13th January
EVENING CONTEMPLATION
TOPIC: ACCEPTABLE PRAYER
TEXT: 1JN. 5:14

''And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us''

The prayer that woud take its portion, benefit from and enjoy the riches of God's glory must be made according to His will; there is nothing for man's facies in God's store house: but there is every thing for His will; according to our fancies, He would not answer us. In line with His will, He does not hesitate to come to man's aids. God answers prayer, but when done according to His counsel and purposes; He exists not to please creatures but Himself: in pleasing Himself, He does good to creature. If He runs to every desire of the creature, the government of the would will escape His hand. So, His will is His rule--He does all things according to His predeterminate counsel. Acceptable prayers and petitions to Him must be made and drafted with an eye on His will, otherwise, we get a curse instead of a blessing. The sinfulness in our prayer, is in not been made by the will of God; the substance thereof being nothing but our lusts and base desires. Strictly speaking, prayer starts by knowing the will of God and re-echo it back to Him. It is no prayer that is not coloured by God's will. The fountain head of every heaven-approved and Spirit-enabled prayer is this: 'THY WILL BE DONE ON EARTH!' The will of God simply means, what God wants, what He wants to give and all that He has promised creature in this lower world and that is to come. Anything outside His will is not within reach: even if within reach, it is harmful. All that is within His will are termed, 'Good and perfect gifts' Nothing is good that is outside His will. Friends, His riches in glory, is laid at the feet of prayer made according to His will! Only prayer in line with His will has a line long and strong enough to draw blessings from His rich and wide ocean of eternal riches. Know His will, only then can you pray aright!

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Ojoje Adeyi