READERS DIGEST - PRAYER

Prayer is talking to God. Prayer is a communication between man and God, prayer is asking God to intervene in the affairs of man in a given situation on the basis of His word and our relationship with God. The Bible in (Luke 18:1B KJV) reminds us of the importance of prayer “… man ought always to pray and not to faint” Prayer is an exercise that should be carried out by every believer, although some miss the point because they have grown up to think that prayer is a mere religious act that is carried out just for the sake of praying.

We just don’t pray because our Lord Jesus said we should, there is more to prayer than just talking to God. Prayer is a fellowship, yes, we also need to understand that when we pray we penetrate the presence of God which strengthens our relationship with Him. Through prayer we can bring the word of God to pass in our lives, we can change things in our lives, our surroundings, our destinies and even in the lives of other people and so much more!

A lot of believers pray and among the number that pray , many don’t get answers to their prayers, this keeps us wondering. Now, from the word we see that our Lord Jesus Christ was a man of principles, so also was he a man of prayer. There are basic principles to follow in prayer that’s probably the reason why a lot of us feel our prayers don’t get answered…we are praying the wrong way! Jesus in Matthew 6:9 showed us a guideline to follow in prayer. “…our father, which art in heaven. Hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, give us this day our daily bread…” 

We begin prayer by worshipping and praising God and then go forward to pray for His kingdom which is already on earth.

Praying in the name of Jesus;

“Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name; ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the father for you.” John 16:24, 26 KJV

In John 16:24-26 Jesus lets us that we are to pray to the father in  his name, that is we pray to God in the name of Jesus and not pray to God the father through the name of Jesus or pray to Jesus in the name of Jesus. As children of God who have already come to God through Christ, we have become part of Gods kingdom and are seated together with Christ in heavenly places, because we know and love God as He knows and loves us, Jesus does not need to intervene for us on His behalf. We have been granted the power to pray in the name of Jesus!

Heartfelt prayers are very important whether we are reciting prayers from a prayer book or not. God did not teach us to say our prayers but He commands us to pray.

“If my people, which are called by my name shall humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” 2 Chronicles 7:14

We need to know God as our father and our friend, we need to know Him as someone who can be trusted and is closer than a friend. We need to know Him on a personal level. It’s just like this life instance, the way you communicate with a very close friend is different from the way you would communicate with a colleague or a formal acquaintance. Establishing such a relationship with God entails us talking to Him from our hearts.

Changing things through prayer;

“verily I say unto you, if ye have faith as a grain of a mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you” Matthew 17:20 KJV

Faith is a vital key in prayer, with faith impossibilities become possible. Faith is believing. The question is do you believe what Gods word says about you and your current circumstance? If yes, then put your faith to work in prayer and anything shall be POSSIBLE! 

“…if thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth” Mark 9:23

Power in the name of Jesus;

“Wherefore God hath highly exalted Him and given him a name which is above every other name. that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, things in earth and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the father” Philippians 2:9-11

The name of our Lord Jesus is not an ordinary name; it has power in heaven, in the earth, in hell and the grave. That is why we can command devils to flee in the name of Jesus and they flee, we can cast out devils and sickness and change anything at all because of the power in that name. The Lord Jesus himself has given us the authority to use the power in his name that is why we pray to father (ask the father anything) in the name of Jesus, when we pray in the name of Jesus heaven responds.

Praying kingdom advancement prayers; kingdom advancement prayer simply means prayer for the church, for souls and for preachers. When we base our prayers on this category great things happen. Our Lord Jesus in Matthew 6:33 advices us to seek the kingdom of God first and all our needs will be met. Some benefits that come with praying kingdom advancement prayers are; 

i) God supernaturally provides our needs. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you” Mathew 6:33 KJV.

ii) We enjoy prosperity when you put God’s kingdom first in prayer “And he said when I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye anything? And they said, nothing Luke 22:35. KJV

iii) When we put God and His Kingdom first in prayer we enjoy glory. “And out of them shall proceed thanksgiving and the voice of them, that make merry; and I will multiply them, and they shall not be few; I will also glorify them and they shall not be small. Their children also shall be as aforetime, and their congregation shall be established before me, and I will punish all that oppress them. And their nobles shall be of themselves, and their governor shall proceed from the midst of them, and I will cause him to draw near, and he shall approach unto me; for who is this that engaged his heart to approach unto me? Saith the LORD” Jeremiah 30:19-21

Today some people don’t bother praying, because they don’t expect answers when they pray. As a child of God when you pray, is it your right to expect answers except you are not born again. God wants us to pray, our prayers don’t bother him and He does not get confused because so many people are praying to Him at the same time.

The word says in the book of James 5:16, the B part of it that “the effective fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” also …. Also let’s not forget in Luke 18:1, Jesus encourage us to pray.

