Effective Family Altar (2) by Pastor Faith Oyedepo

Topic: Effective Family Altar (2)

Dear Reader,

I believe you were blessed by the last teaching and you have created a family altar already if you didn’t have one before. It is my earnest prayer that all your family desires be answered speedily on the prayer altar. In this edition, I will teach on Consistency in Prayer, which I believe will enhance your prayer life and establish lasting peace in your home and marital life.

Luke 18:1 says: And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint. Let me quickly state here that the Word “men” in this verse, is not referring to the male gender, but to both male and female. So, if you are a woman, don’t push the responsibility of prayer to your husband with the claim that, “I am not a man, so that scripture is not for me.” Prayer is the responsibility of every member of the family, if you must excel both at home and other areas of life. Jesus said …men ought always to pray and not to faint. In essence, there will be situations that will try to make you give up on prayer, but if you understand how effective your prayer is to your life and family, you will embrace this phrase, Pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

What then, is Consistency?

Consistency among other things means to steadfastly adhere to the same principle, form or course. That means to be continuous in doing something. To receive the answers you desire in prayer and still keep gaining exploits, you must be continuous at it. Jesus told a parable to His disciples in Luke 18:2-7, He said: …There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? The words “Day and Night” used in this parable connote consistency and the result is that she was avenged speedily. So, be encouraged!

Most people don’t maintain a consistent prayer life because they claim not to have time. They are always in a hurry and they return to find the same problems waiting for them at home. Challenges don’t solve themselves! Don’t be nonchalant; before you know it, it will be too late. Every tough nut requires consistent hard knocks to break.. Don’t watch the devil destroy your home or your children’s destiny.

That seemingly embarrassing situation in your family can be turned to a thing of glory if you will not give up in prayers. That you didn’t get instant answers to your prayers does not mean God has not heard you. Have you not heard? He hath made every thing beautiful in his time… (Ecclesiastes 3:11). Don’t give up! Be consistent in your prayer life and you will find your home and marital life gradually becoming more and more a haven.

Rejoice! It is never too late with God. Maybe your situation is like that of Lazarus, already dead and stinking. As you invoke the presence of Jesus through your consistent prayer it will be revived with speed. Even if your home is already broken and family members scattered; refuse to give up. God will soon show up in your life and home!

Don’t let anybody deceive you by saying, “How long will you continue with your prayers, if God wants to answer you, He should have done so by now.” Then, they lure you off to native doctors and all manner of satanic places only to add more to your problems. Stop it! You can’t serve God and mammon! Jesus said: No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon (Matthew 6:24).

The Bible says: The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). Refuse to be deprived of the good things God has given you freely in His Word. The way to do that is to cultivate a vibrant prayer life and you will enjoy a vibrant family life. I see a great revival taking place in your prayer life, both as a family and as an individual. This is the dawning of a new day in your marital life in Jesus mighty Name!

If you are not born again, you are not yet a child of God and it will be impossible for you to benefit from what has just been discussed as God is only committed to His own (Romans 10:9-10; John 1:12). But if you want to be born again and become a child of God now, why not say this simple prayer in faith: Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins and cleanse me with Your Blood. I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Make me a child of God today. Thank You for delivering me from sin and satan to serve the living God and thank You for accepting me into Your Kingdom.

Congratulations! If you prayed this simple prayer of faith with me, you are now born again and a child of God. He loves you and will never leave you. Read your Bible daily, obey God’s Word and seek Christian fellowship (John 14:21).

With this, you are guaranteed all-round rest and peace in Jesus’ Name! Call or write to share your testimonies with me through contact@faithoyedepo.org, 07026385437 OR 08141320204.

For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Marriage Covenant, Making Marriage Work, Building A Successful Home and Success in Marriage (Co-Authored).

Pastor Faith Oyedepo is the wife of Bishop David Oyedepo, the founder of the Living Faith Church Worldwide a.k.a. Winners’ Chapel, and Senior Pastor of Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, Nigeria.