Life Lesson: Prayer

Prayer is critical to the kingdom living. The Lord Jesus Christ Himself is the man of prayer; always one with God, lives in God’s presence, trusts in God, and Satan has nothing to do with Him. In Matthew 6, He has taught us and shown the pattern of prayer. So that the kingdom of God may come on earth and the will of the Father may be done on earth. This is the will of the Father, and for this to accomplish, He taught us how to pray. In fact, the only way to fulfill God's eternal plan is by being like the Lord Jesus Christ, the man of prayer, being able to express and represent God on the earth today.

These days, I also have been very burdened by the Lord to pray for the burdens He blessed me with. By His mercy, I have been graced to be able to pray the Lord’s bestowed prayers upon me. Such being the case, I have been praying myself, and helping others to be a man of prayer too, as the Lord Jesus is. Time and again, whenever I got the opportunity, my burden released to my fellow believers has constantly been on prayer life and the burden for prayer.

Yesterday, as I was ministering the word on the Lord’s Day's prophesying meeting, I released my burden on prayer, the prayer that is critical for the kingdom life. As I prayed over the day before, the Lord gave me the following points, His message concerning prayer.

Set Time to Pray: First and foremost, one must set time to pray. Without time for prayer, it was even pointless to talk about prayer. Therefore, I encouraged all the saints to sanctify their times daily in a way of setting a specific time for prayer. Perhaps, five, ten, or fifteen minutes; even better is, one or two hours a day. This is the base upon which one can build his prayer life.

Learn How To Pray: Second, one must learn how to pray genuine prayers. One must strictly avoid religious prayers or babbling prayers that may not be prayer at all. For this, there is a need to learn to pra,y expressing the Father's will. But this requires knowing the Father’s will as revealed in the word and through the ministry of the word.

And in praying do not babble empty words as the Gentiles do; for they suppose that in their multiplicity of words they will be heard. (Matthew 6:7, RecVer)

The Lord Jesus Himself, as the man of prayer, is the pattern one can follow. Daniel is another pattern who prays three times a day, kneeling with his window open towards Jerusalem. This indicates that Daniel knew the word of God and the will of God and prays accordingly. So, we must learn from the patterns set in the Holy Scriptures; know the will of God and pray the will of God.

Now when Daniel came to know that the writing had been signed, he went to his house (in his upper room he had windows open toward Jerusalem) and three times daily he knelt on his knees and prayed and gave thanks before his God, because he had always done so previously. (Daniel 6:10, RecVer)

As one prays, genuine prayer will usher the praying one into the presence of God and will pray towards God’s interest as Daniel does; towards Christ as the good land typified by the holy land, the church as the kingdom of God typified by the holy city, and the church as the house of God typified by the holy temple. So, whatever or whoever one prays for, it must all be directed towards Christ and the church as God’s house and God's kingdom.

Result of Prayer: Genuine prayers will always result in being filled with the all-inclusive riches of Christ, typified by the loaves, fish, and egg; the riches of the land, water, and air. These riches are in the Holy Spirit that supplies the praying one richly and fills him to the extent that there will be no room for Satan, demons, evil spirits, and darkness but be filled with life and light to supply and enlighten others.

But what father among you whose son shall ask for a fish will instead of a fish hand him a snake? Or if he shall also ask for an egg will hand him a scorpion? If you then being evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father who is from heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him! (Luke 11:11-13, RecVer)

In this way of genuine prayer, God will have a way to fulfill His will on the earth, establish His kingdom on the earth as He taught us to pray. 

You then pray in this way: Our Father who is in the heavens, Your name be sanctified; Your kingdom come; Your will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth. (Matthew 6:9-10, RecVer)

Lord, grace us to set time to pray every day. Lord, teach us to pray Your prayer every day. Amen.

God of Small Thing

Fifteen years ago, we purchased a car as an answer to our prayers for our family's need for transportation. In fact, when our second child was born, we realised the need for a car, as we used to use only two-wheelers. The Lord, then, provided the money to buy a new car, though I initially intended for an old one due to a shortage in budget. However, the Lord knew our need better than we knew ourselves. He just provided the money to buy a brand new car! Even then, I contemplated buying a cheaper one, but my wife was wise enough to suggest a better one for the long run. And true she was indeed, the car became very useful for the past fifteen years, the same age as our son. 

