Brief Summary
Apostle Arome Osayi delivers a sermon on prayer, drawing from Matthew 6, emphasising the importance of sincerity and faith in prayer. He warns against hypocritical prayer, highlights God's desire to reward those who approach Him in faith, and stresses the need to come to God on His terms, guarding the inner chamber of the heart.
- Avoid hypocrisy in prayer by seeking God's attention, not men's.
- Understand that God wants to reward you through prayer, not just answer your requests.
- Approach God with faith, trusting in His nature and promises.
- Protect your heart, the inner chamber, from negative influences that can hinder your prayers.
Opening Greetings & Introduction to Matthew 6
Apostle Arome Osayi expresses gratitude for the opportunity to minister in Arizona, acknowledging the consistent labour and investment in the kingdom of God. He appreciates the weather and commits to addressing any spiritual hindrances in the region. He also thanks the woman of God for her support and asks for God's presence and glory to fill the service.
Understanding Hypocritical Prayer and Wrong Motives
Jesus teaches how to pray effectively, highlighting the danger of hypocrisy. Giving, praying, and fasting are righteous deeds expected of believers, each with its own guidelines. Personal devotion, including consistent prayer, is essential for a victorious Christian life. Hypocrisy can taint these acts, particularly prayer, where seeking the attention of others becomes the primary motive. The reward for such prayer is merely the recognition of men, not the rewards God offers.
Why God Rewards Prayer (Not Just Answers)
While people often seek answers through prayer, God desires to reward those who pray. Hypocrites may receive answers, but they forfeit the rewards because they have already received their reward, the attention of men. God wants to show great and mighty things beyond immediate answers, revealing His purpose for calling people to prayer. Coming to God requires faith, believing in His existence and His nature as a rewarder.
Coming to God on His Terms: Faith, Trust & Posture
Approaching God requires faith and acceptance of His terms, trusting that He will administer matters according to His will. Believers must understand God's good intentions towards them, recognising that He has planned a future and an expected end for them. Coming to God implies acknowledging one's insufficiency and trusting in His capacity to help. Satan tries to instill doubt, but believers must maintain a positive perspective of God, trusting Him completely.
“Shut the Door”: Guarding the Inner Chamber in Prayer
Jesus prescribes entering into a "closet" when praying, which refers to the inner chamber of the heart. This involves building consciousness of this inner space and guarding it from external influences that could affect one's heart and, consequently, one's prayers. Satan seeks to disrupt this inner chamber, so believers must shut the door to negative influences like bitterness, anger, and pride. Prayer appears in heaven as incense, and a defiled heart contaminates this offering.
Practical Prayer Session & Prophetic Impartation
Apostle Osayi leads a practical prayer session, urging listeners to shut the door to the devil and defilement. He emphasises the importance of keeping the heart with diligence, as it determines the boundaries of life. He imparts a gift of discernment of spirit to a lady in the congregation, empowering her to recognise and combat spiritual warfare. He closes with a blessing and a prophetic word, promising a season of enlargement, power, and miracles for the ministry.
