Prayer activates angelic activities.

“And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense. And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.”           Luke 1:10-11(KJV)

This was a time of corporate prayer in our opening scripture, and the Bible records that as they prayed, an angel of the Lord appeared to Zachariah. This angel came to attend to the need in his life because the Bible tells us in Luke 1:13 that the angel said to Zachariah, “… Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.” Therefore it is important you know that whenever you are in a service or in a corporate assembly of believers praying, there are angels that are right there attending to the needs in your life.

So as you go for service today, do not be like those who do not pray when others are praying, and instead of praying they are busy looking around and waiting for the time of prayer to come to an end, you ought to take the time of prayer seriously. Those whose attention are not in the service and those not praying and participating in the service, cannot receive the blessings they would have received from the Lord at that time for being in that service. 

Therefore, take the time of prayer seriously today. This is because as you spend time praying with other believers corporately, remember that angels are active at that time and they are right there ready to minister to the needs in your life just like it happened to Zachariah in our opening scripture. So as you pray today, expect a divine visitation, manifestations of God’s Spirit and an outflow of blessings towards you. God bless you.

Prayer
Dear Father, my heart is open to receive all the blessings you have for me today and my Spirit earnestly longs after you, to see your power and your glory as I worship, pray and render my service to you today in the sanctuary in Jesus Name. Amen.

Further Study
Acts 10:1-4, Luke 22:41-43, Hebrews 1:14.

Doing the Word
Write out your expectations for today’s service and thank the Father for it.

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Pray with thanksgiving and faith.

“Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving” Colossians 4:2(KJV)

From our opening scripture we see that when we pray, there should be thanksgiving in our prayers. For instance, lets assume you are praying for God to touch the heart of your Boss. And you prayed saying, “Father, your word says the heart of a king is in your hands and you direct it as the water course to wherever you please, so Father in the name of Jesus, I thank you that my Boss attitude has changed towards me, in Jesus name. Amen.” Your thanksgiving in your prayer is an expression of your faith that the Father has  answered your prayer.

God also expects you to pray with faith. The Bible says in Mark 11:22-23, the Bible says, “And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.” In other words, Jesus is saying to us that if you speak a word and you believe that those things you are saying will come to pass, you shall have whatsoever you say. This shows us that in the realm of faith, satan cannot hinder our prayers.

Then Mark 11:24 says, “Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” This means that if I pray without believing there will be no receiving for me. This is because it is believing that puts receiving in motion. It doesn’t matter how long you pray and cry, if you do not believe you cannot receive anything in your prayer. This is because God does not respond to needs He responds to faith.

Finally today, I want you to know that God has already done everything necessary for you to live well. But you have to get to know the Word of God and exercise your faith in that Word and receive from the Father, that is when your life is going to get better.

Prayer
Dear Father I thank you because my path is the path of the righteous and it shines brighter and brighter unto the perfect day. I am moving from glory to glory by the Spirit of the Lord in Jesus Name. Amen.

Further Study\
Colossians 2:7, Colossians 3:15, Ephesians 5:20

Doing the Word
Let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

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Be sensitive.

“And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy” Mark 14:33(KJV)

Today, I want you to learn something from our opening scripture that when you are feeling heavy, that is, when you are feeling down, or depressed it is important you spend time praying at such times. It means that there is something happening somewhere that you are unaware of but your spirit is picking it. When Jesus felt heavy in His Spirit, He went to pray.   

So don’t sit there saying, “I don’t know why I am feeling depressed this morning.” Take out some time to pray in the Holy Ghost until that depression lifts. Luke 22:44(BBE) tells us what Jesus did when He felt troubled, “And being in great trouble of soul, the force of his prayer became stronger, and great drops, like blood, came from him, falling to the earth” 

When you sense fear or you feel troubled in your spirit, pray because somebody may be in danger who needs your prayer at that time. It may be because of something they are going through, or maybe death is about to hit someone and your spirit has picked it, so spend time praying whenever you feel such heaviness in your spirit because someone’s life may just depend on it.

Prayer
Precious Father help me to always be sensitive to the promptings of your Spirit to pray, thank you Father for I am strengthened in my inward man by your Spirit to always obey such promptings in Jesus Name. Amen.

Further Study
Psalm 102:20, Mark 14:38, Romans 8:26-27, Ephesians 6:18, 1 Peter 4:7.

Doing the Word
Pray Ephesians 3:16 for yourself today.

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God delights in answering your prayers.

“And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.”       John 16:23(KJV)

Jesus is saying to us here that whatever we ask the Father in His name, the Father ‘will’ give it to us. The word ‘will’ means determined, delighted, takes pleasure in. So whatever we ask the Father in the Name of Jesus, He is delighted to give it to us. Whatever we ask the Father in the Name of Jesus, He takes pleasure in giving it to us. 

This shows us that God is not our problem when it comes to receiving answers to our prayers, but God is my solution. In other words God is not the One hindering my prayers, but rather He is the One that wants to answer my prayer. This is because God is always delighted to give you anything that you ask in the name of Jesus.

The question now is this? If you are not having answers to your prayers, who should you blame? The answer is you. Therefore ask yourself the following questions: Is my prayer directed to the Father? Secondly, did I pray in the name of Jesus? This is because when you ask in the name of Jesus, the Father is delighted in answering you. So whatever I ask in the name of Jesus, I should consider it done.

Matthew 7:7-11 says, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?”                     

Prayer
Dear Father I thank you because you are delighted, determined and takes pleasure in answering my prayers. I believe I receive by faith all that I demand in prayer today in Jesus Name. Amen.

