God is infinitely wise, powerful and good. He is the total embodiment of wisdom, knowledge, understanding, love and compassion. We cannot accuse Him of being unfair in his dealings with us as humans, it was our sinfulness that entrapped us and condemned us. Yet God, out of His infinite mercy chooses to save and bless us.
The basis of God’s mercy is not in a person’s conduct but His own compassion for us. God’s Sovereign makes Him free to show mercy to whom He chooses and grace upon us is not based on our achievements.
Note: When we pray and expect the answer to our prayers, we must exercise faith and believe that the prayer has been answered. Some people pray, yet have doubts in their mind and their heart is not totally committed to God and when they don’t get the desired answer, they easily fall prey to the notion that “Prayers do not work”.
Matthew 17:20 …. Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, move from here to there; and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.
V21 However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.
Bear in Mind: Our walk with God is an essential and integral part to our prayer life, for you to expect the grace and mercy from a loving father, there must be a relationship.Children expects presents from their parents and makes such demand because they have a relationship with them. When children makes such requests, they often expect instant answers but the parents uses their discretion as to the right and appropriate time for the presents.
*** Relationship is Key ***
Jeremiah 9:24 “But let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, exercising loving-kindness, judgement and righteous in the earth. For in these I delight “says the LORD.
*** Relationship leads to Trust ***
Jeremiah 17: 7-8 Blessed is the man who trust in the LORD, and whose hope is the LORD. For he shall be like a tree planted by waters…… And will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will he cease from yielding fruit.
Note: - God’s love and grace is unmeasurable and as such he is willing and able to grant us our requests through his mercy.
He who must serve and expects answers from God, must first believe that he exists and must be willing to walk in faith and in Spirit and in truth. In seeking the grace of God, one needs to activate the relationship by repentance of sin and firstly requesting for the baptism and direction of the Holy Spirit as was pointed out in Luke 11: 13 that our heavenly father is willing to give the Holy Spirit to those who ask.
***A relationship with God changes meaningless wearisome toil into spiritual productivity and purpose. ***
Romans 8: 26 Likewise the Spirit also helps our weakness. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groaning’s which cannot be uttered.
Important: It is the Spirit that knows the things of God and as such it searches all things according to the will of God, therefore prompting us to make prayers in accordance to the will of God. Prayers open/unlocks the door of impossibility when we align our faith, believe and trust in God through obedience and guidance of the Holy Spirit.
2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound towards you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things may have abundance for every work.
Matthew 19:26 …. “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.
***Prayers of possibility is the grace of God***
Mark 11:24 Therefore, I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them and you will have them.
Proverbs 18:10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
***Grace is unmerited favour and blessing***
King Solomon was aware how important the grace of God was in answering prayers that at the time he was dedicating the temple of God, he prayed that in God’s mercy that all prayers rendered towards the temple should be granted so that people far and near would know that God is the is the “Great I am that I am”.
King David appreciated God’s mercy in all his exploits, that he always sought His grace in every situation. Jesus Christ demonstrated how important it was to seek God’s mercy in order that His grace is manifested in all situation even though He was God personified and sinless before the father as a Son.
As Apostle Paul pointed out in 2 Corinthians 4:1 therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. And he stated in verse 15 for all things are for your sakes that grace having spread through the many may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it was written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have it entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.
Faith is received as a gift but it’s matured by walking in steps of obedience
***Give me an exhibit of your faith and I shall release My blessing (grace). ***
Obedience is key to receiving God’s mercy, sometimes God uses things that might seems to be foolishness in our sight to show his mercy and grace upon our requests such as bringing down the walls of Jericho, God commanded that the people walk around the wall seven times singing praise to His holy name, as the instruction was carried out to the letter, the outcome was glaring for all to see as the walls of Jericho fell down. It is important to realise that has the Lord has spoken surely that is what he will do and take confidence that it is not by power or strength but the Spirit of The Lord.
In 2 Chronicles 20. King Jehoshaphat demonstrated obedience to God’s instruction in order to receive his mercy on their prayers and in V21, He appointed those that will sing praises to the beauty of His Holiness saying “Praise the Lord, for His mercy endures forever”. One should always take courage that the Lord will always fulfil what he has promised to do and no matter the situation, as Apostle Paul rightly said “ His grace is sufficient in our weakness, for in this He is made strong”.
Prophet Jerimiah was sure of a favourable outcome because he had understanding of God’s mercy to win him the battle of set up by his persecutors that he stated in Jeremiah 20:11 but the LORD is with me as a mighty awesome One. Therefore my persecutors will stumble and will not prevail, they will be greatly ashamed for they will not prosper. Their everlasting confusion will never be forgotten.
Note: When the mercy of God grants our prayers, the anointing oil and His grace overflows in our situation for the benefit of all to see that His goodness endures forever to those that seeks Him.
Now: The basis of receiving the mercy is also in our conduct towards God. Gentleness and humility are ways to quicken answers to prayer also encompassing obedience and listening to the word of God guarantees His will be done in our lives.Goodness, faithfulness, forgiveness, self- control, meekness, patience, joy and peace, love and kindness are virtues that God expects from us in exchange for the grace and mercy.
All is achievable by the little steps we take daily in developing that wonderful relationship with the father. Bear in mind that it takes a powerful person to wait on God and meekness is strength under control.
James 5:13-15 (NLT) Are any of you suffering hardship? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You sing praises. Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven.
***confession is an important key***
Bear in Mind: The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful result by the mercy of our great God.
***The blessing of God makes one rich and add no sorrow with it***
We join with Apostle Paul to say that for this reason we bow our knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named that he would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height- to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Remember always that we love you and we always have thoughts of you in our prayers that the almighty Father that loves most will always be merciful towards you and all that is yours and that he will grant his unmerited grace upon you to favour and bless you beyond your comprehension.
Remain in faith and believe always that God has your best interest at hand.
Yomi and Bola
Living under God’s grace, guidance, love and peace
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