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Topic: A Strange Hindrance to Prayer
(Open Heaven 5 June 2019)
Memorise: “And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”- Mark 11:25
Read: Matthew 18:23-35 (KJV)
23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.
25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.
32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:
33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
Bible in One Year: Leviticus 25, Jeremiah 49:23-50:1
Open Heaven 5 June 2019 Wednesday MESSAGE:
Over the course of history, God has proved over and over again that He answer prayers. As people of faith, we are confident that whenever we call upon the Name of the Lord for anything, as long as it is His will, the answer will come. He assured us of this in John 14:14, saying:
“If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.”
To leave us with no doubt, the Holy Spirit further says in Psalm 50:15:
“And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.”
Demonstrating the prayer-answering power of our God, there was once a contest between God’s prophet and 450 prophets of an idol called Baal (1 King 18:17-40). Each side was to call on their God or god, to see whose power would show forth. The prophets Baal called on their god from morning till afternoon, but there was no response. However, the moment God’s prophet called upon Him, fire fell from heaven. Brethren, God is still in the business of answering prayer and silencing the raging storms of life! All He has to do is speak over you, and immediate, peace like river will flow into your life and family. The question is, are will still in the business of calling upon His Name in holiness and righteousness? If iniquity is removed from our hearts, we will call upon Him in the time of trouble and He will answer as He did in times past, because He is the same yesterday, today and forever.
Beloved, one particular hindrance to prayer that we need to identify and deal with is the spirit of unforgiveness. Teaching about this in Mark 11:25, Jesus says:
“And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”
In Matthew 5:23-24, He further stated:
“23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.”
These verses demonstrate that God will not accept the gift, offering or thanksgiving of anyone who harbours bitterness and unforgiveness, to talk less of answering any prayer made by such a person. Therefore, getting rid of bitterness is essential to living the Christian life effectively and successfully. Leave vengeance to God. Eliminate bitterness by the power of love, forgiving and releasing those who have hurt you to God. When you do this, you can be sure that any prayer you make to God will be answered by fire. May God hear your prayer from His throne of grace today in Jesus’ Name.
Open Heaven 5 June 2019 Wednesday Action Point:
Search your heart for any form of unforgiveness and let go of it today with God’s help.
Open Heaven 5 June 2019 Wednesday Hymn 5: Let Others See Jesus In You
1 While passing thro’ this world of sin,
and others your life shall view,
Be clean and pure without, within;
Let others see Jesus in you.
Chorus:
Let others see Jesus in you,
Let others see Jesus in you.
Keep telling the story, be faithful and true;
Let others see Jesus in you.
2 Your life’s a book before their eyes,
They’re reading it thro’ and thro’
Say, does it point them to the skis,
Do others see Jesus in you?
3 Then live for Christ both day and night,
Be faithful, be brave and true,
and lead the lost to life and Christ.
Let others see Jesus in you.