Further Study
John 14:14, 1 John 5:14-15

Doing the Word
Make your demands in faith with thanksgiving.

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God is aware and He cares 2.

“And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.” Isaiah 65:24(KJV)

Do you know that what some people call prayer is actually quarreling with God? Imagine some one praying and saying, “Oh Father, let me just tell you. I am tired. And if you do not do it for me now, I will backslide.” The reason people pray that way is because they do not know the Father. That is the problem a lot of Christians are having, they do not know the Father.

2 Peter 1:2 says, “Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord”  This means that when you know God, favour and peace will multiply in your life. That is what will get rid of every frustration and bring you to a place of rest when you pray.

An evangelist needed money to print books in South Africa in the language of the Africans. So he said he told the Lord that he was just going to take that day to praise Him while he was believing God for the money to come. So as he got on his knees and began praising God, he got a call from his friend offering to have lunch with him that day. But he declined telling his friend that he has decided to praise God all day. The next day while he was at lunch with the man, the man said I called you yesterday because I felt impressed in my heart by the Lord to give you such and such an amount of money. And he made it known that, that amount was the exact amount he was praising God for the previous day.  This means that God already gave him his answer before he was even through with His day of praise.

Therefore, I want you to know today that God is so eager to answer your prayer. So ask with the right attitude and you shall receive.

Prayer
Dear Father I dedicate this day to offering prayers of praise and thanksgiving to you for I know that you are able to do exceeding abundantly above all that I have asked in the Name of Jesus.

Further Study
Psalm 91:15, Acts 16:23-26, Colossians 3:17, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.

Doing the Word
As you go about your day today, take out time to thank and praise the Father for His answers.

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God is aware and He cares 1.

“… for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.” Matthew 6:8(KJV)

When you know that the Father knows what you need before you ask Him, you will be able to rest in prayer. God is aware of all your needs before you ask Him. So do not pray as though you are trying to convince God. Don’t pray that way.

I remember the story of a dear minister of God who was praying one day for souls to be saved and he said he prayed to a point and he said to the Lord, “You know that I want this people to be saved more than You.” Then the Lord answered, and said, I sent my Son to die for these people before you were born. And the Lord made me know that is what religious zeal has done to a lot of people and they don’t even know His heart. Is it possible for you to want a soul to be saved more than God? He did not know the Father’s love for all who are lost to be saved, because the Bible says in 1 Timothy 2:4(CEV) “God wants everyone to be saved and to know the whole truth …” 

Some others pray saying, “Father if really you care for me, if you care for me at all do it for me and I will praise your name.” They don’t know the heart of the Father and how He cares for them. Yet the Bible says in Romans 5:8, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” In other words, God gave His Son to die for us inspite of our sins because of how He loves us. In Romans 8:32, the Bible says, “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?”

Confession
Father according to your Word in 1 Corinthians 3:21, I declare that all things are mine. The world is mine, life is mine, the things present, and the things to come are all mine and I belong to Christ, and Christ is God’s.

Further Study
Psalm 84:11, 1 Corinthians 2:12, Revelation 21:7.

Doing the Word
Don’t beg, confidently ask the Father for what you need.

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Do you know the Father?

“That I may know him …” Philippians 3:10a (KJV)

I read the story of the young man that recited the 23rd Psalm and after he was through reciting it, everyone was clapping. Then an older man also recited that same 23rd Psalm and by the time he was through reciting it to the same audience, everyone was crying. What was the difference? The older man said, the young man knows the Psalm but I know the shepherd.

Therefore today, don’t just know about prayer, know the one that you are praying to. He is your Father. There was a time I went to see a lady that was sick, I just wanted to pray a simple prayer and leave, but as I began to pray to the Father, the power of God charged up that place and a Word of knowledge came and she was just crying having received her healing from the Lord.

That is the way your life is suppose to be. When you know the Father, He becomes so real to you and you will begin to carry His presence with you everywhere you go in your life. Having a relationship with the Father and knowing that He loves you and He is willing to give you whatever you ask according to His Word will cause your faith to be energized as you pray. Because you know according to 1 John 5:14-15, “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.”             

Prayer
Dear Father I pray that you fill me with the Spirit of Wisdom and revelation in the accurate knowledge of you in Jesus Name. Amen.

Further Study
Philippians 3:8, Jeremiah 9:23-24, 1 John 2:3,5

Doing the Word
Please pray Philippians 1:9 for yourself.

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Pray with understanding.

“But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.” Matthew 6:7(KJV)

Our opening scripture teaches us not to pray like the heathen who think that they shall be heard because of their much speaking. I want you to observe that Jesus said, “…they think that they shall be heard …” This reveals from the words of Jesus that many pray based on their assumption. This is because they think that they shall be heard because of their much speaking. For instance, some people think that if they shout louder when they are praying, then God will hear them. It is only an assumption.

Personally, I don’t shout when I pray, but there are sometimes when I shout when I pray because there are different moods in prayer. But it is not your shouting that makes God to hear you. There are times I shout when praying, most of the time when I am making confessions. At that time I am declaring creative words. But if you don’t have this intelligence, there are a lot of things that will elude you. 

For instance when I lift up my hands when I am worshiping or when I am praying, am aware that by the lifting up of my hands, I am offering up to God an evening sacrifice according to Psalm 141:2 “Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.”

