“So, it came about, on the day of battle, that there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people who were with Saul and Jonathan.” – I Samuel 13:22

 

REFERENCE:

I Samuel 13:19-14:1

 

The Philistines deployed an ingenious battle strategy against the Israelites. They exiled all their blacksmiths, so, there was nobody to make weapons of war (swords and spears) for them. They left them only with axes, rakes, pickaxes, plowshares, sickles, etc. That meant that in the day of war, the tools with them would serve them no purpose, and they would be at the mercy of their enemies. How do you face an army with spears, swords and armor with sickles and rakes?

If you don’t have the right tool (or weapon) for any activity, you are bound to fail, exerting energy that will yield no commensurate results. Think about hitting a nail into a concrete wall with the butt of a screwdriver, or removing your car-tires with an open spanner. Activity in futility. This is true in sports too; there are different gears and rules for different sports, and you must obey them to excel therein. You cannot play basketball using the rules of ice-hockey. It won’t work.

There are different kinds of prayers with different rules. There is a right way and a wrong way to pray. Failure to produce impact in prayer can often be traced to either using ‘the wrong prayer type’ or ‘the rules of prayers in one category for another.’ Knowing how to use each prayer type makes you like a skilled workman who uses the right tools for the right job for the right results.

In the next two days, I will highlight some prayer types to equip you with the proper prayer tool.

Prayer of Supplication: Supplication is a humble, heartfelt, fervent appeal or request. It is a prayer where humble petition is made to God while kneeling or bowing. It is an urgent request presented with fervency and desire. To supplicate, you should be certain and detailed about what you want. It should be backed by Scripture; if it is healing, look for scriptures pertaining to healing, then present your request. Supplication is a prayer that makes tremendous power available! It can be made for yourself, others, your leaders or even for God to send laborers into His field.

Prayer of Intercession: This prayer is about standing in the gap for a person, people or a nation, often in order to avert God’s impending judgment for wrongdoings. It is a higher dimension of prayers, as it is not self-focused. It invokes God’s intervention for people in dire need of a miracle or those who cannot pray for themselves because of a serious illness, incapacitation due to drug addiction or mental illness. Moses interceded for the children of Israel when they sinned against God (Numbers 14:15-20). If you sow prayers in others, it is impossible for you to not be blessed.

Effectual Prayer is not just about praying; there is a way to pray to get results. Understanding this will not only improve your prayer life, it will help you live a victorious and productive Christian life. Using the right prayer for the right request will help you get the right answer and you will begin to see changes in your life, family, business and community. We will continue tomorrow…

PHOTO QUOTE:

ADDITIONAL STUDY

Mark 5:22-24, James 5:16, Ezekiel 22:30 

REFLECTION

+ Determine what you (or a loved one) need or desire, and write it in your prayer request journal.

+ Look for scriptures that back your requests and note them beside each request.

+ Pray ‘appropriately’ and be sure to note when and how your prayer was answered.

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