PRAYER: A JOURNEY WITH GOD

 

The fourth session entitled “Paradigm Shifts in Prayer” by Mr. Martin Jalleh was held on 11^th September 2021.  This was a continuation of the previous week’s session on “Paradigm Shifts” and Making Choices. 

The session began with the participants listening to the song “Our Father” by Don Moen instead of the usual Praise & Worship, followed by an opening prayer.  The session was indeed inspired by the power of the Holy Spirit and Mr. Martin Jalleh imparted his wisdom and knowledge to all that attended the session.  He took us on a spiritual journey, making us think of prayer in a very “creative” way and the sharing’s in the breakout room sessions were beautiful as it was very interesting to know how everyone of us understood prayer differently.

Mr. Martin Jalleh shared that praying does not need to be boring and something that you “have to” do.  However, it can be an enjoyable and meaningful experience that one can look forward to and all that one needs to do is have a change of mindset in prayer.  It is vital that we need to learn, unlearn and relearn to adapt to changes.   The journey is not about us searching for God but God searching for us, as mentioned in 1 John 4:19, “We love, because He first loved us.”  Yes, to have an intimate relationship with God and it is in our brokenness that God can use us as His instrument.  Therefore, we need to pray to be beautifully broken.  In our time of darkness, it is not a waste or a punishment, but it is there so that God can plant his seeds to grow and his bulbs to flower.

He also further shared that one needs to realise that saying prayers is not enough and that we must become prayer, prayer incarnate.  All of our lives in everything that we do must become a hymn of adoration, an offering and a prayer.  We also need to know that sometimes God answers our prayers with a “No” and to trust that God gives us what we need and not we want. That itself is sometimes one of God’s greatest gifts.  He mentioned that prayer is a steering wheel that directs the right path through life and not a “spare wheel” that one uses when in trouble. Our prayer can sometimes be a simple “Thank You”.  At times, there is a need to embrace the silence in prayer as it is pure and holy, for not only when one is comfortable but still can sit without speaking, as mentioned in 1 Samuel 3:10, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening”.  In another reference, as mentioned by Archbishop Desmond Tutu “Communion with God is about trying to grow in just “Being” there.”

He had shared as well that the rituals of a relationship with God is based on faith, facts, feelings, fortitude and faithfulness.  One needs to believe that God is preparing us for something better and we must trust in His plans, as mentioned in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future”.

Mr. Martin Jalleh had linked our Blessed Mother Mary as the perfect example of someone who believes in the power of prayer despite the many trials and tribulations.  She trusted God’s plan and remained focus, as mentioned in the “Magnificat”.

The session ended with a closing prayer and the participants listening to the song “Thank You Lord” by Don Moen.

Below a take from Mr. Martin Jalleh’s session, which I found to be profound:-

For registration and information about the sessions scheduled for Mr. Martin Jalleh’s talks, do register via this link: http://bit.do/choiceklevent2021

We are also available on the following various social media platforms: -

Instagram               :     @choicekl

Facebook                :     Choice Kuala Lumpur

Written by

Sylvia Nirmala

CEKL69