Therefore, when you pray today, pray with this understanding, knowing that your prayer is going up to the Father as incense and as you pray practice lifting up your hands because it is like the offering of the evening sacrifice to the Father and the Bible says in 1 Timothy 2:8, “I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.”

Prayer
Dear Father I thank you for your faithfulness and love towards me always. Thank you Father for I know that you hear me always when I pray and my prayers ascend unto you as incense. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Further Study
1 John 3:20-22, Psalm 6:9, Psalm 66:19

Doing the Word
Pray with Zachariah 10:1 for a rain of God’s Spirit in all the places believers will be gathered today.  

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Walk in Wisdom.

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” James 1:5(KJV)

In our opening scripture, the Bible clearly makes an appeal to all who lack wisdom to ask, and God will give liberally to those who ask Him. So if you lack wisdom ask. This is because as a child of God you ought to walk in the wisdom of God concerning every area of your life. 

What is wisdom? Wisdom is insight into God’s plan and purpose for a person, a place or a thing. Therefore, walking in the wisdom of God is walking in the will of God for your life. For instance, Joseph walked in the will of God for his life because he lived and regulated his life by the wisdom of God and God rewarded him for it.

When Joseph was brought before Pharaoh to interpret his dream, he told Pharaoh the interpretation of his dream and by the wisdom of God at work in him, he gave Pharaoh a plan that was in line with God's purpose to preserve lives. So when you are functioning in divine wisdom, you are functioning accurately.

God’s wisdom will give you an understanding of the times. You will be able to know accurately what to do, what to ask, what opportunity to go for, etc. at the right time. For instance, there are some things I wouldn't start praying for now, it is not because I don’t have faith for them, but as I am functioning by the wisdom of God, I know the right time to ask for certain things. 

Imagine an unmarried teenager praying to God to give her a child, that prayer would not be answered because she is not functioning by wisdom, it is not the right time to ask for that because she needs to mature some more and get married first before she can have a child. In the same way, let God’s wisdom guide you in the way you live your life, the kind of decisions you make and what you pray for.

Prayer
Dear Father just like the children of Issachar I ask that you grant unto me an understanding of the times so that I can walk accurately in your will and purpose for my life in Jesus Name. Amen.

Further Study
1 Chronicles 22:12, 2 Chronicles 1:10, Daniel 2:21-22.

Doing the Word
Pray Colossians 1:9 for yourself.

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Pray in line with the Word of God.

“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.” 
Luke 11:1(KJV)

Prayer is communicating with God in line with His Word. From our opening scripture, the Bible is letting us know that prayer can be taught, because the disciples came to Jesus and said to Him, “…Lord, teach us to pray,…” Since prayer can be taught, it means that prayer is both an act and a science.

It is important for you to know the right way to pray so that you can get results when you pray. The disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray because they knew that Jesus got results when He prays. I want you to know that the disciples as Jews were not strangers to prayer, so they knew what prayer was, but they were not getting results. So in other for them to get results like Jesus, they asked Him to teach them to pray.

The Word of God is the rule book of all faith and practice. So if your prayer is going to produce results, it must always be based on the Word of God. This is because when our prayer is based on God’s Word, He is obligated to perform. 

Prayer
Dear Father your Word says in Isaiah 55:11 that your Word will not return to you void but it shall prosper in that which it was sent to do. Therefore, as I pray according to your Word, I thank you because my prayers always prosper in whatsoever I ask it to do in Jesus Name. Amen.

Further Study
Matthew 24:35, Numbers 23:19, Isaiah 55:11.

Doing the Word
Instead of worrying, do this exercise; find scriptures in the Bible that deals with what you are worrying about, write them down and take each one of them and meditate on them all day long till your heart is filled with peace.

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Fasting and prayer 2.

 “As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.” Acts 13:2(KJV)

From our opening scripture, we see that fasting and prayer will make you sensitive to divine timing. For instance the Bible says as they ministered and prayed here in our opening scripture, God spoke to them concerning Paul and Barnabas and that they should be separated for the ministry to which He has called them. So as a result of their participation in this time of prayer and fasting in the Church at Antioch they could be in step with God’s plan for their lives.

Are you aware that your prayer life influences your will? As you spend time praying in the Spirit in other tongues, you are strengthening you spirit to dominate your will. This is why there has to be consistency in your prayer life. Not that you pray today and then for the next three weeks you will not pray anymore. Your lack of consistency will not help you produce the required result.

If you want to be a seasoned Christian, you will need to have a seasoned prayer life and a seasoned study life. Don’t just stop at reading the devotional alone, also read the scriptures for further study from your Bible, then also use a reference Bible to cross reference the scriptures you read from the devotional. Then take out more time to study the Word of God for yourself and pray. 

Prayer
Dear Father I ask that you grant unto me the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of you, thank you for the eyes of my understanding is enlightened to know the hope of your calling and the riches of the glorious inheritance in the saints even as I fast and pray in Jesus Name. Amen.

Further Study
Acts 13:3, Ezra 8:21-23, Esther 4:15-17.

Doing the Word
Write down the instructions that God gives you in this season and go in that direction.

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Fasting and prayer 1.

“… give yourselves to fasting and prayer …” 1 Corinthians 7:5(KJV) 

Do you know that fasting and prayer is part of your Christian service? Some Christians don’t fast unless there is a call to fast in their Churches. But God can actually instruct you to pray and fast concerning His work on the earth or even in our nation.

