Bible – Bible Society of Zimbabwe

What is prayer?

Just as how we communicate in order to keep our relations intact, we should also be in constant touch with our Father in Heaven. One way of doing that is through prayer. Prayer is the communication between us and God. We can boldly go to Him in prayer and tell him how we feel, what we desire, seek guidance etc. Prayer is giving our attention to God in a two-way spiritual relationship where we talk to God and also listen to Him. Prayer is like a child’s conversation with their father. It is natural for a child to ask his father for the things they need, or to ask for advice or guidance.

Who should pray?

Prayer is an open invitation extended to everyone, regardless of their circumstances, background, or status. The Bible is explicit in its encouragement for all people to engage in prayer. In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV), the Apostle Paul encourages believers by saying, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” This passage conveys that prayer is not limited to a select few but is a continuous and open invitation for all believers.

So to answer the question, “YOU” should pray.

Why should you pray?

When you receive Christ into your heart, you become a child of God and have the privilege of talking to Him in prayer at any time about anything. The Christian life is a personal relationship to God through Jesus Christ. And best of all, it is a relationship that will last for all eternity.

There are many promises in God’s Word to encourage us to pray, such as: “He shall call upon me and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him” (Psalm 91:15); “And it shall come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear” (Isaiah 65:24); “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7). These Scriptures assure us that God hears and answers prayer.

When should you pray?

You should pray at all times.

1 Thessalonians 5 v 17 “Pray without ceasing”.

The Bible is clear that we should pray always–And we should. However, there are some circumstances in our lives that should trigger immediate prayer. Here are examples of circumstances that should trigger prayer.

1. When you are happy.

“Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.” James 1:13

2. When you are tempted. “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil” (Matt. 6:13).

“Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41

3. When you are worried. The Bible teaches us to cast their burdens on the Lord.

Paul wrote, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God” (Phil. 4:6).

4. When you have a great decision to make or problem to solve: The Bible teaches that,” If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” (James. 1:5).

5. When you are discouraged: In living the Christian life, you should not quit. You need to turn to God in prayer. Jesus said,“Men ought always to pray, and not to faint” (Lk. 18:1).Paul said, “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints” (Ephesians. 6:18). When you are discouraged, ask God to send you some help in the form of other Christians.

6. When you have sinned.: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1John: 1:7-9).

Where should you pray?

This question has a lot of different answers, and thank goodness it does. God hears your prayers no matter where you’re praying. In the Bible, people prayed in houses, in closets, on mountaintops, in deserts, late at night, early in the morning, before meals, and after battles. So maybe it doesn’t really matter where your body is during prayer and at what time you pray. Instead, it’s about where your heart is when you pray. Any time you want or need to talk with God, that’s when you should pray. Any place you need to feel the influence of His love, that’s where you should pray. You don’t have to wait for the perfect time or place (or the perfect you). Just pray. God will hear you.

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.-2

Get ready to dive deep into Independence Day, celebrated every 18th of April in Zimbabwe! It’s not just about parties and flags waving high, it’s a chance to think big. We’re talking about freedom, justice, and how Zimbabwe broke free from the past. And guess what? The Bible has a lot to say about all of this! So, let’s see how its stories help us understand why Independence Day is such a big deal.”

Freedom from Slavery

The story of when the Israelites got free from being slaves in Egypt, like it says in the Book of Exodus, is a lot like what countries go through when they want to be independent.. Through divine intervention and the leadership of Moses, the Israelites were liberated from the oppressive rule of Pharaoh and embarked on a journey toward the Promised Land, Canaan (Exodus 12 – Numbers 33). This narrative underscores the biblical principle that God desires freedom for His people and calls upon individuals to resist bondage and oppression.

Justice and Equality

The prophets from the Bible always said that fairness and being equal are really important. They told leaders and everyone else to treat people who are pushed aside or treated badly with respect and fairness. The prophet Isaiah exhorted, “Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow” (Isaiah 1:17, NIV). Independence Day serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for justice and equality, echoing the prophetic call to advocate for the rights of all individuals, regardless of their social status or background.

Responsibility and Promise

While Independence Day commemorates the attainment of freedom, it also underscores the responsibility that comes with it. The biblical narrative emphasizes the importance of living in accordance with God’s laws and upholding moral principles. The promise between God and the Israelites, symbolised by the giving of the Ten Commandments, serves as a reminder that true freedom is found in obedience to divine guidance. ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.” (Exodus 19 v 4-6 NIV).

Conclusion

Independence Day offers an opportunity to reflect on the biblical principles of freedom, justice, and liberation. As you celebrate the attainment of independence, may you also heed the lessons of the Bible, striving to uphold justice, equality, and freedom in our societies. May you be inspired by the courage and resilience of those who have fought for liberation, and may you continue to pursue a world where all individuals can experience the blessings of true freedom.

1 I am Isaiah, the son of Amoz.

And this is the message that I was given about Judah and Jerusalem when Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah were the kings of Judah:

A Guilty Nation

2 The Lord has said,

“Listen, heaven and earth!

The children I raised

have turned against me.

3 Oxen and donkeys know

who owns and feeds them,

but my people won't ever learn.”

4 Israel, you are a sinful nation

loaded down with guilt.

