Power of Prayer: Prayer Torch

POWER OF

PRAYER

PRAYER TORCH

CAROLINE IHUGBA

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© 2011 by CAROLINE IHUGBA. All rights reserved.

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First published by AuthorHouse 01/06/2012

ISBN: 978-1-4670-0126-7 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4670-0127-4 (ebk)

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UNLESS OTHEWISE INDICATED ALL QUOTATIONS ARE TAKEN FROM NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION (NIV) DISCIPLE’S STUDY BIBLE

Disciple’s study Bible

Copyright @1988

By Holman Bible Publishers

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International copyright secured.

Contents

PREFACE

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CONCLUSION

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

DEDICATION

I dedicate this book to my master who bought me with His blood, who knew me more than I know myself, who knows how dirty I was and came and bought me without me knowing it. One day, as all gathered, everyone was well dressed, I was among the crowd stinking because I could not afford the money to buy soap to wash myself, not to mention my tattered dress, so as the bridegroom showed up, all the beautiful girls believe he is going to pick one of them. I was only there to see who the lucky girl would be. But when the bridegroom came out, all the beautiful girls on the front row were smiling, but he passed them and he was walking straight into the crowd, but I was hiding behind other people, as he walk towards my direction, because in my eyes, it can’t just be me. I have not taken a bath for only God knows how long.

As he was walking through the crowd, no one could understand what he was doing or who he was looking for, because it is supposed to be someone’s wedding day, then he came straight where I was, picked me from among billions of people the way I was. I was out of words; I could not understand it at first, so he took me to the front before the crowd and announced to the crowd that I am his bride. Within a short while, as the crowd was seated, I was taken into the palace, given a good wash, and was dressed in my wedding gown, then before every eye, I was wedded to my master, Jesus Christ. Therefore, I dedicate this book entirely to God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, who did not condemn me for my sin but came and took me the way I was and instil His spirit in me, and through His spirit in me, which is a seal that I am His and His alone, all the days of my life, I give him thanks. Therefore, I dedicate this book to my indescribable husband, master, Lord, God the father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

TO MY PARENTS

In memory of the late Reverend David and Caroline Ihugba Igbo, I love you too so much. For your work and commitment to God as you serve in Anglican Diocese of Owerri Imo State Nigeria, to your children whom you toiled to raise up in the way of the Lord, and at the same time, strived to give them a standard education. To the community of Amaukwu Orodo Mbaitoli Ikeduru Local Government Owerri Imo State where you took Christianity to, so that they may know the living God. Mama, Papa, I love and miss you both very much.

TO NEW CREATION MEMBERS

Mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters in New Creation Evangelical mission, it is because of all of you that I am able to write this book. Thank you so much for your support and prayers, as spiritual children your prayers and care means so much to me. My special thanks goes to Deaconess Beatrice Okafor who is the first elder of New Creation Evangelical mission, my spiritual and faithful daughter who is always there for me, lifting up my hand in all situations, supporting me physically and spiritually for the work of the kingdom; may the good Lord bless all of you beyond measure, all the days of your lives In Jesus’ Name.

TO MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS:

Joy Chikezie, Obed Igbo, Reginald Igbo, Blessing Wachukwu, Bethel Igbo, Stanley Igbo. I love you all.

May this book serve as a resource to your prayer life. May it take you to another level of your relationship with God through His son, Jesus Christ, as you begin to experience the power of prayer.

PREFACE

These book explores the topic, the power of prayer, and bring it down to a relatable and understandable subject. This book is about an in depth study on prayer, its effect and importance to all believers.

The power of prayer is a must-read for all believers, even newly born-again Christians. It is very necessary for all ministers, as it deals with a variety of issues that both believers and unbelievers are going through, and the only solutions to those issues are through earnest prayer to God in the name of Jesus Christ.

