SCRIPTURE: And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word. 1 Kings 17:1.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Prayerlessness lengthens the distance between God and man.
It has been established that prayerfulness has unquantifiable positive impact in our relationship with God.
1 Kings 17:1 says, “And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.”
Elijah was a man of prayer; he had a stand with God by virtue of his prayer life. Prayerfulness enables a person to live in the consciousness of the nearness of God. And the consciousness of the nearness of God imparts caution to life’s actions. When people are aware that God is not far from them, they become cautious in their actions. But carelessness and recklessness become the order of the day where the consciousness of God’s Presence is lacking. When people are not conscious of God’s Presence, they behave carelessly and recklessly.
Prayerfulness draws man closer to God, but prayerlessness lengthens the distance between God and man. Prayerlessness is a confirmation of a communication breakdown.
Now, to ensure our prayers are answered, we need to maintain a clear conscience that is void of offence before God and man.
Acts 24:16 says, “And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offense toward God, and toward men.”
James 5:16 says, “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”
It is important to note that it is not the prayer of everyone that availeth much; it is the effectual fervent prayer of the righteous that avails much.
So, righteousness is a guarantee of answered prayer. Boldness in prayer is not possible where righteousness is absent.
Boldness of expectation and declaration is not possible where righteousness is absent; you can’t play with sin and prevail in prayer.
Remember this: Prayerlessness lengthens the distance between God and man.
ASSIGNMENTS:
- Make up your mind to maintain a close relationship with God through a consistent prayer life.
- Avoid the lifestyle of sin to maintain a consistent and productive prayer life.
PRAYER: Father, I receive the grace to draw nearer to You in prayers. Help me to maintain the lifestyle of righteousness, Lord, in Jesus’ Name.
FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: THE NECESSITY OF PRAYER.
QUOTE: Your prayer quality affects the quality of your destiny. Culled from the book, “30 SECRETS TO THE TOP” by Dr. Paul Enenche.
DAILY READING: Titus 1-3.
AMAZING FACT: Lions are highly adaptable and can live in grasslands, scrublands, and semi-desert regions.
PROPHETIC WORD (DECLARATION): Father, I ask that you draw me closer to Yourself today at the place of prayer, LORD, in Jesus’ Name.
