James 5:16 also emphasises that prayer is effective, meaning it is powerful. To further this point, there is a noteworthy aspect in praying loudly. Just as there is a season to pray quietly, there are also seasons to arise and pray aloud. Loud prayers echo the enormity of what the Holy Spirit has birthed in us. These fervent prayers yield spiritually loud effects, shaking the visible realm. Moreover, these prayers are effective when the children of God are under threat as we will learn below. 

By offering loud prayers with praise, Paul and Silas reflect the effect of prayer that went as far as freeing even those who were guilty from prison (see Acts 16:25-26). Job also illustrates the power of prayer as he cried aloud to “His Redeemer, who lives” and was delivered (see Job 19:25). Similarly, Jesus Christ Himself made a loud prayer at the Cross, which had a powerful impact on the earth, causing it to shake, splitting rocks, tearing the Temple in two and causing tombs to open (see Matthew 27:50-52).

However, we are still doing less by praying louder or longer. The power of our prayer does not compare equally to the sound of our voice. God, who does exceedingly above what we can ask or think, amplifies our weak cries so that they may match the power at work within us, producing effects of divine magnitude (Ephesians 3: 20-21). 

Thus, the power and effect of prayer will always outweigh the sound of our voice. Since there is a time for loud, effective prayer, let us not hold back, but continue to echo the power at work in us. And when a brother or a sister’s fire has gone down, let us be the iron that sharpens and encourages another to pray loudly (see Proverbs 27:17; Matthew 18:19-20). 

It is important to establish that God is willing to do good to us because He is a good Father, regardless of who we are or our past. It is in His character and nature to give good gifts to those who ask Him (see Matthew 7:11). Even when unfortunate events befall us, it is not by divine design. This happens because the door of sin has been opened. However, even with that, God, in His love, still intends to do good for us, as displayed when He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to save us from the very door that we opened.

In Matthew 8:1–3, we are introduced to the man with leprosy who pleaded before Jesus for healing. Today, we know leprosy as a nerve and muscle disease causing bodily sores. The biblical description of this disease’s severity alludes to sin, its burden, its suffering, and the separation from love and grace that it brings. Back then, people with leprosy were isolated, harshly treated, and hated by everyone. Burial services were also held for them while they were still alive. Because the disease had given them a whole new identity, they were known as lepers.

Despite his past experiences, the man with leprosy immediately sought Jesus, kneeling before Him and referring to Him as Lord. Ignoring the heavy looks and opinions of bystanders, his response was worship. “If you are willing, you can heal me,” he declared, addressing Jesus as his Lord (verse 2). Jesus was indeed willing and went on to touch him, regardless of the disease (verse 3). He could have healed him with a thought, but He wanted to touch him. Jesus went beyond just physically healing him because He wanted to handle every other situation, in this case, isolation, loneliness, or hurt, revealing a new dimension of Himself.

God’s willingness is also aligned with His perfect timing and purposes. In Genesis 15:1-6, God first promises Abraham many descendants, despite Sarah’s barrenness, and repeats this promise multiple times over 25 years before fulfilling it. This is Abraham, who was so dear to God that he was able to persuade Him not to destroy an entire city. Why did it take so long to receive this promised child? The delay proved that God’s promises are fulfilled in His perfect timing; it was not the result of difficulty, but rather a part of God’s larger plan.

Despite taking 25 years, Abraham’s journey deepened his faith and drew him even closer to God (see Romans 4:17–25). Even a man of great faith like Abraham struggled with doubts and tried to “help” God fulfill His promise (see Genesis 16:1–3), yet he yearned and remained in God’s presence. If you feel like you’ve been praying and even tried to help God in some way, don’t distance yourself; come back to His presence and trust in Him. Learn from your mistakes and deepen your relationship with Him.

