Konversations with God

Day 3: Seek God first

It's Day 4 already! Grab your Bible and notebook. Let's get right into it!

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. First things first, let's pray before we start:

pray out loud for today's devotional

2. Now that we've prayed, let us read the Word:

• Matthew 6:10, 33
• Psalms 37:4
• Exodus 33:15

3. Let's get into today's discussion

Today's Devotional:

I've recently had this revelation about desiring God. That we don't always only want God. We want good health for our loved ones. We want wealth. We want love-filled marriages with beautiful babies. We want degrees and successful careers. Lord knows we want good jobs and healthy work environments. We may also want that coworker to get a better offer elsewhere. Or for our neighbour to make a little less noise on weeknights.

My point is that, as a Christian, I know you desire God. And I hope your desire for God is greater than every other desire you may have. Yet, I'm also realistic enough to know that God isn't your only desire. There's so much that we often desire, need even, that may even threaten our faith in God. Because they're that important to us.

But, there's saving grace. The saving grace is that God knew that we'd need and desire other things. He doesn't even condemn us for that. On the other hand, He also knew that all that we need and desire can be found in and through Him. He knows that we can hustle. That we have it in us to make ends meet. But He has a different plan. One that is easier and lighter than our burdensome way. He wants to partner with us and guide us through every step. That in meeting our needs, we don't miss out on purpose.

So, when God says seek Me first, it's actually for our good. And when He warns us to desire Him above all else, it's because He knows that where our desire is there our hearts and attention will also be. So, while you're busy worrying, you can't really see Him directing you to the very answer you seek. Save yourself time and energy, seek God first. Focus on Him. And obey Him as He guides your steps to the provision He has already prepared for you.

Practical Tasks:

Honouring God

Welcome back! We are 3 days in, and I want to celebrate that for a moment before we start. We're still redefining prayer, with today's focus being honouring God.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. First things first, let's pray before we start:

pray out loud for today's devotional

2. Now that we've prayed, let us read the Word:

• Nehemiah 1:4-5
• Matthew 6:9

3. Let's get into today's discussion

Today's Devotional:

One of the biggest truths that God has revealed to me in my Christian walk is that His glory is independent of my situation and His response to it. God isn't glorious because He did this, that or the other. He is. Period. Glory is innately within His identity. He is a glorious God.

In Matthew 6:9, Jesus teaches us to also acknowledge this fact when we pray. He teaches us to centre ourselves by honouring God before we say anything else in our prayers. This, I believe, is more for us than it is for God. It reminds us who it is what we're speaking to. It calls us into a place of humility and awe, regardless of the main reason why we're praying. It is important to first know to whom it is that we are praying in the first place. What makes Him worthy of our supplications and capable of meeting our needs?

• ACTIVITY: Take a moment to think about who God is to you… why do you pray to Him and not another deity? What sets the God of heaven apart for you?

When we find Nehemiah in the very first chapter of his book in the Bible, he is in turmoil. The worst thing is happening, the walls of the city of God are falling and there's nothing he can do about it. He acknowledges that he cried, prayed and fasted until he came to the point in verse 5 where he is composed enough to "pray properly". Perhaps he first asked the why questions we all get when we're in an unfavourable situation. Perhaps he asked God to fix it… but the first time we get an insight of Nehemiah's words to God, He follows what Jesus would later note to be the exemplary introduction to prayer: acknowledge and honour God!

I know that it can be very difficult for me to honour God when I feel robbed. As we relearn how to pray, let us learn to honour Him first. Regardless of what's happening or how we feel because His glory is not dependent on anything. It is who He is. And it is befitting to praise the King when you enter into His courts.

Practical Tasks:

Day 1: Genesis of Prayer

Okay, let's go! I want us to hit the ground running. This week, we're looking at our definition of prayer and refining that.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. First things first, let's pray before we start:

(pray out loud for today's devotional)

2. Now that we've prayed, let us read the Word:

• Genesis 3:8-10
• Matthew 6:9
• Psalm 100:4

3. Let's get into today's discussion

Today's Devotional:

When doing research on the first prayer in the Bible, I found out that scholars are in disagreement as to whether the first official prayer was when Abram pleaded with God to save Sodom and Gomorrah or when Adam and Even spoke to God from their hiding place after The Fall at the Garden of Eden. Either way, prayer seems to have started from a place of unworthiness (from our side) and grace (from God's side). But, even more importantly, God initiated both these conversations. So it wasn't as much about mankind seeking God's grace but God offering it for mankind to receive.

Before we get too carried away, it won't be fair to speak about redefining if we don't have an anchor- which in this case is a common understanding of the current meaning of prayer.

Dictionary Definition: a solemn request for help or expression of thanks addressed to God or another deity.

Christian understanding: A conversation with God.

Pause and Ponder: What's your definition of prayer?

So, if we take the dictionary definition, it makes sense why scholars may assume that the first recorded prayer is on Genesis 18. Whereas, the Christian understanding takes us back to the beginning of mankind's relationship with God at the Garden. For the sake of understanding today's lesson, let us assume the latter is more correct. That prayer was born from God's pursuit of mankind after the very first sin (deliberate disobedience) was committed.

Practical Tasks:

Introduction and Centering:

Hello and welcome to the Extra Oil 30-Day Prayer Challenge. Thank you for joining me and everyone else who raised their hands to walk with me on this journey.