There are many things that God wants to do in this nation, He might not be able to do them or He might be able to them depending on the prayer of saints. This is why I always ask Christians, “Do you pray?” Do you have a personal prayer time or prayer life? Do you have it? if you don’t, then you need to start that prayer discipline now because there are certain things that God wants to do for you that will require your own subscription to the prayer discipline. 

Do you know that Jesus the Son of God had to spend time praying concerning His resurrection? You will see that in Hebrews 5:7, the Bible says, “Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared”  

If Jesus had to pray, how much more us. So, you can’t just sit down at home watching movies and serious matters about your life are passing being unattended to. It’s time for you to subscribe to the discipline of prayer and fasting too.

Prayer
Thank you dear Father for your grace is released abundantly towards me to faithfully offer my service of fasting and prayer to you. As I fast and pray, I am open to the Spirit to pray through me and to receive guidance and instructions from you in this season in Jesus Name. Amen.

Further Study
Daniel 9:3, Luke 2:37, Acts 10:30, Acts 13:1-3.

Doing the Word
Please join the ongoing fast in Church(Charismatic Renaissance International Church) if you have not yet started.

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Your prayer life counts 2.

“Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith. But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.”              2 Thessalonians 3:1-3(KJV)

There is such a thing as a prayer covering or prayer protection. This is because prayer can avert evil from happening to you. For instance, there was a time I sensed a strong call to prayer for someone but I did not know who exactly was in danger. After I sent out text messages to some of our leaders to pray that night, one of them called me back later to thank me saying; he was glad he was a part of this ministry because his brother was coming back from Abuja that night and they had an accident but his brother was preserved and he was glad we prayed.

 If you ever find out that you are having a very strong urgency to pray or to fast, know there is a reason for it. It is capable of effecting a change in heaven. Revelations 5:8 tells us that our individual prayers come before the Father, “And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.”

The question I will like to ask you today is this: Is your prayer in those vials carried by the twenty four elders in heaven? Is your prayer there? Or all the prayers you have ever prayed in this life is for yourself. Is all your prayers directed to you and your needs alone? Do you only pray the O God bless me, O God give me a husband, O God give me a job kind of prayer alone? Those are selfish prayers. Those are not the kind of prayers been presented here by the elders in heaven. The kind of prayers that are being presented here are prayers that are directed towards bringing the plan of God into manifestation on earth. Such prayers are like the prayers made by Daniel in Daniel 9:1-23.

Prayer:
Dear Father I pray that your will be established on the earth leading to the salvation of souls. May the Word of the Lord have free course and be glorified wherever it is preached today all around the world with signs following in Jesus Name. Amen.

Further Study
Luke 10:2, Romans 15:30, Colossians 4:3, 1 Thessalonians 5:25.

Doing the Word
Pray Matthew 9:38.

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Your prayer life counts 1.

“… But prayer was made without ceasing by the church unto God for him.” Acts 12:5(DRB)

God can do much with a Church that prays much, and God can do little with a Church that prays little.

When I was getting ready for ministry, there was an older brother I had in Church and he called me one day and he started counseling me from time to time knowing that I had the call of God on my life. Then I asked him during one of those sessions, “Sir, why are you interested in me? Not much people seem to be interested in me.” Then he answered and said, “Only wise men see the star.” In other words, in the early phases of a great ministry, many people do not recognize it. Then he said to me, “Ministry begins on the knees, it is sustained on the knees  and it is consummated on the knees.” I can never forget those words.

Prayer is the secret of most great leaders. How can you lead a cell or be a leader in the House of God without been a person of prayer? Having an effective prayer life, will not only help you to be a productive leader in God’s house, but it will also help you to sense and know what God is doing per time and also help you to make choices and decisions that are consistent with God’s will for your life.

Having an effective prayer life would also help you to sense evil before it happens so that you can pray about it and avert such danger from coming to pass in your life, in your city and to your loved ones.  Whenever you have such signals from your spirit please spend time praying till you have a note of victory. Your prayer may just be all that is needed to spare someone’s life.

Prayer
Dear Father I ask that you always make my heart sensitive to the emotions of the Spirit so I can pick the signals of your Spirit so that I can have an effective prayer life enabling me to be productive and effective in your will for my life in Jesus Name. Amen.

Further Study
Acts 12:1-17, 2 Corinthians 1:11, Ephesians 6:18, James 5:16.

Doing the Word
Spend more time praying in the Spirit for this nation, the salvation of souls, other believers, your family, your Church, your Pastor, and concerning God’s will for your life.

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Take prayer seriously.

“And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint” Luke 18:1(KJV)

From our opening scripture, we see that every believer is called to pray and not to give up or quit. The Bible tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, “Pray without ceasing.” In other words, don’t stop praying. The Bible tells us to pray on all occasions. This means that you as a believer ought to take every time of prayer seriously.
Psalm 141:2 says, “Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.” Therefore be conscious that you are performing a spiritual service to the Father every time you pray, so take it seriously.

Revelations 8:3 says, “And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.” This shows us that our prayers are offered to the Father as incense. But if you do not have time for prayer or you do not take times of prayer seriously, will your prayer be part of the prayers in the golden censer?

So be conscious knowing that every time you are praying, something spiritual is taking place. Don’t trivialize or miss corporate prayer, be it in a church service or in other small group meetings or gathering of believers. When we pray in such corporate assemblies with other believers, there are angels there ready to receive those prayers and mix it with incense to offer to the Father.

Prayer
Dear Father I thank you for the sanctifying influence of your Spirit on my life that enables me to pray the will of the Father on every issue. I thank you Father for my prayers ascend unto you as incense sanctified of the Holy Spirit in Jesus Name. Amen.

