The importance of a constant prayer life

 

1 Thessalonians 5:17 "Pray without ceasing".

Romans 12: 12 “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer”

Prayer is our means of communicating with God. It's a conversation we initiate with God; a conversation in which we let the Holy Spirit guide us to know when it's our turn to speak, and when we need to be quiet to listen to God. -Yes, you read that right: prayer is also a time for listening to God speak.

 It is therefore recommended that all Christians pray in order to adore and praise God, to obtain His forgiveness, to make their needs known, to know His will and to enter into communion with Him. All these points will be developed in the next few lines. Ephesians 6:18 " praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints”

We have several recommendations throughout the Bible, both in the Old Testament and the New Testament, on how to pray, attitudes to adopt in prayer, etc. Below, are listed a few elements.

 

1.      Our prayers should be simple, without repetition of empty words or use of complex sentences (we don't pray to impress God with our eloquence. It's not a job interview). Let's always remember that we're talking to our Father, the God who reads our thoughts, who knows our needs even before we express them. Matthew 6:7-8 " And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”

 

2.     We must pray with faith, knowing that we are addressing a God who can do all things, according to His will. Hebrews 4:16 " Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

      1 John 5:14 " And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us".

 

3.     We must approach God with a sincere, humble and repentant heart; acknowledging that we are not worthy to be in his presence.

2 Chronicles 7:14 " if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land."

 

Hebrews 10:22 " let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water."

 

James 4:10 “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you”

However, there are no clear/specific recommendations regarding the frequency and duration of our prayers. They depend on our relationship with God, what we seek from Him and our degree of intimacy with Him. Nevertheless, the Bible contains verses that can help us to be constant/steadfast in prayin

How would we define “constancy in prayer”?

Luke 18:1 " And He told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart."

The Christian who is constant/steadfast in praying clings to God. He maintains a life of stable communication with God motivated by a desire to continually renew his mind (Psalms 51:10, Romans 12:2, 2 Corinthians 4:16, Ephesians 4:23), to know and do His will (Psalms 25:12) and also, out of love for His presence (A Christian must continually desire God's presence. Psalms 27:4 and Psalms 73:28).

 

Why is it important to be consistent/steadfast in our prayer life:

 

A. To Develop a life of intimacy with God

 One of the greatest commandments given to us by Jesus in the New Testament is to love God with all our soul, heart and mind. But how can we obey such a commandment, how can we love God with such deep love if we don't develop a life of intimacy with him so that we can know Him. We can't love what we don't know. Matthew 22:36-37, Luke 10:25-27 and Deuteronomy 6:5

 

B. To increase our sensitivity to the presence of the Holy Spirit

 The Bible teaches us that when we pray, we receive the assistance of the Holy Spirit, who intercedes on our behalf with inexpressible sighs (Romans 8:26), He reveals God and hidden things to us (1 Corinthians 12:3, 2 Corinthians 2: 7-10 and Jeremiah 33:3), He reveals God's will to us (Galatians 5:18), He teaches us so that our lives may reflect our identity in Christ (Romans 8:14-16 and Ephesians 4:22-24), He strengthens us by empowering us (Isaiah 11:2 and Hebrews 2:2-4) and comforts us (John 15:26). But how can we enjoy all these benefits from the Holy Spirit if we can't discern His voice, His presence. To achieve this level of discernment, we need to spend time with Him in prayer; so that our minds get "accustomed" our to His presence (1 Corinthians 2:14-15 and Proverbs 28:5 ).

C. To create the right environment for Him to dwell constantly within us

 We must maintain a stable prayer life so that our spirit is protected from the defilements and lies of this world (2 Peter 2:18-20, 2 Corinthians 11:3 and Ephesians 4:22-24) and that we do not grieve the Holy Spirit by dishonoring His temple, which is our body (Ephesians 4:17, 30 and 1 Corinthians 6:19).

 

D.To know His will

 The duty of every Christian is to always do God’s will and in all circumstances. But how can we do His will if we don't know it? And how can we know it if we don't seek God, if we don't communicate with him? His will can only be revealed to us in prayer. (Ephesians 1:17-19).

