. But Paul pointed out the truth that “our struggle is not against flesh and blood” (Ephesians 6:12). There is only one way to stand against the forces of darkness. We can stand only by the authority of the Name of Jesus. His name is the name above all names; and all hell will bow down to the authority of his name. The name of Jesus is above all. Believe it and know it for certain.

Confession of Sin

The more we draw near to God in prayer, the more we are enabled to see the sin in us. The light of God shines in the darkness of our hearts exposing the covered and hidden areas. We need to confess these sinful areas and turn to God in repentance.

We need to turn away from such sinful thoughts, attitudes, behaviour and speech. As we confess to God our sins, he is faithful to cleanse us by the precious blood of Jesus and also forgive us.

Conclusion

There is no particular formula you can use to pray. All of the elements of prayer listed above will not feature in all the prayers you make. The simplest thing to do is to start praying. And persist in prayer. For Jesus said that we ought to pray always and not give up. So start praying and never give up!

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Are You Discouraged with Prayer?

We all had times when God did not answer prayer the way we expected. Some of us have grown discouraged because of that. But think for a moment. Has God changed? Has his promises to us about prayer changed? No.

Therefore let us not grow discouraged and stop praying. Instead of fighting with God about unanswered prayer let us seek after God with tears and repentance. He will answer because he is true to what he has promised in his Word about prayer.

A Relationship
Now what is our problem with prayer? First of all, we think about prayer as asking God to get something for ourselves. This idea of prayer is not the primary motive for prayer.

Prayer is first and foremost a conversation with our heavenly Father. For right praying our relationship should be right with God. Is your relationship with God right at the moment? Or have you forsaken your first love, your great enthusiasm for God when you first met him?

Fall in Love
The secret is to fall in love with God one more time, again and again, for your prayers to become right. Then you will not approach God just to ask for benefits and blessings. Of course, there is nothing wrong in asking for them. Every child will ask his father for whatever he needs. That is quite ok.

But beyond that let your time of prayer have an air of love, romance and intimacy with God. Prayer than shall become a joy for God has promised to give his children joy in the house of prayer.

Give Up Bitterness
It is impossible to approach God with bitterness in our heart against someone. Our anger and unforgiving attitude and hatred will be like huge walls that come between us and God. There might be valid reasons for your anger.

But the problem is that God has forgiven us much already. What if he holds anger and wrath against you and me? Will we stand? Therefore search your heart and ask God to help you forgive. You need his help to do so.

Praise
There is nothing like praise that can lift up your spirit. Try to recollect all that God is. He is good, merciful and compassionate. He is above all, full of glory and majesty and honour. He is incomparably holy. Think on all these and more. And slowly but surely, with a thankful heart, start praising him.

You might not feel like doing this when your circumstances are bad. But start praising God. By doing so, you are saying that God is in perfect control of your entire situation. So, when everything looks hopeless and beyond repair; thank him and praise him. He will take care of your needs and all the mistakes you have made.

Avoid Evil
As a believer, you cannot have your feet in two boats at the same time. Most of our prayers are not answered because we play with evil. It can be in our talk, in our looks, in our attitudes or even in what we love to listen to. It can be in our actions. Whatever it is, seek God’s help in staying away from evil. When you have a clean heart and pure heart, you will find it a joy to pray to God.

Praying for Others
God has kept us as a community of believers. Even when he is deeply interested in us as individuals, he is more concerned about the body of Jesus Christ. That is the entire community of believers. One of the great privileges you have is to pray for your fellow believer.

When you pray for your fellow believer you are blessing him or her with the favour of God. And slowly they will come out of their discouragement, whatever it is. What a joy it is to help someone find strength in God as Jonathan did for David!

Delayed Answers
When answers are delayed to prayer we grow discouraged. Now why does God not answer quickly? Several reasons might be there. Our motives might not be pure. God waits to know whether we need something desperately or we just wish for something.

God delays to prepare the time and circumstances and people to be ready to bless us with an answer that is far above what we have dreamed of. Beyond all this God delays answering our prayers to build our faith and character. They have greater worth in his eyes than gold.

Start Praying and Never Give Up
Jesus told a parable of the persistent widow to tell us that we should always pray and never give up. We should watch and pray so that we will not fall into temptation. We should pray because God has given great promises about prayer.

We should pray because the Bible records the prayers of God’s people and it also shows God as our Mighty God who answers prayer. We should pray because God has given us the Holy Spirit to help us in our prayers.

