Christians Tasks to Always Watch and Pray for God's will
Christians Tasks to Always Watch and Pray for God's will
By: Nicodemus Mikailu
Prayer has been described as an act of communion, talking, communication, thanksgiving, praising and devotional period with God. The Vice President of Christian Reform Church of Nigeria (CRCN), Rev.Dr. Isaiah J. Magaji, made this assertion at Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria (L.C.C.N), Nassarawo’s Cathedral Jimeta-Yola revival week where he served as the guest speaker.
Rev. Dr. Isaiah who took his reading in the gospel of St. Mathew 26:36-45, in compliance with the revival theme "watch and pray," said the theme connote command as Jesus Christ made the statement during his hour of distressed and tribulation. He added that the distressed command came at a place called Gethsemane, when Jesus Christ led three of his disciples out to pray. A period that he began to be sorrowful and troubled, then, he said to them that his soul was overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Hence, he charged the disciples to keep watch and pray with him.
He maintained that going a little bit; he fell on his face to the ground and prayed, "My father, if it is possible, may this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet, not as l will but as you will." Returning back to his disciples, he found them sleeping, then, he asked, couldn't you men keep watch with me for one hour? Thus, he urged them to watch and pray so that they would not fell into temptation. The clergyman took his time to explain the two words "watch and pray." He said the word "watch" means to look attentively or observe attentively so that one may not fell into danger, as according to him the word is not an ordinary word. He added that when Jesus Christ said to his disciples to "watch," he meant there is danger a head of them. Hence, the word also connotes danger, so it encourages one to be vigilant, expectantly, be carefully etc. While to pray: is to offer praise, devotion, and thanksgiving to God.
Therefore, prayer means talking, communion, communication or devotion with God. Putting the words together, "watch and pray," Rev. Dr. Magaji said it means difficult/distressed command. Consequently, he said if there is any generation that needs this clarion call or command is our generation. A generations where they are living with uncertainty of live.
He encouraged the congregation that the reason why a believer should watch and pray in this generation is not to fall into temptation, adding that anybody who is not watchful or prayerful is subject to fall into temptation of this earth, so there is need for them to be vigilant in order to avert the temptation.
The number two citizen of the Christian Reform Church of Nigeria, further stated that whenever he remembers the theme of the revival, his spirit always ministers to him that the reason why Jesus Christ told his disciples to watch and pray was because he was about to leave them. Therefore, he urged them to pray for the will of God to accomplish in their lives.
Consequently, he charged Christians to always watch and pray for the will of God to accomplish in their lives. He cited the story of Prophet Nehemiah as an epitome man who is always watchful and prayerful for God's will. He went and stood with sadness before king Artaxerxes, whom he was serving as a servant, a mere cup bearer in the land of exile. He stood-in sad to demonstrate his grievances of the story told to him concerning Jerusalem ruined, despite knowing the consequences of being sad before the king. But in fulfillment of his will, God made the king to grant him not only the favour of going to Jerusalem but he gave him all the necessarily materials that he would require for rebuilding of the devastated wall of Jerusalem. So also Elisha the servant of Prophet Elijah did, despite knowing fully that the Lord is going to take his master from him, he refused to be honoured any request of his master to tarry for him at Gilgal, Bethel, Jericho and Jordan. He also ignored all the warnings sound to him by the hosts of prophet to let his aster go and followed him until he got his double portion of anointment. Moreover, Rev. Dr. Isaiah cautioned Christians that if one is not connected to heaven, there are lots of terrible barriers that would barricade his journey.
