This important presentation will be given at various locations around Adelaide on Sunday 14th September 2025.

This presentation will be given at the these locations

Christadelphian Hall, Cnr Manning Rd and Sunnymeade Drive, Aberfoyle at 6:00 pm and will also be streamed on YouTube using this link; https://www.youtube.com/@aberfoyleparkchristadelphi1518/featured

Christadelphian Seminar Centre, 390 Morphett Rd, Warradale at 6:00 pm and will also be streamed on YouTube using this link; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EobJPNvT_2M

Wakefield House Positive Aging Centre, 65 Acre Ave, Morphett Vale at 6:00 pm and will also be streamed Online via ZOOM: https://zoom.us/i/3187934984 Meeting ID: 3187934984  Email: hvgospel@gmail.com to get password

Christadelphian Hall, Cnr Hillendale & Endeavour Dr, Wynn Vale at 5:00 pm and will also be streamed on YouTube using this link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqOSnA5vKIMdfzqwRbaGwVA

539 Victoria Rd, Osborne at 7:00 pm and will also be streamed on YouTube using this link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwRTywBeNt_ZjWZ8jZnW61A

Christadelphian Hall, 2 Park St, Hyde Park at 2:00 pm and will also be streamed on YouTube using this link: https://www.youtube.com/@HydeParkChristadelphians/streams

This presentation will also be put to air on our Program “Bible Spotlight” at 8:00 pm on Radio Coast FM 88.7 or listen live online: http://streaming1.coastfm.com.au:8000/broadwavehigh.mp3

This important presentation will be given at various locations around Adelaide on Sunday 14th September 2025.

This presentation will be given at the these locations

Christadelphian Hall, Cnr Manning Rd and Sunnymeade Drive, Aberfoyle at 6:00 pm and will also be streamed on YouTube using this link; https://www.youtube.com/@aberfoyleparkchristadelphi1518/featured

Christadelphian Seminar Centre, 390 Morphett Rd, Warradale at 6:00 pm and will also be streamed on YouTube using this link; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EobJPNvT_2M

Wakefield House Positive Aging Centre, 65 Acre Ave, Morphett Vale at 6:00 pm and will also be streamed Online via ZOOM: https://zoom.us/i/3187934984 Meeting ID: 3187934984  Email: hvgospel@gmail.com to get password

Christadelphian Hall, Cnr Hillendale & Endeavour Dr, Wynn Vale at 5:00 pm and will also be streamed on YouTube using this link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqOSnA5vKIMdfzqwRbaGwVA

539 Victoria Rd, Osborne at 7:00 pm and will also be streamed on YouTube using this link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwRTywBeNt_ZjWZ8jZnW61A

Christadelphian Hall, 2 Park St, Hyde Park at 2:00 pm and will also be streamed on YouTube using this link: https://www.youtube.com/@HydeParkChristadelphians/streams

This presentation will also be put to air on our Program “Bible Spotlight” at 8:00 pm on Radio Coast FM 88.7 or listen live online: http://streaming1.coastfm.com.au:8000/broadwavehigh.mp3

This important presentation will be given at various locations around Adelaide on Sunday 14th September 2025.

This presentation will be given at the these locations

Christadelphian Hall, Cnr Manning Rd and Sunnymeade Drive, Aberfoyle at 6:00 pm and will also be streamed on YouTube using this link; https://www.youtube.com/@aberfoyleparkchristadelphi1518/featured

Christadelphian Seminar Centre, 390 Morphett Rd, Warradale at 6:00 pm and will also be streamed on YouTube using this link; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EobJPNvT_2M

Wakefield House Positive Aging Centre, 65 Acre Ave, Morphett Vale at 6:00 pm and will also be streamed Online via ZOOM: https://zoom.us/i/3187934984 Meeting ID: 3187934984  Email: hvgospel@gmail.com to get password