Further Study
Psalm 5:3, Psalm 55:17, Proverbs 15:8, Mark 1:35, Revelations 5:8

Doing the Word
Pray with all your heart always because you are offering a spiritual sacrifice to the Father.

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Don’t worry.

“Don't worry about anything, but in all your prayers ask God for what you need, always asking him with a thankful heart.” Philippians 4:6(GNB)

Do you know that your Heavenly Father feels what you feel. Someone may ask, Does Jesus know what it means for someone not to have accommodation? Yes he does. When He went to Samaria, the Bible says that He had no place to lay His head. So you would agree that Jesus knows what it means for you to lack accommodation. This is why He can be touched with the feelings of our infirmity.

Therefore, because we know that God can be touched with the feelings of our infirmity, He tells us to come boldly to the throne of grace. We don’t come begging, we come boldly to obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

So when you pray today, speak to the Father with confidence, knowing that you would get what you ask for. Therefore stop worrying about your needs. Philippians 4:6(KJV) says, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” 

Don’t be anxious for anything, don’t have anxiety about anything, don’t worry about anything. Worry is proof that you do not have faith in God’s concern for you. When you are worrying about anything; whether your children, your finances, your accommodation, your protection, etc, it is because you are not sure of God’s love and concern for you. If you find your two year old baby sitting down somewhere thinking and you ask, “what are you thinking about?” and he or she says, “am just wondering if you would be able to take care of me.” 

No, children does not think that way, they are sure of the love and concern of their parents to be able to take care of all their needs. That should be your attitude also as a child of God. Be confident in God’s love and His concern for you because He is able to abundantly supply for all your needs.

Confession
I refuse to worry over any need because I an confident knowing that my God shall supply all my needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Further Study
Matthew 6:25-33, Philippians 4:6-8.

Doing the Word
Stop the worry.

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God already answered.

“We don't have a priest who is out of touch with our reality… ” Hebrews 4:15(MSG)

Our opening scripture is letting us know that Jesus can be touched by our weakness and He understands what we may be going through. Sometimes some people pray and say, “O God, if only you know what I am going through, you would have done something.” They blame God for their problems as though its God’s fault.

I would like to share this analogy with you: Lets say you needed  money and I paid a hundred thousand naira into your account. Then I called to let you know that the  money has already been paid into your account but you didn't pick up your phone. As a result you called me back later weeping and crying to tell me how you really needed the money, and to say that if I had really loved you I would have done something about it. But then I replied and told you that I had already paid the money you needed into your account. At the moment you hear that I've already paid the money into your account, you will immediately stop crying and go and withdraw the money. But if when you called me I was not reachable, you would start saying that I am wicked because you didn't know that when you asked I responded and paid the money. You will go and continue to complain even to others that you told me about your problem but I didn't do anything about it. But the truth is that I had already done something about it but you didn't know and you couldn't go and withdraw it because you have not been able to get through to me.

That is the same way the prayer lives of many are. They have not been able to get through to God, therefore they are yet to receive what they  have asked for in prayer because they lack knowledge.

Prayer:
Dear Father I thank you for your Word to me today that has enlightened me to know that you have already answered all my previous prayers. Right now I release my faith to lay hold on all the answers to my prayers. Thank you Father for all the benefits you have for me are all coming to me by free course today. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Further Study
Hosea 4:6.

Doing the Word
Take time out through the day to thank the Father for His answers instead of complaining.

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Don’t pray like the heathen.

“But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.” Matthew 6:7(KJV)

The Lord Jesus teaches us in our opening scripture not to pray with vain repetitions; in other words, He is admonishing us not to pray as though God does not know what we need or He is not concerned about what you need.

The concept some Christians have about prayer is that they have to bombard the gates of heaven. No you are not to bombard heaven or the Father with your prayers. This is because when you say you want to bombard the gates of  heaven, you are saying that you want to throw bombs at the gates of heaven. 

Another reason why we do not bombard the gates of heaven is because we are children of the kingdom of heaven and the Bible says in Hebrews 4:16, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” So, because we are in the kingdom and not outside the kingdom, we do not need to bombard the gates of heaven, we simply come before Him to the throne of grace and receive from the Father. 

Pray in faith today in the name of Jesus knowing that the Father you are praying to cares about you and we have access to Him everyday and at anytime through faith in Jesus name. The Bible says, “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:15-16.

Prayer
Abba, Father I thank you for your grace that is abundantly lavished towards me. I thank you for the privilege you've given to me to come boldly to the throne. I receive mercy and grace for help, for every need in my life in Jesus Name. Amen.

Further Study
Hebrews 10:19-23, Ephesians 2:18-22, Romans 5:1-2.

Doing the Word
Pray confidently in the name of Jesus knowing that the Father loves you and is willing to answer your prayer.  

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Pray rightly.

“Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.” Matthew 6:8(KJV)

Our opening scripture, lets us know that we have a compassionate Father; a Father that knows what we have need of before we ask Him. Yet someone may say, “God if you only know what I need you would have helped me.” God knows what you need but the issue is that you do not know the principles that govern prayer therefore you are not getting results from your prayer.

I use to have a friend whose aunt was a very special prayer warrior, yet a lot of evil things use to happen to that family. They were wealthy but yet a lot of evil things happen to them. She was a prayer warrior; she prays all night almost everyday, she was lean and haggard from her much praying even though she was wealthy, yet things was not going right as it should. If only she has learnt how to pray.

