PRAYING THE HEART OF GOD

By Adeola Akintoye

Text: “And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure” James 4:3 (NLT)

When I rededicated my life to Christ in 2005, God opened my eyes that this relationship is about Him. It’s all about Him. Then I realised that I don’t know how to communicate with Him. I mean I say the words, quote the verses but it just didn’t click for me. I did not feel connected. If you think about how we relate to our earthly parent, even to husband and wives, we know the right thing to say, the right approach, and the right words in the right way. This is not to say we have to stick to a particular time, or same words but we know how to get to the heart of our loved ones. This is about having the right relationship and making the right connection. I also did not feel the assurance of God’s answer, even if it is no. I believe that God lets us know His answer by either answering our request, asking you to wait or saying no through His words.

So, I started praying that God should teach me how to pray effectively, prayers that will be like a sweet smelling aroma to Him.

One day the Holy Spirit just started pouring insights into my heart. Also led me into various teachings from Godly writers.

Jesus taught us that when we pray, we should seek first the Kingdom of God and everything will be added to us. This for me underlines the way we pray, how to pray and what to pray for.

Prayer is about communication with God. It could be in form of conversation or making a request to God. We can bring everything and anything to God. He knows us; our thoughts, desires, fears, concern etc. There is nothing that is hidden from God. Knowing that God sees our heart, our prayer of request to Him must come with the right motives.

This outline is focused on making request to God. There is no one way of making our request to God, He is Sovereign, and He will have mercy on whom He will have mercy. Yet God desires that we know Him and strive to do His will. And when we totally surrender to His will, our prayers will be focused on His will not ours. No man can in his own wisdom tell you the prayer God will answer or when He would answer. But God has opened our eyes in His words to those things and those that He listens to.

Jesus also confirmed what we need to do to get what we need in this world, when he said, ‘to seek ye first the Kingdom of God and its righteousness and everything shall be added unto you’. God knows what we need before we ask Him (Matt 6:8, ‘Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him’)

The purpose of this write up is not to teach you how to pray or what to pray for but to encourage us as Christian to always focus prayer on those things that are central to the will and purpose of God for the World and our lives.

Objective

• Understand some biblical prayer principles
• Align our prayer requests in line with God’s
• Challenge our mindset on why we pray
• Deepen our relationship with God
• To glorify and honour Jehovah

God will not answer our prayers if:

·         We regard iniquity in  our heart (Ps 66:18)

o   Unconfessed sins (1 John 1:9, ‘If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness’)

o   Have unforgiveness in our heart (Mark 11:25-26, ‘and when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.’)

1. Key Principles (A principle is a guiding sense of the requirements and obligations of right conduct)
1. More prayer of thanksgiving and praise; God inhabits the praise of His children (Ps 22:3). Thanking Him 1 Thess 5: 18 “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you”

                                                              i.      Praising and Thanksgiving brings us into His presence

2. Our prayers must be eternal focused not earthly focused

                                                              i.      Seeking and expanding the Kingdom of God through Soul winning

                                                            ii.      Making Heaven

3. Pray the heart of God

                                                              i.      He desires relationship with Him

                                                            ii.      He loves and wants us to care orphans, widows, foreigners, Believers (God’s Children) e.g. King Solomon asked for wisdom to be able to rule God’s people. God loved Israel so much and this request was pleasing to Him. He granted Solomon’s wish and added even  more abundantly to it

                                                          iii.      That we do His will: Shift from self centred (my needs) to God centred (His will)

4. Pray the will of God

                                                              i.      This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us (1 John 5:14)

                                                            ii.      In harmony with God’s declared purposes for the world and us (Mark 14:36). Not everything we desire is good for us, so we need to depend on Him to give us what is best for us

                                                          iii.      Submissive prayer: Gethsemane prayer, Jesus perfect submission to the will of God: Math 26:39, ‘He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”’

5. Pray the purpose of God for the World:

                                                              i.      For His glory

                                                            ii.      His purpose for the World is to worship Him and love others e.g. Jesus was very clear about God’s purpose and He always pray in line with this, to be fruitful

6. Pray the value of God ( in relation to others)

                                                              i.      Love, justice, mercy, righteousness, faith (Math 23:23)

                                                            ii.      Move from superficial to significant (Godly character, holy living)

7. Pray the promises of God.

                                                              i.      He honours His words more than His name

·         Answered prayers: "Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear." Isaiah 65:24

·         Guidance: “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you." Psalm 32:8

·         “I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them, and I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them." Isaiah 42:16.