Christadelphian Hall, Cnr Hillendale & Endeavour Dr, Wynn Vale at 5:00 pm and will also be streamed on YouTube using this link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqOSnA5vKIMdfzqwRbaGwVA

539 Victoria Rd, Osborne at 7:00 pm and will also be streamed on YouTube using this link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwRTywBeNt_ZjWZ8jZnW61A

Christadelphian Hall, 2 Park St, Hyde Park at 2:00 pm and will also be streamed on YouTube using this link: https://www.youtube.com/@HydeParkChristadelphians/streams

This presentation will also be put to air on our Program “Bible Spotlight” at 8:00 pm on Radio Coast FM 88.7 or listen live online: http://streaming1.coastfm.com.au:8000/broadwavehigh.mp3

When you have read this article you will know the answers to these questions:

1. Isn’t helping your country and local community a Christian duty?
2. Was Jesus involved in politics and protest?
3. What advice did early Christian leaders give?
4. Should a Christian vote in elections?
5. Which leader should I follow and support?

1. ISN’T HELPING YOUR COUNTRY AND LOCAL COMMUNITY A CHRISTIAN DUTY?

Everyone agrees that there are many things wrong with our world. God’s original creation was wonderful. God “saw that it was good” (Genesis 1:21). Unfortunately, people have damaged it in many ways. Jesus said “from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery …” (Mark 7:21). When people think and act like that, there is bound to be problems.

Politicians have power to govern. Usually, they have been elected to do so. All of them make decisions which affect the lives of each country’s citizens. Even politicians who care more about their country than themselves make bad decisions which create problems.

The question has been asked “what is a Christian’s duty to the land in which he lives?” Many believe that they must take an active part in politics, to change their countries for the better.

A Christian does have a duty to be a helpful citizen. If everyone was a follower of Jesus and his teaching, the result would be:

• No armed forces (there would be no wars)
• No destructive weapons (people would not fight)
• No Police forces (true followers of Jesus do not break the laws of their country)
• No prisons (there would not be any crime)
• No Law courts, judges or lawyers (disagreements would be peacefully resolved)
• No security guards, checks, monitoring systems (no theft or people trying to hurt each other).

What an amazing place the world would be! Peace, love, kindness, gentleness and honesty would rule. Imagine everyone caring for each other. No abuse! No violence! Think of how much money would be available to spend on good causes. That would be our world today … if only everyone was a true Christian, living as Jesus told them to do.

Christians, by living Godly lives, do help their countries and local communities. However they do not need to be involved in politics, voting or protests to do so. At all times, Christians are guided by the world’s two greatest advisers: i) The Lord Jesus Christ, and ii) The Bible, God’s word. We must now consider what these advisers tell us.

2. WAS JESUS CHRIST INVOLVED IN POLITICS AND PROTEST?

The clear Bible answer is that Jesus was never involved in either politics or protests. He had a simple, guiding principle: “My kingdom is not of this world” (John18:36). In the age to come, Jesus will be king of the world. But, at his first coming, he was always involved with people’s spiritual condition. He left politics to the leaders of his day.

If anyone could have claimed a Christian should fight against injustice, it was Jesus. But even though treated very badly himself, he did not protest. Think of his situation. His land, now called Israel, was under the iron fist of the Roman Empire. Roman soldiers often killed Jews. Did Jesus protest? He did not. Was he a revolutionary leader, seeking social change and the overthrow of the Romans? He was not. He made no threats, offered no resistance, and never cried “Let’s get rid of the Romans!” In a ministry lasting three and a half years he was never in conflict with the Roman authorities. Jesus was silent on all political issues. He was asked whether Jews should “give tribute to Caesar, or not?” His reply was simple, yet profound: “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Luke 20:22-25).

Even when Jesus was on trial for his life, he did not show any resistance. He came to teach us how to behave, and develop spiritual standards. He called for repentance from sin, not conflict with Rome. He gave us important rules for living. Jesus said “if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles”, and “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:41-44).

