The Efficacy of Prayer

Daily Scripture Threshing for Thursday, July 29, 2021

Today’s Text: Matthew 24:15-28

Key Verse: Matthew 24:20 (KJV): “But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter.”

For 35 years of consistent walk with God, I have learnt so much of the power of prayer. While many take the words: “prayer changes things” as a mere religious confession; I am one of several Christians who have experienced its truth. Today's text happens to be one of New Testament’s most obscure and ambiguous texts. Only a careful reading, and an openness to the spirit of the text can reveal the original intention of Christ: how He (the Lord) was directing His disciples and/or children to pray to God, who alone has control and disposal of time, seasons and events.

The allegory of winter life as used by Christ here is a vivid example of living through tough and difficult days. The caravan was the major known travel plan of His days. Travelling at winter is dreaded more than any other season: day-time are usually short, and unfit for long journeys The roads are already bad enough, stony and sometimes not passable. Then imagine all that going on amid thick snows or flood! Exiled Israelites ought to have gone out of their captive land on the tenth day of the month Tebeth; according to Ezekiel’s revelation; but God vouchsafed a great favor on them so that they don't go out in the winter and all die. God is still in the business of doing the same for us today. When we pray, He prolongs or hastens His plans as fitting to His will and glory.

Prayer covers every department of our lives. It renders our steps for better days, time and seasons. Efficacious prayer is an invocation involving a deliberate communication with, or supplication to God in the name of Jesus Christ. Through Christ, we can pray about anything: indeed, about everything. If we are praying believer, we operate in an unlimited jurisdiction. We can pray about where and when to fly or lodge. We can pray about what to do and when. And we can trust God to direct all our life events, including their timing. When we pray, God orders things for us in the course of His providence. Yes, Jesus’ words here indicate that we are permitted to ask God even for better seasons in our lives. We are blessed to walk in the favor of God where others burn in His fury. All He requires from us is: pray!

Quote for the Day: “We have been forewarned about how evil days are; but we have also been given the efficacious power to redeems them — prayer!” (Simon Olatunji)

Prayer: Please, Lord, bless me with the spirit of grace, of prayer, and supplication so that I can be Your powerful instrument of change in this world, in Jesus' name. Amen.

With all my love and prayers,

Rev Simon Wale Olatunji, Ph.D.

The Darling Bishop (DaBishop)

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