Being in the right place at the right moment goes far beyond physical location or timing—it’s about complete surrender to God. Imagine Abraham, who could have been consumed by the thought of childlessness, worrying about how to explain that God had promised him a child to others, or the man with leprosy, who may have been overwhelmed by how he would reach Jesus rather than just doing so. Instead of dwelling on their worries, they chose to surrender and focus solely on God.

True alignment with God’s will comes when we surrender our minds, letting go of every concern and anxiety. The “right time,” then, is not something we control but something we receive by relinquishing control—whether it’s Abraham waiting 25 years for his promised son or the man with leprosy being instantly healed after a lifetime of suffering. Our challenge is to surrender everything to God, and in doing so, we find ourselves exactly where we need to be.
Both stories demonstrate faith and trust in God’s power and promises.

The man with leprosy might not have known Jesus personally, but he trusted in His healing power and Abraham remained faithful because he believed in God’s promise. They remind us that God is worthy of our worship and gratitude. Knowing He is a loving Father who will never fail to care for you should empower you to remain in His presence and give Him glory in all circumstances, He is absolutely ready and willing to do good to and for you!

So many of us have subscribed to “the doctrine of I”: “I can”, “do you king”, “you go girl”, “you got this”, or even “you’ve got the strength”, and this makes us believe that we are self-sufficient because we have started looking upon ourselves for answers. Both young and old believe they can do anything with their own strength. In the book of Isaiah 14:13-14, the Bible talks about Lucifer, who, as an angel, coveted a position above that of God, tired of being in the shadows.

Reading further, He starts using the doctrine of “I will”, or “I will do”, and this marks the beginning of self-affirmation talks. Believers fail in the battle against sin, having adopted this same doctrine.
However, for as long as we rest on “I” we also embrace the limitations of mankind. The power to accomplish does not reside in the “I” but in who backs the “I”. Christ likens believers to branches who are fruitful when attached to His vine (see John 15:4). Fruitfulness starts with acknowledging God in all we do. But we forfeit it when we rely on ourselves and detach from the vine. Your effectiveness stems from God, but we relinquish it the moment we detach from Him.

Matthew 14:24-33 portrays how living outside the comfort zone helps keep our eyes on Jesus. Once we come out of our comfort zone, we stop looking at ourselves and start looking at God. The Israelites left Egypt, where they relied on themselves, through their labour. But in the wilderness, the Israelites could not eat from their sweat, and that forced them to look at God. Likewise, the disciples on the boat had to understand that with Christ in it, their safety was assured; not in the trust they may have placed in the vessel. The comfort we rely on fades away but God’s help is sure and everlasting.

God is not expecting us to swim like everybody else; instead, He is calling us to walk on water like Peter, above the storm we face, going from victims to victors. The experience of Peter teaches us that for every season, sunshine or rain, there is a Word of instruction. In order to experience the supernatural in our lives this season, we need to be hungry and desire a word from God! We need to be a generation of people who are hungry for God.

We need to understand that as we live in our testimony and purpose, this does not stop life from happening because life will still happen. Yet it is in those moments that our trust in God is tested. Peter was able to walk on water because his focus was on God; Jesus Christ, aware of the strong wind blowing, still told Peter to walk on water, teaching us that God is not ignorant of our environment or the dire state of our situation. He chooses to call us while knowledgeable of the circumstances.

Tough moments in our lives tend to take our focus away from God. The problem preoccupies us so much that we forget the fourth man in the fire with us – Jesus Christ. Keeping our eyes on Jesus is not easy but irrespective of where we find ourselves, we need to remember that the One in us is greater than the one who is in the world. We reap the full benefit of redemption when we keep our focus on Christ.

The reason why so many of us fail to experience the fullness of God is because we keep our focus on Jesus but occasionally also keep our eyes on something else. Once we keep our eyes on Jesus Christ, we experience supernatural solutions. We foster a character of excellence, and Christ is our source for it. He sets us apart in the face of challenges, because we become the solution. Our lives become a testimony because everything we do will be for the glory of God.