Today, our car has expired according to the government's vehicle rule. So, we had to scrap it and book a new one. Therefore, as a family, we took our family photos with the car and bid her goodbye. And then, I did my last drive to submit it to a car dealer and planned for a new one, a much bigger car and a better one too, as the Lord has faithfully provided for a new car. And finally, posted in our family group, the photos we took of our old car, with a caption:

Today, our car turned 15 and had to be scrapped according to the law of the land. 

Faithful indeed, all her life long...

Yes, faithful indeed she was, all her life long.

This is a testimony of trusting in the Lord, the Lord’s provision of our needs, and the Lord’s faithful supply. Of course, this is just a small material matter, but it was through such a small thing that God became subjective and real. He indeed is also the God of small things.

Fellowships in Goa

The visit to Goa this time was very unique. Though it was for the ministry literature distribution, it was also truly for the shepherding of the saints. Some saints were in need of fellowship and shepherding as they had been through difficult situations, mostly in their family lives, and some in their marriage lives. Though we had no intention for this kind of shepherding fellowship, the Lord arranged the situation in such a way that we spent every night visiting a family with special fellowship according to their needs.

In the first two nights and the last night of the distribution week, we fellowshipped with two families on the need to enjoy the Lord daily through prayer and the word for the Lord’s strong testimony and intensified move in the local church. I also shared my testimony of how the Lord led me in many practical aspects of my life and service. I believe the saints were supplied through the fellowship as they responded to the fellowship in a very positive way. One key point was, we also prayed together strongly for His move in Goa.

On the third night, we met a brother and his family who had lost his wife a few years ago. As there was a situation in the church involving this brother which was made known to me, I fellowshipped with his family on oneness and the prerequisite to maintain the oneness in the church using Ephesians 4:1-3 and the need to exercise our spirit to come to the Lord in prayer and in the word, and also to be in the fellowship of the saints as practical as possible. The family, especially his son, received the fellowship very well. I believe the Lord will fully restore this brother's soul and recover his full function for His testimony.

On the fourth night, the Lord led us to another couple whom I had met some fifteen years ago. They used to be regular for the church meetings; however, due to distance and health reasons, they have not been meeting with the saints for some time now. Besides, they also went through a strained relationship. To them, as the Lord led, I fellowshipped in love as their brother in the Lord, the need to recover and revive their personal and corporate time with the Lord. As they are elderly saints now, I encouraged them to pick up the ministry of prayer, which is their reasonable service at their age. In that way, the Lord can preserve their usefulness in the Body. Then, we all prayed together. 

On the third and sixth nights, we had a time of fellowship with our host's family. This brother used to serve full-time, and now,  in a way of taking up a job, he and his wife still serve. To me, it was a period of going through a long-dark tunnel to learn to live by faith. As I fellowshiped with the couple, I encouraged them to take care of their daily enjoyment of the Lord personally in prayer and in the word, and also as husband and wife. Though they shared about the difficulties they have been passing through, I encouraged them to reckon it as a "life training" the Lord graced them as a preparation for their future service and usefulness to the Lord and His Body. Of course, I also testified of how the Lord trained my wife and me in many practical aspects of our married life; living by faith, trusting in Him for all practical matters, especially the divine love, oneness, and fellowship we exercised. Then, we all prayed together. 

Every night, the Lord led me to fellowship with different families according to their needs. This was one reason why the Lord led me to Goa this time. Daytime for ministry literature distribution and nighttime for family fellowships. 

May the Lord bless all the families He led me to fellowship and all the Christian leaders we met for the ministry literature introduction and distribution. 

Ministry of the Word in Goa: Loutolim, Margao, Vasco, Panaji

During the few days of the ministry distribution in Goa, as the Lord led, we met the key Christian brothers in the following localities. 

Loutolim

The Lord led us to a brother who was also pastoring a church and whose wife joined us later, along with another brother. Starting with the Holy Bible Recovery Version, I introduced the ministry literature book by book. The flow of life was so rich and sweet as I introduced the ministry books in a way of ministering the word. The Lord blessed us with His rich presence, and the brother purchased the entire set of the ministry books in Hindi and in English. He and his wife also shared their testimonies of how the Lord called them to serve in the locality they were in, yet serving the people from the North of India, mostly from a gentile background. May the Lord recover and bless His testimony in Luotolim.

Margao 

Though not planned, we were introduced to one of the key brothers in Margao. With him, we spent a good amount of time introducing the ministry books, which impressed him very much. Meanwhile, as an answer to his query on how I came into contact with the ministry, I also shared my testimony briefly. Then, with prayers, we left for the next appointment. May the word of God take deep root in many of His children in Margao.

