The power of supplication (Part I)
In writing to the Ephesians, the apostle Paul insists by reminding them to persevere in prayer, but let us study on the scripture in Ephesians 6: 18 " Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints". It is clear that there are several kinds of prayers and he is clear in making a difference between prayers and supplications.
I have realized that today we no longer talk about supplication while the word comes up very often in the Paul’s letters and especially in the Psalms. If Paul insists on supplication, why don’t we talk about it today? In fact, if I see a thought that comes often in the bible, I understand that I need it in everyday life.
Let us consider the scripture where Paul wrote to the Philippians: " Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God "(Phil 4: 6)
The verse begins by saying that we should not worry or be anxious! This seems difficult because there are always disturbing moments in life but if it happens that we are in anxiety, the verse we just read contains a solution: Let your requests be made known to God. I know that some say that we should not inform God since He knows everything but Paul knew that God is omniscient but it encourages us to inform God of our problems even though he is aware of everything because God loves to listen to his children when they confide in Him. So if you have a problem, do not hesitate to go before God and open up to him by describing your problem because he solves the problem even before it occurs.
So according to the verse (Phil 4: 6) the solution against anxiety or worry is to make our needs known to God but how? The answer lies in the verse: By prayer and supplication with thanksgiving. Again, he speaks of prayer AND supplication i.e. two different things. Many Christians pray but do not know the true meaning of supplication. In the verse, the word "supplication" comes from the Greek word "deesis" which means "petition".
In the second part, we will see the importance of supplication and how to handle it.
Chris Ndikumana
The power of supplication (Part 2)
In the first part, I showed you by examples that in most of Paul letters, he emphasizes on prayer and supplication. As I said, the word "supplication" comes from the Greek word "deesis" which means "petition". The petition is a word often used in courts. When you are in court, you need a lawyer who knows the law even if you know you are right, because the judge is interested in the law and principles.
Here is an example: Michael returned in the evening and found a certain Paul in his house. Michael asked him out but Paul refused. Michael called the police and the next day they were both before the judge. The judge listened and asked Paul why he did not want to leave the house and here is Paul's answer: "I love this house and that is why I cannot leave it." This response does not interest the judge because he wants to hear an explanation based on an article from the law. If Michael handles to the judge the title deed of the house, Paul has no choice but to leave the house and if he does not, the judge will send the police to get him out.
Our God is a God of principles and promises. During the prayer of supplication, He wants to hear words that are based on its principles and promises, because the bible says that the Lord watches over His word to perform it (Jeremiah 1: 12). Remember that in the first part we read that Paul asked the Philippians not to worry but to make their needs known to God by prayer and supplication. Even if God knows everything, the apostle Paul asked them to inform Him (Phil 4: 6). When in supplication, God wants to hear you informing Him His promises according to His word. I know some people say that we should not remind God the biblical verses as if He does not know them but I think we should imitate the life of Jesus' disciples in the bible:
Let us see what happened in this situation: One day Pilate and Herod were gathered together to persecute the disciples of Jesus by preventing them to mention the name of Jesus. Instead of worrying, they informed of the situation to God through a prayer of supplication and here's part of their prayer: " who by the mouth of your servant David have said: “Why did the nations rage, and the people plot vain things? The kings of the earth took their stand, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord and against His Christ. “For truly against your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together" (Acts 4: 25-27).
It is clear that in this prayer of supplication, the disciples quoted a biblical passage in the book of Psalms justifying their deliverance. They repeated exactly what David said in the book of Psalms (Psalm 2: 1-4), as in this passage, if the kings of the earth rise and conspire against the people of God and his anointed (Jesus), God's people are entitled to the Lord’s deliverance. In this supplication, they informed God to ask for the help they were entitled to according to his promise.
To be continued in the third part…
Chris Ndikumana
The power of supplication (Part 3)
For a better understanding of this teaching, I ask those who have not read the first two parts to read them before reading this.
