WHAT DOES GOD WANT ME TO DO IN THIS SEASON

INTRODUCTION.

Good morning, by now all of us have been affected by covid and been totally shocked and alarmed as to what is happening around us. Some of you could have gone to sleep with the sounds of helicopters flying over your head or to the sounds of fire shots depending on where you living.

Some of you could have been sent home early from work to go into a lock down not because of covid but because of the looting and riots. Some of you could have already received certain SMS’s that major cooperation have closed down because of riots.

Some of you could be lying on your bed at night wondering what is going on and will never stop.

Some of you are probably wondering why am I even in this nation, what can i do to get out or escape?

Some of you probably have a list of what you think the government should be doing in this season. Some of you are probably grieved and upset by what you have seen on the media?

And

Some of you are wondering what is God doing in this SEASON or even better WHAT DOES GOD WANT ME TO DO IN THIS SEASON.?

THIS MORNING WE GOING TO LOOK AT WHAT DOES GOD WANT ME TO DO IN THIS SEASON.

John Wesley quotes the following: It seems God is limited by our prayer life and can do nothing for humanity unless someone asks Him.

With this in mind please turn with me to 1 Tim 2 :1 8

1Ti 2:1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people,

1Ti 2:2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.

1Ti 2:3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior,

1Ti 2:4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

1Ti 2:5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,

1Ti 2:6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.

1Ti 2:7 For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

1Ti 2:8 I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling;

SOME BACKGROUND CONTEXT TO THIS PORTION OF SCRIPTURE.

Paul is writing a letter to Timothy on what the church should be doing at Ephesians with their time ,belief , practice and prayer life,.

Paul establishes the importance of praying for our governing leaders even when we disagree with them. It is important to note that the Roman emperor at this time is Nero, someone who will later be known for persecuting Christians. Although his great persecution does not seem to have occurred yet, Nero is already known for killing off politicians and family members who opposed him

WHAT DOES GOD WANT ME TO HAVE FAITH FOR AND PRACTICE.

Firstly, we need to believe that we have been placed by God in this city to bring change.

Acts 17 :26 From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live

Secondly, we need to become thoroughly convinced in God’s power to change situations.

Think this through with me, God is almighty, God is all powerful and God knows everything.

God Is not unwise, and God does not call us to do things that would waste our time.

In fact, God calls us to use our time wisely to make a difference in our home, church city and nations by our faith filled prayer life.

God gives us an invitation to change the course of events by praying.

Thirdly We need to see these things as a Spiritual battle not human battle.

Eph 6:12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Fourthly. We need to head the call to pray, Paul used the word URGE.

That word in GREEK means a call together, a summons. Jesus the head of the church summoning us to pray.

LETS BRAKES THIS PORTION OF SCRIPTURE DOWN ON WHAT GOD WANTS US TO DO.

Fifthly, do not be anxiousness in your heart about anything, take every little thing to God in pray, this is called simple prayers.

Php 4:6  do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 

WHY PRAY?

Jesus gives us authority to change the situation around us, (Mat 16 :17-19) He gives us the keys of the Kingdom.

Prayer has always and will always change situations.

Why would God ask us to do something that does not work?

God is wiser than that.

He asks us to do something that will work. Faith filled prayer works.

1Ti 2:5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,

Says there is one God over all people, meaning this.

God is over every person, when we start to pray for them God starts to get involved in their situation, or their activity.

WHO TO PRAY FOR?

Most Christians find it easy to pray for their family, friends, and loved ones, but it should not end there. We should also pray for our enemies and for those with whom we have conflict. We should pray for those who annoy us, and for those who seem to be against us. Each of these fall into the category of all men.

ii. To pray for all men also means to pray evangelistically. We should pray for our friends who need to know Jesus, for our coworkers, and for others we have regular contact with.

iii. To pray for all men also means to pray for your pastors, to pray for your church, and to pray for other ministries you know and love.

d. Giving of thanks be made for all men: We can find something to thank God for regarding all men. Even those who persecute us and are against us have a place in the over-arching plan of God.

We should give thanks for those who are in authority, because God has ordained government in society to keep order (Romans 13:1–7).

Paul establishes the importance of praying for our governing leaders even when we disagree with them.

WHAT TO PRAY FOR?

Those placed in authority or leadership positions. They have been placed there by God.

Government, Police and Leaders to make decisions that we all will live the following lifestyles.

Live peacefully,

Live quiet lives.

Live godly life's, where leaders make decisions to allow the gospel to spread to change regions.

Where church leaders make decisions to advance the gospel in our lives.

Make decision are made to live in holiness.

Pray for the government, city leaders to come to the knowledge of Jesus.

Pray for everyone in your direct situation to meet Jesus.

Pray for everyone in a leadership positions around us to meet Jesus and follow Him.

Give the offering of thankfulness for those leading already.

HOW TO PRAY?

Have a quite place to pray .

Set time aside daily.

Start praying from yourself, see yourself as a leader.

Firstly pray that you will make decision’s to bring, peace, holiness, godliness and be empowered by the Holy Spirit to share the good news of Jesus to whoever, whenever the Holy Spirit leads you to.

Then start praying over home leadership, church leadership, school leadership, work leadership, police leadership, governmental leadership.

Pray for all your direct contacts in life.

IN CLOSING.

Will you hear the call from heaven, and prioritize your time to pray, as this pleases God and this is what He wants us to do now and consistently.