June. 10th Praying Effectively III
Bible Reading: Mat. 6:10-15; 1 Sam. 1:11; 1 Tim. 2:1-4
Mat. 6:33 ‘but seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you’
Prayer must be directed to God as a covenant relationship between Father and child. Prayer must also begin with the praise and worship of the Faithful and True One. Jesus then teaches that the next important principle of prayer is the question of ‘priorities’.
‘Seek first the kingdom of God’. Before asking for personal needs and requesting divine intervention, pray for and about God’s kingdom. Establish His will in your life, church and community and beseech God to have His way.
Bear in mind God always has a plan. Effective prayer entails travailing till God’s ultimate plan and purpose are established. He wants the gospel preached, desires peace amongst men, yearns for consecrated children and seeks for vessels of power and glory. Pray these things. Jer. 29:7; Is. 43:5-7
‘Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven’. Ask according to God’s will and His Word is His will. Open your bible before praying and know ‘this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us’ 1 Jn. 5:14
‘If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you’ Jn. 15:7
Prayer:
i. Ask for God’s mercy upon the nations of the world, especially the nation you live in. Ezek. 22:30; 2Chron. 7:14
ii. Yield your life, plans, possessions, thoughts and actions to the Lord. Give yourself entirely to Him. Rom. 12:1-2
Thought for the Day:
It is easy to get God to action the things which are already in His plan for you.