The significance of Prayer

Pastor Daniel sermon on 22/10/2023.

Prayer is a way of communicating with the creator which is the Almighty God. Your prayers go through the airwaves which is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit conveys your prayers to the Father. The Holy Spirit is all over the earth. Sometime ago, 2 people stood in a combat contest. 

One was on the side of the Lord while the other was on the side of the devil. They both had messengers. They both used horn of a ram as weapon.  The messenger for the one on the Lord's side had a goat as his messenger while the one on the devil's side had a dog as his messenger. As they fought, they charged at each other striking themselves with their horns. And as such the horns kep breaking away. The fighter on the Lord's side had his horn damaged so he sent his goat to go get another horn from his house. The other fighter too sent his dog to go get another horn for him. While on the errand, the goat saw people cutting yam and they beckoned on him to come and eat.  The goat told them that it was not every day that they eat yam. So he got the horn and started making his way to his master. The dog was running too and saw where there was food and was invited to eat. The dog branched and ate. While he was eating, the goat had returned to his master and delivered the horn which the master used to kill his opponent who was on the devil's side. By the time the dog got back from the errand, he met his master dead. The dog is an animal that likes to return to its vomit. 

Let's check inwardly how this story relates to our lives. Those that serve God in Spirit and in truth and those that serve God in their own flesh. Satan is the accuser of the brethren. Everybody gets to the point of brokenness even Pastors. A Pastor is someone that cares for everybody but not everybody cares for Pastor. Most Pastors don't get paid, many pastors run from pillar to post to ensure that the church is growing and members are cared for. At the end of the day most people accuse the pastor wrongly. 

It came to a time when Jesus and His disciples were at the mount and the disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray. They knew Jesus took prayer very seriously. In an occasion He said, " this will not disappear unless with praying and fasting. They knew that Jesus always got answers from the Father. 

For  your prayer to be effectual, according to Matthew 6:9-13. Prayer has certain requirements. There are certain things that make your prayer not to be answered

1. Because you are in sin. Sin has made people not to be able to receive from God. Psalm 56:18, "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear". If you are praying and still harbouring anger towards someone, this is your fate. 

2. Unforgiveness can hamper our prayer. Mark 11:25, " whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you". Many of us come to the presence of God with carryovers, unforgiven spirits. You don't go back after praying and start brooding over an offence. God forgave man when Christ died on the cross and He doesn't remember our sins because of the sacrifice of Jesus. Jesus said it is finished while on the cross. When you carry unforgiveness, you are telling the angels to roll over your sins. May that not be your portion in Jesus Name. 

3. Unbelief. Unbelief has robbed many of their blessings from God. Some don't believe there is God neither do they believe in whosoever that is spoken to them about the kingdom of God. Therefore their prayer is an abomination to the Almighty God.

4. Selfishness: if you are somebody that always wants to satisfy yourself just as James 4:3 says, "you ask and do not receive because you ask amiss". You ask amiss because what you are asking is for only yourself. God blesses you so that you can bless others. God said to Abraham, "I will bless you so that you will be a blessing to all nations". So Abraham believed God, he obeyed God, and he was always a blessing. He paid his tithe to Melchizedek after he returned from war with his spoils.

5. Pride can hinder someone from receiving answers to prayer. God resists you when you are proud, not humble before God, dishonoring God, not regarding God and feeling you are all in all, not fearing God. All these can make God not to hear your prayer. Luke 18:11-14, “The Pharisee stood and prayed about himself like this: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: extortionists, unrighteous people, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of everything I get.’ The tax collector, however, stood far off and would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, be merciful to me, sinner that I am!’ I tell you that this man went down to his home justified rather than the Pharisee. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted". This is teaching us not to be too forward or judgemental or quick to condemn others.

If you want your prayers to be answered, all these requirements must be fulfilled. Lastly, couples must stop dishonoring each other. There are lots of intricacies that go on in the family. Women or men that like rumors must thread carefully. When you are listening to rumours, you are giving in to forces that can destroy your family. Because there is no man or woman that is perfect. You must show that you are a child of the living God. You must show appreciation to those people in charge of your business. 

Prayer is important in communicating with your creator and you must be in tune. Your prayer must be made to the Father in the name of Jesus Christ. Your prayer must be made in faith, your prayer must be made with persistency. Prayer must also be made in line with God's will and you must maintain some element of righteousness by receiving Jesus Christ as your Lord and saviour. When you receive Jesus as your Lord and saviour, your sin no longer cover you because Jesus has become your righteousness, then your prayer will be heard in heaven. 

If you ask amiss. Asking God for things you don't need, things outside your jurisdiction, things that will kill you. God will not answer. God wants you to ask according to His will and when you do, he will surely answer. You must keep your relationship with God by serving Him, worshipping Him, keeping His ordinances, entering His gate with praises, thanksgiving , bowing your knee, head while you pray to the creator. Also pray for others, by so doing, the Holy Spirit prays for you too. Give honour to whom honour is due and after prayers, make sure you perform your duty. If you pray for a job, after the prayer you must go out and look for the job. You must be agressive looking for what you prayed for. 

There are different types of prayers:

1. Prayer of agreement - where 2 or 3 people pray and agree on a thing

2. Prayer of petition-  like the prayer Hannah made.

3. Prayer of praise and Thanksgiving - when you pray, praise God and give thanks to Him.

4. Prayer of intercession - praying for another person, country or community 

5. Prayer of consecration - prayer for anointing and setting someone,yourself or family apart for God 

After you have prayed, believe that God has heard your prayers and you will receive your answers.