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Let me share my rice story with you. During my childhood days, I remember returning from school and sometimes just before entering through the door (while coming up on the stairs) I would call out to my Mother to ask what we were having for our meal. If she said rice, I would shout and say, “Praise God! I prayed! I prayed it would be rice!”  If she said otherwise, I would just frown my face in disappointment. Funny isn’t it?

Prayer is seeking God to know His mind on issues, asking for help and direction, talking and listening by faith to hear His voice speak back to you either through His Written Word or Spoken Word to your heart or through someone or something around you. Prayer is a relationship with God Almighty (Jehovah El Shaddai, who created you and I).

Jesus Christ prayed while He was here on earth, why? Jesus is God, He came in human form, He knows all things, yet He prayed to God. Why? One reason I think is that Jesus was leading us to follow in His steps – 1 Peter 2:21. Luke 11:1-4; Matthew 6:5-13; Luke 18:1-14; John 8:12. 1 Thess. 5:17 admonishes us to pray without ceasing. If we are to pray without ceasing, it means we should pray about everything! Watch and pray, not just watching but praying also – Matthew. 26:41; Luke 21:36; Mark 13:33-37; Luke 22:40.

• As a heaven-bound Christian, you must seek to hear God speak to you! Even if you think God spoke through someone, you still need to test the spirits and be sure such a person is not a liar. 1 Kings 13:1-34 talks about the old prophet in Bethel who lied to the man of God from Judah (whom God had already instructed not to eat nor return the way he came into Bethel) and led him to disobey God! This man of God already turned down the King’s offer to stay, eat, be refreshed and rewarded in Bethel. However, he did not turn down the old prophet’s offer, maybe because he informed him that he is a prophet. So he assumed God truly spoke through this old prophet, meaning God had changed his mind about the instruction God gave him earlier. Hmmn! All these happened in the space of him (the man of God) taking a rest under an oak tree instead of moving on in his journey out of Bethel! What baffles me is that God still spoke/revealed a true message of judgment to the disobedient man of God! Something to think about? Matthew 7:21-23. God will work through whomever He wants, do not glory yet because you are used by God. God’s ways and thoughts are not as man will think - Isaiah 55:8-9. I am thinking, perhaps the man of God would have ended well, if he took a few seconds or minutes to pray about the old prophet’s “word of the Lord” Brethren, do not fall into the same trap, TAKE TIME TO PRAY!

• Some Christians are so lazy that they begin to inquire from their fellow who is also running the race to Heaven (hopefully not to hell in disguise or in error), they ask “What is God saying now? Any word from God to me? What did God tell you about me?” Ha, the veil has been broken, you can boldly (and humbly) enter God’s throne room of Grace where you obtain mercy and find grace – Hebrews 10:19–22; Luke 18:1-14. God wants to speak to you, you simply need to start a sincere conversation with Him! In these last days, take time to seek God - Psalms 34:10; 23:1. They that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing; direction, holy living, power to fight the good fight of faith, ....

• When one reaches a point when he/she says, “Ha, I do not need to pray about that matter, I already know what to do.” This may imply you are relying on your wisdom, knowledge and understanding. What does praying without ceasing mean? You say, “Never mind, I know what to do. I can handle that, I did handle that one time before. I know.” You know?! You think you know? Well for me, I do not know so I will ask for help from the One who knows all things – Hebrews 4:13; Isaiah 46:9&10. Remain humble in seeking God for everything. Brother and Sister, do not take any chances, neither should you assume nor presume, it will save you a whole lot of trouble physically and spiritually Luke 18:1-14.

• When one reaches a point when he/she says, “My great Pastor says …., my wonderful Prophet says …., my splendid Papa says …., my awesome Mama says …., so I will do as they say I need not pray.” Say what?! Do not be a robot. These people are mere mortals as you are, not spirit beings, they are still under the temptation of the flesh. How do you know when they are able to resist the flesh and speak God’s mind and not their mind? Even if you say, “An angel appeared to me, Jesus appeared to me…” Be sure to test the spirits and confirm from God’s Word and also hear God confirm to your heart – 1 John 4:1-6. When there is confusion in your spirit, TAKE TIME TO PRAY! Isaiah 26:3. No one has the monopoly to hear God for you. “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” - Jeremiah 33:3.

• Never go before God with an already-made answer, this is self-deceit – Galatians 6:7. This is because all you will hear is what you want to hear! Be true to yourself, at least. Go before your Heavenly Father with an open mind, heart, ears, eyes, and will. You need these so as to run this Heavenly race not foolishly and carelessly but wisely and diligently to win the price of Heaven at last – Matthew 25; Hebrews 12:1&2; 1 Corinthians 9:24-26. In the end, no one takes blame for another man’s action. Everyone will take their own justification or condemnation!

Do not take anyone’s word for it! Use your Helpline to GOD ALMIGHTY through JESUS CHRIST the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6)! The Holy Spirit; the Spirit of the Living God will help you in prayer, ask Him – Romans 8:26. TAKE TIME TO PRAY in the name of JESUS CHRIST! AMEN!

SHALOM!