Constance dans la Prière

 

1 Thessaloniciens 5:17: “Priez sans cesse”

Romains 12:12 « Réjouissez-vous en espérance. Soyez patients dans l'affliction. Persévérez dans la prière »

La prière, c’est notre moyen de communication avec Dieu. Il s’agit d’une conversation que nous initions avec Dieu ; une conversation durant laquelle nous nous laissons guider par le Saint-Esprit pour savoir quand c’est notre tour de parler et quand il faut nous taire pour écouter Dieu. -Oui, vous avez bien lu : la prière est aussi un moment pour écouter Dieu parler.

Ainsi, il est recommandé à tout chrétien de prier afin d’adorer et de louer Dieu, d’obtenir son pardon, de faire connaitre ses besoins, de connaitre sa volonté et d’entrer en communion avec Lui. Tous ces points seront développés dans les prochaines lignes. Éphésiens 6:18 « Faites en tout temps par l'Esprit toutes sortes de prières et de supplications. Veillez à cela avec une entière persévérance, et priez pour tous les saints ».

Nous avons plusieurs recommandations à travers la bible tant dans l’Ancien Testament que dans le Nouveau Testament sur la manière de prier, les attitudes à adopter dans la prière, etc… Ci-dessous, nous en présentons brièvement quelques éléments ; ceci n’étant pas le point central du texte d’aujourd’hui :

1.     1. Le contenu de nos prières doit être simple, sans multiplication de vaines paroles, sans tournures complexes (On ne prie pas pour impressionner Dieu par notre éloquence. Ce n’est pas un entretien d’embauche). Gardons toujours en tête que nous parlons à notre Père, le Dieu qui lit nos pensées, qui connait nos besoins avant même que nous les exprimions. Matthieu 6 : 7-8 « En priant, ne multipliez pas de vaines paroles, comme les païens, qui s'imaginent qu'à force de paroles ils seront exaucés. Ne leur ressemblez pas; car votre Père sait de quoi vous avez besoin, avant que vous le lui demandiez ».

2.      2. Nous devons prier avec foi ; sachant que nous nous adressons à un Dieu qui peut tout faire, selon sa volonté. Hébreux 4:16 « Approchons-nous donc avec assurance du trône de la grâce, afin d'obtenir miséricorde et de trouver grâce, pour être secourus dans nos besoins »

1 Jean 5:14 « Nous avons auprès de lui cette assurance, que si nous demandons quelque chose selon sa volonté, il nous écoute ».

3.     3. Nous devons nous approcher de Dieu avec un cœur sincère, humble et repentant ; étant conscients que nous ne sommes pas dignes d’être dans sa présence.

2 Chroniques 7:14 « si mon peuple sur qui est invoqué mon nom s'humilie, prie, et cherche ma face, et s'il se détourne de ses mauvaises voies, -je l'exaucerai des cieux, je lui pardonnerai son péché, et je guérirai son pays »

Hébreux 10:22 « approchons-nous avec un coeur sincère, dans la plénitude de la foi, les coeurs purifiés d'une mauvaise conscience, et le corps lavé d'une eau pure »

Jacques 4 : 10  « Humiliez-vous devant le Seigneur, et il vous élèvera »

Cependant, il n’y a pas de recommandations claires/spécifiques relatives à la fréquence et la durée de nos prières. Elles dépendent de notre relation avec Dieu, de ce que nous recherchons en Lui et de notre degré d’intimité avec Lui. Néanmoins, la bible contient des versets pouvant nous aider à persévérer dans la prière, à avoir une vie de prière stable.

Comment définir la constance dans la prière?

Luc 18 :1 « Jésus leur adressa une parabole, pour montrer qu'il faut toujours prier, et ne point se relâcher »

Le chrétien qui est constant dans la prière s’accroche à Dieu. Il maintient une vie de communication stable avec Dieu motivée par un désir de renouvellement continu de son esprit (Psaumes 51:10; Romains 12:2;  2 Corinthiens 4:16, Ephésiens 4:23), de connaitre et de faire Sa volonté (Psaumes 25:12) et aussi, par amour pour Sa présence (Un chrétien doit continuellement désirer la présence de Dieu. Psaumes 27 :4 et Psaumes 73 : 28).