We understood that in the prayer of supplication, we do not just express our emotions because what God wants to hear is a prayer based on His principles and promises. Tears are not very useful, but reminding God's promises can break the deadlock. If one uses a word spoken by the Lord, an angelic motion is triggered. Do you have promises to your personal life? Are you aware of what God has promised in his word? The problem is that most Christians are unaware of their rights in the Lord and if someone ignores his right, he cannot claim it. The devil takes advantage of this ignorance to steal what belongs to us.
In the second part, I finished by showing that in supplication we must know to mention biblical verses that support our situation. In Acts 4: 25-27 we noticed that the disciples were in a dangerous situation where they were persecuted and they risked death because Herod and Pilate were gathered together to oppose the name of Jesus. In their petition, they began by saying "it is you who said by the Holy Ghost, by the mouth of our father David your servant ...". They cited a passage from the Book of Psalms (Psalms 2: 1-4), which was a promise that if the kings of the earth conspire against the people of God and His anointed, God should intervene to defend them. This is why I encourage Christians to read and study the bible to learn about the promises and principles of God.
In the 28th verse (Acts 4: 28), they even went further by stating in their prayer that Pilate and Herod intended to block the plan God had prepared in advance (before the foundation of the earth). In supplication, always rely on the plan and the will of God, for it is this that gives weight to prayer.
It is interesting to see how they finished their prayer: "Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to your servants that with all boldness they may speak your word, by stretching out your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of your holy Servant Jesus"(Acts 4: 29-30). After stating in supplication your rights, you have to ask precisely what is in accordance with God's plan.
The prayer was so powerful to the point that at the 31st verse it says that the place where they were meeting was shaken because of the presence of God and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.
In the fourth part, we will study another case of a man of God in the bible who knew how to direct his supplication to the point that even God has changed his mind.
Chris Ndikumana
The power of supplication (Part 4)
Today I will talk about Hezekiah’s prayer. He knew how to direct his supplication until God changed his mind.
Hezekiah was seriously ill and the prophet Isaiah came to give him a message from the Lord. The message was to tell him that the disease did not come from the devil, but he had to prepare his will because his hour to die had come (2 Kings 20: 1).
Hezekiah broke down in tears and prayed a prayer of supplication against his death. What is interesting here is to see how he guided his prayer of supplication to convince God.
As I said before, when we approach God in prayer of supplication, we must present arguments relating to his word, his promises and principles. Hezekiah knew the word of God and its principles and praying he said: " “Remember now, O Lord, I pray, how I have walked before you in truth and with a loyal heart, and have done what was good in your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly "(2 Kings 20: 3).
The prophet Isaiah had accomplished his mission and was out of the house but while Hezekiah was addressing a prayer of supplication to God, He could not resist and was again sent to Isaiah who was still in the middle of the court and said: " “Return and tell Hezekiah the leader of my people, ‘Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father: “I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; surely I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the Lord. And I will add to your days fifteen years. I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for my own sake, and for the sake of my servant David” "(2 Kings 20: 5-6)
Why is it that God changed his mind? It’s not Hezekiah’s tears that influenced God but his words during his prayer of supplication made a difference. He said, " Remember now, O Lord, I pray, how I have walked before you in truth and with a loyal heart, and have done what was good in your sight ". Why did he ask God to remember? Because he wanted to get his attention, to show him that his prayer was based on two scriptures: Proverbs 10: 27 and Psalm 26: 1.
In Proverbs 10: 27 it is written: “The fear of the Lord prolongs days, but the years of the wicked will be shortened ". Since Hezekiah feared God, he asked that his days would be prolonged and it was legitimate. When he said he walked with integrity, he based his prayer on Psalm 26: 1 that says “Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity. I have also trusted in the Lord;
I shall not slip "
This is why I encourage Christians to read the bible deeply in order to know the promises reserved to the children of God. In every difficult situation, we must know the divine position and direct the prayer in line with his word and his promises.
Here is my advice: If God takes a position, it is important to trust him even if we do not understand why. During the fifteen years that God added to Hezekiah, he begot a son (Manasseh) who was twelve. He succeeded him and because of him, Israel suffered for more than five decades (2 Kings 21) and that is what God wanted to avoid. So, learn to submit entirely to the perfect will of God
God bless you
Chris Ndikumana