Jesus was a man of peace, and his followers must be the same. He never campaigned for justice. He wanted to change the inside of people, the way they thought, and not their outward circumstances. He fed the hungry, healed the sick, taught sinners to repent and preached the good news of the Kingdom of God. It was these concerns that filled his life, not politics and protest.

3. WHAT ADVICE DID THE EARLY CHRISTIAN LEADERS GIVE?

As we would expect, it was totally in line with the thinking of Jesus their Master.

All true Christians will seek a policy of peace. We are told “strive for peace with everyone” (Hebrews 12:14). Paul says in Romans 12:18 “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all”. This view is confirmed in 1 Peter 3:11 “Turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it”. Even slaves were told to serve bad masters well! What a loving attitude. Peter told them “if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps” (1 Peter 2:20,21).

The Apostle Paul said “I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content” (Philippians 4:11). He was in prison when he wrote that!

All these scriptures lead us away from protest. A Christian’s attitude towards authority must be: “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgement” (Romans 13:1[2).

Understand this. All authorities are appointed by God. To disobey the rulers of your country is to disobey God. Christians are “to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient … to be gentle and to show perfect courtesy toward all people” (Titus 3:1,2). They must “be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution” (1 Peter 2:13).

Christians must be subject to rulers with one exception. That is when man’s rules are clearly against specific commandments given by God. In such cases “we must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). That was Peter’s reply when the authorities told Christians to stop teaching the people about Jesus Christ. This was against the command given to the apostles by Jesus himself: “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation” (Mark 16:15). The commands of God and Jesus Christ must always come first. Because of that principle, Daniel’s three friends refused to worship a golden image set up by a mighty king (Daniel 3:18). In the same way, true Christians today will not fight because Jesus said “love your enemies”. Sometimes the State and the Christians will have to disagree. Christians must then accept any punishment which may come from obeying “God rather than men”.

4. SHOULD A CHRISTIAN VOTE IN ELECTIONS?

There is one very powerful reason for Christians not voting in any political elections. It is this: “The Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will” (Daniel 4:17). God is in control of this world’s rulers and their politics. The people God wants to be in power will be in power. He is working out his divine purpose through them. If Christians vote, they could be supporting someone God does not want in power. He needs no help from us in choosing leaders. Should we vote? No! Leave well alone.

5. WHICH LEADER SHOULD I FOLLOW AND SUPPORT?

There can only be one wise choice. Jesus said: “you have one instructor, the Christ” (Matthew 23:10). The kingdoms of men are going to fall (Daniel 2:44). The Lord Jesus is the world’s future king (Matthew 19:28). Once we have chosen him, we cannot support any other ruler. Jesus is perfect and immortal. If we keep his commandments, “we will also reign with him”, in his coming kingdom on earth (2 Timothy 2:12). That will be the Christian’s day. “Come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20).

All Bible quotations are taken from the English Standard Version (ESV) unless otherwise stated.

When you have read this article you will understand what the Bible says about:

• Principles for a disciple’s life
• What these mean in practice
• God’s reward in this life and the life to come

A New Life in Christ

When we are baptised we begin a new life. We promise to leave behind the way we used to live and to follow the example of the Lord Jesus Christ our saviour. This is a huge change and it is not easy as we decide to serve God and obey him rather than please ourselves. All of us fail but there is great comfort in knowing that God will forgive our failures if we humbly come to him in prayer.

“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16).

Bible principles for the new life

The Bible gives us two principles about how we should live our new life. They are part of the commandments in the Old Testament and Jesus also emphasized them in the New Testament (Mark 12:30-31).

• We should love the Lord our God with all our hearts, soul, mind and strength (Deuteronomy 6:4-5)
• We should love our neighbour as ourselves (Leviticus 19:18)

Jesus said that everything else in the Old Testament depended on these two principles. He was speaking to a man who was used to living by rules and regulations and he would be startled by what Jesus said. The Lord did not tell the man about what he should do in his new life; rather he told him what sort of person he should be in his new life. This is an important point, the way we live and act in our lives – what sort of people we are, must be influenced by our love for the God who has given us salvation through His Son and so, in turn, we love others as He loved us.