Pourquoi la constance ?

 

A.    A. Développer une vie d’intimité avec Dieu

 L’un des plus grands commandements qui nous a été donné par Jésus, dans le Nouveau Testament, est d’aimer Dieu de toute notre âme, de tout notre cœur et de toute notre pensée.  Mais comment obéir à un tel commandement, comment aimer Dieu d’un amour si profond si nous ne développons pas une vie d’intimité avec lui pour pouvoir le connaitre. On ne peut aimer ce qu’on ne connait pas. Matthieu 22:36-37, Luc 10 :25-27 et Deutéronome 6 : 5

 

B.    B. Pour augmenter notre sensibilité à la présence du Saint-Esprit

 La Bible nous apprend que quand nous prions, nous recevons l’assistance du Saint-Esprit, qui intercède en notre faveur par des soupirs inexprimables (Romains 8 : 26), Il nous révèle Dieu et les choses cachées (1 Corinthiens 12 : 3, 2 Corinthiens 2 : 7-10), Il nous guide vers la volonté de Dieu (Galates 5 : 18), Il nous enseigne afin que notre vie puisse refléter notre identité en Christ (Romains 8 : 14-16 et Ephésiens 4 : 22-24), Il nous fortifie en nous apportant la puissance (Esaïe 11 : 2 et Hébreux 2 : 2-4) et nous console (Jean 15 : 26). Mais comment profiter de tous ces bienfaits du Saint-Esprit si nous ne pouvons pas discerner sa voix, sa présence. Pour parvenir à ce niveau de discernement, il nous faut passer du temps avec Lui dans la prière pour « habituer » notre esprit à sa présence (1 Corinthiens 2:14-15 et Proverbes 28 :5 ) .

 

C. Pour créer l’environnement propice pour qu’Il demeure de manière constante en nous

Nous devons maintenir une vie de prière stable afin de protéger notre esprit des souillures et des mensonges de ce monde (2 Pierres 2 : 18-20, 2 Corinthiens 11:3 et Ephésiens 4 : 22-24) et que nous n’attristions pas le Saint-Esprit en déshonorant son temple qui n’est autre que notre corps (Éphésiens 4:17, 30 et 1 Corinthiens 6:19).

 D. Pour connaitre sa volonté

Le devoir de tout chrétien est de faire la volonté de Dieu en tout temps et en toutes circonstances. Or comment faire Sa volonté, si nous ne la connaissons pas ? Et comment la connaitre si nous ne cherchons pas Dieu, si nous ne communiquons pas avec lui ? Sa volonté ne peut nous être révélée que dans la prière. (Éphésiens 1:17-19).

 

 E. Pour intercéder pour les autres

En tant que chrétiens, nous sommes tous des intercesseur. Intercéder pour les autres est l’appel de tous les chrétiens. Notre devoir est d’etre à la brèche pour intercéder pour l’église, notre communauté, notre famille et les nations. (Ézéchiel 22:30, Éphésiens 6:18, et  Jacques 5:16)

 

 

 

The power of the Word in the life of the Christian

 

The power of the Word in the life of the Christian

To introduce this text on the power of the Word of God, we will use these verses from the Gospel according to John, as it will constitute the basis of the thoughts that will be shared with you through these lines: John 1:1-3 “ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made”. From these three verses, we will try to explain how the Word of God is a powerful weapon in the life of every Christian, and above all, when and for what purpose God has allowed us, or rather, commanded us, to use the power it exudes.

What does the word "Word" mean? 

The word “Word” in this text refers to the “spoken Word and the written Word” of God; which are, in Christian language, the revelation (proclamation) of God's thoughts to mankind. There are two kinds of “Word”

a)     Logos: The eternal thought of God, through which the world has been created. We can fairly say that this eternal thought is shared with us through the Scriptures.

b)     Rhema: We can think of it as a revelation of the Word of God by the Holy Spirit in our hearts, at a given moment (a specific revelation coming from a preacher under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit on one bible verses, for example), in response to a specific situation in our lives. Matthew 4 vs 4: Jesus answered, "It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God"

The Logos, unlike the Rhema, does not change over time or space; like the Gospel in the Bible, for example. But the Bible gives an even deeper meaning to the Logos; for it presents it to us as the eternal word at the origin of Creation. It represents the force that materialized and "gave life" to God's design.

