PRAYER
DO NOT BE ANXIOUS ABOUT ANYTHING, BUT IN EVERYTHING, BY PRAYER AND PETITION, WITH THANKSGIVING , PRESENT YOUR REQUEST TO GOD.
Philippians 4: 6 NIV
TERRESTIAL LICENSE FOR CELESTIAL INTERFERENCE
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Prayer is man giving God the legal right and permission to interfere in earth’s affairs, or we can tell prayer is man exercising his legal authority on earth to invoke heaven’s influence on the planet.
God’s will can be executed only through the cooperation of mankind on earth.
Where does this declaration come from?
And God said, Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over fish of the sea and over birds of the heavens, and over cattle, and over all the earth, and over all the creepers creeping on the earth,” ( Gen.1:26 The Interlinear Bible, Hebrew/English)
Therefore, prayer is not an option for man, but an imperative necessity. Prayer is man exercising his legal authority on earth, requesting the influence of Heaven onto our planet.
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For some years now, my wife and I have been watching programs about the countryside and customs of the inhabitants of places like Azerbaijan, China, and Vietnam. We were amazed to see how, in the last country, among all the native animals, the one that provided the best service to the locals was the buffalo. The strength of the Asian water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) makes it an important draft animal, sometimes called the "living tractor of the East." Wild water buffalo can weigh up to 1,200 kg (2,600 pounds), measure nearly 3 meters (10 feet) They are are native to South Asia but have spread throughout Southeast and East Asia, and they are often domesticated for agriculture.
Water buffalo prefer land environments like swamps, marshes, and river basins. [*] Buffalo are herbivores, meaning their diet consists entirely of plants. They are grazers, primarily feeding on grasses, but they will also browse on leaves, shrubs, and other vegetation when available. They also consume a wide range of vegetation, including aquatic plants, and they play a crucial role in maintaining wetland ecosystems by controlling plant growth and dispersing seeds.
The buffalo of Asia include the water buffalo, the anoa, and the tamarau. People raise water buffalo as farm animals in Asia and other parts of the world. They use these animals to pull farm equipment and to carry heavy things on their backs. [*] from Animals Network.
Often, weary from the tribulations of daily life, we feel the burden is too heavy, and it is refreshing to see and feel how the word of God comes to meet us with a vigorous impulse… The Psalmist David tells us in Psalm 92, his song for the Sabbath day, celebrating God’s goodness and faithfulness… “But You will lift up like the wild ox; I will be anointed with fresh oil…” (Interlinear Hebrew/English Bible; verse 12).
The debilitating weariness that comes from the daily struggle, sometimes in the physical and also spiritual war against the enemy, is defeated by the phrase in the verse that symbolizes strength and power. The wild ox (Buffalo), known for its might and resilience, represents an unyielding and vigorous spirit. This imagery conveys the idea of being uplifted and empowered by God’s divine strength. Additionally, the mention of… “I will be anointed with oil fresh” signifies blessing, consecration, and the presence of the Holy Spirit, highlighting divine favor and anointing for a special purpose.
Let us draw knowledge from the word of God for our lives., “Just as the buffalo, when it needs extra strength to pull, gets it by digging its front hooves into the ground [*], Water buffaloes are indeed known for their unique behavior in muddy or wet fields, where they may kneel to improve traction and stability while working. This adaptation helps them effectively pull plows or carts through challenging terrain, showcasing their strength and versatility as draft animals.
https://birdsandanimalsworld.;water-buffalo
[*]…Therefore, when the wind and the storm rage against us, let us go to our knees so too let us get extra strength likes the buffalo.
“ Your purposes are very deep. A senseless man does not know, nor does a fool understand this”, few verses resonate as powerfully like this one, which offers profound insight into the nature of spiritual vitality and renewal. This verse serves as a reminder of the transformative power of God’s grace and the rejuvenating strength that comes from a deep relationship with Him. It invites us to reflect on our own spiritual journey and the vitality that God provides, even in times of adversity.
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Since ancient times, humanity has had and continues to have an activity that is perhaps somewhat mysterious or misunderstood, called "prayer," which is the religious expression of each culture or civilization, on every continent around the world, reflecting the need to communicate with a world different from the one that now inhabits.
!…Where did man get that desire or that idea?
Let's remember that when man was created, he lived in a paradise... from which he was expelled.
