SCRIPTURE: And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering. Luke 9:29.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Prayer does not only change things; it also changes the people who pray.
The Scripture makes it clear that living in God’s Presence is key to godly character development. Communion with God adjusts a person’s character.
This was what happened to Jacob.
In Genesis 32:24-28, Jacob’s name was changed to Israel when he camped with God.
At the place of prayer, Jacob had encounters with God that changed his character and identity to Israel.
Jacob was not just a name of a person, and Israel is not just the name of a nation. Jacob was a form of behaviour, and Israel is also a form of behaviour. Jacob was a character; the “Jacobic” character, the character of deception. The name, Jacob literary means a cunning or deceitful person.
That is the character of a serpent.
There are people whose character is serpentine, deceitful and slippery in nature. They are not straight forward. That is how Jacob was.
Then, when Jacob tarried in God’s Presence, God changed his character from Jacob, a deceitful person to Israel.
So, the place of prayer is the place of character transformation. It is the place where the person you used to be gives way for the person God wants you to be. When you see people of prayer, they are known for their humility and meekness. Around them, you notice kindness, serenity, and tranquillity. You could hardly hear harsh, hurtful or injurious words from their mouth because the Presence of God has shaped their character and lifestyle.
So, prayer does not only change things; it also changes the people who pray.
My counsel is, make up your mind to spend time with God in prayer; let the Presence of God transform your character.
Remember this: Prayer does not only change things; it also changes the people who pray.
ASSIGNMENTS:
- Make up your mind to spend time with God in prayer for the transformation of your life and character.
- Allow the Presence of God to adjust your character.
PRAYER: Lord, I receive fresh grace for prayer. And I ask that as I pray, let my character and life be positively transformed, Lord, in Jesus’ Name.
FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT (PT. 1)
QUOTE: Do not struggle in your own strength. Always allow God to speak to you. Take some days of fasting and prayer, preferably three days. Do like somebody who is seeking direction to step into Ministry. While in prayer and fasting, pray abundantly in the spirit up to three hours at a stretch per time. Culled from the book, “21 UNCOMMON KEYS TO FINANCIAL OVERFLOW” by Dr Paul Enenche.
DAILY READING: Matthew 21-23.
AMAZING FACT: The acid that’s generated in your stomach aka the stomach acid is so strong that it can even dissolve metal. It can even burn your skin!
PROPHETIC WORD (DECLARATION): The LORD cause the person you used to be to give way to the person you are meant to be in this season, in Jesus’ Name.