Genesis 1:3 "And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.."

Genesis 1:11 "Then God said, “Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds.” And it was so."

To better understand the creation process, let's try to match the stages to the phases of a project cycle. Thus, God spoke, ordained (Conception Phase), then this thought has been brought into life/existence in accordance with God's design (Execution Phase). Then, in verse 31, " God saw all that he had made" and it was very good " (Performance and Control Phase). And finally, in Genesis 2:2, " By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work." (Project Close). 

When exactly did God give man access to the power of the Logos?

The answer to that question is clearly found in Genesis 1:26. Access to the power of the Logos hqs been granted to man since the conception phase of his creation. "Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”

Thus, man and woman were created according to God's design, like Him. Genesis 1:28 "God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground." So God has used the Word to give us power over His creation. We can be sure that this authority is indeed effective, for this was ordained by means of the Word (Logos), just as it was done to bring light into existence.

What means has God placed at man's disposal to exercise this power?

The same means He used to create everything, the Word (Logos). Indeed, we can easily see that, of all that was created, according to the book of Genesis, by the Word of God, man is the only one to have been given the ability to speak. For when a power/mission is entrusted to someone, they must be given the necessary weapons/tools/structures to exercise it. Furthermore, how can you change the nature/modify a thing by a means other than that by which it was created. If someone wants to make changes to a written text, he/she must go through the writing process. If someone wants to modify this text on the blog, they must have access to the account linked to the blog. Let's imagine that a programmer has developed an application and someone wants to change some of its functions. He'd need access to the code and, above all, knowledge of the programming language used (I don't know much about programming, but I want to think I am right on that example). 

Genesis 2: 19-20 " Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds in the sky and all the wild animals. But for Adam no suitable helper was found.”                           Genesis 2:23 " The man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man.”

Has this authority been taken from us because of Adam and Eve's disobedience?

 Not at all, and the main reason is that God never takes back what His gifts.

Romans 11:29 " for God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable." Indeed, throughout the Old Testament, there are plenty examples of the manifestation of the power of the word after the fall of the first men; particularly through the history of God's prophets, who were placed as mediators between God and His people, and had therefore received the authority necessary to fulfill the function.

2 Kings 1: 10 " Elijah answered the captain, “If I am a man of God, may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men!” Then fire fell from heaven and consumed the captain and his men."

We can draw an important lesson from this last verse: to use something, we must necessarily be aware that it exists. In Matthew 17:20, Jesus said to the disciples: " He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you ". We can't use what is unknown to us!

However, once we're aware of it, we also need to know how to use it. For the power of the Word can be used for good or evil. James 3:6, 9, 10 " The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell…With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.” And here, the example that best fits this case is the curse pronounced by Noah against his son Ham. It's like having gold in your basement, knowing it's there and knowing its value. It can be used to make jewelry or to bribe.

Jesus taught us that everything must be done in accordance with God's holy will and for His glory.

Does this authority still exist after the coming of Jesus?

The Bible teaches us that the Word at the origin of creation is none other than Jesus. For it says that the Word (Logos) became flesh and dwelt among us. John 1:14 " The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." And several other verses in the New Testament make it clear that Jesus' coming did not take this authority away from us, but strengthened it for those who believe in him. For, if before we had authority only over the physical things of God's creation; in Jesus we also have authority over spiritual things and beings.

Matthew 16:19 " I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

Mark 16:17-18 " And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."

So when we hear the Word of Christ, believe it through the Holy Spirit and accept Christ as Lord and Savior, He lives in us. And given that Christ is the Word of power, from Whom all things come and for Whom all things are, then through Him, the Word becomes more than a tool to exercising the authority God has given us over His creation; it becomes part of our nature, of who we are. Didn't Paul say in Galatians 2:20 " they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well ". This idea is further reinforced in John 14:20 " On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you".

We carry within us the living Word of God. It has made us the light of this world (Matthew 5:14), just as Jesus was and still is for mankind (John 1:4-5).