FROM THE LEADER'S DESK

THE MASTER KEY
By Angela O. Musa
Some weeks ago a friend of mine lost her mum, so I had to go for the funeral. On getting there, I saw certain people performing some rituals over the death of another woman in the compound. My friend was advised not to come out because they said “the rituals would affect her pregnancy if she did” Though she heeded the advice, few weeks later she underwent an operation during which she lost her baby and nearly lost her life.
In this end time, it's so sad that people don't like to pray again. The devil, knowing the potency of prayer strives to weaken the prayer life of Christians. He makes them to see prayer as stress, boring to the extent that they avoid prayer sessions while coming to church and arrive when they know the prayers would be over. Such prayerlessness leads to lukewarmness.

MEANING OF PRAYER
Prayer is a communication; an expression in words of needs or deeds to God. (Ps. 5:1)

CONCEPT OF PRAYER
* Prayer is an attitude: Psalm 4:1-9
* Prayer is a lifestyle: Matthew 6:8

TYPES OF PRAYER
* Prayer of Intercession: Act 12:5-12
* Prayer of Consecration: Mat. 26:30
* Prayer of Agreement: Mat. 18:19
* Prayer of Warfare: Eph 6:11-12, Luke 10:19
* Prayer of Thanksgiving; Phil 4:6

IMPORTANCE OF PRAYER
* It is a means of communication to God.
* Through prayer we invoke God's will
for our life.
* We overcome temptation through prayer
* We Know God more through prayer
* We worship through prayer
* We intercede through prayer
* We engage in warfare through prayer. Mark 16:17

HINDRANCES TO PRAYER
A number of things stand as a hindrance to our prayers, they include; Sin, Lack of Knowledge, Lack of perseverance, false doctrine, doubt (John14:12)…
CONCLUSION
There is tremendous power in prayer. Prayer is the most powerful tool for success and victory over enemies. When we pray we will have more grace to live a holy life. 'Men ought always to pray and not to faint.' (Luke 18:1). A prayerful Christian is a powerful Christian and a prayerless Christian is a powerless Christian. Prayer is the master key!