Preparation for Breakthrough in Prayer
As a church, we are called to engage in offensive prayer to pull down strongholds and proclaim the victory of Jesus Christ by challenging every authority. We are called to join in this agenda to prepare for the great things that God has in store for us. All the remarkable events we witness are a result of waiting in the presence of God as the Word says that those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength and mount up with wings like eagles. (Isaiah 40:31) Consistency Matters Consistency holds great significance in prayer. It involves a regular routine. Think of a mother hen diligently incubating her eggs, providing constant warmth and protection. Deviating from this care, even for just a day, can result in the spoilage of theegg. Similarly, we must consistently be under the shadow of the Almighty. We are a spirit living in this body with a soul. As we wait in the presence of God, we are shutting down the senses of our body and we are allowing our spirit to become effervescent. It’s as if our spirit is confined within the body, like an effervescent substance without water, trapped in an airtight container, lacking vitality and power. The flesh is often full of anxiety, tension, plans and strategies and our spirit is squeezed into it. However, as we wait in the presence of God, it’s as though water is poured into the container, causing our spirit to be effervescent. It rises like incense, connecting with God. Our spirit is inside our bodies loaded with worry and stress that we do not have time to think about the vision, dreams and prophecies. It has become the least forgotten thing. But when we wait, the Holy Spirit acts like the water mingling with our spirit triggering effervescence. This dynamic interaction empowers us to pursue God’s promises. We can only articulate these promises when we have the spiritual strength to do so. Without such strength, our attention is consumed by our problems, and God’s promises remain neglected. Instead of the promises, we would be talking only about our problems. But when we wait upon the Lord, we may tend to think about the problem for some time but eventually, the Holy Spirit goes deep into us and understands our call and promises and brings it out to put it in our mind. We begin to imagine, dream and connect to that promise and we would be transformed even in the midst of fear, sickness and problems. We would be able to think about the promises subconsciously. Conversely, when we lose touch with the power of the Holy Spirit, these promises recede into the background, and our problems take center stage. That is why consistency is important. We have to be consistent in prayer so that we can receive the power of the Holy Spirit aligning our dreams, visions, and imaginations with God’s promises and His destined path for us. REJOICE ALWAYS “Rejoice always,” 1 Thessalonians 5:16 “Rejoice always” doesn’t refer to mere happiness. Happiness comes based on the happenings but joy is based on the power of the promise of God in us. When we think of the promise, we will sense joy if we have the power of the Holy Spirit in us. PRAY WITHOUT CEASING “Pray continually,” 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Praying without ceasing doesn’t mean that we have to kneel and pray or speak in tongues continuously. Instead, it is maintaining the awareness of the Spirit of God or a continuous sense of God-consciousness. This awareness signifies that we recognize God as being with us at all times, and it cannot be created through our conscious mind. Oftentimes, when we encounter challenges, we might attempt to consciously focus on and believe in God’s promises with our mind. However, the genuine connection with God’s presence resides in our subconscious mind. We cannot be happy or peaceful by our conscious efforts. It comes spontaneously. It’s a subconscious emotion based on many conscious things. Similarly, prayer is a subconscious connection that we feel that someone is close to us always. We develop that feeling by waiting upon the Lord. For example, when we pray in the right atmosphere our spirit connects with God, and this connection can persist until the following day. During this time, we experience God’s presence, a profound sense of joy, and increased confidence. However, the adversary, in the form of worries and tensions, often challenges this connection, causing it to weaken. When we return to God’s presence, we find renewal and regain our spiritual strength. By consistently doing it, we accumulate the strength needed to conquer the battles we face. Jesus asked Peter to walk on water. As long as Peter maintained his connection with Jesus, he was able to walk on water. However, when he allowed himself to be distracted by the wind and waves, he lost that connection, and the miracle ceased. This shows the significance of consistency. In our daily lives, we encounter challenges in various aspects such as work and family, which can lead to a loss of connection with God. However, it’s essential not to become disheartened or discouraged. Each time we return to the presence of God, we become stronger, day by day. Ultimately, we reach a point where we are undefeatable. GIVE THANKS “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 “All things work together for good to those who love God” offers a reason for us to give thanks. Regardless of thecircumstances, no matter what obstacles the devil may throw our way, we can trust that God will transform every challenge into a stepping stone for our advancement. When we wholeheartedly believe in the presence of God’s power with us, we have the ability to take whatever the devil throws at us, bundle it up, and elevate ourselves, using it as a foundation for progress. This process is essentially a way to turn adversity into