I was recently speaking to a co-worker (I am now working from home and in the office select days of the week), and we were talking about the difference in temperature each day. I was so very cold and had my heater on. He came into my office saying how hot it was. The difference was the layering of clothes. My co-worker had on a long sleeve shirt, hoodie, and jacket. I had on a short sleeve shirt and thin sweater coat, a shawl type. I had not checked the weather before leaving the house.
I later asked God why was this so significant that it was brought back to my memory later in the day. Here is what I heard. You were waiting on something else to provide you with heat. He went out and layered himself to ensure he had it. Did you catch that? Let's go a step further. When we are seeking something from God, we are waiting for others (possibly the Pastor, Ministers, Church Mothers, Family Members) to pray on our behalf. Yet, God gave us all the ability to go directly to Him and ask for what we need. In this instance, I was relying on the portable heater in my office to supply me with heat. My co-worker layered himself before leaving home to ensure he had what he needed (warmth) throughout the day. Got it yet?
In this season, we cannot sit back and wait for the seasoned Christians to carry the load. They are worn out. They are praying still yet why should we continue to burden them with that which we can do? Last night, I was part of the team - the Prayer Band - for my church that consisted of both clergy and non-clergy. Members are being called upon to pray. This is not something just regulated to clergy.
In Luke 11 (KJV), the disciples ask Jesus to teach them how to pray. What I love in this chapter is the parable and lesson that comes after.
"5 Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; 6 a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’ 7 And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ 8 I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity[e] he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.9 “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.11 “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for[f] a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”"
If you as a child of God goes to the Father and ask, it will be given, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened. So why are we depending on others to do for us what we can do for ourselves?
Each morning, I pass 3 churches. All 3 have inspirational messages for those that pass by. The last church's message says, "Don't panic, this virus is a mandate to pray". Come on Church - PRAY. My former first lady told me once that PUSH means Pray Until Something Happens. Pray, pray, pray. You want a change in your life? PRAY!! You want more of God? PRAY!!! You want peace? PRAY!!!!! Notice, I didn't mention any material thing. Why? Because that's not what this message is about. This message is here to tell you that if we want the spiritual things of God, now is the time to push for it. Now is the time to come to the reality that yes, God provides us with material things, but in this season, we should want more.
My prayer for everyone reading is what John prayed for his friend and disciple, Gaius in 3 John - "2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers." (KJV)
Be A Blessing and Not Just Blessed
- - Nakya