It has little to do with the length of time we spend in prayer, one could engage in a faithless prayer for hours filled with vain repetitions and another would render a heartfelt prayer for just 5 minutes with a lot of impact.

My brothers and sisters in Christ, please pray! Pray to avert evil, pray to change circumstances, pray to fulfill God’s words in your life, pray knowing that God is always there to hear and answer our prayers. Remember what the word says in James 5:16, the B part of it “…the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” 

Idinma Jerry Odu, Staff Writer.

THE QUEEN'S BUSINESS SERIES: THE SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER

S.K Modupe's Apparel sat off the popular Dada Estate .Oluchi insisted her Aunt had made such a poor choice in location. "We would make twice our earnings if we were on the express Mami," she would say.

Modupe didn't think the same especially as her clothing store was the largest in Osogbo and women from all walks of life stopped by in numbers daily.

It was well stocked, its external finish with green carpets, bright artificial flowers of yellow and red, which Modupe had shopped from @jazzmakinteriors, gave her space the most elegant touch. The serene atmosphere that radiated within its walls gave the relaxing ambience that got high profile women in the Government stopping by as well. No one could ever guess Modupe, the plump dark-skinned Modupe who had never received Western education owned the most popular clothing store in Osogbo.

"Tonty tere, tonty four, tonty five.. oh!”

She dropped the bundle of Naira notes she had been counting, placed her hands beneath her jaw, staring angrily at the door now. She walked slowly it was typical of her , her weight could barely allow for swiftness.

“Kini problem?"she asked , facing Oluchi now who had blocked the entrance with her petite frame..

“Ma, the sanitizer,”Oluchi said, refusing to let the fair woman who had been standing a distance from the other waiting clients get in.

She bent to meet Modupe's gaze.

“Ah ah ah….. Mummy Ayo, ewole jare’

Modupe turned to face Oluchi with a silent stare that begged for reasons why she had not allowed.

“Venza" come in.

Modupe named her clients by the cars they drove and reserved their names for when she spoke to them in person if she wasn't tagging the married ones by the names of their children.

She had travelled the world, for business, vacations, without a degree, the kind Oluchi was here in Osogbo striving for.

Obafemi Awolowo University had closed down as a result of the pandemic that had ravaged the world.

The slender lady walked around the shop, piling clothes in her sizes on Modupe's glass table.

Oluchi feared the glass table would have it's parts littered all over if it had to bear one more stack of clothing,  but she had lived with Modupe long enough, since her husband's demise years ago to know she couldn't express such displeasure in the presence of a client, the ones who had their nose in the air and won't relate to Modupe if she wasn't the filthy rich business woman.

Oluchi began to pack the clothes into a branded bag that had Modupe's picture boldly above her brand name. Another poor choice Oluchi was weary of speaking of.

“More blessings, ese ma”, Modupe said, carrying her fifty year old frame to the door as she saw her client off.

“Oluchi, kini problem, Venza?"

“Ma, I asked her to sanitize and use her face mask before entering the shop”.

“But this is Venza, Venza don’t mix with common people”

“Ma,"  Oluchi called out pointing to   the " no mask,  no entry" signal on the doorpost.

Modupe hissed, walked to her desk and turned to Oluchi again.

“See, all these for the government, no Covid in Nigeria, only China, Italy, sun here, kill everything”, she said moving her index finger over her lips.

“Ma, this pandemic is real, alot of lives, lost!”.

Modupe looks away, she tries to imagine where to begin with convincing Oluchi who to her was just as stubborn as her younger sister  back in Onitsha. She shakes her head, pouts and resumes .

“Oluchi, bird flu come and go, ebola come and go, Covid-19 will go too’.

“Mami but simple things, sanitize, wash hands regularly, avoid contact”

“Your type cannot give husband peace. You argue  much. Anyway, if anything at all my anointing oil from Jerusalem, still remaining”

She says relaxing into her gold chairs and resumes her counting.

“Tonty tere, tonty four, tonty five..”

“But, Mami , faith without works is vain!”

Modupe stares spitefully and ignores Oluchi this time who sets out to get their lunch from @anikee.o She had barely gotten into a cab when she felt her phone vibrate in her denim skirt.

It was her mother she had began with the regular pleasantries and said so much about sending a dirty slap from Onitsha if she did not obey  her Madam who was responsible for her schooling.

Oluchi had said little lately, personally observing prevention procedures. Modupe would laugh loudly whenever she saw Oluchi  in the well fitted face mask made by @gabys_concept , when she sanitized her hands too. It was an outburst  that left Modupe almost choking on her way to Church when she found Modupe conducting Sunday School over her small laptop .

Oluchi was usually out before Modupe whose church was an hour farther, rising in the early hours had become a norm since she was appointed the new Sunday School Teacher at The Kingdom Campus Fellowship.