However, he lamented that the reason why most Christians are not watchful and prayerful is because they are concerned about the gossip and criticism of other people. Therefore, he advised them to live a life worthy of emulation for the people outside to see the glory of God upon their lives. He maintained further that the only person who would make their lives meaningful is Jesus Christ. Then, he urged them to be the Elisha of their generation but for them to live Elisha’s life until they get the double portion of Elijah’s anointment. Rev. Dr. Isaiah J. Magaji, finally, thanked the Bishop of Yola Diocese, Vicar/pastors of the Cathedral, Church Leaders, Revival Committee and the entire congregation for finding it worthy to invite him to come and share the gospel of Christ together and urged them to reciprocate the gesture. Earlier, in his welcome addressed, the Vicar of the L.C.C.N Cathedral Nassarawo Jimeta, Rev. Gideon lshaku, welcomed the guest speaker and his companion from CRCN Baki Kogi Jimeta-Yola and informed them to feel relaxed at home. He equally welcomed the whole congregation to the revival and charged them to pay proactive attention as the wait for the transformation words from the anointed servant of God.
In his goodwill message, the L.C.C.N Bishop of Yola Diocese who doubles as the Chairman Adamawa State Christian's Pilgrim Welfare Board, Rt. Rev. Amos J. Yakubu, thanked the guest speaker for taking his time to admonish them on what it means to pray most especially in this generation where Christians are faced with a lot of challenges. He added that they have learned so much in these few days of his teaching most especially on prayer and assured him that what he had sown in the lives of this mammoth congregation will not go in vain but it would germinate and give fruits of hundred and sixty in the lives of others.
He further thanked the Vicar/Pastors, Church Leaders, and Chairman of the Revival Committee, Dr. James Dogari, Secretary, Mr. Joshua N. Timothy, Dr. Yusuf Amos Sunday and all other people that contributed for the success of the revival. Bishop Amos J. Yakubu, finally thanked the whole congregation for their obedience to turn-out for the revival week and prayed God to grant them the zeal to always watch and pray for his will to accomplished in their lives. Highlights of the revival are: teaching on what does the Bible say about prayer, special prayers for the needy, offering and song of praises amongst others.
Nicodemus Mikailu, write from L.C.C.N Nassarawo Cathedral Jimeta Yola.
Email: nicodemusmikailu@gmail.com
Phone number: 08025156248, 08035604092.
By: Nicodemus Mikailu
Prayer has been described as an act of communion, talking, communication, thanksgiving, praising and devotional period with God. The Vice President of Christian Reform Church of Nigeria (CRCN), Rev.Dr. Isaiah J. Magaji, made this assertion at Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria (L.C.C.N), Nassarawo’s Cathedral Jimeta-Yola revival week where he served as the guest speaker.
Rev. Dr. Isaiah who took his reading in the gospel of St. Mathew 26:36-45, in compliance with the revival theme "watch and pray," said the theme connote command as Jesus Christ made the statement during his hour of distressed and tribulation. He added that the distressed command came at a place called Gethsemane, when Jesus Christ led three of his disciples out to pray. A period that he began to be sorrowful and troubled, then, he said to them that his soul was overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Hence, he charged the disciples to keep watch and pray with him.
He maintained that going a little bit; he fell on his face to the ground and prayed, "My father, if it is possible, may this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet, not as l will but as you will." Returning back to his disciples, he found them sleeping, then, he asked, couldn't you men keep watch with me for one hour? Thus, he urged them to watch and pray so that they would not fell into temptation. The clergyman took his time to explain the two words "watch and pray." He said the word "watch" means to look attentively or observe attentively so that one may not fell into danger, as according to him the word is not an ordinary word. He added that when Jesus Christ said to his disciples to "watch," he meant there is danger a head of them. Hence, the word also connotes danger, so it encourages one to be vigilant, expectantly, be carefully etc. While to pray: is to offer praise, devotion, and thanksgiving to God.
Therefore, prayer means talking, communion, communication or devotion with God. Putting the words together, "watch and pray," Rev. Dr. Magaji said it means difficult/distressed command. Consequently, he said if there is any generation that needs this clarion call or command is our generation. A generations where they are living with uncertainty of live.
