The Power Of Prayer

First things first, I think I need to elucidate a little on what prayer means. Most people believe that prayer is a very serious and strategic thing to do, so they are not ready to try this 'long thing' where you have to go on your knees, put your palm together and start speaking grammar and kabashing (means shouting, shaking, clapping hysterically etc.)

Don't get me wrong; there are levels to it if you ask me. Some people actually feel the Holy Spirit that way, while some don't. If you go to a Catholic, Anglican or Pentecostal church, you will see different ways they pray. That goes to say, everyone has his or her own method of reaching out to God, whether it's through kabashing or saying a short statement.

There's no place in the bible that specifically highlights the most effective way to pray or the kinds of prayers God answers. A simple 'Thank you Lord for the gift of life' or 'Lord, please go before me today and may everything I do and touch be blessed' goes a long way. It doesn't have to be anything complex.

Moving forward, there was a point in my life where anytime I was told to pray, I start grumbling or I'd automatically get tired even though I did nothing the whole day. I only prayed out of my volition when something bad had happened. Notice I said 'something bad.' So, something threatening or saddening had to occur before I called out to my heavenly Father.

Subsequently, I needed this big God to come and intervene on my behalf because it was no longer in my power. I decided to key into prayer and see how it turned out. Until recently, I understood the power of prayer. The power of simply committing your personal needs and heart desires unto our Father.

Matthew 7:7;

Ask and it shall be given unto you, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you.

Matthew 7:9;

Which of you ask your father for bread and he gives him stone?

Now, faith plays a vital part in our prayer. If you pray fervently with faith and believe that you have received, your God will answer.

Luke 17:6;

If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, 'be uprooted and planted in the sea' and it will obey you.

For some, few hours after praying, you may find yourself doubting or asking questions like; 'Ah, God, how will I get a first class when I already got third class in two courses?' Believe me when I tell you this, that is just the devil trying to scare you with your reality. Our God does not care about the reality. When human beings need thirty days or a thousand days to do something, God needs just one night to turn your situation around.

I'll give an example using my personal experience. Few months ago, I finished my final exams which will qualify me as a Barrister and Solicitor in Nigeria. When I got back home after my exams, best believe that every single individual that knew my surname or about me, was waiting for this particular result.

The amount of pressure on me was unbelievable. I had 5 exams (Monday to Friday) of which 1 was monstrous. I told myself that I needed to prepare the family and friends of what was coming their way. So, anytime anyone asks me, 'oh, how were your exams?' My response to every Tom, Dick and Harry was, 'It went well, except one.'

It later dawned on me that telling everyone wouldn't help. I had done my utmost best which was my human effort, it was now time to call on this my God to come and do a miracle. I prayed and fasted so much that I lost weight. At times, I'll be in the shower and thoughts of failure came into my head and I'm just there like, God do not allow this happen.

I had to ask a Pastor how I could tackle fear. He said to me; say short prayers, recite scriptures and if you cannot do either, sing. Singing songs of praise definitely worked for me because I did not know a lot of scriptures at the top of my head. I also told a number of people to pray for me because I believe in intercessors. The more people interceding for you, the higher chance of a greater result.

Fast forward to the night my result was to be released. Guys, the fear that wasn't in me before that day appeared from no where and this time, in full force. The devil was trying to tear me apart. Guess what I decided to do, interchange short prayers and scriptures with praise and worship.

Around 2:15am, the almighty result was released. I PASSED!!!!!! I knelt down, crying and gave thanks to God with a heart of gratitude. I knew that, if it weren't for the prayers, it would have been a different story entirely.

In conclusion, remind God of His promises to us using scriptures from the Holy Book, and your heart desires, He shall grant. Be fervent in prayer no matter what the situation is. It may look impossible through human eyes but God doesn't have that word (impossible) in his dictionary. All He says we should do is, have faith as little as a mustard seed.

Love.

Sotochi Ekeocha.