Know from the words of Jesus in our opening scripture that your Father knows your needs before you ask him. Someone may ask, “Then why don’t we get answers to our prayers?” It is because many are not following the principles of prayer. For instance, for some people when it is time to pray, they keep quiet and do not say anything. And then when you ask them if they were praying, they answer and say that they were praying in their minds, no that is not how to pray. The Bible says when you pray ‘say’. David prayed in Psalm 142:1 saying, “I cried unto the LORD with my voice; with my voice unto the LORD did I make my supplication.” So if you are not saying anything, then you are not praying. Secondly, it is important you pray in faith based on the Word of God. Thirdly learn to receive the answer to your prayer when you pray. After you make your request, receive your answer and thank Him for it. Since you have received your answer, keep your confessions consistent with it, talk like it everyday, rejoice, testify and refuse to worry. Fourthly don’t pray with offence, unforgiveness, strife and bitterness in your heart, it can make your prayer ineffective. 

Prayer
Dear Father I know that you love me and You are compassionate and willing to meet all my needs. Thank you Father for as I follow these principles in praying rightly, and as I choose to let go of every offence and unforgiveness in my heart, I expect to have and experience greater results in my prayer life. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Further Study
Mark 11:22-26.

Doing the Word
Let go of any offense in your heart before you pray today.

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What is your motive?

“And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.” Matthew 6:5(KJV)

From our opening scripture it is obvious to you that your motive in prayer is what decides your results from prayer. For instance if I am praying loud so that you can hear me pray, then I have gotten my reward because you have heard me pray. Also if I do my singing in worship to God so that others can hear me singing, I have gotten my reward because they have heard me singing. 

So my rewards in prayer is determined by my reason during prayer. In other words, if you are trying to get noticed when you pray Jesus said you've gotten your answer to prayer because you have been noticed. So if there is anything you are doing in Church or for the Lord just so you can be noticed, the moment you are noticed you get your reward. So it matters why you do what you do.

Some one may decide to go on a fast by himself and then go about telling everyone that he is fasting for seven days so that others may think he is very spiritual. If you have that attitude, Jesus said you have gotten your reward because I know that you are fasting for seven days. At the end of the fast, you would not get any blessing out of it because everyone knows you have fasted for seven days because you wanted them to know so that you can be highly esteemed before them. So what reward did you get from God after that fast? Nothing. 

Therefore, it is important you understand that your reasons in prayer matters. It is what will determine your rewards or your results in prayer.

Prayer
Dear Father I present myself, my service, my abilities, my dreams, my deeds, and my entire life to you as a living sacrifice. Let it all be acceptable unto you, being sanctified of your Spirit in Jesus Name.Amen

Further Study
Matthew 6:1-8, Isaiah 58:3-12.          

Doing the Word
If you have been doing things for the wrong motives, repent and start doing what you do for the right motives.                                                                                                          

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You have a blank cheque.

“And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.” John 16:23(KJV)

Our opening scripture reveals to us in Jesus’ own words that we do not pray to Him, instead He tells us to pray to the Father in His Name. We love Jesus, we fellowship with Him, we honor Him, but we pray to the Father.

Jesus said, “Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.” That is a blank cheque Jesus has given to us before the Father. There was a time my wife and I made a list to the Father because I figured out that if God doesn't know exactly what we want, He is not going to provide what we want because we didn't ask Him. For instance, if you don’t know my school fees, then how can you pay my school fees? 

So, in order for my wife and I to be specific in our asking, we made a list of all the things we needed and we prayed over it in agreement. In less than two weeks after that day, I traveled to Benin and I ministered there to the brethren. On a Thursday during those meetings, I was speaking on the great commission not on giving, but God spoke to a lady to go to the market and buy everything that we needed. She bought everything that we wrote down on our list. How did she know? Jesus said, “Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.” 

Prayer
Dear Father I believe I receive all that I will ask for today in the Name of Jesus according to the Words of Jesus which says, “Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.” So shall it be in Jesus Name.

Further Study
Matthew 7:7, John 14:13-14, John 15:7.

Doing the Word
Therefore, with this understanding, put your faith to work today and make a list of all that you need and thank Him for meeting it. Amen.

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We pray to the Father 2.

“For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named” Ephesians 3:14-15(KJV)

All through the scriptures, we observe that the Bible way to pray is being shown us. Firstly, we see that when we pray we must speak words. Secondly, we see that we do not pray to Jesus or the Holy Spirit, but instead we pray to the Father in the Name of Jesus.

When you read through the gospels, you would notice that every time Jesus prayed, He spoke words and He starts by calling God Father. Also, reading through the epistles, you will find the same thing being practiced by the Apostle Paul. When he prayed, just like we see in our opening scripture, he prayed to the Father.

In Ephesians 1:16-17, Paul the Apostle said in his prayer, “Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him.” So the Bible way to pray is to pray to the Father in the Name of Jesus.

Therefore, when ever you pray, always pray to the Father. This is because, one thing I have come to understand as a believer and also as a minister is the fact that when you want to see kingdom results, whatever you do must be consistent with the Word of God.

Prayer
Dear Father I thank you because you have filled me with the knowledge of your will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. I thank you for I walk worthy of you: pleasing you in every way. I thank you for I am fruitful in every good work and I am increasing in the knowledge of you, being strengthened with all might according to your glorious power unto all patience with endurance and joyfulness in Jesus Name. Amen.

Further Study
Ephesians 1:16-17, Ephesians 3:14-16, Philippians 1:2-9, Colossians 1:3-9.

