Why I Chose Prayer?

 

A leader once remarked, "You know the prayer ministry isn't attractive to young people, so we decided to put them there for internship." This sparked a question within me: "Why did you choose to pray it out?" It seemed unreal, as many of us would opt for practical means, energy-giving activities, or intellectual pursuits over prayer.

During my quiet moments, I reflected on my journey. I never really loved praying, so I opted to spend hours reading Christian manuals to address specific issues. I'd seek God's counsel, but often through other means. However, I stumbled upon a powerful scripture that promises satisfaction to those who seek God in the secret place.

After struggling with feelings of emptiness, longing, and despair, I began praying. My sister introduced me to the idea of praying often, and I turned every moment of despair into an opportunity for prayer. Some moments lasted hours, while others were brief, but I came to God because He invited me.

Though my pressing needs weren't always met, I experienced God's satisfaction and healing in the process. This promise is fulfilled in Psalm 16:11 (NIV), "You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand."

Everything can be a prayer point. We can take all our concerns to God, and His ability runs deep to meet us at any crossroads. Just as a lover seeks out their beloved, God wants us and wants us to need Him.

Prayer can be:

- Our "highness drug"

- Our wisdom well

- Our communication starter

- Our healing balm

You can find your way and the way through prayer. But remember, as long as you don't come to God, you'll miss out on His intention to partner with you.

Come to Him today, and take it all to the Lord in prayer. 

Stay Revived!

By guest writer

Wait it out on, the Rock that Never Fails.

What's your first response when faced with challenges? I often react with a sigh and spiral into a cycle of despair, getting stuck in a rut. However, that's not the response we should have. David's experience in Psalm 62 teaches us a better way. When faced with adversity, David chose to wait upon God, who is his Rock and Salvation.

Psalm 62:1-2, 5-7 AMP says:

"For God alone my soul waits in silence; from Him comes my salvation. He only is my Rock and my Salvation, my Defense and my Fortress, I shall not be greatly moved."

"My soul, wait only upon God and silently..."

"He only is my Rock and my Salvation; He is my Defense and my Fortress, I shall not be moved."

"With God rests my salvation and my glory; He is my Rock of unyielding strength and impenetrable hardness, and my refuge is in God!"

Would you choose to wait on God when:

- You can't figure out the solution?

- You're unsure what the problem is?

- You've tried everything, but it's still not working?

How would you wait? I often find myself waiting while complaining, tearful, and overwhelmed. But I've learned that focusing on God's faithfulness helps me see His power and sovereignty.

God can be your refuge, and He wants to be. Instead of seeking something extraordinary to fill the void, remember that we're allowed to wait on God – not in vain, but with expectation, knowing He's our salvation and rewards us according to our works.

Today choose to wait it out on the rock that never fails. 

Stay Revived!

Trusting God

Some time ago, I asked someone, "How do you rely on God when your present reality does not reflect the word, He has spoken to you? How do you respond to the calling on your life when it feels as though you are stuck in a cycle of repetition?

In times like these, God is calling us to rely on Him. When God gives us His word, He is not focused on our present circumstances or past experiences, but on what He intends to do. There is a version of us that God knows, and He wants us to trust Him. However, for this plan to become a reality, we must align ourselves with His will. He desires to strip us of everything that is not of Him and bring us to a place of total dependence on Him.

The Bible reminds us in Matthew 28:20, "Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world." God knows we will face fear, yet He continuously reassures us to "fear not."

He understands that there will be times we doubt, but He still says, "Fear not." I remember a time when I prayed to the Lord for something, and for four years, I waited. I knew He was going to do it because He had given me His word through a vision and confirmed it through His written word. I held onto those promises, yet there were times when I looked for ways to use my logic to explain the situation. Even then, I knew He had spoken, and I had to trust that He would fulfill His word. He is calling us to trust Him — trust Him with all our hearts, trust Him through all uncertainties. God's plans are beyond our human understanding, but He desires for us to invite Him into the midst of our doubts and fears.

We often find ourselves shaken by external circumstances, even after hearing from God both personally and through His word. The future is real, but it only comes to those who are willing to step into God's purpose and trust Him completely. We must open ourselves to God, allowing Him to take charge and guide us in fulfilling His plans for our lives. As our Father, He desires to bring His purposes to fruition in us.

It is not about what we have or who we are, but about who God is and what He intends to do. We must be vulnerable enough to trust the vision God has given us and to work intentionally towards it, knowing that He will bring it to pass.

In Christ, there is a reality far beyond our own understanding. When we truly rely on God, He begins to reveal to us the chapters and paragraphs of what has been written about our lives. It is time to release our grip on what we know and place our full trust in who God is and the path He has set before us.

Stay revived!

God's Validation Is All We Need

 

Have you ever felt stuck in a rollercoaster of emotions? That feeling is one of the worst, as it's a point of uncertainty where we're unsure what to do, what to expect, or how things will turn out. Is it necessary for God's children to experience this? Thankfully, God's validation is the best remedy.

In the creation story, God looks at us and declares us good (Genesis 1:31). As we grow, He draws us closer, calling us into a deep, personal relationship. When we open our hearts to Him, He validates us, rejoicing in our existence. He knows the world's challenges will leave their mark, but He leaves us with the mark of Jesus—the blood and redemption that validate our identity.

Rejoice, friend, because you have a God who doesn't need you to love Him first. His love draws you into Himself and guides you on your journey. Whenever you feel overwhelmed by the world's coldness, seek the Father's warmth and rely on Him to navigate life's darkness.

As David wrote in Psalm 18:32-34 (NKJV), "It is God who arms me with strength, And makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of deer And sets me on my high places. He teaches my hands to make war, So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze." 

This reminds us that only in God's strength can we thrive and live. Seasons come and goes but we have an open check to thrive in God's abilities. 

Stay Revived!