Day 3: CAN THINGS REALLY BE BETTER?

Bible Reading: 1 Timothy 2

Imagine for a moment that your country is better than it is now. In a Nigerian context, just think of good electricity, a fantastic health system, a standard educational system, good roads, peaceful environment, a booming economy with the lowest unemployment rate in the world, and so on. 

Quite realistically, it looks like a mere thought or dream. But are there things we can actually do to make this dream a reality? That’s apart from working hard, getting involved in matters concerning our country, analysing and constructively criticising systems and so on. 

Yes, there is! There is a lot more that we can do to create the kind of country or environment we want. We learn about one of them in our reading today: prayer.

Prayer is one of the key weapons of change often overlooked in our world today. In our reading today, Apostle Paul advises us earnestly to pray for all men especially our kings and leaders, pointing out that praying for them is important if we want to have a peaceable life and society.

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 KJV.

Apostle Paul clearly states that this is good and acceptable in the sight of God. God desires it. He desires men to stand in the gap for families, nations and countries. He is looking for men to partner with Him for His move to be a reality on the earth. God is counting on you and me. 

Revelations 1:6 tells us that we have been ordained as kings and priests unto God. One of the functions of a priest is to stand in the gap for people.

For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God…Hebrews 5:1a KJV.  

We have been called to offer sacrifices of prayer in this time and age for men. Our prayer creates an atmosphere for God to move in our world. It changes narratives, inform decisions and change the hearts of men. Through prayer, great ideas can be birthed, wisdom can be received and change can happen! The Bible records that Elijah prayed for some things to happen during his time on earth.

Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit. James 5:17‭-‬18 KJV. 

We are men subject to like passions like Elijah- we can also pray for an abundance of rain, for provisions, for wisdom for our church leaders and kings, for peace in our nation, for a boost in our economy and for more that God can do. Likewise, Daniel prayed, fasted and stood in the gap for the deliverance of his nation. We are more advantaged. We can pray more by the help of the Holy Spirit. Let’s not buy into the ‘this is not a prayer matter’ narrative, for so far it is a matter that affects life and living, then it is definitely a prayer matter.

You know what, friends? The world awaits our manifestation and groans in expectation for it (Rom 8: 19-22). While the world groans in wait, we can groan in prayers for the purpose of God to be birthed in our families, countries and the world at large. We can live a peaceable life if we pray. Yes, things can be better if we invite our Saviour and mediator of men, Jesus Christ into the situation of our lives, families, countries and our world through our prayers of faith!

Something to pray: Pray that the Holy Spirit will empower you to steadfastly pray for people, especially leaders.

Mrs. Mercy Aluko
Mrs. Aluko leads a Life Group at Sycamore