Do not worry about praying perfectly. None of us can do so. But keep praying. The more you pray, the more you learn to pray.

Start Now
Often we fail to pray because we wait for the right moment to pray. Even though it is helpful to have a quiet place and time to pray, it is not a must. Even as you are reading this, why not stop for a moment. Just lift your heart in thanks and adore God who loves you. Get back to God; and get back to him in prayer just now! Amen!

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Jesus Is Praying for You

Amazing it might seem! The Son of God, Jesus, prayed. In him was found a loveliness in prayer. It attracted his disciples so much that they asked him to teach them to pray.

The prayer life of Jesus Christ demonstrated his dependence on God the Father in heaven. He called God, “Abba, Father.” Abba is an Aramaic (the language Jesus spoke; modern Syriac) term which is used in the family context and means something close to “Dearest Daddy.”

He taught his disciples to address God in prayer as “Our Father in heaven; holy be your name.” Therefore we are left with a model to follow. In that sense the prayer life of Jesus is the story of Jesus teaching us to have our dependence on God and have a relationship with God our heavenly Father.

The prayer life of Jesus Christ also demonstrated his perfect obedience to God. Just before he was betrayed by his disciple, he was sweating blood in the Garden of Gethsemane where he was praying. So great was his agony because he knew that soon he will be bearing the penalty of the sins of the whole world; yours and mine as well.

Yet he prayed, “Abba, Father, everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will” (ref. Mark 14:36) In that sense the prayer life of Jesus is the story of Jesus teaching us to yield ourselves to the will of God even when it involves suffering.

The prayer life of Jesus Christ demonstrated his concern for those who fail. Peter, his top disciple, vowed that he would never deny Jesus. Yet Jesus warned Peter that he would deny him thrice before the cock crows. Within hours, while Jesus was on trial before his crucifixion, the courageous Peter, the tough fisherman of Galilee, had denied Jesus three times. Then the cock crowed while he denied Jesus the third time. Jesus then turned and looked at Peter.

And Peter remembering the words Jesus had spoken to him earlier broke down and wept bitterly. Yet Jesus had said to Simon Peter, “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers” (Luke 22:31) [emphasis added].

In this way, the prayer life of Jesus is the story of Jesus loving us so much so as to pray for us beforehand so that we will be enabled to come back from our dismal failures in life.

The prayer life of Jesus Christ has not ended. Even today, he is at the right hand of God in heaven praying and interceding for us. Therefore let us be confident to approach God in prayer, “so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” because Jesus “is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.” (Hebrews 4:16, 7:25).

The truth that Jesus is praying for you is an absolute certainty. Therefore do not be discouraged in life’s trials and temptations and troubles. As Robert Murray Mc Cheyene said, “If I could hear Christ praying for me in the next room I would not fear a million enemies. Yet the distance makes no difference. He IS praying for me!”

Jesus represents you so much better before the presence of God as he has understood all that we pass through since he came down to earth and lived like one of us. This prayer life of Jesus is an ever continuing reality! Therefore be bold in prayer.

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All Scripture quotes are from the New International Version.

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Lonely Places and Prayer

There is something about prayer that demands that we be alone with God.This is of great importance in today’s world when we are distracted much by our busy schedules, pressures of work and family, sounds and sights of cities, and television, internet and mobile phones.

Jesus set us an example in being alone with God. Luke records this about him: “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed” (Luke 5:16). We often forget this important aspect of Jesus’ life.

Yet these quiet times with God while he was alone gave him the strength to come out into the open and minister to people. It was in these lonely places that he talked with his Father in heaven and also received strength from the Spirit of the Lord upon him.

Without such times of prayer, even Jesus would have found it difficult to meet the needs of people. Because while doing so, power went out from him (Luke 8:46). Therefore he had to receive strength from God to minister to people; therefore he had to spent time in prayer.

If the Son of God found it an absolute necessity to find a quiet place to spent time in prayer, how much more we should attempt to do so. He was always kept busy that he at times never got a chance to eat (Mark 6:31); yet he was never too busy so that he could not find time to pray.

Never ever forget that without times of prayer when you are alone with God, you are as good as wet gunpowder. It has the potential to explode; but its entire power has been drained away.

Or in modern terms, you are like a mobile phone which has lost its charge. As you know you cannot use that device without charging it once again. Yes, times with God in prayer when you are alone are exactly the times you get yourself recharged.