This is why we need to hunger for a shift in our minds, giving us hope in choosing to look at Christ. What we are experiencing is real, but our God is more real. The God that we serve is able to intervene for us (Jeremiah 29:11). He is not a liar about His promises. Regardless of what our situation looks like, He still has a plan. The problem is an opportunity to see God. When we cry out to Him, He does not shun us, but He draws us near Him.

God is willing to do good for us. Understanding how God’s grace and our faith work together is crucial to grasp His Divine Will in our lives. Believers often either credit everything to God’s grace alone or stress their active role through faith. But, the harmony of grace and faith shows how we acknowledge God’s Sovereignty through grace and actively embrace His promises through faith, demonstrating His Divine Will and our free will collaborating for our good.

For believers, salvation is rooted in grace through faith, highlighting that God wants everyone to be saved (Ephesians 2:8–9 and Titus 2:11). Proclaiming the gospel of grace becomes essential, sharing our experiences with Christ to make the gospel more accessible and advance God’s kingdom.

Grace is what God does for us without any merit on our part. An excellent example is God sending Jesus to die for our sins out of unconditional love. Romans 5:8 affirms that He chose to die for us regardless of our sinfulness. Accepting Christ means believing in forgiveness for all sins.

Grace provides everything before we need it, including healing, riches, fruits of the spirit, etc. When praying for healing, for instance, we must see ourselves as healed because of His promise (Isaiah 53:5). Our prayer should express gratitude for the healing that, by faith, He has already provided.

Faith is a positive response to what God has done through grace. It doesn’t force God to act but appropriates what has already been given. God is not moved by faith, so we can have faith, but if it hasn’t been given by grace, we won’t receive it.

Faith and grace are inseparable; grace provides, and faith accepts. Praying to receive what God has given, with gratitude and faith, pleases God and allows His power to work within us.

When born again, our inner man (spirit) is perfect, like Jesus, seated with Him in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6). Our thinking must align with our inner man. Challenges are opportunities to use what we already have to overcome. Embrace the gospel of grace, rejoicing in difficulties, knowing we have what we need.

In summary, grace is God’s provision, and faith is how we receive it. Understanding this transforms our prayer and fasting life, positioning us to receive the good things God has willed. Satan’s attacks aim to hinder us, but by acknowledging God’s provision, believers can receive, by faith, the full impact of His grace within them.

In our series “God is Willing,” we’re exploring how God, the powerful and sovereign Creator of everything, remains in control while Satan’s influence rules the earth when people misuse their free will (see Daniel 6:26; 1 John 5:19; Psalms 8:6; Psalms 96:10).

Understanding what is from God and what isn’t prevents us from adopting a passive attitude in our walk with God, whether we face good or tough situations. Renewing our minds means aligning with God and resisting evil (James 4:7; Romans 12:2). Instead of accepting difficult situations, we resist them by praying because we know God is willing to do good.

What is God’s will? God reveals His will and love in His Word by sending His Son, Jesus Christ, to free us from sin (see John 3:16). His will isn’t to make life hard or put obstacles in our way (Lamentations 3:28-33). He sent His Son for our healing (Isaiah 53:5).

God judges us righteously through the new covenant, not based on our actions but with compassion through Jesus’ Cross (Job 9:32-35; Lamentations 3:31-33). He desires all to be saved and turn from wicked ways (1 Timothy 2:3-4; Ezekiel 18:23; 2 Peter 3:9).

Outside God’s will, there’s only the devil’s will. He steals, kills, and rules over our world (John 10:10; Hebrews 2:14). God isn’t responsible for the trouble caused by our choices or the devil’s influence. He’s aware of it but doesn’t approve.

God values free will, designed for us to choose either His kingdom or darkness (Proverbs 18:21; Deuteronomy 30:19). Even when we misuse our free will, God intervenes by providing the Holy Spirit for those who love Him, working out consequences for our good (Romans 8:28).