It's very likely that he desires to return to the life that he once had.
Of course, the first step is to try to communicate with the owner of the place. Any way we will always find a large amount of skeptics and antagonists who believe that all of this is mere superstition or a fanatical religious tradition that has been invented and designed to help with fears and frustrations when not obtaining what is needed or desired. In this world, almost all inhabitants, in different countries, different places, different languages, different beliefs, but with one thing in common, they all try to find help in the difficult moments of daily life. That help has always been expected to come from a place outside this planet. Prayer is an important part of the Christian faith. It’s how we communicate with God, share our thoughts, and seek guidance. It is truly important to remember that God’s will can be executed only through the cooperation of mankind on earth.
! John Wesley once said : God does nothing but in answer to prayer. If we want to see God’s will done on earth, then we must do our part…we must pray ! Wesley was an English cleric, theologian, and evangelist who was a principal leader of a revival movement within the Church of England known as Methodism. The societies he founded became the dominant form of the independent Methodist movement that continues to this day.
The Bible is full of verses that teach us about the power and purpose of prayer. These verses remind us that we can talk to God anytime, anywhere, and about anything. If we read the N.T. we can see that whether we are thankful, worried, or in need, prayer helps us connect with God in a personal way.
It is worth remembering that for three and a half years the disciples went everywhere with Jesus and observed all what He do and noted that He prayed for many hours and sometimes while the disciples were still slipping He went behind a bush or a rock and pray there for hours. The Master spend five hours with God His Father and then He would spend five seconds healing a person, one minute cleansing a leper and two minutes casting out a demon.
One day Jesus was praying in a certain place and when He finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” (NIV). .
It is very interesting and we must meditate on the fact that the Apostles must have witnessed a great number of miracles. It is also possible that they wanted answers to tricky questions asked by some people and perhaps misunderstood some actions of the Master, but they asked for what seemed tremendously more important to them... "teach us to pray.”
He said to them, “When you pray, say: “Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom came. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.” (NIV)
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PRAYING EFFECTIVELY
Prayer is an essential part of the life of a believer, we should have a precise rule to pray both morning and evening, must stick to a schedule for praying and form a discipline that is beyond what we will feel like doing. This is not a leisure practice but a path to be in fellowship with God.
Much of learning how to pray comes through practice—the more a person prays, the more he or she will learn how to do so effectively.
It would be very interesting if we could replace a habit we already have with one we don't have. Taking into consideration that our God is not a thing, and just trying to find a better understanding and with the due respect, we could treat God like we treat our mobile phones, as young people do, that is how we should treat Him: we’re constantly glued to our mobile phones. We take them everywhere, check them obsessively, and recharge them frequently, we even sleep with the phones in our hands sometimes. But have you ever thought about how this behavior can transform our relationship with God? There would always be that constant connection. Just as we keep our phones close, we should strive to stay connected to God throughout the day. Here are some ways to do so simultaneously: As we charge the phone in the morning, we can also charge ourselves with prayer, scripture reading or devotionals. As we check regularly for messages we we can also reflect on our actions and thoughts.[ 1 Thessalonians 5:17 – Pray without ceasing.]
Keeping regular check means constant connection through prayer. As the phones stay plugged in let us also be in tune with the Spirit . Wait on God. Isaiah 40:31 says “but those who wait on God shall renew their strength…” As we prioritize our phone’s battery life, let’s prioritize our spiritual life. When you update your operating system, update your mind (renew) with a scripture or sermon or get something to inspire you.
As you schedule your downtime, try to schedule prayer time. As you delete unwanted messages, reject thoughts that would derail you from your faith or things that make you weak spiritually. Focus on eternal things; avoid distractions. In your ‘Low Battery Moments’, you can call on God, recharge with prayer, and He will answer and energize you. Psalm 50:15 says “call unto me in the day of trouble, I will deliver you and you shall glorify me”.When connecting to ‘Wi-Fi’, connect with fellow believers to help you grow. If you have to restart your phone, restart with forgiveness, asking God’s forgiveness and mercy. As we customize our ‘Home Screen, let us customize God; let us make Him the centerpiece in our lives. Store God’s word internally. Psalm 119:11 says “your words have I hidden in my heart that I might not sin against you” May God help us to dedicate the same attention to our spiritual life the way we do our phones.
May He Give us the strength to stay connected, focused, and renewed.