We find this example in the life of Joshua. Not only was he a great spiritual leader but also one of the finest military strategist the world has ever seen. He achieved greatness by following the Commander of the army of the LORD (Joshua 5:14). Also, after every significant battle Joshua would return to the base camp which was Gilgal (see Joshua 10:15, 43).

Gilgal was the place where God had renewed his special relationship with the people when all the people were circumcised and God rolled away the reproach of Egypt from them (Joshua 5:9). So Joshua operated from that base camp where he would have definitely spent time with God in prayer seeking his help and guidance for battles ahead.

So the question is, do you have a base camp like this? Do you have a Gilgal in your life? If not, now is the time to set up a camp for prayer.

Jesus encouraged us to seek our Father in heaven in secret: “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you” (Matthew 6:6).

Though prayer while you are with a few other people in church or in a meeting is important, it can never take the place of praying to God when you’re alone with him.

The times when you are alone with God is life-changing as well as life-charging. See what happened when Jacob was left alone (Genesis 32:24). God himself wrestled with him, emptied Jacob of his self-reliance and blessed him with a new identity-Israel. He limped the rest of his life as a result of his encounter, but God’s power was made perfect in his weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).

So dear child of God, so far in life you’ve somehow managed to give an impression that you’re having a close walk with God. Even though you were able to impress others with your talents and ministry, in your heart you’ve known the truth that you have run out of power.

So humble yourself before God today. Do not wait for the right time to start praying. Why not right now ask your Father in heaven to forgive you for neglecting times alone with him? That itself will get you started praying. Do not neglect the example Jesus set for us-he often withdrew to lonely places (it can be a quiet spot within your room itself) and prayed.
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Call Upon Me in the Day of Trouble

The Certainty of Trouble

We all pass through days of trouble. The Bible realistically speaks of days of trouble. Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble” (John 16:33). Job who went through intense suffering said: “Man born of woman is of few days and full of trouble” and “man is born to trouble as surely as sparks fly upward” (Job 14:1, 5:7). So we need not be surprised when troubles come our way.

What NOT To Do in Times of Trouble
Many people turn to idols, astrology, fortune tellers, witchcraft, and god-men and women during times of trouble. When the Israelites did evil God sent them trouble through the hand of enemies. Then they cried out to the Lord and admitted their sin. God challenged them by asking: “Go and cry out to the gods you have chosen. Let them save you when you are in trouble” (Judges 10:14)!

God also speaks of idols that cannot save: “From that spot it cannot move. Though one cries out to it, it does not answer; it cannot save him from his trouble” (Isaiah 46:7). So do not “be terrified by signs in the sky” (Jeremiah 10:2) and forget to seek the LORD in times of trouble. And do not rely on those who do not acknowledge God (For example, King Ahaz, 2 Chronicles 28:20–23).

Attitude During Trouble
A time to trouble tests our faith and develops perseverance (James 1:2-4) . So if we falter during times of trouble, God says our strength is small (Proverbs 24:10).

We should understand that each day brings enough trouble of its own; so we should not worry about tomorrow (Matthew 6:34). So also we are not called to simply sit back and let trouble bring us down when we “pass through the sea of trouble” (Zechariah 10:11).

Instead we are to expect deliverance in times of trouble. Like Job let us not refuse to accept trouble (Job 2:10); yet at the same time let us know that we will be saved out of it (Jeremiah 30:7). Yes, we might walk in the midst of trouble; yet God preserves our life (Psalm 138:7; see also Daniel 3:25-28) .

God, Our Refuge in Times of Trouble
Let us learn to expect deliverance by looking to God who is our refuge in times of trouble (Nahum 1:7, Psalm 59:16). Yes, the Lord is good and He cares for those who trust in him. He is an ever-present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1). He is a stronghold in times of trouble (Psalm 9:9; 37:39).

King David often spoke about God who delivered him from all his troubles (2 Samuel 4:9, 1 Kings 1:29, Psalm 54:7. see also Jacob’s testimony in Genesis 48:16). David says: “This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles . . . The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles . . . A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all” (Psalm 34:6, 17, 19).

What To Do in Times of Trouble
God says very clearly: “Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honour me” (Psalm 50:15). Often we fail to call upon God when troubles begin. We seek every other source of help; and only when it fails will we try to call upon God. This should not be. We should seek the face of God even from the beginning of trouble.

When we call upon God, He will answer us and be with us in trouble and will deliver us (Psalm 91:15). To be able to recognize that God is with us (Immanuel) while we are in trouble is a great blessing. Often we recognize God’s presence later like Jacob at Bethel (Genesis 28:16).

