The Father's Menu

The Father's Menu

Apostle Dr. Richard Udoh

Sunday, July 22, 2018

THE RIGHT PRAYER

Many times we complain that our prayers are not answered. We are discouraged because we do not know what else to do. Or sometimes, we turn to self-help efforts and pity parties which bring more despair. What we fail to recognize is that most times too, our prayers are motivated solely by our own interest and desires. We want our personal problems attended to, and quickly too. But we miss the main point in prayer that is, praying according to the will of God in mind. Jesus underscored this point when He prayed that although “all things are possible unto thee…nevertheless, not what I will, but what thou wilt” (Mark 14:36). The Lord Jesus Christ was hungry and thought that a fig tree on the way, with luscious green leaves, would provide Him with fruits to eat as it was the season for fruits. But the tree had none. Jesus then cursed the tree, and again headed to the Temple in Jerusalem where He chased out those buying and selling and rebuked them for misusing the house of God. Thereafter, He left the city. The next morning as He and His disciples were returning to Jerusalem, they noticed that the cursed fig tree had dried up. He said if they did not doubt, literally, they can ask for anything in prayer from God, and He will give it to them. Jesus is in essence telling us that the prayer that God answers is not based on any particular attitude or disposition, effort or sacrifice we may exhibit, but on total trust in God. As we pray, we bear no grudge against anyone, we do not pursue a selfish agenda, and we seek only those things that are according to the will of God and are therefore, good for the kingdom of God. Such prayers will not focus on the things we are asking for, but on the things that will bring glory to the name of the Lord our God. Prayer: All things are possible to him that believe Further Reading: Mark 11:11-27 Read through the Bible: Esther 9 & John 4