Wild PrayersSmakprov

PRAYERS THAT MAGNIFY GOD There are two types of people in this world – those who make a mountain out of a molehill and those who challenge the biggest mountains in their lives with a roar of praise and worship. Let’s consider Mary’s story today. Historians say that she would have been 16 years of age when she got pregnant by the Holy Spirit. Back then, Mary being pregnant outside of wedlock could have even put her at risk of being stoned to death. But, amidst the chaos, Mary glorified the Lord. Mary was essentially saying, “I have no clue how I am going to navigate the mess that this season may bring, but I do know that my God is far greater than the tension and turbulence of this season of my life.” Let’s look at 3 reasons that stop us from magnifying God: * Disbelief: The Children of Israel are a prime example of a life steeped in disbelief. They lived in the constant light of God’s miracle-working power, yet they chose to constantly disbelieve and question Him. Psalms 78:20 NIV says, “True, he struck the rock, and water gushed out, streams flowed abundantly, but can he also give us bread? Can he supply meat for his people?” Whenever we ask the question if God is able to do something, we are choosing to minimize His power and magnify our problem. * Disobedience: Obedience glorifies God, but when we don’t submit to God’s direction and principles, we willfully amplify the problems of our lives. We cannot continue in rebellion and disobedience and expect God to intervene with His glory in our lives. Israel’s constant rebellion not just vexed God, but sold them into the oppression of the enemy. * Dissatisfaction: Grumbling devalues all that God has given us. The Children of Israel heaped a lot of problems on themselves simply because they kept grumbling at the faintest sign of a problem. They never chose to meditate on the wondrous ways that God had come through for them in the past. This eventually turned out to be a roadblock for a whole generation to enter into the promised land. When we choose to magnify the Lord in all circumstances, we amplify His providence, protection, and power over our problems. This is exactly what Mary did. She kept declaring the power of God over her situation. When we magnify God in the midst of our problems, he will bulldoze the seemingly tall mountains of our lives. Reflection time: 1\. Write out your top three complaints in life and counter it with a belief statement or a promise that God has given you? 2\. What are those areas in your life, where you have procrastinated/denied obedience to God? 3\. Write down a small four-line chorus of your own that magnifies God. Have a little chat about all that you have written down with God.