WHO ARE YOU REALLY PRAYING TO?
Many of us are just like little Jack. We keep deceiving ourselves that we are praying to God about something, but actually our prayer is to an uncle, or husband, or the bank, or the pastor.
Dear Believer,
The story is told of Jack, the little boy who desperately wanted a bicycle. He decided to pray for it.
His grandmother, who had a hearing problem, came visiting, and he somehow concluded that this was the best time to pray for his bicycle.
He went upstairs and began to shout on top of His voice, “Lord, give me the green bike at Mr. Black’s shop!”
His mother was bothered about the noise. What would the neighbors say? So she went to caution Jack.
“Jack, why are you shouting? God isn’t deaf. You don’t need to shout that much for Him to hear you.”
“Yes, Mother,” said Jack. “I know God is not deaf, but Grandma is!”
Many of us are just like little Jack. We keep deceiving ourselves that we are praying to God about something, but actually our prayer is to an uncle, or husband, or the bank, or the pastor.
Many of us facing mountains of challenges have more faith in those challenges than in God. We describe these mountains in words so eloquent that it seems even God is afraid of them.
We are mouthing words of prayer to God while we are really trusting in the ability of certain persons to meet the need.
A man’s faith is as strong as its object. Strong faith is one that is anchored in God.
God spoke to Abraham, “And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.” (Gen 15:6).
“And he believed in the LORD.” That truth is at once simple and profound. It is so simple that we often miss it, and so profound that it is the key to our peace and fulfillment.
Putting our trust in man may seem so smart, but is fraught with so many troubles.
David the King had tried it all and could say, “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.(Psalm 118:8).
And in case someone says, “Well, I will not trust ordinary men, but BIG men,” David answers: “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in PRINCES.” (Psalm 118:9).
Those who keep putting their faith in men, or anything else other than God, according to the bible, “Shall be like the plant in the desert; and shall not see good when it is coming, but shall inhabit the dry places in the wilderness…” (Jeremiah 17:5-8).
We see how people keep putting their trust in presidents and political parties, and are being repeatedly disappointed. Faith invested in man is wasted faith. Your faith is as strong as the one in whom you have invested it. Man is weak and grossly limited. So is faith invested in man.
“Have faith in God!” said Jesus to His disciples. Why did He have to say that? He said it because they could have faith in so many other people and things. They could even have faith in their problems.
Many of us facing mountains of challenges have more faith in those challenges than in God. We describe these mountains in words so eloquent that it seems even God is afraid of them.
Don’t let your mountain speak so loud that it drowns the voice of God in your life. Don’t let it loom so large that it dwarfs your God.
Faith in the mountain makes it bigger, but faith in God moves it.
Look into the Word and hear the voice of the Master. Jesus told His disciples, “Let these words sink into your ears.” (Luke 9:44). Let it sink into your heart. That is when faith is born in you.
Who are you praying to? Who do you really believe?
Have a blessed time of fellowship today.
Your friend,
Deon.
—–
For further studies read Mark 11:12-25
Deon Akintomide is a Pastor, author and publisher. He teaches the Word of God and ministers healing to the body and the mind. He is the founding minister of the LifeHouse Global Missions and the Pastor of The LifeHouse Kingdom Centre in Lagos. Deon is married to Tola Akintomide.