·         Long Life: “Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. “Isaiah 46:4.

·         “For through me your days will be many, and years will be added to your life." Proverbs 9:11

·         "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him." 1 Cor. 2:9

·         “I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me." Proverbs 8:17

·         “As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him." Psalm 103:13

·         “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27

·         Protection: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze." Isaiah 43:1,2

·         Temptation:  “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man, but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation, will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it”.

·         Success: “That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil--this is the gift of God." Ecc 3:13

·         For our Children”….I will pour out my Spirit on your descendants, and my blessing on your children (Isaiah 44:3)

                                                            ii.      God  does not forget His promises and our biblical fathers used these in their requests

                                                          iii.      You should confess your sins first and ask for forgiveness. Remember God sees the heart of man; don’t confess with the intention of continuing in sin.

                                                           iv.     

8. Pray from a relationship and not a routine: When we have a deep relationship with God, we will know what to say, when and how. If we are lost for words, the Holy Spirit will intercede for us
9. Pray specifically

                                                              i.      But ensure it is aligned with God’s will and purposes. E.g. asking for riches in order to be able to or support the expansion of God’s kingdom

10. Pray in Humility

                                                              i.      Address God with reverence and deep respect

                                                            ii.      Do not use commanding tone

                                                          iii.      Approach God with Care (Eccl5:1-2, 4-5) ‘As you enter the house of God, keep your ears open and your mouth shut. It is evil to make mindless offerings to God. ^{2 [b]} don’t make rash promises, and don’t be hasty in bringing matters before God. After all, God is in heaven, and you are here on earth. So let your words be few, when you make a promise to God, don’t delay in following through, for God takes no pleasure in fools. Keep all the promises you make to him. ⁵ It is better to say nothing than to make a promise and not keep it)

                                                           iv.      Authentic: from the heart.

11. Pray strategically

                                                              i.      Eternally focused

                                                            ii.      Ultimate objective is for the world

                                                          iii.      Captures God’s hearth and His purpose

                                                           iv.      For God’s Glory

12. Pray in faith: In Matt 21:22, Jesus said you can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive anything you ask for.

In conclusion our prayers should be:

                                i.            Be in harmony with God’s declared purposes ,Mark 13:36

                              ii.            Be from the right motives and a clean heart James 4:3

                            iii.            Honor God’s name

                             iv.            Be for the good of God’s people e.g. King Solomon

                               v.            Have an effect on others as a result of God’s action or refusal to act e.g. intercede / stand in the gap ( Abraham for Lot regarding Sodom & Gomorrah)

                             vi.            Appeal to God’s justice, mercy, loving-kindness e.g. Jesus plead for his faithful followers Roms 8:33-34

                           vii.            Have no plan B,C, D etc:

                                                              i.      Clear your mind of all negativity and doubts

Always ask the Holy Spirit to direct your prayers. Sometimes it might not be what we think we want that we should pray for. This might require us to pray for direction on what to pray about.

Spend time to listen for God’s answer.

Above all, these would only work for you if you have already given your life to Jesus Christ and you are living a holy life under the direction of the Holy Spirit. If you have not done so, I ask that you reconsider. You are missing out on so many wonderful promises of a victorious, joyful and peaceful life in this world and the promise of eternity with Christ.

If you would like to give your life to Jesus, just repeat this prayer; ‘Father I come to you as a sinner, I confess I am a sinner, I believe that Your Son Jesus Christ came into the world and died for my sins. I ask that from this moment forward you come into my life and be my Lord and Saviour. Where you lead I will follow. Direct my paths from henceforth and help me to grow in you all the days of my life. Amen’

If you prayed this prayer, I encourage you to go to a bible teaching church as directed by the Holy Spirit and continue to pray for God to help you to grow spiritually. I would like to pray for you so write to me adeola@we-can-leadershipinstitute.com

SHALOM

PART B:  PRAYER GUIDE

THE PRAYER OF JABEZ

1 Chronicles 4:9-10 (NLT): “There was a man named Jabez who was more honourable than any of his brothers. His mother named him Jabez because his birth had been so painful. He was the one who prayed to the God of Israel. “Oh that you would bless me and expand my territory! Please be with me in all that I do and keep me from all trouble and pain”. And God granted him his requests

