Bible Reading: Daniel 11, 12, Jude 1
Memory Verse: “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,” Jude 1:20 (KJV)
In every human being there is the urge to know your father. If you do not see your father around often, you will like to know some facts about him. And if you are lucky to have him around, you will always recognise his voice whenever he speaks! Why? Because you have heard him speak many times such that if there are several fathers gathered together and your father is asked to speak among them, you will be able to recognise that voice even if your eyes are closed!
The same way, we need to get close to our God so that whenever he speaks to us, we will be able to recognise his voice! The issue is how do you develop such a relationship such that you can recognise his voice anytime he speaks to you? Just like your earthly father, you need to speak with him often. This entails praising and worshipping him ( Psalm 100:4 ). The more you sing praises unto him, the more familiar you become, you also need to pray to him always as stated in 1 Thessalonians 5:17. In addition, you need to study his word regularly so that you can know him more.
On prayer, there are two basic ways of praying to God. First is speaking to him in a language you understand and so you can always say it the way you feel. However, there are times that you don’t know why you are feeling or going through some challenges and the best person to talk to is your God. How do you communicate this? The bible says in Romans 8:26 (KJV), “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” You need to pray in the Holy Ghost. This is praying in a language you do not understand but God understands it. This is a way of building your faith in God. Jude 1:20 (KJV) says, “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost.” This will draw you closer to God.
How do you do this? It is not a language you learn but it’s given to you when you receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost. This is what happened to the apostles on the day of Pentecost as recorded in Acts 2:1-4. If you dot have the gift, you should ask God for it as it makes a Christian’s life easier. It is one of the twelve gifts available to all Christians as enunciated in 1 Cor 1:4- 11.
Prayer point: Pray in tongues for 1 hour. If you do not have the gift yet, ask God for it.
Bro. Biodun Oyapero