Theme: “Prayer and Gratitude as Interconnected Weapons for a Believer in the Midst of Life’s Storms.”

Text: Deuteronomy 8:7-8; Habakkuk 3:17-19; Philippians 4:6-7

Speaker: John Mayele

For a Canoe (or a small boat) to move forward, and more importantly, to move straight, it requires two paddles. If only one paddle is used, on one side, the canoe will move in circles instead of progressing forward. This simple illustration helps us understand the important of Prayer and Gratitude in a believer’s walk with God.

In every situation a believer finds himself or herself in, through prayer we acknowledge that God is present an in control, and through gratitude we acknowledge that it is God who has been sustaining us all along. These two are not optional; they are essential spiritual weapons, especially in the midst of life’s storms

In Deuteronomy 8:7–8, the Lord promised the Israelites a good land, described as: “A good land, a land with streams and pools of water, with springs flowing in the valleys and hills; a land with wheat and barley, vines and fig trees, pomegranates, olive oil and honey; a land where bread will not be scarce and you will lack nothing; a land where the rocks are iron and you can dig copper out of the hills.”

Because of God’s righteousness and faithfulness, He fulfilled His promise and brought the Israelites into this good land. However, God also called them to safeguard His promises by living a life of obedience.

Like the Israelites, we must remain assured that the Lord will keep all the promises we find in His Word. Therefore, we are called to remain grateful to the Lord. Gratitude is a response to God’s faithfulness and provision. At the same time, just as it was for Israel, we must remember that God’s promises are enjoyed as we choose to obey His Word. Disobedience can hinder the enjoyment of what God has already promised. Therefore, believers must also remain prayerful, asking God to keep us faithful and obedient to Him. Prayer keeps our hearts aligned with God’s will and helps us depend on His grace daily

At a certain point in history, the children of Israel chose to sin and disobey God’s Word. In His justice, God disciplined them, and they could no longer enjoy the favor associated with the Promised Land as described in Habakkuk 3:17: “Though the fig-tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive oil crop fails, the field produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls”. Yet the prophet Habakkuk chose to rejoice and remain joyful in the Lord, His savior (Hab.3:18). Therefore, joy is a choice that believers should make as they live in this world distorted by sin for God has promised us His peace as we present our request to Him by prayer and petition with thanksgiving (Phil. 4:6-7)