1. Jabez was more honourable than any of his brothers (Honourable means adhering to ethical and moral principles)
2. ‘Oh that you would bless me”
1. Spiritually
2. With divine health
3. Wisdom, knowledge and understanding
4. Materially

3. ‘And expand my territory’ all to use for your glory, expand your kingdom and bring honour to your name
1. Of influence to win souls
2. My ministry
3. To declare your glory
4. Impact lives
5. Fruit of the womb
6. Increased knowledge, understanding an wisdom
7. Increased experience
4. ‘Please be with me in all that I do’
1. Empower me
2. Equip me
3. Enable me
4. Protect me
5. ‘And keep me from all trouble and pain (that I may not cause pain)
1. Lead us not into temptation
2. Protect us from temptation
3. Deliver us from all evil
4. Protection from Pride
5. Protection from Power and arrogance
6. Protection from lustful desires

Copyright: the use of this article should be done with due copyright and ascribing all glory to Almighty God

The Right Attitude – I CAN and I WILL

The Right Attitude – I CAN and I WILL

23^rd October 2011

Introduction

Have you ever been in the company of someone and you are thinking to yourself; what awful attitude! The person is full of negativity, pessimism; they see what is wrong in everything, why everything will not work etc. We run away from such people. We can’t under-estimate the impact of our attitude on our life; in our relationships, to our work, to ourself and most importantly to non believers.

• Attitude to the world around us;
• Attitude to our relationships; does our attitude bring people down or uplift them
• Attitude to our work; it’s just a job, let me just do the minimum or do we do it to the best of our abilities
• Attitude to ourself; self depreciation, self defeating, self pity, self condemnation or self motivated, positive about own abilities

Importance of our Attitude

Chuck Swindoll said, ‘Words can never adequately convey the incredible impact of our attitudes toward life. The longer I live the more convinced I become that life is 10 percent what happens to us and 90 percent how we respond to it…

Our attitude tells a lot about us; our beliefs, our mindset, our feelings towards something or someone

Our attitude affects how we live our life and play a major role in the outcome of our lives.

Our attitude is one of the first things people notice about us.

Attitude like character is so important to our ability to influence people

Why our Attitude is important

• As Jesus Ambassadors and witness
• 75% of our witness is through our lifestyle, our character and our attitude
• 25% is direct evangelism

What does our attitude say about Jesus to non believers?

• Affirmation or negation of our faith
• Are we optimistic full of hope or pessimistic always seeing the bad in things/people
• positive in our outlook and attitude or negative, doubtful
• Do we have a ‘Can’ do attitude believing all things are possible to those who have faith
• Do we build up people with our attitude or bring them down/ de-motivate them
• Pathway to success
• Successful people have one thing in common; positive attitude
• The right attitude helps you to look for creative and innovative solution to challenges
• The right attitude makes you stand out
• The right attitude is not giving up but having the courage to stand up when you fall
• Builds relationships
• We need relationships in our lives, we are interdependent. It is impossible to live a fulfilled and happy life without people
• People want to be around those with the right attitude; in how they are treated and what you give them

Definition

Attitude is defined as a predisposition or a tendency to respond positively or negatively towards a certain idea, object, person, or situation.

Attitude influences an individual’s choice of action, and responses to challenges, incentives, and rewards (together called stimuli).

Biblical Learning

2 Tim 3:16-17: All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, ¹⁷ that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

TEXT: John 5: 1-15 and Mark 5: 25-34 (NKJ)

John 5: 1-15: The lame man by the Pool of Bethesda

After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. ² Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches. ³ In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. ⁴ For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had.^{[b] 5} Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. ⁶ When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?”
⁷ The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.”
⁸ Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” ⁹ And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked.
And that day was the Sabbath. ¹⁰ The Jews therefore said to him who was cured, “It is the Sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry your bed.”
¹¹ He answered them, “He who made me well said to me, ‘Take up your bed and walk.’”
¹² Then they asked him, “Who is the Man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk’?” ¹³ But the one who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, a multitude being in that place. ¹⁴ Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, “See you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.”

Mark 5: 25-34: The woman with the issue of blood

Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, ²⁶ and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse. ²⁷ When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. ²⁸ For she said, “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.”
²⁹ immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction. ³⁰ And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched My clothes?”
³¹ But His disciples said to Him, “You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’”
³² And He looked around to see her who had done this thing. ³³ But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. ³⁴ And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.”

