Issue 4: Continuing in Prayer for a Glorious Finish
The road is still narrow
And temptations abound
The call is to follow and never look back
Hold us in your arms
Don’t let us fall
When the world dares to lay a crown on our heads
When the applause of men dares to distract us from the prize
When darkness shrouds itself in light
Don’t let us fall
Our hearts are still yours
Our hope is still found in you alone
And our eyes are still single
Please flood us with your light
Your light of discernment
Your light of genuine compassion
Your light of utmost contentment
Rid us of anything that is not of you
Keep us coming back to you
And our eyes, steadily fixed on you — dear author and finisher of our faith
- Written on the 7th of February, 2023 for the heart that longs for Jesus
Good evening, my friend. I’m excited to be writing to you today. How has this week been for you? What’s on your mind? What’s your heart’s cry?
Welcome to this week’s edition of The Jesus Therapy Seven! It’s my earnest prayer that as we seek to know God more, our lives will take the perfect form necessary to fulfill His purposes, in Jesus’ name, Amen!
Prayer, the Catalyst
It’s such an honour to pray to our Father in heaven. It’s a great privilege that no child of God takes for granted. Last week, the Church of God worldwide began seeking and calling upon the name of the Lord for what He promised to do in our generation.
At every single meeting, we have seen God come to us and increase our hunger by giving us a foretaste of the revival that is to come. As we behold His face, there’s a greater assurance that our world will experience God’s saving power again, especially now in Nigeria.
Why’s prayer such a need of the hour?
Every father of faith that ever walked this earth found the presence of God to be his greatest source of strength. They never had to endure it; they sought after a time with God as deer panting for the water brooks. I’ve also found this to be the secret to an honest walk with God.
What prepares one for an honest walk with God? First, genuine repentance. As we seek God in prayers, He reveals in an ever-increasing intensity, the depth of our nothingness — the one that says:
If you don’t help me, Lord, the enemy will make a mockery of me.
My strength is too little to carry me, fill me with your Spirit!
For your name’s sake, preserve me till you come again!
This life affirms that indeed, apart from Him, we can do NOTHING (John 15:4-5).
To finish well, we must keep ourselves in His love through prayers. We don’t have to endure either — the Holy Spirit guides us with the right words; and when words are not enough, He expresses Himself through groans (Rom. 8:26).
Staying Prayerful to Finish Well
The fact that there’s no assurance that all who started well must finish strong is a reason to keep trembling at God’s Word — being humble to let His Word renew us daily as we sit at His feet.
If Paul, notwithstanding his glorious walk with God charged us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Phil. 2:12), it means that it’s really not over until it’s over. He knew he could be disqualified if he didn’t discipline himself, even after bringing so many to the light (1 Cor 9:12).
What does this mean for us?
That there should be no pride in crying out when we’re sinking
There should be no haughtiness in submitting to ourselves in love
We must keep our armours on to stand against the wiles of the enemy
We must bear each other’s burdens, learning and correcting one another in love
We must mortify the spirit of belial from amongst us — even that which goes around, sowing discord amongst the brethren through backbiting and perverse speech
Finally, there’s no better commendation than to God and to the word of His grace. It’s the only way we can stay built up and assured of an inheritance among them that are sanctified (Acts 20:32).
Goodbyes
To keep burning, one must keep praying. A wise man said, “show me a sinful man and I’ll show you his neglect of prayer”.
Have you neglected the fount of living water? You can come home today with tears and humility, baring your heart to the Father with deep contrition.
You can also begin a new walk with God today. If you send a mail, I’ll be delighted to help you.
Till next time,
Wednesday, God-willing.