Putting the principles into practice

The Apostle Peter wrote of these principles in a different way when he said;

“For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.” (1 Peter 2:21)

Every word and action of Jesus showed how he loved God and also his fellow men. When we look at him in the Gospels we see these principles at work, practically, in his life.

So, as followers of Jesus, disciples try to put them into practice every day because they will influence and develop their thoughts, words and actions helping us to become Christ-like people.

If we love God with all our heart and strength we will want to:

• Read about him every day,
• Pray to him every day,
• Think about him even when involved in the tasks of our everyday lives,
• Be faithful to our husband or wife and live a moral life,
• Be honest in our dealings with everybody,
• Talk to people about the Gospel message and what it means to us and show, through our behaviour, that we really believe it,
• Remember that our bodies are given by God; we will not want to damage them by smoking or taking drugs or by drunkenness,
• Trust God so that whatever happens to us in life, even if bad things occur, we will always have faith in him and in the promise of his kingdom to come.

Our daily prayer

Jesus taught his disciples a daily prayer for their lives. In it he first of all told them to pray for God’s kingdom to come on earth so that God’s will and purpose can be completed throughout the world. But when Jesus said ‘your will be done on earth’ he was talking about the lives of his disciples. They practise living by God’s standards now so that they might be changed and made perfect at the coming of the Lord Jesus.

Jesus also told them to pray for what they needed each day for their lives, for their daily bread. He did not tell them they could pray for riches or material things and he made it clear in the words that followed that they should live their lives one day at a time, looking to God for just what they need for each day. This is difficult for all of us but this is how Jesus lived, praying to God each morning for God’s guidance during the day and this is part of that example he has left us.

Loving our neighbour as ourselves

But this prayer that Jesus gave us also tells us about our relationships with other people, our neighbours. Most of us want to get the best for ourselves and sometimes we do this regardless of the effect on other people. But, if we want God to forgive us when we fall short of his standards, we must learn to put other people first and think of them before ourselves. We must learn to freely forgive people who do or say wrong things against us. If we try to put God first in our lives, we will show it by the way we behave towards other people, trying to behave in a loving and caring way as Jesus did to people and trying to forgive them, even if they badly hurt or offend us, as Jesus forgave those who treated him so badly. Even when he was crucified he asked his Father to forgive those who had done such a terrible thing to him.

How do we practically show love towards other people?

• By remembering that all the material things we have in life come from God and that we should share them with less fortunate people.
• By treating other people in a kind and caring way.
• By giving time to the poor and the lonely, by listening to them and comforting them.
• By helping people who are in need without demanding payment or a favour in return.
• Most of all by sharing the Gospel message with them.

Rewards in this life and the life to come

It is easy to see from the Bible that the reward for disciples who live in this way will be a place in God’s kingdom. But they will also have a reward in this life, the Apostle Paul wrote:

“But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.” (1 Timothy 6:6-8)

He also said that the benefits of being content like this will bring us love, joy and peace now whilst we await Jesus’ coming.

God asks us to put him first in our lives and then other people before ourselves. If we show this by the way we live it will bring contentment and happiness now and a place in the Kingdom of God when Jesus returns.

When you have read this article you will know the answers to these questions:

1. What did the early followers of Jesus Christ believe?
2. What is repentance?
3. What is Christian baptism?
4. How should a Christian behave?
5. How should a Christian relate to this world?
6. Does a Christian have to be different?
7. What are the benefits of being a Christian?

The Apostle John said that God’s commandment is to “believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another” (1 John 3:23, NKJV). This one commandment includes two aspects which cannot be separated. The Christian life is about believing and doing.

