Ask, Seek, Knock

Sunday 17 September
READ: Matt.7:7-13   
MORE LESSON:  I Jn. 5:15-17

As we get close to rounding off this series on prayer, it's important to touch on a few vital matters, which are central to the issue of prayer. In one of His earliest teachings on prayer, Jesus teaches that prayer is about asking, seeking and knocking. The Lord also gives very strong and definite promises that for asking we shall receive, seeking we shall find and knocking it shall be opened to us (Matt. 7:7-8). This should inspire strong faith that whatever we ask in prayer shall be given. Jesus goes on to promise that everyone who asks receives - young or old, male or female, etc. Note that …he that seeketh findeth; whatever it is - spiritual, physical, academic, etc. Prayer provides the power to open and have access to all doors shut by the enemy, spirit or human. Also, …and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

However, you must seek the Lord with all your heart and ask according to His will; And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart: Jer. 29:13. Casual seekers don't find God. The seeking  must be determined and wholehearted, and the promise of God is sure; And I will be found of you...: Jer. 29:14. So don't stop asking, seeking and knocking because very soon, you will receive, find and the doors shall be opened to you, in Jesus' name. Today, you will receive answer; God will open the door when you knock and answer the calls you make, in Jesus' name.

It is important to note here that by this scriptures, assumption is not prayer. Many people assume that God should know their problem and just solve it because He is the Almighty God. God works by principles; His instruction is that you must ask. Until you do, you are not ready for solution. Blind Bartimaeus stood before Jesus, and though Jesus saw that he was blind, he still asked him, ...What wilt thou that I should do unto thee...: Mk. 10:51.

Most important of all is that anyone who comes to God must come in faith, believing for without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb. 11:6). The same faith that can heal headache is the same that heals cancer, HIV, TB, etc. It is all about asking our loving Father with whom nothing shall be impossible and asking in faith.

Prayer/Action
* Ask God for the power of the Holy Ghost to pray right.
* Pray that Heaven will reckon with your voice when you ask and open doors to you when you knock.
* Ask the Holy Spirit to direct you on how to pray effective prayers and not just noise.

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER
Father, cut the supply and provision of every agent of the enemy to my life that they may lack the resources to work against my destiny, in the mighty name of Jesus.

Pray without Ceasing

Saturday 16 September
READ: Lk. 21:32-38  
MORE LESSON:  Rom. 12:12; Acts 6:4

In today's Scripture reading Jesus did not call us only to pray, but to pray without ceasing. This may not mean to sit or kneel in a place of praying all day, but to develop an attitude of prayer as a normal way of life. Prayer should become like the air we breathe; when we stop praying we die, spiritually. Note that the attitude of prayer is also learnt like all other attitudes. No man was born a prayer warrior, but is made through rugged determination, regular and uninterrupted communion with God. We cultivate the act with passion until prayer becomes an attitude.

We can pray anywhere and at anytime, lifting our hearts in silent petition even while at work. We can pray in the Holy Ghost quietly and we must also create a specific time of prayer in definite places. To pray without ceasing is to pray when we feel like and when we don't feel like praying, until we begin to feel like praying when we are not praying. It is, ...continuing instant in prayer: Rom. 12:12. It is not considering anything too small or too difficult to pray about.

Ceaseless prayer is about being in tune with Heaven so much so that Heaven
can reach us without any difficulty anytime, anywhere. It is about living on earth but your heart is permanently in Heaven. Ceaseless prayer will make Heaven sit in your heart and your heart sit in Heaven. It is a lifestyle every believer must strive to attain because it is the desire of God for all His children.

Jesus did not only pray, He was constantly in prayer Himself. He prayed before, during and after meetings. He prayed day and night. He prayed in joy and pain. At Gethsemane, in great sorrow, He prayed. At Lazarus tomb, He prayed even on the cross He prayed and even interceded for men. He prayed so much that His

disciples came to ask Him to teach them to pray:
And it came to pass, that, as he was  praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John  also taught his disciples: Lk. 11:1.
If being God He prayed and prayed ceaselessly, we too must not do less than pray and pray ceaselessly.

Prayer/Action
*  Ask God to ignite your heart with the fire of prayer until your life becomes a prayer sanctuary.
*  Pray that you will not faint in the place of prayer.
* Lord God, help me to attain a life style of prayer, in Jesus’ name.

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER
I decree the snare is broken, the chain is off, and it's a new day of escape and joy for my soul, in the name of Jesus. Hallelujah!

