How to develop a habit of prayer in our life? III
Good day my dear friends!
Thanks to the Lord, for giving us this wonderful day today! Thanks for another opportunity to fill our hearts with His Living Word!
A desire to know God and His will in our life is what will prompt us to pray as we discovered yesterday. The same desire is like a fuel that makes our prayer life effective. We must fan and maintain this in ourselves if we want to be effective in our prayer life.
Moreover, we should turn prayer into a habit.
As you know, human life consists of habits. There are also good and bad habits. Any habit that brings a positive outcome requires some effort and discipline from us. Unless we have a habit of praying, our prayer life will never become effective or fruitful. Let me quote the statement of an Ancient Greek philosopher, Aristotle who once said about habits – “We are the product of what we repeatedly do”. In other words, our habits are our essence. Therefore, in order to excel at something, we have to make it our habit. Only continuous practice makes us perfect, not something we have tried only once in a while. I would not become a professional drummer by hitting a drum one time, even if the Holy Spirit comes upon me at that very same moment.
Sometimes the Holy Spirit fills a musician and he performs as if it is not human-played music any more. However, can we expect that person to become a music expert or a professional musician just because of his one-time outstanding performance when the Holy Spirit was upon him? Mastering an art is achieved by habits, not by a single act.
Do you want to excel and be successful in prayer? Then your prayer should not be a one-time event that takes place only when prompted by the Holy Spirit, when you can say: “Today, the Holy Spirit urged me to pray, I have prayed so hard that I don´t see a need to pray any more in the next two years!” Such an attitude to prayer is wrong.
Our whole life is made of many habits. At the time being, you might have some habits that are preventing you from becoming the person you would like to become. Habit is like a force. The gravitational force is a good example; it can be both creative and destructive. If we understand the way this force works and apply it in the right direction, the law of gravity helps us to reach our goal. Why is it that an aircraft does not usually fall down? Does it mean the law of gravitation does not apply to aircraft? Of course, that is not the truth. The people who invented aircraft and their constructors have studied the law of gravity; they have studied its principle of operation and have complied with those principles as they designed an airbus that will help people move to their necessary destination. But whenever there is a deviation from this law, it always leads to a fatal calamity. Why am I talking about this? It is because there are some habits that destroy our lives or prevent us from going ahead. It´s time to think about developing habits that ensure and stimulate your advancement and growth instead of destroying your life. Prayer is one of such habits. Prayer should become a habit!
King David was an ordinary man just like you and me; besides, he was a busy person. He had many children. Meanwhile, he managed to find the time for prayer daily, because he loved God. He was certain he would not be able to manage all his tasks without God´s help. He clearly understood he needed God´s wisdom and His leadership every day.
Praying three times a day – in the morning, at noon, and in the evening – was one of David´s good habits.
«Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice» (Psalm 55: 17).
Prayer doesn´t relieve you from your job, responsibilities, and duties, but it helps you to become more effective while you are performing them.
Do you need the wisdom of God in your life on a daily basis; do you need His power, His strength, and guidance in your life every day? Then let prayer become a habit in your life.
See you tomorrow!
Many blessings to you from our Lord!
Pastor Rufus Ajiboy