Deception is thinking free will can exist outside God’s will or the devil’s influence. Our task is to align our free will with God’s. God urges us to choose life, and by speaking His word, we can overcome evil, we can bring the will of God to pass over situations that breathe the schemes of the evil and witness Christ’s victories.

Today, let’s talk about God’s willingness to help us, even when our experiences might suggest otherwise. The Bible teaches us that God is good, and it’s essential to understand Him based on His Word rather than our own ideas. Yet, many people’s reluctance to the willingness and goodness of God remains shaped by incorrect information about God. This may in turn manifest as guilt at the thought of approaching the merciful throne of God.

In Matthew 8:1-4, there’s a story about Jesus healing a man with leprosy, a disease often seen as a symbol of sin. Just like leprosy harms the body, sin affects us spiritually, causing guilt, shame, and isolation. But Jesus, knowing the man’s loneliness, approached him despite his condition, showing us that God is willing to meet us in our struggles.

The leper must have heard something from Jesus that gave him the courage to freely approach Him, offering his worship.

In light of what Jesus was teaching in Matthew 7: 1-5, the leper heard and gained confidence that Christ would not judge him by focusing on his flaws. This means that he heard something that gave him the courage to come closer to Jesus. Therefore, the way we approach God will depend on what we know about Him, hence, it is important to have the right knowledge of God.
Two sources of knowledge are important to note: information and experience or revelation. Knowledge from information can either be right or incorrect, while knowledge from revelation is more truthful information.

Having the right knowledge of God, based on truth, requires building your faith in your relationship with God. This gives us the foundation of firsthand information as seen in Job 42:5. As a result of this relationship, we soon bathe in the Love of God setting us free from the ‘disease of sin’. Ultimately, the right knowledge about God is embodied in the person of Jesus Christ. It is impossible to speak of God without speaking of Jesus. In John 14:6-7, the apostles pleaded with Jesus to reveal the Father to them. In response, Jesus declared that He is God in that seeing Him is seeing the Father.

In the New Covenant of God with His people, Colossians 2:9 reveals to us that Jesus Christ is the fullness of God in the body. He reveals the Father but demonstrates also how to be a son to the Father, reconciling both. Therefore, the right information about God begins in Christ Jesus.

We learn from the story of the leper that Jesus being the fullness of God represents and portrays the nature of God in His entirety through healing and restoration too. Knowledge of the nature of God should not end there, but as with the leper, it must translate into knowing that Jesus Christ is also willing to heal, restore, deliver, save, and respond to any need that may seem too big for us. When our past clings to us and label us as disqualified, Jesus Christ in His Willingness still reaches out to restore our dignity and humanity.

To sum up, the story of the leper serves as a powerful analogy to the segregating nature of sin, highlighting the importance of having the right knowledge about God in shaping our attitudes and reminding us that God is faithful and willing to do good, even turning what was meant for evil for our own good.

Therefore, we should not allow negative thoughts to fill our minds but through faith, let the transformative power of God’s love revealed through Jesus fill us, knowing that He is present, capable, and willing to do good.

A life of a Believer is characterised by keeping one’s hands lifted through praise and worship, keeping their knees down through prayer, as well as constantly keeping their Bible and mouth open. However, all that’s been mentioned above is empty and stunted when not centered around and founded upon Jesus Christ. One may have to re-examine themselves to find out whether their studying of Scriptures seeks to find [Jesus Christ], as the Word of God reveals Him. As an alarming call, it is important to find out by which authority you pray: is it by self or by the authority of Jesus Christ? Essentially, a heart that approaches each of these aspects of fellowship without Jesus Christ at the centre is futile, which then results in a life full of unfruitfulness and confusion.

