Welcome back again it's always a pleasure sharing the word of God ,it gives meaning to life to share with the world the Gospel of Christ.
One thing I discovered after I gave my life to Christ was an urgent call to prayer. Every time I was alone I felt the urge to pray , really wanted to talk to God , this new relationship with him kept me going. He had send his only son to die for my sins I knew he had more in store for me .
The more I prayed and studied his word naturally I felt like sharing his love with friends , family and anyone else .
Here on this scripture we find disciples praying on the day of Pentecost in obedience to what Jesus Christ had instructed it was a tough time being a disciple at this time Jesus had just been crucified , disciples were living in fear they needed direction .
When they were together for the last time they asked, “Master, are you going to restore the kingdom to Israel now? Is this the time?” He told them, “You don’t get to know the time. Timing is the Father’s business. What you’ll get is the Holy Spirit. And when the Holy Spirit comes on you, you will be able to be my witnesses in Jerusalem, all over Judea and Samaria, even to the ends of the world.”
Acts 1:6-8 MSG
Their lives were in danger ,but Jesus instructed them them to gather around and pray awaiting the Holy Spirit so they can be witnesses of him to the end of the world.But wait a minute what if we will be punished the same way you were punished Jesus?? They needed strength and courage so Jesus had instructed them to pray.
Prayer is obedience to Jesus Christ, he instructed us to pray fervently , he encouraged his disciples to fast ,he encouraged them to have dominion over the serpent.So prayer is obedience to Jesus ,we obey him when we pray ,he promised us the Holy Spirit when we pray ,so you don't pray only when you face problems you pray because you are obedient to him.
In the Bible we have seen many instances where people prayed , Prayer for protection ,prayer for guidance ,prayer for guidance and Jesus also instructed us to pray for our enemies so prayer is vital to your success as a Christian, by praying we are being obedient.
That’s when Peter stood up and, backed by the other eleven, spoke out with bold urgency: “Fellow Jews, all of you who are visiting Jerusalem, listen carefully and get this story straight. These people aren’t drunk as some of you suspect. They haven’t had time to get drunk—it’s only nine o’clock in the morning. This is what the prophet Joel announced would happen: “In the Last Days,” God says, “I will pour out my Spirit on every kind of people: Your sons will prophesy, also your daughters; Your young men will see visions, your old men dream dreams. When the time comes, I’ll pour out my Spirit On those who serve me, men and women both, and they’ll prophesy. I’ll set wonders in the sky above and signs on the earth below, Blood and fire and billowing smoke, the sun turning black and the moon blood-red, Before the Day of the Lord arrives, the Day tremendous and marvelous; And whoever calls out for help to me, God, will be saved.”
Acts 2:14-21 MSG
Peter the same guy who had denied Jesus three times we see him now addressing the crowd ,from a fear crippled being to a bold preacher here we witness the pure transformation of prayer .Do u feel discouraged or weak ? Did you obey Christ by praying?
We gain momentum when we pray ,we gain ground in Prayer .A declaration of faith avails much , pray your way to victory.We also get boldness when we pray.
So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: “Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, who by the mouth of Your servant David have said: ‘Why did the nations rage, And the people plot vain things? The kings of the earth took their stand, And the rulers were gathered together Against the Lord and against His Christ.’ “For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.” And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
Acts 4:24-31 NKJV
By depriving yourself prayer you get weak ,it is a necessity to pray .To get to the next level you ought to pray .The next level is waiting for you but you need to submit to God in prayer.
Now while I was speaking, praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the Lord my God for the holy mountain of my God, yes, while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, reached me about the time of the evening offering.
Daniel 9:20-21 NKJV
Pray I say again pray , the time you spend in Prayer determines your victory.Here we see Angel Gabriel reaching out to Daniel when he was praying and confessing his sins .What's holding you back , Satan knows that a prayerful Christian is powerful so he distracts us and make us weak to pray but start the habit as obedience to Jesus Christ and soon you will see results.
And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
Luke 22:41-44 NKJV
JESUS'S secret was prayer that's why he instructed us to pray .I could write a book on this but I wrote today to encourage you to be obedient to Jesus by praying . Victory is certain when you pray.
Shalom