Wed, 30 Aug 2017 10:28:54 +0000
Dear Editor
The concept of praying for our nation and leaders is not unique to our democratic Zambia, and it did not begin with President Edgar Chagwa Lungu’s National Day of Prayer.
The Bible contains many commands to pray for our leaders; national, local, religious and secular as well as for our nation.
Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 2:1–4, “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people; for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
The most basic definition of prayer is “talking to God.” Prayer is a direct address to God. It is the communication of the human soul with the Lord who created the soul.
Prayer is the primary way for the believer in Jesus Christ to communicate his emotions and desires with God and to fellowship with God.
Prayer is described in the Bible as seeking God’s favour (Exodus 32:11), pouring out one’s soul to the Lord (1 Samuel 1:15), crying out to heaven (2 Chronicles 32:20).
Prayer can be audible or silent, private or public, formal or informal.
However, all prayer must be offered in faith (James 1:6), in the name of the Lord Jesus (John 16:23), and in the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:26).
We pray to make requests and seek guidance and ask for wisdom. God loves this exchange with His people. He wants us to talk with Him about everything.
We can pray under any and all circumstances. Prayer develops our relationship with God and shows our trust and utter dependence upon Him.
When we make petitions to God, we let God know exactly where we stand and what we would like to see happen.
Prayer is not seeking our own will but seeking to align ourselves with the will of God more fully (1 John 5:14–15; James 4:3).
The Bible however refers to several areas of sin that are hindrances to prayer.
The most obvious hindrance is the presence of unconfessed sins in the heart of the one who is praying.
“But your inequities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear” (Isaiah 59:2).
First is when we are living according to the flesh. One way living in the flesh manifests itself is in selfishness.
Selfish prayers are always those that are intended to gratify our own selfish desires, and we should not expect God to respond to such prayers.
When our prayers are selfishly motivated, when we ask God for what we want rather than for what He wants, our motives hinder our prayers.
If we ask anything according to his will, God hears us” (1 John 5:14).
Another major hindrance to effective prayer is a spirit of unforgiveness toward others.
When we refuse to forgive others, a root of bitterness grows up in our hearts and chokes our prayers.
How can we expect God to pour out His blessings upon us undeserving sinners if we harbour hatred and bitterness toward others?
This principle is beautifully illustrated in the parable of the unforgiving servant in Matthew 18:23-35.
This story teaches that God has forgiven us a debt that is beyond measure, and He expects us to forgive others as we have been forgiven. To refuse to do so will hinder our prayers.
Mukuka Chilufya,
Chambishi Mine Township.