Comparison

The Lame Man John 5: 1 - 15	The Woman with issue of Blood Mark 5: 25-34
General
Sick for 38 years. Was not born like that	Sick for 12 years. Was not born like that
Looked to one source for his healing	Looked to various sources for her healing
Jesus took the initiative	She took the initiative
No evidence of faith before or after	Showed faith
Jesus told him to sin no more or worse would happen to him. Got a warning	No mention of Sin was told to go in peace. Got a prayer
Attitude demonstrated
Self pity Not a solution seeker No initiative: Could not negotiate with others around him i.e. if you get there before me, help me next and vice versa Had given up No friends? No vision / no foresight: Did not answer affirmatively, focused on challenges and problems Did not recognize his solution in his front. Must have heard about Jesus.	Can do and will do attitude Focused on seeking solution to her problem not dwell on it, hence she heard about Jesus Used various initiatives Did not give up, continuously seeking solutions Woman of vision, want to get better Creative/Innovative: Touched the helm of Jesus garment.

Impact of Wrong Attitude

• We remain in the state we’ve been always even with the solution in use (Jesus) and in front of us (resources around us)
• We don’t see Jesus, we become too focused on ourselves
• We sometimes look in the wrong place for the right answer
• We neglect our role as the light of the world and the Salt of the earth
• We don’t have loving relationships;
• We might not make it to Heaven as we are filled with negative thoughts
• Wrong attitude is succumbing to the enemy who wants to keep us locked into his lies and hold us in bondage

Ingredient for the Right Attitude

1. Relationship with God: This is not a relationship that stopped when you gave your life to Christ. This is a relationship that is personal, vibrant and growing
2. Know who you are in Christ: A lots of us talk about, pray about faith, yet our action is complete opposite. Faith is the assurance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen (Heb 11:1). Our bad attitude negates our faith. You must activate your faith.

• Our attitude demonstrates our faith. A person of faith will always have a positive outlook in life. Jesus told us not to worry. We can do all things. Even when we do not see it physically or the circumstances around us looks otherwise, we must be positive
• Apostle Paul told us to Rejoice always: Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. (Phil 4:4). There is nothing in this world that should get us to have negative attitudes. We have the assurance that;

                                                              i.      God will be with us all the time. our disposition should be one of Joy

                                                            ii.      Whatever we ask for, if we believe we shall receive (John 15:6-8)

                                                          iii.      We are the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Cor 5:20-21)

                                                           iv.      We are Sons and Heirs of the Promise (Rom 8:15-16, for you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out ‘Abba Father’. The Spirit Himself bear witness with our spirit that we are children of God))

                                                             v.      We are the salt of the earth and the light of the world (Math 5:13-14)

                                                           vi.      For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. 2 Tim 1:7

3. You need the Holy Spirit: We can only have the right attitude at all times by the enablement of the Holy Spirit.

• The gifts of the Holy Spirit are essential to having the right attitude
• Work with the Holy Spirit to change our attitude
• We have power to do all things through the Holy Spirit

4. It is a choice: Attitudes can be changed. Attitude is a tendency or predisposition. We can change our preferences, our beliefs and make the decision on how to respond to anything and in any circumstances. It is a choice.

• Requires a new mindset / a mental shift. ( Rom 12:1-3 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

5. Clear about your Purpose: You can have the right attitude when you are clear about your purpose. You know what you want to achieve

• There is a general purpose for every child of God, which is to make disciples of people.
• Yet, each person also has specific purpose within this for which they were created. We have been fashioned and gifted according to God’s purpose for our lives
• Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude…Thomas Jefferson

6. Expand your knowledge: Study about attitudes, attitudes of people who do exploits for God, those whose lives has changed, study successful people and the attitude they apply to their life and work.

Conclusion

Our attitude can affect our miracle. Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference – Winston Churchill.

God is the only One who can help us to have the right attitude in our life at all time. He only is the one that can give us that peace that surpasses all understanding no matter what is happening around us and to us. However, God has also given us free will to make choices. We can decide to activate our faith and live our live in faith, thereby appropriating all the wonderful promises that Jesus has made available to us by His finished work on the cross.

What choice are you making today? I CAN and I WILL.

Rejoice always: Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:4-8.