KEY SCRIPTURE:1Ti 2:8 KJV I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

In our previous study on this very topic, we said lifting up holy hands is a posture in prayer which can be employed anywhere we pray in private or corporately. A brother said it became a rule at a particular fellowship that each time they met to pray, they must lift up their hands, even if they were praying for two hours. This could be quite enduring, and most people may not stand such strain on their bodies. The scripture did not say every time, but everywhere. It could be employed for some moments, but not all the time.

The last part of our key scripture said hands must be lifted without wrath or anger and without unbelief or doubt. These two virtues are very important. Anger has to do with an offence we hold against another person. The Lord says you can’t pray holding an offence against another individual. Our attitude or the way we handle our fellow men is so important to the Lord.

The Lord Jesus made the following remark about our relationship with people concerning our moments before God as follows: Mat 5:23 KJV “Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;” He said at the presentation of your offering or sacrifice you remember that your brother has an offence against you leave that sacrifice and go make peace with that fellow. His whole
The point is that you can’t be at peace with God and be hurting your brother. In Isaiah 58, the chapter dedicated wholly to fasting states clearly that one’s fasting would be acceptable if he treats hIs neighbour very well. Men are in the image of God. You cannot claim you love God and seek to hurt men. To hold any grudge or anger in your heart against any person is like being angry with God, yet you are seeking an audience with Him; that would not work. First, forgive the person. If there is a need to talk and make peace with that person, just go ahead and settle things with him or her before you come to God with your prayer.

The second requirement for you to have a proper audience with God is to throw away every unbelief or doubt. You cannot get anything from God without faith. Many prayers have not benefited those who prayed because they were full of doubt. Please, I did not say God did not answer, but they did not obtain their answer. The scriptures teach that God always hears our prayers if they are prayed according to His will, and actually answers them because he said Call on me and I will answer you. It takes faith to receive any answer from the Lord. Mar 11:24 KJV “Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” The scripture is so clear on this point. It said when you pray, believe that God has heard you, answered you, and so you have likewise received or you have possessed it. In this way, you can not be denied your answer.

THOUGHT: TO PLEASE GOD BE VERY KIND TO ALL PERSONS, AND TO BENEFIT FROM YOUR PRAYERS, BELIEVE IN GOD

FURTHER STUDIES

Lev 19:18 KJV Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.

Heb 11:6 KJV” But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”