On The Path Of Winners By Bayo Ogunmupe The Secrets of Answered Prayer

On The Path Of Winners

By Bayo Ogunmupe

The Secrets of Answered Prayer

THERE are many kinds of prayers. The prayer of agreement is the best of them. It is our first secret of answered prayer. It is an effective way to speak to the Almighty. Through the prayer of agreement you can effect positive changes in your life, having all your desires met.

  The prayer of agreement involves two or more people coming together to supplicate for one purpose, one need from God. A family prayer is a prayer of agreement whereby spouses pray together to God over a particular need. Such a prayer is easily answered by God faster than one prayed individually.

  Through this prayer, you can resolve issues in your homes, at work or in the country at large. But be sure to follow the rules which say: “If any two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my father, which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them, Matt 18: 19-20.” In this form of prayer, you must be two or more in number, then the prayer “touching anything that they shall ask means, the prayer must be specific.

  In addition, you can be certain that you are going to be answered,” And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us, 1 John 5:14.”

  The second key to answered prayer is trust in God which enables Jehovah to bless you. Jesus said: “Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, He will give it to you, ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full, John 16: 23.” Sadly, many people don't have faith in God and in themselves, so they look to others to pray for them. But God promised to hear you if you only asked.

  “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much, James 5:16.” Jehovah will listen to you only if you are righteous.” The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers, 1 Peter 3:12.”

  The third pillar of the answered prayer is faith. Through faith we understand that God framed, mended, restored and perfected the world. Thus if you apply faith, you can frame, repair, restore and recreate your world according to how you want it. The fourth secret of prayer is diligence. “Seest thou a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men, Prov. 22:29.” “He prayed the most who works hardest” is an aphorism translated from Latin. It affirms work as a form of prayer. The diligent never lacks. “The hand of the diligent maketh rich, Prov. 10:4.” As a businessman, if you are diligent you will prosper and get ahead of your peers and competitors. The scripture says, “The hand of the diligent shall bear rule, but the slothful shall be under tribute, Prov. 12:24.” That means the diligent shall always be the boss of the slothful. By faithful and diligently executing your tasks you become great.

  The fifth secret of answered prayer is praying in order to communicate with God. Being in communion with God enables you to obtain God’s full attention. It’s wrong to pray only when we need something from God. Prayer time is a period of rich fellowship with our creator. Through prayer you participate in joyful supplication with God along with other spirit beings in the universe. Being in constant communion with God enables your prayers to be answered without delay. Key six to answered prayer is hard work. “he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent, Pro 28:20.” The Bible says there is profit in all labour (Prov. 14: 23). As you sow, so shall you reap! Those who steal, defraud others or the nation cannot have permanent success. Neither can their wealth be transferred safely to their offsprings. The moneys disappear along the way. “Bread of deceit is sweet to a man, but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel, Prov. 20:17.” Riches come through the wisdom of God, therefore, “Labour not to be rich, cease from thine own wisdom, Prov. 23:4.” Embrace God’s wisdom by diligently pursuing your vocation and riches will come to you.

  And finally, the seventh pillar of answered prayer is creativity. Develop a creative mind, a creative approach to issues. “For as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he, Prov. 23:7.” Paul admonishes us in Romans that we be transformed in the character of our minds. That means you should renew your mind through meditation. Your mindset, the quality of your mind determines your greatness and the promptitude with which God hearkens to your prayers. Mount a garrison over your heart, don't let just anything come in. refine your thinking, pray differently today from that of yesterday. Love what you do. Love your neighbours, for you never lose for loving. Hatred, iniquity and sin hinder your prayers. God does not bless sinners. Don't seek riches in a hurry. Remember, God is always with you. “I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen, Matt 28:20.”

  Our champion for today is John Pemberton, the man who formulated Coca-Cola. Pemberton (1831-1888) originated Coca-Cola in 1886 in Atlanta, Georgia, USA where he practiced pharmacy. His bookkeeper, Frank Robinson chose the name for the drink and penned it in flowing script that became the Coca-Cola trademark. Coca-Cola is a sweetened carbonated beverage that has become a cultural institution in the United States. It is a symbol around the world of American tastes. Pemberton originally touted Coca-Cola as a tonic for the cure of common ailments. It is based on cocaine from the coca leaf and caffeine extracted from kolanut. The cocaine was removed from coca-cola’s formula in 1905.

  Pemberton sold his syrup to local soda fountains but with advertising, the drink became phenomenally successful. By 1891, another Atlanta pharmacist, Asa Candler (1851-1929) had secured complete ownership of the Coca-Cola company for a total cash outlay of $2,300. He incorporated the Coca-Cola company in 1892. Sales and profits soared under Candler’s leadership and in the following decade, plants were established in Texas, Los Angeles, Philadelphia and Canada. By 1899, bottling and sale of the syrup spread throughout the world. Such sale and licensing system started by Coca-Cola formed the basis of a unique distribution system that now characterizes most of the American soft-drink industry.

  In 1919, the company was sold for $25 million to a group of investors led by Atlanta businessman, Ernest Woodruff, whose son, Robert Woodruff as president and chairman, guided the company for 30 years (1923-55).

  After World War II, Coca-Cola saw diversification in its packaging and in the development of new products.

  In 1946, the company bought Fanta previously developed in Germany. It introduced the lemon-lime drink sprite in 1961 and the sugar-free cola Tab in 1963. Today, products of Coca-Cola company are consumed at the rate of more than one billion drinks per day.