People describe Jesus differently. Some describe Him as a modern prophet who was betrayed. Many describe Him as their Lord and Saviour, others call Him their “Bestie”. And, some only use His Name when swearing. But consider this, in a practical manner, one cannot benefit from an official if they do not acknowledge their authority. Who do you say Jesus Christ is to you? The best way to find out about Jesus is to open your Bible and read what He says He is. And If you do not acknowledge the fullness of Jesus Christ, you will never experience Him in His Fullness. When we carefully read John 8:48-59 we begin to build an accurate picture of who Jesus Christ says He is: “Before Abraham was, I AM.” Looking into “I AM” translated from YHWH: In its original Hebrew pronunciation, it is a Word with no vowels, a sound of inhaling (first breath) and exhalation (last breath).

During Jesus Christ’s time on earth, Jesus said words that were challenging to many. But after saying what He said in John 8:48-59, many people had had enough as they could not have a reconciliation between what Jesus said and what they previously knew about the Saviour to come, so they resolved to stone Him. Simply put, they did not want to acknowledge who Jesus Christ said He was. Furthermore, when we read Exodus 3:13-14, we see that there was only one person who through times introduced Himself as I AM: God [Jesus is GOD]. Therefore, it is essential to stress that the first acknowledgement to give to Jesus, is to acknowledge Him as God, The Great I Am.

To further substantiate this read John 1:1-4, which helps us understand that “Everything came into being through the Word” and we exist because of Jesus Christ who is the Word. This helps us understand that at the beginning of our first breath (birth) and our last breath, Jesus will forever remain our source of life (as we read from John 1:1-4). This calls us to never cease giving thanks to God for giving us the breath of life. Even when we do not have much to say, we need to be thankful for the breath He has given us. The reason why God introduced Himself as “I AM” is because He wanted to reveal Himself through the entirety of His Son, Jesus Christ.

Let’s look into how Jesus Christ fulfilled that and who He says He is: The [ONLY] way to God is through God [Jesus] Himself. Jesus is not only the way to the Father, but He is our [ONLY] way here on earth (read John 14:6-7). Jesus Christ is our High Priest: in times before Christ, people had to sacrifice animals for the atonement of their sins without building on their relationship with God.

But for us, today through Christ, we are in communion with the Father, what a privilege for which we have to thank God daily. Jesus introduces Himself as “the Good Shepherd” (see John 10:11-18) and here are some qualities of a good Shepherd. Firstly, the good Shepherd leads His flock wherever He goes. We are the sheep as the Bible describes, whilst Jesus Christ is the good Shepherd. And in His function, He always ensures that He accompanies and leads us in every circumstance that He puts us in. And it is true that without the good Shepherd, our fate is to stray from His purpose, and it reverts us to the reality that we constantly in need of the good Shepherd to lead us in this life.

Secondly, the good Shepherd protects His sheep from predators. Often the sheep can’t see the dangers ahead, we are not able to tell apart who the predators are. Yet, the Good Shepherd knows His Sheep very well and protects them from predators by standing in our place and hitting the danger head-on. Whether the threat involves dangerous situations or people scheming against us without our knowledge. Thirdly, the Good Shepherd shears His sheep. This is generally done to prepare the sheep for the environment that they will be in. Jesus-Christ shapes and moulds His sheepfold for the greater purpose through His Word, both physically and spiritually. This goes to say that we are always equipped to face any situation that God leads us into because He would have prepared and moulded us for it, in His function of a good Shepherd. Lastly, the good Shepherd provides for His Sheep.

For that to happen, one has to be in the sheepfold and STAY in it. This entails following the good Shepherd, abiding in Him, in His Word, and His instructions. And when we are knowledgeable of His provision, we can claim it by turning to His Word, in His faithfulness and riches He will always supply for His Sheep. Jesus further introduces Himself as being the Vine (see John 15:1-5). In God simply existing, He had given believers or unbelievers, everything they’d need to live in this life (intelligence, health, gifts, skills) however the further one stays away from God, the less these are sustained by the Source (Jesus-Christ) and eventually dying out (see Psalms 127: 1). But for those who abide in Christ, the true Vine, together with what they build, bring forth fruits both in this life, in the Spiritual life as well as in the Life to come (i.e. Eternal Life).