He encouraged the congregation that the reason why a believer should watch and pray in this generation is not to fall into temptation, adding that anybody who is not watchful or prayerful is subject to fall into temptation of this earth, so there is need for them to be vigilant in order to avert the temptation.
The number two citizen of the Christian Reform Church of Nigeria, further stated that whenever he remembers the theme of the revival, his spirit always ministers to him that the reason why Jesus Christ told his disciples to watch and pray was because he was about to leave them. Therefore, he urged them to pray for the will of God to accomplish in their lives.
Consequently, he charged Christians to always watch and pray for the will of God to accomplish in their lives. He cited the story of Prophet Nehemiah as an epitome man who is always watchful and prayerful for God's will. He went and stood with sadness before king Artaxerxes, whom he was serving as a servant, a mere cup bearer in the land of exile. He stood-in sad to demonstrate his grievances of the story told to him concerning Jerusalem ruined, despite knowing the consequences of being sad before the king. But in fulfillment of his will, God made the king to grant him not only the favour of going to Jerusalem but he gave him all the necessarily materials that he would require for rebuilding of the devastated wall of Jerusalem. So also Elisha the servant of Prophet Elijah did, despite knowing fully that the Lord is going to take his master from him, he refused to be honoured any request of his master to tarry for him at Gilgal, Bethel, Jericho and Jordan. He also ignored all the warnings sound to him by the hosts of prophet to let his aster go and followed him until he got his double portion of anointment. Moreover, Rev. Dr. Isaiah cautioned Christians that if one is not connected to heaven, there are lots of terrible barriers that would barricade his journey.
However, he lamented that the reason why most Christians are not watchful and prayerful is because they are concerned about the gossip and criticism of other people. Therefore, he advised them to live a life worthy of emulation for the people outside to see the glory of God upon their lives. He maintained further that the only person who would make their lives meaningful is Jesus Christ. Then, he urged them to be the Elisha of their generation but for them to live Elisha’s life until they get the double portion of Elijah’s anointment. Rev. Dr. Isaiah J. Magaji, finally, thanked the Bishop of Yola Diocese, Vicar/pastors of the Cathedral, Church Leaders, Revival Committee and the entire congregation for finding it worthy to invite him to come and share the gospel of Christ together and urged them to reciprocate the gesture. Earlier, in his welcome addressed, the Vicar of the L.C.C.N Cathedral Nassarawo Jimeta, Rev. Gideon lshaku, welcomed the guest speaker and his companion from CRCN Baki Kogi Jimeta-Yola and informed them to feel relaxed at home. He equally welcomed the whole congregation to the revival and charged them to pay proactive attention as the wait for the transformation words from the anointed servant of God.
In his goodwill message, the L.C.C.N Bishop of Yola Diocese who doubles as the Chairman Adamawa State Christian's Pilgrim Welfare Board, Rt. Rev. Amos J. Yakubu, thanked the guest speaker for taking his time to admonish them on what it means to pray most especially in this generation where Christians are faced with a lot of challenges. He added that they have learned so much in these few days of his teaching most especially on prayer and assured him that what he had sown in the lives of this mammoth congregation will not go in vain but it would germinate and give fruits of hundred and sixty in the lives of others.
He further thanked the Vicar/Pastors, Church Leaders, and Chairman of the Revival Committee, Dr. James Dogari, Secretary, Mr. Joshua N. Timothy, Dr. Yusuf Amos Sunday and all other people that contributed for the success of the revival. Bishop Amos J. Yakubu, finally thanked the whole congregation for their obedience to turn-out for the revival week and prayed God to grant them the zeal to always watch and pray for his will to accomplished in their lives. Highlights of the revival are: teaching on what does the Bible say about prayer, special prayers for the needy, offering and song of praises amongst others.
Nicodemus Mikailu, write from L.C.C.N Nassarawo Cathedral Jimeta Yola.
Email: nicodemusmikailu@gmail.com
Phone number: 08025156248, 08035604092.