(Idea From a Otiwaa script. Mar 19, 2025 Inspiration )
PRAYER MUST BE INFUSED WITH FAITH
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of realities not seen. ( Hebrews 11:1 TLV ) “Now without faith it is impossible to please God. For the one who comes to God must believe that He exists, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” ( Hebrews 11:6 TLV )
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Back in 1973 -74… my little family and I lived in South America, and every Sunday, except for my mother who stayed home due to illness, we attended a Christian service at a temple belonging to the First Pentecostal Methodist Church, located in the city of San Francisco of Limache, in the Fifth Region. At that time, the long and narrow Country where we lived was under martial law; in other words, it meant that at 10:00 PM there was a curfew, and all movement on the streets of the country, both vehicles and people, had to cease. This was to prevent clashes between extremist armed groups and government military forces.
One winter afternoon, due to the bad weather, I attended the service alone because the trip was by bus, as we didn't have a car, and the children were very young and we didn't want them to catch a cold. On that occasion, the Christian service ended around 8:30 PM. The Temple was located on a perpendicular street two and a half blocks from the main street, in an "L" shape, and connected to the interstate highway that linked the cities of the region.
That night, on my way back, I walked quickly to the main street where there was a train station, hoping to have a better chance of catching a bus back to the city where I lived. While on the main street, after waiting for about 15 minutes, the bus I was waiting for arrived at the stop near the station. It was full, with some people clinging to the steps. It had rained all afternoon, typical of the station, and despite having waited for that bus, the thought of having to be on the steps and risking getting wet like the others made me quickly decide to wait for the next one.
A few minutes later, thoughts raced through my mind… Why did I let the bus go without considering the situation? What if the bus I missed was the last one? What if no more buses come? What do I do now?
The situation I found myself in back then wouldn't have the same significance today. To understand, we'd have to go back to 1974 and understand that in that country there were no cell phones, very few houses had telephones (mine didn't), and life was very difficult; many people left their homes in the morning and never returned. On that day, at home, my mother, my wife, and my two little ones waited patiently for my return. I began to think that if I had come to the house of prayer, the house of worship to God, He wouldn't leave me unable to return home… The minutes passed quickly, and the few vehicles that were still on the road stopped, and everything fell silent, and my worry began to grow. The time, 9:17 p.m. appeared on my watch, and I began pacing, thinking that perhaps I could go to the Pastor's house, but I didn't know the address. Besides, my family was waiting for me, and if I didn't arrive, my mother's health could suffer complications.
At 9:30 p.m., my heart was pounding, and I felt anxious. I began to pray and pace, glancing at both ends of the street where I was waiting.
At 9:40 p.m., my prayer was desperate. My imagination soared, envisioning solutions that God could bring about, and I kept looking at both ends of the street, which were partially dark. The silence and loneliness weighed heavily on me. At that moment I was praying aloud and felt my faith grow stronger. Then, looking to one side, I saw two tiny, luminous points, very far away, in the dark street. I placed all my hope, all my faith, all my need, all my conviction, and all my despair in those two illuminated points that were approaching, but were still far away. I cried out to heaven… Lord, if those lights, which I know belong to a vehicle, don't come for me, everything will be lost for me.
The two lights continued to approach, grew larger, and finally stopped in front of me. With all my audacity, I opened the passenger door of the car… and I stared at the smiling figure of a neighbour who lived on the same street as me, though a little further up. While chatting animatedly, my neighbour drove quickly towards the city where we lived and dropped me off in front of my house at 10:00 PM. My wife greeted me and said, "I knew you'd arrive on time."
The interesting thing about this is that my neighbour went to a place located on a street that led directly to our city, but on his way back, he turned right onto a street and drove for about seven minutes toward the train station, where I was waiting for a ride home.
When I asked him later why he had detoured, he explained that at that moment he felt someone might be behind and it wouldn't hurt to take a look.
When I've had the opportunity to recount what happened, people have told me it was a coincidence and that I was "lucky." The previous situation I was involved in showed me that prayers are indeed answered, and always at the right time.
Ask, and it shall be given to you, Seek, and you shall find. Knock, and it shall be opened to you. For everyone who ask receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, it shall be opened." ( Matthew 7:7-8 TLV )
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Although people may think differently, it was me who was troubled, only I know how I felt, only I know how I prayed and asked, and what I felt when my prayer was answered.
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