Vasco Da Gama

The Lord in His sovereignty led us to a young Pastor to whom we introduced the ministry literature. Then, together with his senior Pastor, we had a time of fellowship while introducing the ministry books on selected titles. In this way, we had a wonderful time of brotherly fellowship. This senior brother is also the key Christian leader among the Christian groups in Vasco. May the Lord one day recover His remnants and His testimony in Vasco.

Panaji 

In this capital city, we met some Christian leaders who were available to meet for the introduction of the ministry literature. To whomsoever the Lord led us, we exercised our spirit and introduced the ministry. To us, it was the ministry seed sown into their being. Now, they have come to know more and also received the ministry books. May the Lord, in His time, bring forth the harvest of all that we have shown into the being of those we met in Panaji. 

Locality by locality, as the Lord led us, we went to visit all the key Christian leaders in their offices and homes. Whatever the Lord allowed us to do, wherever He opened the door for His move, we faithfully followed Him, step by step. Now, we leave the rest to the Lord, and we trust the Lord that in His own good time, He will raise up what He desires to raise up in Goa.

In all these, our meetings with our fellowship Christian brethren were in the principle of following the living star. One contact after another, though not knowing anything beforehand, we enjoyed the flow of life in all the fellowships through the ministry books introduction. 

Goa for Christ and for the church!

Ministry of the Word to Mapusa, Goa

Our first meeting in Mapusa was with a brother who was closely involved with a Christian organisation, yet very hungry for the truth. The moment we arrived at his house, I wasted no time and introduced the ministry books, starting with the Recovery Version. Once he was clear about the riches of the ministry books, he purchased the entire set of all the ministry books we brought to him in Hindi and in English. 

Then, I learned that his father and his younger brother's family members were not yet saved. So, I requested the unsaved members to be gathered together for a gospel message. I did so, as it was the Spirit who led me inwardly. 

I preached the gospel in Hindi, the mystery of human life, and showed them how to believe and receive the Lord Jesus by prayer. However, I made it very clear to them that it was their personal choice whether to believe into the Lord Jesus Christ or not. Should he wish to believe so, I gave them the free will to choose to pray or not to pray the sinner's prayer. I prayed sentence by sentence and gave them the time and the freedom to pray or not to pray. Therefore, I concluded the gospel message and salvation prayer in Hindi. As I did so, I heard the prayers of the new ones according to their free will. According to the Scripture, He who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved (Acts 2:21; Romans 10:13). May the Lord save the entire household.

After this, we met two other Pastors, one on the roadside, and the others at a coffee stall where I introduced the ministry literature in a way of ministering the word of God. 

The following day, a brother came to meet with us, who initially was in a very defensive mode, wondering if we were cultic. Then, I introduced the minsitry books and asked him to examine every word I spoke if it was biblical or not. As I introduced the ministry using the lessons on the mystery of human life, assurance, security, and joy of salvation, and the Recovery Version, quoting Bible verse after Bible verse, he was so impressed. All his doubts were cleared, and he received the ministry books with a promise to introduce them to others in his circle.

Then, we were led to a young brother who further led us to the main Pastor all over Goa. To him, we presented the Recovery Version using Ephesians 1:5, Matthew 1, and some selected ministry books. Then, he brought up the matter of the local church and the ministry of Watchman Nee and Witness Lee being rumoured as "cultic or heretic." Immediately, I clarified to him the false accusations leveled against the "local church movement" and presented the Christian Research Institute Journal on "We Were Wrong." I also expounded the truth concerning the Triune God in contrast to the heretical teachings of Tritheism and Modalism. After I ministered the word sufficiently, I presented the minsitry books to the Pastor. However, he confessed that he had not been reading physical books as he switched over to electronic version on his iPad or iPhone, so he preferred the electronic version to which I mentioned the availability of the minsitry resources online, which he vaguely promised to read online. Then, as a Christian brother, I requested him to pray as we met and were about to depart. He prayed for us and blessed us.

A few days later, we met a brother who is a Bible College owner and also a Pastor. I enjoyed a wonderful time of introducing the ministry literature, after which he bought the entire English set of the ministry books.

In this way, the Lord led us to meet the key Christian leaders in Mapusa. May the Lord bless them with the healthy teaching of the ministry of the word.