Modupe laughed off her feverish symptoms as well and couldn't hide her irritation when Oluchi had suggested she gets a proper check up at the hospital after she had complained incessantly of a headache that left her bed ridden.

“Fimi le jare," Modupe snapped, sweating profusely. 

She  found Modupe's lifeless body on her bed when she  checked on her in the middle of the night.

She had cried her eyes out even at the isolation centre.

“Negative”

The NCDC official said to her after series of questions that had him placing a thermometer close to her forehead.

It was an ugly feeling, a subdued joy that engulfed her as she left the isolation centre days later.

‘Mama, we are leaving now," Oluchi said over the phone as the driver started the bus.

"Iji mask?"

‘Yes mama’

‘Chukwu gozie gi’, her mother prayed as she journeyed to Onitsha immediately the interstate lockdown was relaxed, she would tell of her last moments with Modupe and how she was laid to rest in Osogbo, she knew her mother would weep so bad, it would break her.

           Merit  Gogo-fyneface

N/B This is a work of fiction, any similarities with real life characters is purely a coincidence.

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CEO MOMENTS: OUR MOMENT WITH EMMANUEL GILLAND OF NUEL'S MEDIA

Tell us about yourself

My name is Gilliland Emmanuel, a first class graduate of Chemical Engineering at Covenant University Ota. I am also the Founder and               CEO Nuel's Media  and the President, Land Incorpuration Group, which Nuel's Media is a subsidiary to. I am Nigerian/British, I hold four    Degrees and five Professional qualifications (ranging from Engineering, Computer Science, Entrepreneurship, Business Administration etc.)                      Basically very simple and just your regular guy.

 How did you start Nuel's Media is this something you've always wanted to do?

Funny thing is I and my Partner and colleague Mr Ugochukwu Emmanuel Ibua were thinking of starting our own media company, since it  was what we both wanted to do and on that note, we were on a sit-out at a friend's house, and his sister suggested since we both bear the name,  "EMMANUEL" we should tag our brand "Nuel's Media" and that was how we started from Lagos and then couple of years  later, we moved our company to Port Harcourt,Rivers State.

 How long have you been in the industry and what are the challenges so far?

We will be five this year and for the challenges, it's basically the fact that  equipments are very expensive and most clients want to pay less, but we are bridging   lthose gaps. 

 How do you unwind after hours of work work and work?

 First off, nothing away from more work because our company is at its peak and we cannot afford to slow down now.

        Secondly, We are in a community where once you slow down, they look for the next person with action and we at Nuel's Media, cannot at           this point take that chance due to the large number of people venturing into the Media Business and Tech Media is the new "oil"

What else do you get up to a way from photography?

 Well, I am a Graphics Designer, I write proposals, I am an Idealist, I am also a Chemical Engineer. I also write. These  were the things l did to fund the company, Nuel's media during the early days. But you would be shocked, I have put all these on hold to focus on  Nuel's Media because the company is growing rapidly and we must give our all at this point so i have neglected 

What's your philosophy of life?

God, Family, Love and Hardwork.

 Where do you see Nuel's Media in the next five years

We are hopeful it will be  one of the leading Media Firms in the South South and South East Region of Nigeria, I mean we are almost there and maybe projects for   our permanent site will be on concluded.

Are there any new projects to watch out for?

Well, watch our for our short Films, we intend to shoot in the best qualities that we can find and we also are planning to submit some  for  the AMVCA, as soon as we finish the projects, currently we have about about seven of them we should begin just after the pandemic.

        Secondly, Watch out for our Documentaries, Talk Shows, Music Videos, amongst others we have got a couple of projects in the works 

Amongst your works, which is your favorite so far and why?

 A good Mother does not have afavorite amongst her children, to this end all our works for now are our favorites and our babies and they are   also very precious to us as a team 

 Whose work has influenced you the most?

Well, we have a lot but basically, we do combinations of crafts in other-words, we study lhow it is done by foreign company's in the media and also look at some productions in Africa and that's where our influence comes from but  we have so many Nigerian, Asian, Uk and American influence but we also do love most of Kelechi Amadi, Alakija, Ty Bello, George Okoro,            Big H Studios, Mideway, Robert Peters, Tosin Igho, Clerence Peters, Director Boy, Joseph Otekume, Elijah, Elf Rivera, Amongst other  great men and women in the industry and trust me when I say they all have their roles they play to influence and enhance our growth.

 What's the one thing you wish you knew when you had started?

Well, we did come prepared but if we had a little bit of financial support and also genuine people not posers, we would have achieved a  lot and also if we had a legal partner that would have helped us a lot because we did lots of projects and as i speak to you so many people       are owing us as a company and the debts are in millions, Advice if you are starting a business, please get legal support, so you won't be  cheated

Thanks for your time.

Emmanuel Gilland , CEO Nuelzmedia

STYLE FEATURE : HAPPILY FAB DESIGNS

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