Let's talk about Christianity: Part II

How should we pray ?

Have you ever wondered how we should pray as Christians? Is there a prescribed template, or should we simply pray as the Spirit leads? The answer, it seems, lies somewhere in between – a blend of both structured and spontaneous prayer, rooted in the Word of God.

At the core of our dialogue with God lies reverence and intimacy. While it's natural to approach God with reverence, acknowledging His sovereignty and majesty, it's equally important to recognize Him as our loving Father. Yes, He is infinitely greater than any earthly parent, but He invites us to approach Him with the familiarity of a child coming to their father's side.

Consider the Lord's Prayer – a timeless example given by Jesus Himself, offering a structured outline for our prayers. Yet, beyond recitation, it serves as a model for the heart behind our communication with God – a heart of reverence, submission, and trust.

However, prayer is more than a formulaic recitation of words; it's a conversation, a relationship. God desires to hear not only our requests but also our joys, sorrows, and questions. Just as a child confides in their father about their day, we can pour out our hearts to our Heavenly Father, knowing that He listens and cares.

Scripture reminds us in Matthew 6:7-8 that God knows our needs even before we ask. Yet, in Matthew 26:41, Jesus encourages us to pray continually, not as a mere formality but as a reflection of our faith and dependence on God. Our prayers are not about informing God but about aligning our hearts with His will and experiencing intimacy with Him.

So, let's approach prayer with reverence and familiarity, honoring God's greatness while embracing His invitation to intimacy. Let's not just tell Him our needs but share our lives with Him, knowing that He delights in our fellowship and longs to draw us closer to Himself.

Scriptural References:

1. Matthew 6:9-13 - The Lord's Prayer

2. Matthew 6:7-8 - "And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him."

3. Matthew 26:41 - "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."

4. Philippians 4:6-7 - "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God."

5. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 - "Pray without ceasing."

May our prayers be filled with both reverence and intimacy, drawing us ever closer to our Heavenly Father.

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Stop or Don’t Stop to Reason “Why?”

Have you ever paused to wonder "why?"—Why were we created? Why does this physical realm exist? It’s natural to question the mysteries of life. Sometimes, we are told not to question God, but what if we take a moment to reflect deeply on these questions? What is the purpose behind human existence? God, all-powerful and surrounded by heavenly hosts, certainly didn’t need us. He had angels, who were perfect and holy, constantly worshiping Him. So why create mankind, knowing that we would fall into sin?

God, in His infinite wisdom, never miscalculates. He knows the end from the beginning, and nothing happens without His knowledge. Isaiah 46:10 says, “I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’” Creation, therefore, is not a mistake but a deliberate act of a sovereign God. Even the fall of Lucifer, a tragedy in itself, was known to God. Yet, He went ahead with His creation plans.

The Purpose of Life on Earth

When we consider the transient nature of life—how all earthly possessions and accomplishments ultimately fade—it's easy to wonder: Why do we labor and strive? Ecclesiastes 1:14 reflects this sentiment, saying, “I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.” The wealth we accumulate, the success we achieve, and the accolades we collect will not carry over into eternity. So why does this physical existence matter at all?

The Bible makes it clear that our time on earth is not without purpose. In Romans 8:28, we are reminded that “in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” We are here for God’s divine purpose, and our lives are part of a grand design that goes beyond the material and the temporal. We are not merely living for this world but preparing for an eternal relationship with Him.

God's Love in Creation

It’s tempting to think that God created humanity simply out of love. While this is true, it goes deeper than that. God’s love is radical and beyond human understanding. Before the foundation of the world, God knew how things would unfold. Yet, His love compelled Him to create us anyway, knowing that we would sin and fall short of His glory. In His love, He sent His only Son to die for us (John 3:16). This wasn’t a reaction to a failed creation plan—it was part of the plan all along. Ephesians 1:4 says, “For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight.”

Trusting God's Plan

It’s easy to get lost in existential questions and the mysteries of life. Why did God create us knowing we would fall? Why does suffering exist? Why are we here in this physical world when eternity awaits? While these questions are valid, they may not have straightforward answers in this life. Deuteronomy 29:29 reminds us, “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.”

God calls us to trust Him, even when we don’t understand the full picture. His ways are higher than our ways, and His thoughts higher than our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9). Instead of seeking to unravel every mystery, we are invited to live in faith, trusting that God’s plan is perfect.

