One of your responsibilities as a church member is to pray for the Church. That is to say, your membership of a church automatically bestows on you not only the right to benefit from welfare schemes, but the responsibility to ensure that the church is spiritually sound and fit and that requires prayer, among other things.
This is more than being a part of the prayer tower or Bible Study and Prayer Group; it is a culture of corporate prayer where members a joined together in faith to call things to being. This responsibility is congregational because we are all in the same ship as fellows… FELLOWSHIP.
Prayerfest 2022
When you shun YOUR OWN church prayer meeting and go about chasing every other meeting, especially with the excuse that your church prayer meeting is not “ojacious”, you are basically saying two things. The first point is, that there is no efficacy in the prayer in your church. The second, which is the more serious one, is that God will only hear you if you pray outside your own church.
The common denominator of christian prayer is the God to whom we pray, and this God is the same GOD – and He is a prayer answering God.
Prayerfest 2022 Prayerfest 2022
Don’t get me wrong, attending other prayer meetings is not wrong but when you treat your home church’s prayer meeting as if it has no power, then there is a fundamental misconception in your prayer theology and that is what I am addressing.
At best, you stay with your church and fight whatever force there is against prayer… through more prayer… and win!!!
This is how to grow a prayer ministry in a church, not by leaving to a church or fellowship where the prayer fire has already been lit by THEIR OWN CHURCH MEMBERS.
Prayerfest 2022
In summary, God is present in your church and if you will make your prayer effective and fervent, from RIGHTEOUS MEN, tremendous power will be available for miraculous acts to the glory of God.
Selah!
Written by Stanley Toddison Trinity Theological Seminary
King Solomon, the wise man once said…okay forget about what he said😄, I’ll tell you later.
Spare some time to read this piece to give you footing during your stay at YPG and your life in general.
In 2011, I joined the Young People’s Guild with so much excitement. I was eager to be part of ‘a group of grown-ups’. I served and even won the guilder of the year. It’s been 11 long but short years already.
As I look back with nostalgia, the Bible quizzes, the sweat during treasure hunt, the debates, the excursion, I write this to you to share my little insights about being a YPG member. What I have I give😄.
At 18 years (and beyond) the Church sees you as someone who can reason very well (not to spite the JY members) and therefore deems it fit for you to join the YPG.
You will be 30 years soonest should Christ tarry, trust me😊. By age 30, you will look back and recount your years at YPG. I wouldn’t want you to look back with regrets and sadness so I have put this together for you to look ahead with a glimpse of hope and inspiration. This is the reason for this piece.
Now hear me out on these five reminders🙏🏼
#1: Remember Ecclesiastes 12:1 Look, your most active years are the years before you marry. You don’t have any excuse to waste it. You are free from the worries of a married man or a married woman. The man who wrote Ecclesiastes is believed to be the wisest man to have ever lived (2 Chronicles 1:12). If you want to be wise, listen to his advice. The church will need you to carry out duties that require your strength. The growth of the Church depends on you. Look sharp. Think twice and make the years ahead of you count. Remember the purpose of the YPG, SERVICE ALL THE WAY. You are being called to render service at this age. Don’t neglect it. Evangelise. Preach. Contest for Bible Quiz. Lead through service.
#2 To remember #1, you have to remember Joshua 1:8. It admonishes us to remember the Book of the Law. Don’t forget the song that says ‘read your Bible, pray everyday🎼. Satan would want you to waste these active years. Remember he goes about seeking whom he may devour. Disappoint Satan. Use Jesus’ tactics. Use the Word of God. It is the only shield or defense mechanism you have.
#3 Remember Psalm 119:9 (in fact this should have been #1 ) Life as a youth and in this world is a great struggle ( you’ve remembered the song erh, songn’t you🤣). Many started well but haven’t or couldn’t end well. The reason? I don’t know. What I know is if you live your life according to His Word, you will look back, look up and thank God for fruitful years.
#4 Remember Hebrews 4:16. Remember to run to God. Yes, run to God. Life is made up of highs and lows. Don’t be too hard on yourself when you fail or you are at your lowest part. It solves nothing (Matthew 6:27). No one has it all figured out. You are no exception. You’re not a failure when you fall. When you fall, don’t get stuck on the ground. Get up quickly. Like a loving father, God, in Hebrews 4:16 says come boldly to His throne of Grace. Mercy and Grace will fuel your life’s journey. Don’t run out. God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above what you ask and He is always near you than you can ever imagine.
#5 Remember the wheel of life. Every aspect of your life counts. The wheel of ‘your life’ comprises seven key areas:
1. Your career: As you grow, think of the career you will enjoy and pursue it. Make sure it is financially rewarding.
2. Your financial life: Make money (Ecclesiastes 10:19) and when you do, don’t spend all your money, save for the future, save for marriage, save for your children, save for your education, save for your health, save for unforeseen circumstances. Investment, they say, is even better. Invest.
3. Your Health: Health is wealth. Prioritise everything that will give you sound health mentally and physically. Exercise regularly. Join a keep fit club if you can. Laugh often and drink more water. Go for walks. Go for check-ups regularly. You only have one body to house you till you depart this earth.
4. Your social life: Remember to make good friends (1 Corinthians 15:33). Establish connections with people. Don’t be too shy. You will regret it. Expand your networks. Save people’s contact into your Gmail account so you wouldn’t have to lose any contact. One day you will need someone to help you (Ecclesiastes 12:9-12). You also have to extend help to someone if you can. Don’t be too selfish.
5. Your spiritual life: I’ve spoken a lot about this already. You would have to remember what you read if you have forgotten, please go back and read.
6. Your family: Family has gone beyond blood relation but blood relation is still important. Respect is reciprocal. Respect attracts blessing from God (Ephesians 6:1). Don’t forget your parents or those that you call your family. Love laugh, Live. And don’t forget to cry with those who cry and rejoice with those who rejoice.
7. Your intellect: Get educated. Education is not just school. Read if you can, for there is no difference between the one who can read but does not read and the person that does not know how to read. Attend seminars often. This is the information age. You have to be informed to excel. Be abreast with technological innovations. Be intentional about your self growth and development.
Lest I forget, get a mentor for every area of your life if you can (Proverbs 11:14)
Ga Presbytery YPG 