Lord’s Move to Goa

A week ago, I just enjoyed the Lord’s up-to-date speaking on following the living star that led to the Lord Jesus Christ. The following week, I ventured on to follow the living star to Goa. 

In fact, I had no plan to travel for whatever purpose in the month of December, as I had travelled a lot already for the year 2025. I also had a plan to bring my father and mother to Gurugram for a family visit and medical checkups. However, when a brother called me up for a distribution plan in December, I frankly told him that I had no plan to travel as I had a family plan. But I was cautious in my answer as I would not miss the Lord’s plan if it was truly so. So, I only replied that I would pray over and consider before the Lord, though the proposal was against my personal plan. As I prayed, I realised this was of the Lord. Therefore, I changed my plan and decided to go for the minsitry of the word Literature journey to Goa.

This was my third trip to Goa for the ministry purpose, perhaps, after about a decade. I simply followed the brothers' arrangement and coordinated with them. From day one, I was impressed by the brothers' burden for spreading the ministry literature in Goa, especially to the main Christian leaders, as they realised that the minsitry literature can pave the way for the Lord’s seekers and lovers to be fully gained for the Lord’s testimony in Goa.

During the daytime, we met Christian leaders of different denominations and introduced the ministry. And in the night, we had a time of fellowship with different families of the saints in the church, along with a dinner lovefeast. In this way, day and night, our time in Goa was fruitfully spent.

The local brothers took responsibility for all the practical details of this trip. Though they all were working saints, they finished their works in the morning hours, and after 11 AM, we began the ministry propagation. A brother gave his car to be used for our transportation, and the local church bore all the expenses incurred as part of the church's truth propagation. In this way, this trip was unique as the church received a special grace from the Lord, and I believe, the Lord will bless His move in Goa, and especially, the church in Mapusa.

I don't know when the Lord will take me again to this tourist state. Until then, may the Lord continue His move through the ministry of the word as seeds sown into this land unto its full growth for His glorious testimony. 

Lord, praise You for Your move in Goa.

Baptism on the Twelfth Birthday

He who believes and is baptized shall be saved, but he who does not believe shall be condemned. Mark 16:16 

Today is our youngest daughter's birthday. She turned twelve, and it was a great day, as she was also baptised. The day was both her spiritual and physical birthday! Baptism on her Twelfth Birthday!

For the past few months, she has been praying daily for her baptism, believing into the Lord Jesus Christ as her Savior and experiencing the working of the Holy Spirit in and upon her. As parents, we have been praying for our children's salvation when the Holy Spirit prompted us to start praying for all our children's salvation. All that we could do was to pray and commit them to the Lord. The Lord is faithful in answering all our prayers, especially those prayers points which are according to His heart's desire. For sure, salvation is the heart's desire of God for man. We simply and faithfully prayed and prayed. 

In 2022, our eldest daughter got saved and was baptised in the month of June. In the same year, in the month of November, our son got baptized. Both were the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives and also through the Body as an answer to our prayers for our children. This year, our youngest daughter believed into the Lord Jesus and received Him. Since then, she has been sincerely praying for her own baptism every day. Then, as parents, we realized this was the work of the Holy Spirit, and so we cooperated with the Holy Spirit and started praying for her baptism daily. Even when I was on a ministry literature journey, when I called home every night to pray, we prayed for her baptism.

Last month, as I was considering when to baptise her, I deemed it fit to baptise her on her birthday. Initially, I kept the matter to myself and started praying for this particular date. Then, I mentioned it to my whole family during one of our family prayer meetings. Then, I brought it in fellowship to the brothers in the church. Then, finally, after all the prayers and fellowship in the Body with the Body, today she was baptised. 

Last Tuesday, in our small group meeting, I fellowshiped concerning her baptism and shared the truth concerning baptism with those who were not yet baptized. All the saints prayed for her baptism.

In fact, the past few days and today, the messages I have listened to and pursued are related to the baptism into the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and also into the name of the Lord Jesus. I took those speakings from the Lord as a confirmation of the baptism today.

This baptism was properly fellowshipped and prayed over thoroughly. It was a new experience for me too, in having enough prayers and preparation, and I was graced to baptise my own daughter with whom I have been coordinating in serving the Lord together, both in the church and literature service. The Lord is truly faithful in leading us in every matter. Praise Him! Glory be to Him!

What a coordination! What a testimony! What a blessing! Hallelujah!

Go therefore and disciple all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Matt. 28:19