1. WHAT DID THE EARLY FOLLOWERS OF JESUS CHRIST BELIEVE?

They believed that Jesus Christ:

(a) Was the Son of God (John 5:19-23);

(b) Came into the world to save sinners (1 Timothy 1:15);

Soon he will:

(d) Return to the earth (Acts 1:11);

(e) Raise the dead (John 6:39,40);

(f) Judge those who are responsible to God (Acts 17:30,31);

(g) Give everlasting life to those who have faithfully followed him (Revelation 2:10);

(h) Establish God’s kingdom on earth (Luke 1:32).

These are just some of the beliefs held by the disciples and taught by Jesus and his apostles. Why should we believe differently today? These teachings are there for all Christians to accept.

2 . WHAT IS REPENTANCE?

Many Jews who had rejected Jesus realised that they had made a big mistake. They were “cut to the heart” and asked, “What shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent, and be baptized” (Acts 2:37,38).

The same call comes today to all who would follow Jesus. We must repent (have a change of mind), and understand:

(a) That without faith in Jesus, death will be the end;

(b) We can have our sins forgiven because of his perfect obedience to the will of God;

(c) If we turn to him to be baptized for the forgiveness of our sins – our disobedience of God’s laws – and follow his way, we can live forever.

What a blessing for those who repent!

3. WHAT IS CHRISTIAN BAPTISM?

Baptism is the complete covering by water of a person old enough to make a personal decision to follow Jesus Christ. By this act, our sins are washed away, and we begin a new life “in Christ”. Another article in this series, “Baptism. its meaning and importance” deals with this subject in more detail.

4. HOW SHOULD A CHRISTIAN BEHAVE?

This is a major subject. Although we are ultimately saved by grace, all Christians must show their faith by their works (James 2:17). But what works? Those which are based on having the same attitudes as Jesus. They will help us to do good to all people, especially to those who believe (Galatians 6:10).

We must be teachable, for “disciple” means ‘a learner’. Paul said, “In understanding be mature” (1 Corinthians 14:20), while retaining a complete child-like trust in God’s promises.

Our task is to grow from the natural ways of men to the spiritual ways of God. We shall be helped by letting “the word of Christ dwell in you richly” (Colossians 3:16). Daily we shall pray and read God’s word.

We shall be blessed if we are meek, merciful, pure in hearts, peacemakers, and if we hunger and thirst after righteousness. We are to be “the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world” (Matthew 5:5-14).

In practical living we must: share our Christian faith with those who will listen, love our enemies, forgive men their trespasses, turn the other cheek, and not worry about our lives.

Like Jesus we shall live by the highest moral and ethical standards. Therefore, we shall try not to serve two masters – God and this money-mad world. We shall not commit adultery, or even dwell upon the idea. At all times a Christian must “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). If we fulfil these commandments of Jesus, we shall “bear much fruit”, and so be his disciples (John 15:8).

These are the high ideals to which a Christian is called. Sometimes we shall fail, for we have nor yet been made perfect. We can thank God that when we sin, Jesus our mediator understands our weaknesses. He was “in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15).

God forgives all who sincerely confess their sins and who try to do better. We are obliged to do so, because we are followers of Jesus Christ.

5. HOW SHOULD A CHRISTIAN RELATE TO THIS WORLD?

The prayer of Jesus for his disciples was not that they should be taken out of the world, but that they should be protected from evil (John 17:15). The Christian life has to be lived “in the world”; that is, in a society which is organised according to human principles.

Wherever possible, a Christian will:

(a) Live at peace with everyone (Romans 12:18);

(b) Respect and obey those in authority (Titus 3:1; 1 Peter 2:13-17);

(c) Give everyone what is owed to them (Romans 13:7).

If, however, he is asked to do anything which conflicts with the laws of God, he will obey God rather than man (Acts 4:19,20; 5:28,29). So, Christians will not be active in politics, because Christ is their true and coming king. “The Most High rules in the kingdoms of men, and gives it to whomever he chooses” (Daniel 4:32). The day is coming when “the kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign for ever and ever” (Revelation 11:15).

