SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE
OF PRAYER
Memorise
Rejoicing in hope;
patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
Romans 12:12
Read
Ephesians 6:18
6:18 Praying always with all
prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all
perseverance and supplication for all saints;
MESSAGE
In virtually every field of human endeavour, there are great men and
women. Be it in science, arts, sports, politics, governance and religion,
history is full of people regarded as great in these various fields. Many of
such people were given to causes that are ephemeral and mundane. One common
denominator in the life of such people or anyone that would be a success is
‘discipline’. What worthy thing it is therefore, when we apply the effort of
self-discipline in the area of the one thing that is an avenue for attracting
the favour and immense power of God to work on our behalf. This worthy avenue
of drawing God’s power is prayer.
The Bible commands us to pray always. Many people would ordinarily
find it easier to spend time chatting either in the real world or in virtual
cyber space than in praying always as the Bible commands. Note that God wants
to manifest His glory in your life. But then, prayer is never at home with the
flesh, rather, the flesh wants to gist or while away the time in some other
way. This is why prayer is a discipline, a spiritual discipline. Know that it
is more profitable for you to pray than to occupy your time with some other
mundane things. Put the flesh in its place, discipline your flesh and be
compelled to pray.
How is it possible to pray always? Would we not be violating the word
of God if we abandon our other responsibilities and spend all of our time on
our knees by our bedside praying? Yes we will be. What is actually required of
us is that our hearts must be attuned to God at all times, such that whether we
are at home cooking in the kitchen or at the bus stop awaiting the arrival of a
bus or on the wheel driving, a silent upward communication link is not far from
us. With such heart posture, it is a usual thing to thank God for virtually
every seemingly little but advantageous thing, as well as thanking Him for
things that do not appear to be to our advantage. Such heart will always be
full of heavenly joy, accompanied with a whisper of: all things work together
for good to them that love God (Romans 8:28). Besides, for those that are
baptized in the Holy Spirit, the ability to pray always is easier, as such a
person can almost ceaselessly carry on praying in tongues quietly, irrespective
of what he or she may be busy doing, except when he or she needs to pause to
attend to someone. So much gets accomplished while praying in the Spirit. The
whole demand in Ephesians 6:18 can easily be accomplished by doing so. That is
the reason why you should get baptized in the Holy Spirit if you are not.
Prayer Point
Pray that God will help you to be more disciplined in praying.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR
2 Kings 23:28-25:30
Proverbs 25:15-28
Father thank you for your word today! Really this word is for me, please help me to pray strengthen me at all times in Jesus name I pray amen.
ReplyDeleteFather please help me to discipline myself in studying your word and right sermon, spiritual books on faith, health, prosperity, success etc.
ReplyDelete