By Pastor Chinedu Emmanuel

Col. 3:1-3 “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. “

The purpose of following the Lord Jesus, as outlined in John 6:26-27, is to shift our focus from perishable earthly concerns to directing our energy towards seeking the eternal life offered by the Son of Man. This is because God the Father has bestowed His seal of approval upon Him. This instruction is further emphasized in Matthew 6:33, where we are guided to prioritize seeking the kingdom of God and His righteousness above all else, with the promise that all other necessary things will be provided as well.

John 6:26-27 “But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval.” 

Matt 6:33 “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

We can seek heavenly matters through two primary means: the study of God’s word and prayer. Our prayer list can serve as an indicator of whether our values are more aligned with spiritual or worldly priorities. More often than not, our prayer lists predominantly revolve around our physical needs, with less attention given to our spiritual well-being, contrasting with Paul’s prayers for the Church.
In Galatians 4:19, when Paul talks about going through “labor pains,” he’s saying he cares deeply for these people, like a parent caring for their child. His concern is that they become more like Christ. In Colossians 2, Paul shares how much he’s worried and cared for the people he’s writing to, even if he’s never met them in person. He wants them to feel encouraged, connected by love, and to understand God’s plan, which is all about Jesus. He warns them not to be misled by clever arguments.

So, what’s the main idea here? Paul’s prayers and concerns are all about spiritual values. He believes that if we get our spiritual lives right, everything else will work out fine. It’s like getting the foundation of a building strong so that the whole structure stands firm.
Paul also reminds us that there are powerful spiritual forces at work, even though we can’t see them. Ignoring our spiritual well-being is like missing out on a valuable source of wisdom and help. Paul’s message is clear: focus on your spiritual growth because what you see in the physical world is temporary. But your spiritual growth lasts forever, and that’s what really matters. So, like Paul, we should care deeply about our spiritual well-being and that of others.

2 Cor 4:18 “So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.”
So, what does the above verse mean for our prayers? We often misunderstand prayer because we’re not taught to prioritize what God values. We need to learn what kind of prayers align with these scriptures. This passage guides us: our prayers should be about seeking God’s will and the heavenly, invisible realities of His Kingdom. In simple terms, it means seeking God’s will in our prayers.

The right motive for our prayers should be to establish God’s will on Earth, in our lives, families, and nations. When you pray with motives like wanting more material possessions or pleasures just for yourself, it’s the wrong approach. Prayer is not meant to be selfish; it’s about bringing God’s Kingdom influence into our world, aligning our lives with His will. We should pray to see God’s will and His Kingdom established here, just as Jesus taught us. If we don’t do this, we’re missing the point of prayer, and it won’t serve our best interests.

One significant benefit of praying is that we can bring God’s will into every situation we encounter.
Our prayers encompass various aspects, including supplications, general prayers, intercessions, and expressions of gratitude. These prayers should be extended to all people, including kings and those in authority, aiming for a tranquil and virtuous life. This practice is not only considered good but also pleasing in God’s eyes. When we pray in this way, we can expect to live in peace, and many individuals will have the opportunity to discover the truth found in Christ.

God’s actions are always in line with His will, and this is an important truth to remember.
In Christ, we have received an inheritance, and this was determined according to the plan of the One who directs all things in harmony with the purpose of His will ( Ephesians 1: 11). Therefore, through prayer, we activate God’s power to shape circumstances in alignment with His will.

Failing to pray in alignment with God’s will means we miss out on His blessings. 1 John 5:14-15 explains, that our confidence in God lies in asking in accordance with His will, which ensures that He listens to us. When we know He hears us, we can be certain that we will receive the requests we’ve made of Him. The Word of God serves as our guide to understanding His will, and it should be the foundation of our prayers, just as Jesus taught us. When we abide in Christ, and His words are ingrained in us, our requests align with His will. His Word is like a lamp, illuminating our path even in our prayers.

For example, in Acts 4:24-31, the believers prayed in agreement with what God had previously stated. Their prayer was swiftly and powerfully answered because it was aligned with God’s will.
Moses also prayed according to God’s Word in Exodus 33:12-14. He reminded God of His promise and promptly received a positive response. While not all answers are instant, they will come as the Scriptures assure us.

To receive from God, we must have faith and confess what we believe, even before we see it.
Receiving from God relies on faith—declaring that something is yours before it becomes evident. This is the key to obtaining God’s blessings. Receiving from God requires two crucial steps: belief and seeing it become a reality. Mark 11:24 tells us that you can pray for anything and, if you truly believe you’ve received it, it will indeed become yours. So, here’s the sequence: first, believe that you’ve received it, and then you’ll witness it turning into reality. The opposite is also true—if you say you haven’t received it, you won’t have it.

Praying with faith is essential to receive anything from the Lord. Doubt hinders your ability to receive. James 1:6-8 emphasized the importance of asking with unwavering faith. When you doubt, you’re like a wave tossed by the wind, making you double-minded and unstable in all your ways. In essence, you cannot expect to receive anything from the Lord if you approach Him with doubt. Faith is the key to fruitful prayer.

Pastor Chinedu Emmanuel is the Senior Pastor of Fountain of The Living Word Church, New Jersey.