Jesus would not let Peter defend him with a sword. He said: “All who draw the sword will die by the sword”. Because Christians are asked to live in peace, they will not fight at the dictates of men. They look for the coming of the “Prince of Peace” from heaven.

6. DOES A CHRISTIAN HAVE TO BE DIFFERENT?

Yes, very different from other citizens. A Christian must be guided by spiritual principles, and actively live by them in society. Jesus taught: “Narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matthew 7:14).

If we are to be his disciples, we must deny ourselves. Most people want to go their own way. This does not reflect the life of Jesus, who “died for us, that … we should live together with him” (1 Thessalonians 5:10).

7. WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF BEING A CHRISTIAN?

They are two-fold. Godliness has promise for “the life that now is and of that which is to come” (1 Timothy 4:8). Christians rejoice now in God’s goodness in giving Jesus to die for their sins. They have peace in their hearts because Jesus said: “Come to me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

For Christians, the future holds unspeakable joy. They wait for the return of Jesus Christ to the earth to “speak peace to the nations” (Zechariah 9:10). He will give everlasting life to his faithful followers, when “he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there will be no end” (Luke 1:33).

Does your present life have great purpose? Do you enjoy peace of mind? What is your hope for the future if it is not with Jesus Christ? Only Jesus offers you everlasting life as God’s gift for faithful service.

May you have the courage to follow Jesus now, to believe his teachings, repent and be baptized. As a child of God, you will belong to Him, and “they shall be mine, says the LORD of hosts, on the day that I make them my jewels” (Malachi 3:17).

When you have read this article you will know the answers to these questions:

1. Why should I pray?
2. What should I pray about?
3. What can I learn from the prayers of Jesus?
4. When, where and how should I pray?
5. Will prayer truly help me?

1. WHY SHOULD I PRAY?

Jesus said his followers “ought always to pray and not lose heart” (Luke 18:1). Why? Because the outcome of praying, for a believer, is powerful and life-changing. The Apostle Paul said “do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer … let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7). Think of that. No anxiety! Peace of mind! How many people do you know who enjoy such blessings? Yet, by prayer, they can be yours.

God wants to help us in every aspect of our lives. He “so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John3:16). How could such a loving Father not want to hear the prayers of those who believe? Impossible! However, we “must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him” (Hebrews 11:6).

One thing is certain in this life. We are dying. If we want to live forever, as God promises we can, we must confess that we need him. We cannot save ourselves. Prayer is a very important way of showing we believe this truth. All of us experience difficulties. We have many problems and we want to know the meaning of life. We need to pray for many reasons.

2. WHAT SHOULD I PRAY ABOUT?

Can we pray for and get everything we want? After all, Jesus said “Ask, and it will be given to you” (Matthew 7:7). John also said “whatever we ask we receive from him” (1 John 3:22).

However, good Bible students always read carefully. In Matthew 6:32-33 Jesus tells us that we must accept God as our heavenly Father. Also, we are told that we must seek first his kingdom and his righteousness. So, what we ask for in prayer must be guided by godly principles.

John agrees. He said “whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him” (1 John 3:22). Acceptable prayer has important pre-conditions! The first golden prayer rule must be to ask “according to his will” (1 John 5:14). Then we shall “have the requests that we have asked of him”.

If we are willing to bend our own will to God’s will, he will hear us. Jesus, our great example in all things, made God’s will his own. He said “I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me” (John 5:30).

If, in your prayers, you seek your own desires, then “You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly” (James 4:3). There are right and wrong things to seek in prayer.

Having the Godly principle of asking “according ton his will” in your mind, you can confidently ask for:

• God’s kingdom to come on earth (Matthew 6:10)
• An earth filled with peace when Jesus comes (Zechariah 9:10)
• Eternal life for faithful believers when Jesus comes to raise the dead (John 6:40)
• The spiritual health of others (Ephesians 6:18)

God will grant these prayers because it is his plan to achieve these goals.

