Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha
Prayer is a command from God to believers. Please
see Luke Chapter 18 verses 1 to 8, 2 verses 36 to 38 and 1st
Thessalonians Chapter 5 verse 18, and Ephesians Chapter 6 verse 18. It is also
a platform for making our requests to God.
The content of prayers is very important to God. I
am sure that explains why Jesus Christ gave the Church a prayer template in
Matthew Chapter 6 verses 5 to 15, Luke Chapter 11 verses 1 to 4 so that
believers are not misguided when praying especially so when they are praying
against people who hurt them, offended them and made them angry. Nowhere in the
Bible did Jesus say that believers should pray against their enemies; asking
them to die, be destroyed, or their properties destroyed. Also, the prayer
template does not give room for self righteousness as in the case of the two
men – the Pharisee and the tax collector who Jesus Christ described in Luke
Chapter 18 verses 9 to 14. Jesus Christ commended the tax collector who humbly
asked God for mercy.
Why Pray
God answers prayer. The Bible is replete with
instances of the people of God praying to God and God in turn responding
positively to their prayers. Additionally, God said so in His word. Please see
Matthew Chapter 7 verse 7, Luke Chapter 18 verses 1 to 8, and Jeremiah Chapter
33 verse 3. The early Church prayed without ceasing in spite of the fact that
the Apostle Peter was already on death row. God intervened and Peter was
miraculously released from prison by an angel of God. Please read Acts Chapter
12 for details. Prophet Elijah prayed for the son of the widow of Zarephath and
the young man came back to life. Please read 1st Kings Chapter 17
verses 17 to 24. He also prayed for rain after a long period of drought in Israel.
God honored his prayer and there was a heavy downpour. Please read 1st
Kings Chapter 18. The prophet Elisha prayed and the dead son of the woman of
Shunem was brought back to life. Please read 2nd Kings Chapter 4
verses 15 to 37.