Though God causes us to see many and bitter troubles; He will restore our lives once again. Yes He’ll bring us out of trouble and increase our honour and comfort us once again (Psalm 71:20, 21). God will also cause us to forget our troubles (Genesis 41:51, Isaiah 65:16, see also Job 42:11).

God, Our Hiding Place
When troubles come, we naturally want to run away. Sometimes we question God (Psalm 10:1), asking Him why He is hiding from us? We cry out, “Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no-one to help” (Psalm 22:11). We cry out saying, “The troubles of my heart have multiplied; free me from my anguish. Look upon my affliction and my distress and take away all my sins” (Psalm 25:17, 18).

This crying out is our natural response when God seems far away. But let us not remain in our complaints against God. There is a better option. Trust in Him at all times and make Him your hiding place (Psalm 27:5 and Psalm 32:6, 7). He’ll surely deliver you out of your troubles when you call out to him in the day of trouble!

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Able To Do Immeasurably More

I tremble as I read these words. I pray with the man in the gospel account who said, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief (Mark 9:24)!” Yes, God is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). And unbelief is that one thing that can prevent it from happening.

The promise sounds too good to be true; isn’t it? But it is true because of the power of the Spirit of God at work in us to strengthen us. First and foremost this enabling work of the Spirit of God in our hearts helps us to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ. Oh, to be carried afloat on this immeasurable love of God!

So often we struggle and despair when negative circumstances follow our footsteps for years without end; don’t we? We forget then to believe and trust and hope in God Almighty with that same enthusiasm we had shown during good times.

Yet at some moment, as I am experiencing right now as I write these words, the peace of God floods our heart with the assurance that all is well. That God alone is sufficient to meet my needs and yours too; whatever that might be.

Yes, dear friends, I too found it difficult to trust in this promise that God is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine. But then who are we to limit God?

Why should we be afraid to ask when the Spirit of God intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express to make our petitions in tune with the will of God? As I thought more on this, then it struck me that perhaps I am more afraid of God answering my prayers rather than God not answering it.

Yes, sometimes our prayers are faulty because of wrong motives. That is exactly why God keeps us waiting. He uses the long-drawn-out months and years to purify our innermost thoughts. And then when only the glory of God becomes our chief concern, then God is pleased to answer us immeasurably more than we asked or imagine.

Wow! God is a God of the surplus. He is the God who multiplies what was sown. The answers will come like showers of blessing; in abundance and fullness, with joy and shouts of victory when to God be all the glory.

God Give You the Grace to Overflow with Hope

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A Simple Lesson-Praise!

(Part 5–Your Relationship with God)

Most Christians learn this simple lesson only years and years after they come to have a relationship with God. But if you can start at this point, then you’ll enjoy your relationship with God much better.

After the initial joy of becoming a Christian, a person is soon faced with many little problems in his personal life. It can be related to his doubts about faith in God, it can be difficulties related to his friends making fun of him for having found “religion,”

it can be problems in family life, financial difficulties, sickness, suffering of other sorts, and perhaps fear and worries about future. When all this comes, the joy of a Christian seems to disappear. Instead of living above these difficulties, he goes under them.

It is then he forgets the language he learned when he found Jesus Christ. You might ask, “What is this language?” It is the language of praise. Because salvation is God’s gift to you, you started your relationship with God by thanking Him; didn’t you?

And for some days or months you were full of joy and kept thanking God for all the little blessings in your life. During that time, you were totally focused on God and His greatness. And your heart naturally lifted up in praise.

But what about now? Is the joy gone from your lives? Is it not because you are now too much focusing on your troubles? Go for a change. Go for the language of your relationship with God. Stop complaining and grumbling. Stop saying that nobody cares for you.

Instead start praising God in your difficulties. For He is greater than all your problems. He might not solve all of them the way you wish. But even then He deserves your praise.

If you can simply start to thank God for His love for you, simply tell Him how great He is, and simply tell Him that you love Him however sinful and full of failures you are; you have started back on the road of praise. That will make a huge difference.

The Bible says that the purpose of Jesus’ coming to us was to give us “the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.” So dear friend, let your relationship with God be marked with joyous shouts of praise and not mournful groans of despair.

Your God lives. He is not dead. He cares for you. So praise Him now. He will come to help you soon. Never let your troubles and doubts stop you from praising Him. Praise defeats your enemies, both spiritual and physical, more than any other weapon in prayer. Praise God.

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