This applies and extends to our work life. From this, we can learn that the key is not to hold on to the fruits or even the branch! The most important thing is to abide in the true Vine. As a branch, we get our fruit only from remaining attached to the Vine. Everything the branch needs; everything we NEED, God provides. Jesus is the Author and Finisher of our Faith. Whenever we engage in a God-inspired activity and face challenges that weigh much on us that we do not want to continue, we have to quickly remind ourselves that It is JESUS’ FAITH that carries us through and not our faith.

In conclusion, when we face suffering and trials, when it seems like we have lost all excitement about this life and its purpose because of the pain we constantly endure, here is what Jesus proclaims “…I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10). Here is a truth we can hold onto; in Jesus Christ we are to enjoy life and that in its abundance. Thus, we should constantly keep our eyes focused on Jesus Christ!

Keeping your knees down is a representation of prayer, (being consistent in prayer). When it comes to this principle, it is a matter of the heart’s posture more than the physical act of kneeling. The state of your heart is then reflected in your attitude when it comes to prayer. This is because, as the Prophet Isaiah states in Isaiah 29:13, “People honour and worship God with their lips; however, their hearts are far from Him”. Therefore, people who truly seek God with their hearts know the significance of prayer, which is one of the ways to remain closer to God.

Prayer is defined as an “invocation or act that seeks to activate a rapport with an object of worship through deliberate communication”. Furthermore, its etymology is derived from the Latin word “precaria“, which means ‘devout petition to God or an object of worship’. However, beyond these definitions, for Christians, prayer is more than that because it is a conversation with God which also involves interaction with the spiritual realm (Ephesians 6:18). To further illustrate this, in 2 Kings 18, Elijah called down fire from heaven to prove that the Lord God was real.

It’s also seen in John 11 where Jesus calls the spirit of Lazarus back to life, raising him from the dead. Indeed, this goes to show that prayer isn’t just a dialogue, but it is a powerful and effective tool in the life of a Christian.

The question that is often asked is, if God knows everything and can do anything, why should one pray? In answering this question, it is important to understand that prayer is a spiritual activity, and God is spirit, thus, prayer establishes communion with Him. He is our Father, which indicates relationship—and that is what God desires to have with us through prayer, and with every relationship, conversation is involved. And whenever a relationship exists, there is a platform for asking and receiving. Throughout scripture, God urges us to ask that we may receive; in other words, although God is omniscient, if we do not ask, we will not receive because it takes away the essence of the father-child relationship that He seeks to have with us. Jeremiah 33:3, says that God has remarkable things to reveal about things to come and this can be relevant to things involving the work of God in our lives today, be it, our careers, marriage or academics. However, we do not receive these things because we do not ask (see James 4:3). 

To further illustrate the importance of prayer, look at the life of Jesus Christ, although He was God, prayed constantly (Mark 1:35). He modelled a lifestyle for us to follow, and that is a lifestyle that values prayer. Furthermore, even our forefathers [in faith] prayed, for instance, King David. An example of one of his many prayers can be read in Psalm 5, being the King that He was, he cried out to God in prayer, bringing forth his requests.

The early church also prayed, and prayer is what carried them. It is not a gift of the Holy Spirit that some possess, and others don’t, so it is for everyone. Acts 1:14 tells us that the Apostles and several others met together and were constantly united in prayer.

Just like them, we ought to pray together with and for each other consistently and without ceasing. Moreover, the Apostles themselves requested to be prayed for as well. We see this with Paul in Romans 15:30-33, where he urges the church to join him in prayer over his trip to Judea. Additionally, when we pray for others, we partner up with God and His will. In Acts 12:1-18, while Peter was in prison, the church prayed earnestly for him. The power of interceding for one another was then the result of Peter’s release from prison. Paul further goes on urging us to pray for all people including those who are in authority for peace and a godly life which is God’s will for all of us (see 1 Timothy 2:1-3).

