Lesson Outcomes
At the end of this lesson you should be able to:
- Find out what Prayer, Testimonies, Giving & Praise mean
- Outline the reasons why we should pray, praise, give and testify of the Lord’s goodness
- Develop a life of prayer, giving, praise and testifying of God’s goodness
PRAYER
Prayer is an invocation or act that seeks to activate a rapport with an object of worship through deliberate communication. In the narrow sense, the term refers to an act of supplication or intercession directed towards a deity, or a deified ancestor.
Some Important reasons why we pray
- Prayer reveals the wisdom of God. (Luke 6:12-16)
- Opens doors of opportunity.
- Eliminates worry and anxiety. (Philippians 4:6-7)
- Sharpens discernment.
- We pray for spiritual empowerment
- We pray for breakthrough
- Prayer helps us to make the right choice in every aspect of our lives
- We build our faith through prayer
- Prayer causes God to rescue us from bondage
- We also pray for divine intervention
- Prayer heals
TESTIMONIES
According to Merriam-Webster, testimony is “a solemn declaration usually made by a witness under oath in response to interrogation by a lawyer or authorized public official; firsthand authentication of a fact; an outward sign; a public profession of a religious experience.”
Testimony is also
- a witness or a proof confirming God’s works
- a way of expressing gratitude and appreciation to God for something done
Why testimonies are important?
- It glorifies God
- You deliver more testimonies as God continues His work in you
- You become a resource for others
- It removes fear and gives courage
- It displays the faithfulness of God
- Testimonies open new doors for us
- Testimony encourage others in the faith
- It also help to build faith and hope in God
Luke 8:39, Rev 12:11, 2 Tim 1:8
PRAISE
Praise is to express approval or admiration of; commend; extol.
It is also to offer grateful homage to (God or a deity), as in words or song
It is also termed as the expression of respect and gratitude as an act of worship.
Praising God is a God-appointed calling. Indeed, God has formed for himself a people “that they may proclaim my [God’s] praise”
This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise. Isaiah 43:21
There are different kinds of praise from the Jewish culture or worship.
- Hallah: This word simply means to boast, brag, or rave about God even to the point of appearing foolish. (Joel 2:26; Psalm: 63:1)
- Yadah: means to worship with extended hands. Yadah praise is used when we are in desperate straits and need a victory from the Lord. (Psalm 134:2)
- Tehillah: means to sing or to laud. Tehillah involves music and singing-especially singing. (Psalm 22:3).
- Zamar: means to pluck the strings of an instrument. Zamar means to sing praises or to touch the strings. Zamar speaks of rejoicing. It is involved with the joyful expression of music. (Psalm 18:1-3)
- Todah: means to shout or to address with a loud voice. (Psalm 56:1-12)
- Shabach: It also means to shout or to address in a loud tone. (Daniel 4:37)
- Barak: It is used to denote blessing.
GIVING
To give means to present voluntarily and without expecting compensation.
The Bible encourages giving that is done voluntarily and with the right motive. It shows that such giving benefits not only the recipient but also the giver. (Proverbs 11:25; Luke 6:38)
A person who generously helps those in need works hand in hand with God, who views such generosity as a loan made to him. (Proverbs 19:17) The Bible teaches that God himself will repay the giver.—Luke 14:12-14.
When is giving improper?
Giving is improper if it is done with ulterior motives. Examples include:
- To impress people.—Matthew 6:2.
- To receive something in return.—Luke 14:12-14.
- To try to buy salvation.—Psalm 49:6, 7.
Memory Verse
Phillipians 4:6-7
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.