Caroline Ihugba has written a book that will be a blessing to all people of all generations as they seek the Lord through prayer. Caroline Ihugba is a woman of God who knows the importance of prayer; they call her Woman of Prayer. Prayer transforms situations; it has transformed my own life. I have experienced the power of prayer; I have seen what seems impossible become possible over-night because of prayer. Therefore, I am telling you that prayer changes situations, and as you read on, I know and I am sure that your life will be transformed as you apply what you learn through this book to your life. In this discourse are a lot of questions about prayer, types of prayer, Jesus’ view about prayer, how Jesus prayed, the position He was in when He prayed, and why pray to God who has already made up His mind about an issue? Most of these questions were answered in this book and why some people get healed through prayers and others don’t. I tell you the truth; this book is an eye-opener about the secret of success through prayer. All references were taken from the Bible and example of those who prayed and the effect of their prayers. May the Holy Spirit lead you with an understanding as you read on.

DEFINITION:

POWER: this means, according to Oxford dictionary: the ability to do something: the power of speech, the ability to influence people or event, the right or authority to do something. Therefore power is the ability, the right, the strength, or the authority to do, act or accomplish something

PRAYER: according to Oxford dictionary, prayer simply means request for help, or expression of thanks made to God.

Prayer: According to Bible dictionary, prayer means to intercede with or make petition to God.

As believers, our relationship with our God determines how often and effective we make our petition to our God. Now, what is petition? According to Oxford dictionary, petition: is a formal written request signed by many people and appealing to authority about a particular cause, it goes further to say that a petition is an appeal or a request.

Prayer is a spiritual command that God gave to His own people, those He redeemed from the world. It is a way we interact with our God, our Father, and our Master. This command is only for those who know Him or seeking to know Him. Only for those who obey His command or striving to obey Him in totality. Anyway, you cannot get a command or an instruction from someone you do not know.

WHO SHOULD PRAY?

We are going to take a closer look on who qualifiers to pray. If we talk about people praying, we should also be able to talk about whom they should pray to. Because before you pray, you have to know whom you are praying to and also be able to know whether he wants you to pray to him or not. What are those things he wants you to pray to him about and why? That simply means that you must know who this person is. That also means that there must be a relationship between you and this person.

Prayer is given to the call-out ones. Anyone God called unto Himself, the only way the person can communicate with God, who is His caller is through prayer.

THE CALL OUT ONCE

The call out once are those the Lord have called unto Himself from the world. For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the people’s on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession (Deuteronomy 7:6). They are the kingdom of priests, the elect of God, the chosen of God, the church of God. These are the people God has given this commandment of prayer. It is a way of them showing their dependency unto the Lord, who is their protector, their provider, their director, etc. In any situation, they are in, all they have to do is just call upon Him in prayer and He will answer them. The reason being that He hears then and that He is near them whenever they call on Him. What other nation is so great as to have their God near them the way the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to him? And what other nation is so great as to have such religious decrees and laws as this body of laws I am setting before you today? (Deuteronomy 4:7-8)

All these are spiritual principles that are given to spiritual people. An ordinary person cannot and will not understand it. This decree is a spiritual decree, is not for everyone. It is only for those people it has been given to; otherwise, you will not have the ability to obey or keep to such decrees. This decree is for a kingdom inside a kingdom. It is for a holy nation. Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know (Jeremiah 33:3). God is a father to all believers; He has adopted us through our faith in our Lord Jesus. We are His children, so there should be son/daughter relationship with our father. Remember when children need something, all they do is to go to their parent; when they are sick, also they go to their parent, no matter what their needs or their situations are, whom do they go to? They go to their parent. That is how it should be between us and our God. Remember that God is three in one God. He is our parent. Jesus told His disciples that He will not leave them as orphans. I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in the father, and you are in me and I am in you (John 14:18-20). That is why Jesus said that whatever you ask in His name, you will receive. This is because He is not far away from us; He knows our needs, but He wants us to ask in a humble manner so that He will answer us. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the son may bring glory to the father (John 14:13). Remember that this command is to the disciples of Jesus Christ, and is for all believers all over the world.

