DEVOTION FOR TODAY

Prayer is one thing we all do daily. But how many people really experience the dynamic workings of effective prayers? The reason is mostly because we don't understand what prayer is. Tefillah is the Hebrew word for prayer which means to self evaluate or to examine yourself. This examination is a comparison between your thoughts, words and actions with God's word to you.
Psalm 139:23-24 shows us how to pray in order to align our thoughts, words and actions with God's word. 1. Search me O God. The word, search, Hebrew chaqar, means to penetrate. That's the word used for how a man finds if his wife is a virgin or not. It also means to examine intimately. Prayer is where you are naked before God so He can penetrate every aspect of your life with no restrictions. No holds bared. Effective prayers require openness and honesty. 2. Try me O God. The word, try, Hebrew bachan, means to test especially like metals are tested to know their strength. It also means to investigate, examine, prove or put to trial. Prayer actually puts you to test or trial before God. The test is to know what you think about God and the situations you face requiring an answer or solution. What you want for this situation, is it what God wants based on His word to you? Are you willing to take His word for the situation as your final decision? These are probing questions you settle in prayer. All will either reveal your wicked ways or your yielding to God’s word will lead you to His way that brings His peace and joy. It's a test. Take it and pass it or else you will keep repeating the class until you get it. Can you make a commitment to pray for me and our ministry for one minute every day? Partner with me to reach 30 million souls in 50 nations this year. Bishop Michael O. Amamieye - www.aggressivefaith.org.