FUNDAMENTALS OF VISION PART 10— PRAYER

“Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.” (Psalms 127:1-2 KJV)

One visionary that has never ceased to inspire me especially in the area of biblical entrepreneurship is David Green. He is the founder and CEO of Hobby Lobby. His commitment to the tents and practice of our most precious faith as enshrined in the Scriptures earned him the most apt description by Forbes as “The Biblical Billionaire.”

David Green in an interview with Forbes in 2012 was unequivocal and insistent in declaring that God is the true owner of his arts and crafts chain. When asked about the secret of his phenomenal success, he said, “ If you have anything or if I have anything, it’s because it’s been given to us by our Creator. SoI have learned to say, Look, this is yours, God. It’s all yours. I’m going to give it to you.”

David Green’s sense of trusteeship empowered his total dependence on the Real Owner to give expression to the vision. Knowing fully well that it takes the accompaniment of God to accomplish any given vision. It takes the help of God to conceive and birth vision. Also, it takes the help of God to successfully follow through the vision. “Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day…” (Acts 26:22)

Prayer provokes grace especially when prayer is empowered by understanding of the Will of God. Because it’s in the place of prayer we enforce the will and plan of God for our lives and the kingdom; then grace and wisdom are released for execution and manifestation. “And when they had prayed,…and great grace was upon them all.” (Acts 4:31,33)

Grace is the greatest capital that can be employed in the pursuit of vision. It cannot fail nor depreciate like cash or physical assets. When grace is at work, all the factors of production are most efficient and effective.

Jesus The Anointed One showed us an example to follow. He lived a life of absolute dependence in the pursuit of purpose. At every point of vision, he withdrew to pray. He prayed and fasted for forty days and nights before He started His ministry. He prayed to choose His apostles. He prayed before He went to the Cross. He prayed daily before starting the day’s business. Hear what He said, “I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.” (John 5:30)

Prayer is a proof of dependence especially when said or demonstrated by faith. And hear this: Our dependence guarantees His providence and authorizes His superintendency.

Whilst I do not discount the place of preparation— in fact, it can’t be dispensed with in the school of success— it’s most wise to involve God from the discovery of vision to its accomplishment. Plans and purposes can vary or fail—but God remains constant. He knows what will work or not, so when you depend on Him through heartfelt prayers  He gives definite directions. “The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the Lord.” (Prov. 21:31)

According to the great man of God Rev. Chris Oyakhilome, “Prayer is not so much as to the answers but the impart it has to your spirit.” When your spirit is influenced by the Spirit of God, you’ll be imbued with superior intelligence and will not be misguided. Your steps will be ordered by the Lord. And nothing guarantees vision distinction like divine direction.

Finally, in an uncertain world, you need God with Whom is no variableness neither shadow of turning. Also, to navigate an uncharted vision, you need the Unchanging Pathfinder. Hence, the need to cultivate a lifestyle of prayer.

Therefore, I commend you to a lifestyle of prayer as you pursue your vision. I pray God to baptize you with the Spirit of grace and supplication in Jesus Precious Name!

To winning prayers,

✝️Tochukwu Kemakolam

Prime Minister