Doing the Word
Pray these Pauline prayers in Ephesians 1:17, Ephesians 3:16, Philippians 1:9 and Colossians 1:9 for yourself today.  

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We pray to the Father 1

“And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.”    Luke 11:2(KJV)

From our opening scripture, Jesus is letting us know that when we pray we should say, “Our Father.” This means that all of us who are God’s children have equal rights in His presence.
In Mark 14:36 when Jesus prayed in the garden of Gethsamane, He said, “…Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee …” Going by the example of Jesus, we can see  that when He prayed, He called God Father.  

Even the Bible tell us in Romans 8:15, “For ye received not the spirit of bondage again unto fear; but ye received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” So it is evident that when we pray, we must pray on the basis of a relationship because we are His sons and daughters and He is our Father. 

Not every one can call God Father. Those who can call God Father are those who have received Jesus as their Lord and are born again, therefore they have received access to the Father. In Ephesians 2:17-19 the Bible says, “And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God”

Prayer
Dear Father, I thank you for the witness of your Spirit in my heart that has awakened me to your Fatherhood. Abba, Father I worship you for who you are and for your everlasting greatness. I pray that Your Will be established on the earth and in my life in Jesus Name. Amen.

Further Study
Matthew 6:9, Galatians 4:5-7.

Doing the Word
Banish all dread and condemnation from your heart and pray boldly to the Father of mercies and all grace.

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The Father rewards your prayers.

“But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.” Matthew 6:7(KJV)

In our opening scripture, Jesus says to you that when you pray, do not use vain repetitions  Why? Jesus said in Matthew 6:8, “… for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.” This verse lets us know that when we pray, we pray to the Father. This is important because  you must know who you pray to. We do not pray to Jesus, no we pray to the Father in the Name of Jesus.     

In Matthew 6:5-6, the Bible says, “And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.”  This shows the Father sees us in secret when we pray and rewards us openly. 

It is important you know that prayer would only prosper when you have a relationship with God. Another thing we learn from Matthew 6:6 is knowing that my rewards are a result of my prayer. 

In other words  others may not know what you prayed about when you prayed to the Father on your own privately but when He answers you, He rewards you openly.  Nobody may have known what you prayed about in private, but the answer becomes obvious to everyone. So the next time you pray, know that you are deciding your reward. Therefore, pray knowing that God is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.

Prayer
Dear Father I thank you for your word makes me know that you know what I need even before I ask, therefore all that I have asked of you in secret is publicly been rewarded in these days in Jesus Name. Amen.

Further Study
2 Kings 4:33, Psalm 34:15, Acts 10:1-4.

Doing the Word
Thank God for His answers and the rewards of your prayers.

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Pray based on the Word.

“And Jacob said, O God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac, the LORD which saidst unto me, Return unto thy country, and to thy kindred, and I will deal well with thee:”
Genesis 32:9(KJV)

 I want you to notice from our opening scripture in the prayer of Jacob that he begins his prayer by bringing God’s Word back to Him. He said, “…the LORD which saidst unto me, Return unto thy country, and to thy kindred, and I will deal well with thee:” This is the right way to pray, but for some people, when they want to pray, the first thing they want to do is to tell God about all their needs and then they wonder why they do not seem to get it on time if they get it or why they don’t get it at all.

This is because there are protocols or principles in respect to prayers that we need to observe. Jacob said in his prayer, “…the LORD which saidst unto me, Return unto thy country, and to thy kindred, and I will deal well with thee:” This shows us that in prayer, we ought to pray based on the Word of God.

Therefore, no matter what you want to pray about and how much you desire that thing, you must pray based on the Word of God. So get the Word of God first about that issue, because it is that Word that will give you confidence when you pray.

Prayer
Dear Father I thank you because your Word is producing in my life what it talks about. I thank you because I am daily been transformed into the image that I see in the Word of God from glory to glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord in Jesus Name. Amen.

Further Study
Nehemiah 1:8-11, Psalm 119:49.

Doing the Word
Find out what the Word of God says concerning the challenge that you have and use that scripture in praying to the Father.  

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Ask in faith.

“And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.”       Isaiah 65:24(KJV)

From our opening scripture, the Bible lets us know that before we call He answers and while we are yet speaking, He hears us. God does not hear us because of much speaking. In otherwords God does not hear us just because we prayed again and again. He heard us the moment we prayed in faith.

George Muller was travelling in a ship one time and there was mist in the sea and they couldn't see their way. So, when he came out and the Captain told him about it. He asked the Captain to give him a moment, then he went on his knees and prayed, telling the mist to shift. When he was through praying, he went back and told the Captain that the mist would shift. And the mist shifted just as he said and the sea was clear again.  

Come to this knowledge that you can change anything. Know that no matter what comes against you, it is for the glory of God.

Do you know that whatever comes against you is for your glory? When you know, your attitude will be different in the midst of challenges.  When my wife was pregnant with our first child, they said that there was a fibroid disturbing the child. The average couple would have said, “okay let them terminate the pregnancy.” Not us, we knew the blessing was on us because the Bible says in Deuteronomy 28:4, “Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body …” So my wife carried the baby full term and our first child was born safely inspite of the initial testimony of the doctor because we knew the Word of God.   

Therefore when you ask the Lord in Faith for anything, know that it will surely come to pass to the glory of God.