Hence, praying for one another does not depend upon titles or experiences, because all of us are called to intercede for one another including ourselves as well. When approaching God, we gain confidence in our spiritual journey with Him. Prayer assists us, in keeping us in alignment with His Will, and He will be faithful in giving us what we enquire from Him (see John 14:13). The word “keep” in the title, gives the notion of continuity, that is, after prayer there is prayer. Praying is not a one-time activity, or something that was invented recently to keep us busy. For many generations prayer has been proven to work, thus, there is no reason to treat prayer casually. Jesus Christ tells a parable in Luke 18:1-8; about a widow who had repeatedly cried out for justice before a judge until she received it.

The lesson here is about persistently praying and not giving up until you see something and even after that, continue praying.

In Isaiah 62:6-7, the prophet speaks of the watchmen who were posted to pray day and night until Jerusalem was restored to its glory. Through constant prayer, we can be watchmen of our families and loved ones. In 1 Kings 18, Elijah sent out his servant seven times to search for a rain cloud for this is what he was praying for, until it eventually happened. Here we see that Elijah had stayed on watch free of distraction because he stayed in prayer. 

When praying it is important to stay focused and not get distracted or reluctant. Distractions can also include sin, for the flesh is weak and that is why we should pray constantly [this is a way to overcome our flesh] so that we may not fall into temptation (see Matthew 26:41).

It is through prayer that we are strengthened and empowered. Like Jesus, who, at the beginning of His ministry, went into prayer and fasting and was tempted by the Devil in the wilderness, after which an angel ministered to Him, bringing Him strength. Even in the garden of Gethsemane, an angel came to minister and strengthen Him. For every situation, there is a strength that can be drawn in prayer. Through prayer, we can cancel the plans of Satan. In Luke 22:31-32, Satan planned to shake Simon Peter’s faith, but Jesus prayed for his faith not to fail. Hence, when we pray, it is because we understand that only God can take us out of a difficult situation that the enemy would use for our demise.

In Hebrews 5:7, we learn that throughout His life here on earth, Jesus offered prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to be rescued and God answered Him. The beauty of crying out to God is that He does not turn a deaf ear, He is the God who answers prayers. He comes to the rescue of those who cry out for His help. 

After James was killed, Peter got arrested and this created concern in the church for Peter’s life because they feared that Herod would do to him what he did to James (see Acts 12). However, their earnest prayers saved him; we are not meant to be casual with our prayers but earnest in them. Consequently, when we stop earnestly seeking God through prayer, we give room for the enemy to take advantage of us. In Exodus 17:11 we see that, whenever Moses held up his staff, the Israelites had an advantage but whenever the staff was dropped, his enemies gained an advantage. Although we may not have the same staff that Moses had, fortunately for us we have prayer; and the enemy gains an advantage when we do not pray. 

When we stop praying, confusion finds a place. There are many believers today who find themselves in confusion due to the lack of persistence in prayer; praying brings clarity and is important when making life decisions. A prayerful believer is never stunned by what strikes the eyes because they are enlightened to see the bigger picture, an example of that can be found in 2 Samuel 21:1. Therefore, when you encounter challenges that you do not understand, start seeking God first and He will be found. Not only do we receive revelation from God, but we also receive instructions on what to do from Him too.  James 5:13-16 summarises the power of prayer, emphasising that the prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful deeds. When we seek God wholeheartedly, we are guaranteed that we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13). Prayer is a platform in which we draw closer to God and receive instructions, revelation, and ideas from Him. It is through prayer that we get to partner with heaven and establish the will of God on earth. When we neglect staying in prayer, our spiritual senses deteriorate; consequently, causing a hindrance in our relationship with God and the accomplishment of His purpose here on earth. Finally, it then opens us up to a hard life which leads to disobedience and ultimately living a life full of sin. If there is little or no prayer, there is little or no vitality in your Christian life. So always remember to keep your knees down in consistent prayer. 