Living for God's Purpose

The best way to live is to walk in obedience to God’s call. Micah 6:8 reminds us of what the Lord requires: “To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Instead of getting caught up in the “why” of life, let us focus on how we can live in alignment with God’s will. We are called to love God and love others, to be a witness to His truth, and to bring glory to His name through our actions.

While life may seem full of questions, we don’t need to have all the answers to trust in God’s goodness. We were created for His glory, to reflect His image, and to be part of His eternal plan. Let us not be distracted by the things that pass away but focus on the eternal truths that endure.

Conclusion: Embrace the Mystery

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The questions of "why" may never fully be answered in this life. But we don’t need to fear or feel frustrated by that. God invites us into a life of faith and trust, where we can rest in His perfect plan. Proverbs 3:5-6 encourages us to, *“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”*

Instead of exhausting ourselves with endless reasoning, let us live in the peace that comes from knowing God is in control. Let us live fully in the life God has given us, knowing that it is part of a divine and eternal purpose. Life is indeed mysterious, but it is in that mystery that we find our need for God—and our trust in His perfect plan.

“For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” —1 Corinthians 13:12.

Be Holy, Not by Your Power

In this article, we will explore two schools of thought regarding holiness and righteousness in the Christian journey.

The first school of thought revolves around a common question: If God is all-powerful and capable of doing anything, why doesn’t He simply make us holy instead of allowing us to be born into a fallen nature, as David describes in Psalms 51:5 (“Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me”)?

The second school of thought addresses the biblical teaching that our righteousness is like filthy rags before God (Isaiah 64:6). Does this mean we should not be intentional about living holy lives? Should we make an effort, or should we simply rely on God’s grace to make us holy?

While one of these questions will be explored and explained, the other will be left open for deeper reflection and discussion.

The Process of Holiness

The first question—why doesn’t God just make us holy? —has been answered in many ways. One common explanation is that God has given us free will. He desires a relationship with us based on love and obedience, not coercion. Deuteronomy 30:19 makes this clear: “I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.”

However, here’s another way to look at it: holiness is a process, not an instant transformation.

Consider the story of Adam and Eve. God placed them in the Garden of Eden—a place of perfection. However, He also placed the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil there and commanded them not to eat from it (Genesis 2:16-17). Why did God allow the tree to be there in the first place? Why not just create humans as perfectly holy beings?

If we view holiness as a process rather than a preset state, the answer becomes clearer. Imagine cooking a meal. If you could snap your fingers and instantly turn raw rice into a perfectly prepared plate of jollof rice, that wouldn’t really be “cooking,” would it? Cooking involves a process—washing the rice, boiling it, adding ingredients, and carefully blending everything together to achieve the final dish.

In the same way, holiness is a process. God desires us to grow in holiness, not to be instantly programmed as holy beings. Even redemption itself was a process—God didn’t simply snap His fingers to save us. Instead, He sent His Son to live, suffer, and die on the cross so that we could be redeemed (John 3:16).

So, rather than expecting holiness to be an instant condition, we should recognize it as a journey—one where we make choices daily to align ourselves with God’s will.

Grace and Our Role in Holiness

Now, let’s consider the second school of thought: Since our righteousness is like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6), does that mean we should not make any effort to live holy lives? Should we simply rely on God’s grace, or should we actively strive to be righteous?

The Bible clearly teaches that we cannot attain holiness by our own strength. Ephesians 2:8-9 states: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”

However, does relying on grace mean that we make no effort to resist sin and live righteously? What does “relying on God’s grace” truly mean? Does it mean we passively wait for holiness to “flow through us”?

Let’s consider a practical example: a person struggling with addiction.

If an individual is trying to overcome an addiction, should they:

Ask for grace and also put in personal effort—such as avoiding triggers, seeking accountability, and making conscious choices to resist temptation?
Simply ask for grace and do nothing, hoping holiness will come automatically?

What if the person chooses the second option and still falls into sin? Does that mean their salvation was never real? Does it mean grace failed them?

These are deep questions that require thoughtful reflection. Paul gives us insight into this in Philippians 2:12-13: “Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose.” This passage highlights the balance—we are called to make an effort, but it is ultimately God who empowers us to live righteously.

An Open Conversation

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Now, it’s your turn. What do you think about the second school of thought? Do you believe that effort plays a role in holiness, or should believers simply wait for God’s grace to transform them without taking deliberate action?

Drop your thoughts, questions, or insights in the comments section below. Let’s engage in meaningful discussion and learn together at the feet of God.

May we all grow in holiness—not by our own power, but by God’s grace working in us. Amen.

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