Prayer
Dear Father I thank you for I am blessed in the city, I am blessed in the field. Thank you for all my children are blessed, my business is blessed, my bank account is blessed. I am blessed in my coming in and I am blessed in my going out. All those that rise up against me will fall for my sake, my job and all that concerns me is blessed. I am working in righteousness and dominion. I am blessed with all good things. I shall never be barren. I bring forth fruit in and out of season. The windows of heaven are opened unto me and I shall lend to nations and I shall not borrow. The Lord has made me the head and not the tail, and I shall be above only and I shall not be beneath in Jesus Name. Amen.

Further Study
Jeremiah 29:12, 1 Timothy 2:8, 1 John 5:14-15.

Doing the Word
Keep your confessions consistent with your faith.

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Call God Father.

“These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.” John 17:1-5(KJV)

Our opening scripture is a part of the prayer by Jesus in John 17. Reading this prayer lets you see prayer more as a conversation with God based on His Word. Jesus spoke to the Father as though he was speaking to someone sitting right beside Him. You would also notice that when Jesus prayed, He did not  pray, “Oh God,” but rather He repeatedly called God ‘Father’. That is how you also aught to pray. Call God Father when you pray.

In John 11:41-42, Jesus prayed before the tomb of Lazarus saying, “…Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always …” Jesus is showing us here that if we ask any thing according to God’s will, we should consider it done. So be confident when you pray knowing that God hears you always.

Prayer
Dear Father I thank you because my love is increasing and abounding more and more in knowledge and in all judgement. I thank you for I approve things that are excellent and I remain sincere and without offence till the day of Christ in Jesus Name. Amen.

Further Study
Ephesians 1:16-17, Ephesians 3:14-16, Colossians 1:3.

Doing the Word
Whenever you pray always learn to address God as Father.

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Pray based on Word knowledge.

“Produce your cause, saith the LORD; bring forth your strong reasons, saith the King of Jacob.”
Isaiah 41:21(KJV)

People who do not pray according to the Word of God, pray to  the Father as if they are trying Him to see if He will answer their prayer. This is because their faith was not built on the Word of God before they asked. 

So before you go to the Father praying and asking for anything, make sure that your faith  and your asking is based on the Word of God. That is the way to always get answers to your prayers.  

I have noticed in my life that I do not need to ask God for money anymore because I have come to that place where I rest in Him. This is because there are certain things that I know from the Word of God and certain principles that I put to work concerning my finances and my prosperity that sustains the blessing in my life.

Whenever I pray for people, because I always pray according to the Word of God, I always expect an answer. As believers, God always wants us to function and live our lives based on this truth. So if you believe that God heard you the first time you prayed, then why are you still praying about that need again.

Your knowledge is the basis for your prayer. This is because for you to be able to ask according to the will of God, you must know the Word of God. So the knowledge of the Word of God is vital in successful praying.       

Prayer
Dear Father I cast all my cares upon you(call out some of those cares) and I know that you've heard me and I receive the answers right now in Jesus Name. Amen.

Further study
Philippians 4:6-8, 1 Peter 5:7, Psalm 55:22, Psalm 119:81.

Doing the Word
Write out in a note that you have received all that you asked for in faith today. And rejoice because you have no care in this world.

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Praying God’s will.

“And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:” 1 John 5:14(KJV)

Today from our opening scripture, we see that if we ask any thing according to God’s will, he hears us. God’s will is His Word. Therefore, when we pray according to the Word of God, He hears us.

So when I pray according to the Word of God, I am confident knowing that God hears me. God wants you to know that He hears you when you pray according to His Word. In 1 John 5:15, the Bible says, “And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.”

Praying with the Word of God gives you that confidence knowing that whatsoever you ask of the Father, you know that you have it. The Bible didn't say and we shall have it but rather 1 John 5:15 says, “…we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.” Why? It is because we asked according to the Word of God.

Therefore, the Bible is letting us know that if God hears you when you pray, then it is as good as done. If He heard me, then I have the petitions that I have desired of Him. Let this always be your conviction when you pray.

Prayer
Dear Father I thank you because I know I am guaranteed to get answers to all my prayers whenever I pray in Jesus Name. Amen.

Further Study
Mark 11:24, John 14:13, John 15:7, John 16:23-27.

Doing the Word
As you pray today, thank the Father for His answers.

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What is prayer?

“And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, …” Luke 11:2(KJV)

Prayer can be simply defined as communicating with God. If prayer is communicating with God, then prayer is not thinking, neither is it meditation. Therefore, if you are praying you must be talking. In otherwords you cannot say that you are praying in your mind.

In Luke 11:1 the Bible says, “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.” In the verse we just read, the disciples of Jesus asked Him to teach them to pray. That means that you can be taught how to pray.

Jesus went on to say in Luke 11:2 saying, “When ye pray, say, …” In teaching the disciples on how to pray, Jesus said when they pray, they should say, that means when we pray we talk, we speak words. We don’t pray in our minds, but we open our mouths and talk when we pray. So if you are not saying anything, you are not praying.

In John 17:1 the Bible says, “These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:” From this verse, we see that when Jesus prayed, He said, He spoke words from His mouth which was heard. So in conclusion we see that prayer is talking to God, not thinking or meditating.

Prayer
Dear Father, I thank you because you always hear me when I pray. Therefore I know that if I ask any thing according to your will, you will hear me, therefore, I receive all that I ask of you today in Jesus Name. Amen.

Further study
Hosea 14:2, Matthew 7:7,11, Matthew 21:22, 1 Kings 3:5.

Doing the Word
Today open your mouth and confidently ask the Father for whatsoever you desire of Him.

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