Romans 5:6-8 [NLT]
1 John 4:7-12

A popular verse known amongst believers and non-believers says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” [John 3:16 NKJV]. Many know it, but a few have internalized it. The reason is that the world is broken, and the existence of true love seems impossible. Moreover, there is an impression that love needs to be earned, and there needs to be a reason for someone to express love. Over time we end up struggling to accept that someone can love us due to the belief that love has to be conditional, which then extends to how we perceive God’s love. We stay away from love because of the fear of heartbreak, especially after an experience that shattered us.

Essentially, we fail to embrace love because we are afraid of being vulnerable and feel the need to protect ourselves from people seeing a weakness in us and exploiting it. Love then becomes difficult to enjoy because of insecurities. Sometimes, we shut ourselves off from love because we fear that we might not be able to reciprocate the love back – fear of hurting others. It becomes difficult to entertain the idea of love because of mistrust – knowing the motives behind someone’s love- and not appear to be naïve.

Like the cloud does not negate the sun’s existence, love exists despite the hurt. One of the remarkable characteristics of love is selflessness, and Jesus perfectly displayed it on the cross. When we read the scriptures, we see that the magnitude of God’s love is immeasurable, directed to every individual, and consistent. Understanding God’s love convinces us that we are accepted and not just tolerated, giving us a better understanding of patience. The Bible says that “God is love”, meaning He has personified a concept that seems farfetched to many. So, love is no longer a ‘what’ but a ‘who’. Moreover, since He is love, anything called ‘love’ apart from Him is counterfeit. Thus, we need God to be able to love; otherwise, we risk fulfilling selfish ambitions in the name of ‘love’.

The Bible also gives certain characteristics of love in 1 Corinthians 13. The chapter is a baseline for love regardless of who we are giving it to; however, since we share different relationships with people, the dynamic might differ, but the principle remains. Our background influences how we perceive, give, and receive love. Sometimes our desire to show love comes from a genuine place, but it would always fall short if it is not aligned with God’s love.

So, our love for Him is a response. Hence, if we have not experienced His love, we cannot respond or give it fully. By receiving His love, we can respond accordingly; otherwise, we will only be pretending to love God because we are surrounded by people who love Him. And something amazing about the love of God is that it quenches our thirst and longing for fulfilment, allowing us to love others selflessly and unconditionally. When we are not satisfied with the love of God, we search for many things to become place holder, but they never satisfy. It is difficult to give what we have not received or are not aware of. We can only give and receive it properly once we know and understand what love is.

That is why Jesus told the woman at the well [John 4: 13-14], Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” The love of God is felt by others through us that profess to be children of God, but we first must experience it. We need to believe that God is not against us. God is fair and equal in the way He loves everyone. Often when someone is experiencing a season of favour, it may appear as if they are more loved than others. But the truth is that God’s love is the same for everyone; what makes the difference is how it is seen in our lives. We may shut down the idea and fail to believe that true love exists because of our past experiences and hurt, but He has come to heal our hearts from brokenness and give us a fresh perspective on what love really is.

PRAYER:
Thank you for Your Word that says, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, so that ‘whoever’ believes”.
Thank you because you said whoever, which means I qualify.
Thank you that I am included and not rejected.
Thank you that in your love, you did not choose but came for everyone.
Even before I thought of you, you came for me when I had no reason to be loved.
Thank you that you are filling my heart with your love and you are restoring me.
And wherever there was brokenness, your love is here to heal.
I won’t have to run after many things to fill me because your love satisfies me.
Thank You that I will not be chasing after man’s acceptance because, in You, I am accepted and included in Your kingdom.
Thank you that your love sets me free, and by it, I can see and experience you as my perfect Father.
Thank you for your unconditional love; it heals every wound in me.
Thank you Father for Your perfect love in Jesus Christ name.
AMEN.