From the Belly of the Big Fish...to the Ears of God

And Jonah prayed to Jehovah his God out of the fish's belly, and he said, I cried to Jehovah from my distress. And He answered me. Out of the belly of Sheol I cried for help, and You heard my voice.~~~(Jonah 2:1-2 MKJV)

In the above Scripture, it can be observed that when Jonah was in trouble, under the tokens of God's displeasure against him for sin, he prayed. Likewise, when we are in affliction we must pray. Being kept alive by miracle, he prayed. A sense of God's good-will towards us, notwithstanding our offences ought to open our lips in prayer; our lips which would have been closed with the dread of wrath. Also, consider where his prayer rose from; in the belly of the fish. No place is amiss for prayer. Men may shut us from communion with one another, but not from communion with God. To whom he prayed; to the Lord his God. This encourages even backsliders to return.

Jonah’s prayer here seems to relate his experience and reflections, before (in his trouble) and afterwards (answered prayer from God). Jonah reflects on the earnestness of his prayer, and God's readiness to hear and answer. If we would get good by our troubles, we must notice the hand of God in them. He had wickedly fled from the presence of the Lord, who would have been justified to take his Holy Spirit from him, and never to visit him again. Really miserable people are those whom God does not or will no longer own and favour (and its usually their own choice, not God’s). But though he was perplexed, yet he was not in despair. Jonah reflects on the favour of God to him, when he sought to God, and trusted in him in his distress. He warns others, and tells them to keep close to God.

Those who forsake their own duty, forsake their own mercy; those who run away from the work of their place and day or their calling, run away from the comfort of it. As far as a Christian copies those who observe lying vanities, he forsakes his own mercy, and lives below his privileges. But Jonah's experience encourages others, in all ages, to trust in God, as the God of salvation.

A Call to Prayer!

It cannot be over emphasized, our need for prayer. We believe that regular prayer helps to release a continuous flow of spiritual power from God ( James 5:16-18). We also believe that our prayers provide God's intervention in situations (Ezekiel 22:29-30), until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ (Ephesians 4:13). 

As lawlessness increases around us and many become overwhelmed at the intensity of crime, the people of God must pray for a revelation of moral righteousness. Practice of sin has increased even within the church. We must now: 

• Pray for the true conviction of the Spirit of God. Many in the church are calling good evil and evil good. 

• Pray for a revival of the fear of the Lord and that a conviction of sin will begin in the house of God (the church). 

• Pray for the presence of God to bring people to repentance. 

• Ask God to raise a standard in the church to protect believers from the seduction of the enemy. 

Jesus taught us to pray, "thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10). We believe therefore, that God wants us as His people to pray for His ultimate will to be done in our Nations. If you feel the need to pray right now with us, please feel free to join our "Prayer Room" by clicking here.

 

Thank you for your anticipated response.

We love you in Christ,

Uche & Lola

Passionate Prayers or Money Palaver? (Just a Joke)

This happened in a certain church in Nigeria:

One Sunday morning, everybody in the church was
praying as usual. Telling God his or her own problems.

At one end was a young girl, who was very agitated,
Shouting and praying that God should help her with two
thousand naira. That's all she needed.

At the same time, one desperate looking man at the
back of the church was quietly asking God to help him
with with fifty million naira.

The young girl was getting louder and more persistent
with her request. Shouting, jumping and begging that
God should please help her with two thousand naira.

The desperate man at the back then went up to her and
asked "ah ah, is it only you that God will hear today?

Girl what's your problem now?"
The girl replied that she needed two thousand naira
badly.
The man hissed loudly, took two thousand naira from
his pocket and said "I beg you, take this and be quiet so
that God can concentrate on my problem!!!"

A Call to Prayer!

It cannot be over emphasized, our need for prayer. We believe that regular prayer helps to release a continous flow of spiritual power. It sharpens our discernment and makes our spirits alert and sensitive to spiritual things. As such we also believe that as Christians, we all need to:

• Pray for ourselves. That God would help each one of us to:
• Abide in Him without reservations - John 15:7
• Be obedient to His voice in every possible way - John 9:31, 1 John 3:22
• Be humble as we walk in His ways - 2 Chronicles 7:14-15, John 3:30
• Live a life of righteousness - James 5:16, Psalms 34:15,17
• Live in the fear of the Lord - Psalm 145:19
• Pray for others:
• Fellow Christians everywhere that we may be united in Christ Jesus - John 13:34-35, Ephesians 6:18
• Unbelievers that they might receive the salvation of God in Christ Jesus - 2 Peter 3:9
• Pray for leadership:
• Spiritual leadership, in families and churches. For wisdom, protection -2 Thessalonians 3:1-2, 1 Thessalonians 5:25
• Governmental leadership. That our various leaders in the nations shall be just - 1 Timothy 2:1-4, 2 Thessalonians 3:1-21, Thessalonians 5:25
  

Jesus taught us to pray, "thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10). We believe therefore, that it is important to spent quality time in God's presence to find out His will. If you feel the need to pray right now, please feel free to join our "Prayer Room" by clicking here.