Access to the Throne of God

Friday 15 September
READ: Psa. 23:1-6      
MORE LESSON:  John 14:19-21

Prayer is talking with God. If a man must not pray in vain, the first thing is to secure access to the throne where the God who answers prayer sits. Jesus' first lesson on prayer is instructive, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name...:  Lk. 11:2. The key to gaining access to the Father is relationship. Without this key factor one is locked out of God's presence and help, regardless of what a person does, including giving money, property, time and labour for God. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God...: Jn. 1:12.

The strongest relationship is that of redemption, and this is why the prayer of a sinner is an abomination to God. Many people reject Jesus as the Son of God but cry to Him as a  prophet. While others wallow in sin, they recite all the psalms in prayer; this is an exercise in futility. Even Jesus had access to God first as a Son. No man will enjoy prayer without this personal relationship of redemption. But if you acknowledge your sins, repent and accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour, you will have access to God and answers to prayer.

When prayer comes out of a relationship between the Father and His son, it is obviously different from any other type of request. At that point it's the Father's responsibility to provide and the right of the son to receive provision. When requests are made on such a platform, failure is limited and the possibilities are unlimited. Start a relationship with Jesus today by inviting Him into your life as the Lord and Saviour and see the door open to your requests.

The sheep in our reading today enjoys all the following benefits just because he has a relationship with the shepherd.
1. Never wants; v1
2. Green pastures and still waters; v2
3. Restoration and divine guidance; v3
4.Divine presence and safety; v4
5. A prepared table and an overflowing cup regardless of enemy activities; v5
6. A permanent assured goodness, mercy and more.

All these happen because of the relationship!
When you choose to be a sheep in Jesus' sheepfold, all of these and more in eternity await you. However, to be or not to be a sheep is a personal choice.

Prayer/Action
* Receive grace for access to God's throne always, in Jesus’ name.
* Ask God to grant you grace to have a consistent relationship with Him.
* Pray that you will find favour with God and men.

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER
Every negative turn must turn again this month; they must turn positive, glorious and become a miracle and a celebration, in the name of Jesus.

Ignition Point

Thursday 14 September
READ: James 3: 2-13 
MORE LESSON:  I Pet. 3:10

Not all parts of the body have the command of life or death, the tongue has that power to kill or make alive (Prov. 18:21). The tongue is a powerful ignition point for life or for death. Many people suffer self- inflicted problems because of wrong use of the tongue. Several examples are in the Bible of how some individuals used their tongues and the consequences. Noah's son, Ham, saw the father's nakedness and made noise about it, inflicting a curse on him and his generations (Gen 9:20-27).

Miriam the sister of Moses did not control her tongue and ended up with leprosy. God does not want us to use our tongue to kill with the inbuilt power in it but rather to give life. Since the tongue has power and the Word of God has power, using the tongue to speak God's Word will release double life. Putting the Gospel on the tongue releases life to all that come in contact with such tongue. Conversely, Christians who are close-mouthed will never gain, rather they will lose. A refusal to proclaim the truth of the Gospel and God's Word produces death all around instead of life. Therefore begin to engage your tongue correctly henceforth.

Look at that contrary situation and turn it around by speaking God's truth to it. Speak God's Word about the economy and you will have abundance in the midst of recession. Speak what God is doing or what He will do. Walk by insight of God's Word not by sight to ignite the provisions of God in your life. Be careful with people who speak negative about everything and everyone because they will bring death around you instead of life. When you proclaim God's Word you build your power level and become acclaimed on the earth. The disciples proclaimed the Gospel and the whole world heard of them. What will you proclaim as you step out today? What will your words ignite as you speak to people? Make up your mind to ignite life and not death by your words.

Let the Gospel become your consistent language; it is your declaration of faith that God works on to produce great miracles. Some of the advantages of proclaiming the Word and the Gospel daily include: 1) Signs and wonders will be performed through you (Mk. 16:15-17). If you are not going, the signs will not follow. 2.)You enjoy and carry God's presence (Mk. 16:20). Therefore do not be a talebearer, be a Gospel bearer and God's glory will envelope you, obstacles will give way, and you will tread upon snakes and scorpions and over all the powers of the enemy. 3.) You enjoy defence and protection. When you use your words to defend and lift others, you will enjoy the same. The gospel is goodnews and when you talk it good will follow you (I Pet.3:13).

Therefore make up your mind to use your tongue positively from today and you will see an eruption of light and life all around you. This would send darkness and death far from you.

Prayer/Action
* Ask God to consecrate your tongue as a life giving tool every moment.
* Declare that death will not flow from your tongue, in the name of Jesus.
* Ask for grace to form the habit of proclaiming God's Word, in Jesus’ name.

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER
Father, give me a public victory that the heathen may see and join me to glorify You, in the name of Jesus.