Efficacy of Prayer
The efficacy of prayer
A LONG ESSAY PRESENTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF POST GRADUATE STUDIES
BY
OGUNYEMI, OLUWAFEMI AYOTUNDE
MATRIC NO: 60754
IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT FOR THE AWARD OF POST GRADUATE DIPLOMA IN THEOLOGY
AT
THE REDEEMED CHRISTIAN BIBLE COLLEGE, REDEMPTION CAMP, OGUN STATE
JUNE 2010
INTRODUCTION
Prayer ... is not a soliloquy. It is a dialogue between man and God. Prayer is conversation with a real Person who actually hears what is prayed and does something about it. Prayer has subjective value too, and blesses the one who prays. If a man never got an answer, he would be a better man for having bowed his knees to Almighty God. A man "never stands taller than when he kneels to God..."
Prayer is objective as well as subjective. Prayer brings results — not just in the man who prays but in the ones for whom he prays, the things for which he prays. A man prays from his home in America for a missionary friend in Africa. God hears the man in America and responds by supplying the need for the man in Africa.
The Bible does not explain prayer, but abounds with demonstrations of it. Abraham did not pray just for his own edification. He prayed for a son as did Sarah, his wife. God gave them Isaac. Moses was utterly indifferent to his own welfare when he prayed. He was concerned for the children of Israel. God heard Moses and blessed Israel in the wilderness. Hannah prayed and God gave Israel a great prophet to lead her into national prominence. Nothing was further from Hannah's mind than her own personal blessing when she asked God for a son. God heard Hannah, who had been unable to have children, and Samuel was born. Elijah prayed for rain —the rain came — and the Apostle James declares that it was Elijah's prayer that was responsible for the rain."
Christians frequently have trouble praying because they either misunderstand prayer or lack the assurance that God answers prayer. This week's lesson will encourage you in your prayer life.
WHAT
A LONG ESSAY PRESENTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF POST GRADUATE STUDIES
BY
OGUNYEMI, OLUWAFEMI AYOTUNDE
MATRIC NO: 60754
IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT FOR THE AWARD OF POST GRADUATE DIPLOMA IN THEOLOGY
AT
THE REDEEMED CHRISTIAN BIBLE COLLEGE, REDEMPTION CAMP, OGUN STATE
JUNE 2010
INTRODUCTION
Prayer ... is not a soliloquy. It is a dialogue between man and God. Prayer is conversation with a real Person who actually hears what is prayed and does something about it. Prayer has subjective value too, and blesses the one who prays. If a man never got an answer, he would be a better man for having bowed his knees to Almighty God. A man "never stands taller than when he kneels to God..."
Prayer is objective as well as subjective. Prayer brings results — not just in the man who prays but in the ones for whom he prays, the things for which he prays. A man prays from his home in America for a missionary friend in Africa. God hears the man in America and responds by supplying the need for the man in Africa.
The Bible does not explain prayer, but abounds with demonstrations of it. Abraham did not pray just for his own edification. He prayed for a son as did Sarah, his wife. God gave them Isaac. Moses was utterly indifferent to his own welfare when he prayed. He was concerned for the children of Israel. God heard Moses and blessed Israel in the wilderness. Hannah prayed and God gave Israel a great prophet to lead her into national prominence. Nothing was further from Hannah's mind than her own personal blessing when she asked God for a son. God heard Hannah, who had been unable to have children, and Samuel was born. Elijah prayed for rain —the rain came — and the Apostle James declares that it was Elijah's prayer that was responsible for the rain."
Christians frequently have trouble praying because they either misunderstand prayer or lack the assurance that God answers prayer. This week's lesson will encourage you in your prayer life.
WHAT