Putting prayer into practice
Genesis 39:1~6 The Lord was with Joseph and he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did (2~3)
Hymn for scheduled worship: Korean/English Hymnal #410 There Comes to My Heart (#468 in previous version)
What is prayer? Are you praying correctly? Prayer is confessing to God everything about you and earnestly requesting. If you can correctly enjoy prayer, you can rise above your current problems, conflicts, and weaknesses. Enjoying in your life Jesus Christ, who is the solution to all problems, is prayer. How then do we pray?
1. Prayer that drives away conflicts
The 7 Remnants in the Bible were thoroughly equipped with the basics prior to praying. Joseph did his best in the seat that he was placed in, and David, too, was finished with spiritual and physical trainings while he was a shepherd. People who are not prepared with the basics feel scared when problems approach them and make efforts to resolve them. No matter how weak we are, there is nothing to worry about if we are prepared with the basics. Putting down the roots of the Gospel in our life is the mystery of prayer by which we can overcome conflicts.
2. Prayer that overcomes spiritual problems
If we are firmly ready with the basics, then we will see with our eyes the spiritual realm. We will see those who are afflicted with spiritual problems and the world seized by idolatry. Mankind who became separated from God became unhappy because of idolatry, superstitions, and religions. The forces of darkness have seized the world and are leading people to hell through politics, finances, and culture. We are God’s children whom God has called. We must know the roots of the problem and begin the correct battle. The only way to victory in our spiritual battle as God’s soldiers who have put on the full armor of Christ is through prayer.
3. Prayer of entering into the blessing of God
If we pray for the spiritual battle, we can come to know the great spiritual background. We will come to gain all answers through prayer, and we will come to know that God works ahead of us in things that we pray for. We will come to gain the true power through prayer and to know peace and happiness that the world cannot give. As we pray, we will come to see the future and we will come to restore thanksgiving in all things and enter within blessings.
- If you feel anxious because problems have yet to leave, try restoring true prayer. You need to examine yourself and enter into the spiritual background as you begin the spiritual battle.
Study of Evangelism Message / 2011.4.23