Pastor Bell's Words To Live By

From our reflections on the story of the prodigal son and his brother, we can surmise that both brothers and the father were people of prayer. The father prayed that his sons would commit their lives to the lord and live lives that brought glory to his name, whilst the sons prayed that their father would leave them a good inheritance. However, not all our prayers are answered. If our hearts are not right, that is, our ways of thinking does not coalesce with our actions, then our prayers will be of non-effect.

Praying without reflection is like driving a car with an internal combustion engine without checking it for oil and water periodically. Prayer becomes the focus rather than the relationship with our fellow individuals. This is the position of many religions, they pray but there are little results, because their prayers are repetitive and ritualistic.

A ritual becomes a religious act which is repeated over and over again. Prayer that is reflective is fresh, spontaneous and relevant to the current situation.

Like the elder son, we can become vain and bitter and call God’s unmerited favour unjust because he pardons the vilest offender.

So as our hearts are purified by the power of God’s word and by the favour he bestows, let us reflect on the fact that answered prayers are preceded by our change of heart, [repentance] and is underpinned and sustain constant action/reflection.

Read Proverbs 3 and don’t be wise in your own eyes