Is it right to pray about our human concerns when we don’t know what God’s will is on a particular matter? Yes, it is. Such prayers may be about other people or may be about ourselves. You will have experienced difficulties with at least some of these: poor health, career choices, personal relationships, unemployment, family life, issues at work, physical or mental problems.

So what should you ask for in such matters? You know what you would like, but is that the will of God? Should you accept the offer of a better job if it means seeing less of your family? If you are single, should you pray for a husband or wife? Should you pray that your daughter does not marry the man she loves because you don’t think he is good for her? Problems, problems!

Recognise that there may be a difference between your own deepest desires, and what is best for you spiritually. You only know part of the story; God knows all of it. In the end you must trust God’s way. The second golden prayer rule must be ‘God knows best‘.

Jesus lived by that rule. He did not want to die by crucifixion. He prayed “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup (of death) pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will … My Father, if this cannot  pass unless I drink it, your will be done” (Matthew 26:39-42).

When we are not sure what the will of God is for us, our perfect prayer will always be, “Your will be done”. This is not easy. Humanly speaking, we want our longings to be satisfied, for our will to be done. Only by growing in the ways of God shall we be able to accept that our will may not always be done. God knows best.

It is good to pray about practical problems and to confess our need of God’s help. God knows our needs, but invites us to share them with him (Matthew 6:8). His answer to our prayer may be ‘yes’, or ‘no’. or ‘yes, but not yet’. Spiritually, we must be willing to accept God’s answer. Just trust him!

3. WHAT CAN I LEARN FROM THE PRAYERS OF JESUS?

A great deal! He gives us a wonderful pattern prayer, and tells us in Matthew 6:9-13):

• God is holy, and we must take him seriously in our lives (v9);
• The kingdom of God is coming on earth (with Jesus as king). Notice that Jesus begins and ends his prayer desiring this kingdom (vv10,13);
• We should ask only for what we need to sustain us (our daily bread), not for self indulgent wants (v11);
• God will only forgive us our sins, as we forgive others (v12);
• God will not abandon us when we are tempted (v13);
• We can ask for deliverance from evil (v13).

4. WHEN, WHERE AND HOW SHOULD I PRAY?

When? Whenever you feel you want to pray. Don’t just pray when you are desperate. Make God and prayer a regular part of your thinking and daily life. You must want to pray, and intend to do so. To pray at set times of the day can be helpful. Just make sure it does not become a casual routine. Two great servants of God each prayed three times a day: David (Psalm 55:17) and Daniel (Daniel 6:10). If God is often in our thoughts, there will be many times in the day when we want to pray.

Where? Anywhere and everywhere! Standing, sitting, lying down, on our knees, walking or travelling. It is never the wrong time or place to pray, not if we are serious about our prayers.

How? We are all different, but you may find some of these ideas helpful:

• Praying out loud can help you focus better. Sometimes you will develop your thoughts more clearly.
• Pray when you are alert. It will stop your thoughts drifting.
• It can be a good idea to have a prayer list with you. A list will remind you of important issues and people for whom you want to pray.
• Praying with others, as the Apostle Paul did, can be very helpful (Acts 20:36;21:5).

Two other comments: praise is an important part of prayer (Psalm 150), and still pray when you don’t feel like it! That is when you need to pray most.

5. WILL PRAYING TRULY HELP ME?

Yes it will. It helped Jesus. He sometimes spent all night in prayer. His advice to his disciples was “watch and pray” (Matthew 26:41). We are all sinners and fall short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23). But, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins” (John 1:9).

A strong prayer life is an important part of us being true children of God. If we are such, God will bless us with everlasting life when Jesus comes. What greater hope can you have for the future? Watch and pray.

All Bible quotations are taken from the English Standard version (ESV) unless otherwise stated.