Another group of people to pray to God for the saints are the prophets. As for me far be it from me, that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right (1Samuel 12:23). This is because they are God’s representative here on earth. They will pray the will of God for them this is because God always hears those He chooses to shepherd His people. Remember that even prophet Moses was always praying for the people of Israel at various occasions.

SAINTS WHO HAVE SINNED

Another set of people who pray to God are saints who have sinned in one way or the other.

If my people who are called by my name, will humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:14). When believers who are the children of God have committed any sin knowingly or unknowingly, such a person has to humble themselves before God and pray and turn from such sin and make a decision never to go back to such sin. Then God, who is all-knowing, will forgive their sin and treat them as if they have never sinned before and meet them at the point of their needs.

PERSECUTED BELIEVER

Believers, who are going through persecution, should pray for themselves and for those who persecute them. We can see that it is only the saints that can pray, because the prayers of sinners are abomination unto God. But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and send rain on the righteous and the unrighteous (Matthew 5:44). In the book of Acts, we saw Stephen praying for those who stoned him to death.

THE PRIEST OR SHEPHERD

Shepherds should pray for the sheep that God has kept under their care; even when Jesus was on earth, He prayed for His disciples. I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours (John 17:9). Even right now, Jesus is sitting on the right hand of the Father, praying for the church, His bride. Prayer is the character of the saints. In the Old Testament, that was the duty of Aaron and his sons, the priest of God. When someone brings a grain offering to the Lord, his offering is to be fine flour. He is to pour oil on it, and takes it to Aaron’s sons the priest. The priest shall take a handful of fine flour and oil, together with all the incense, and burn this as a memorial portion on the altar, an offering made by fire, an aroma pleasing to the Lord (Leviticus 1:1-2). This tells of the value and acceptability of this offering. In the book of Leviticus, there are three offerings mentioned that is not connected to sin offering. They are burnt offering, the meat offering, and the peace offering. They are distinguished from the other two offerings that the Lord gave to Moses for His people Israel, by being called a sweet savour (or odour) to Him. Burnt offering, it was holocaust. It went up entirely to God; the priests could not eat of it. The altar upon which it was brought was called the altar of burnt offering, while the fire upon that altar was never permitted to go out. The priest must make sure that the fire never goes out. Now Jesus is standing on the right hand of God, who is our high priest praying for us day and night. His fire of prayer in the altar of God never goes out. He teaches your precepts to Jacob and your law to Israel he offers incense before you and whole burnt offering on your altar (Deuteronomy 33:10). This is the whole duty of every priest of God on earth. Teaching the people the will of God and praying for the people of God. Then if the church is the kingdom of priests, that tells us that the whole believers should then go out and teach the world the will of God in character and in words and pray for them before God.

BELIEVERS SHOULD PRAY FOR THEMSELVES

A true believer should also spend time to pray for himself. We have to come to God the way we are. He knows our human frailties, our inabilities. Many times, King David goes to God the way he is. We have to understand that we cannot hide our sins from Him. This is because He is nearer to us more than we are to ourselves. Those characters the Holy Spirit has convicted you of, that you are struggling with bring them before God; only He can help you bring about changes in those areas of your life. Remember we are called to conform to the complete image of Christ. Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your servant also from wilful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression (Psalm19:12). This is the anointed, bringing himself the way he is to the Lord; this is because only Jehovah can bring about change in our lives through His own spirit. No matter the title you bear, you got weaknesses. Take this weakness to God. Take your sin to God; take your inability to God. No matter what you are struggling with, take it to God.

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love, according to your great compassion blot out my transgression. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. I know my transgressions and my sins are always before me. Against you, you only have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge. Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceive me. Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the innermost place. Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the born you have crushed rejoice. Hide your face from my sin and blot out all my iniquity. Create in me a pure heart, O God and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me. Then I will teach transgressors your ways. And sinners will turn back to you. Save me from blood