You are wicked and corrupt

and have turned from the Lord,

the holy God of Israel.

5 Why be punished more?

Why not give up your sin?

Your head is badly bruised,

and you are weak all over.

6 From your head to your toes

there isn't a healthy spot.

Bruises, cuts, and open sores

go without care

or oil to ease the pain.

A Country in Ruins

7 Your country lies in ruins;

your towns are in ashes.

Foreigners and strangers

take and destroy your land

while you watch.

8 Enemies surround Jerusalem,

alone like a hut

in a vineyard

or in a cucumber field.

9 Zion would have disappeared

like Sodom and Gomorrah,

if the Lord All-Powerful

had not let a few

of its people survive.

Justice, Not Sacrifices

10 You are no better

than the leaders and people

of Sodom and Gomorrah!

So listen to the Lord God:

11 “Your sacrifices

mean nothing to me.

I am sick of your offerings

of rams and choice cattle;

I don't like the blood

of bulls or lambs or goats.

12 “Who asked you to bring all this

when you come to worship me?

Stay out of my temple!

13 Your sacrifices are worthless,

and your incense disgusting.

I can't stand the evil you do

on your New Moon Festivals

or on your Sabbaths

and other times of worship.

14 I hate your New Moon Festivals

and all others as well.

They are a heavy burden

I am tired of carrying.

15 “No matter how much you pray,

I won't listen.

You are too violent.

16 Wash yourselves clean!

I hate your filthy deeds.

Stop doing wrong

Exploring Independence Day Through Biblical Lens

and learn to live right.

See that justice is done.

Defend widows and orphans

and help the oppressed.”

An Invitation from the Lord

18 I, the Lord, invite you

to come and talk it over.

Your sins are scarlet red,

but they will be whiter

than snow or wool.

19 If you willingly obey me,

the best crops in the land

will be yours.

20 But if you turn against me,

your enemies will kill you.

I, the Lord, have spoken.

The Lord Condemns Jerusalem

21 Jerusalem, you are like

an unfaithful wife.

Once your judges were honest

and your people lived right;

now you are a city

full of murderers.

22 Your silver is fake,

and your wine

is watered down.

23 Your leaders have rejected me

to become friends of crooks;

your rulers are looking

for gifts and bribes.

Widows and orphans

never get a fair trial.

24 I am the Lord All-Powerful,

the mighty ruler of Israel,

and I make you a promise:

You are now my enemy,

and I will show my anger

by taking revenge on you.

25 I will punish you terribly

and burn away everything

that makes you unfit

to worship me.

26 Jerusalem, I will choose

judges and advisors

like those you had before.

Your new name will be

“Justice and Faithfulness.”

The Lord Will Save Jerusalem

27 Jerusalem, you will be saved

by showing justice;

Zion's people who turn to me

will be saved

by doing right.

28 But those rebellious sinners

who turn against me, the Lord,

will all disappear.

29 You will be made ashamed

of those groves of trees

where you worshiped idols.

30 You will be like a grove of trees

dying in a drought.

31 Your strongest leaders

will be like dry wood

set on fire by their idols.

No one will be able to help,

as they all go up in flames.

1 A vision of Isaiah, the sonne of Amoz, which he sawe concerning Iudah and Ierusalem: in the dayes of Vzziah, Iotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah Kings of Iudah. 2 Heare, O heauens, and hearken, O earth: for the Lord hath sayde, I haue nourished and brought vp children, but they haue rebelled against me. 3 The oxe knoweth his owner, and the asse his masters crib: but Israel hath not knowen: my people hath not vnderstand. 4 Ah, sinfull nation, a people laden with iniquitie: a seede of the wicked, corrupt children: they haue forsaken the Lord: they haue prouoked the holy one of Israel to anger: they are gone backewarde. 5 Wherefore shoulde ye be smitten any more? for ye fall away more and more: the whole head is sicke, and the whole heart is heauie. 6 From the sole of the foote vnto the head, there is nothing whole therein, but wounds, and swelling, and sores full of corruption: they haue not bene wrapped, nor bound vp, nor mollified with oyle. 7 Your land is waste: your cities are burnt with fire: strangers deuoure your lande in your presence, and it is desolate like the ouerthrowe of strangers. 8 And the daughter of Zion shall remaine like a cotage in a vineyarde, like a lodge in a garden of cucumbers, and like a besieged citie. 9 Except the Lord of hostes had reserued vnto vs, euen a small remnant: we should haue bene as Sodom, and should haue bene like vnto Gomorah. 10 Heare the worde of the Lord, O princes of Sodom: hearken vnto the Law of our God, O people of Gomorah. 11 What haue I to doe with the multitude of your sacrifices, sayth the Lord? I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and of the fat of fed beasts: and I desire not the blood of bullocks, nor of lambs, nor of goates. 12 When ye come to appeare before me, who required this of your hands to tread in my courts? 13 Bring no more oblations, in vaine: incense is an abomination vnto me: I can not suffer your newe moones, nor Sabbaths, nor solemne dayes (it is iniquitie) nor solemne assemblies. 14 My soule hateth your newe moones and your appointed feastes: they are a burden vnto me: I am weary to beare them. 15 And when you shall stretch out your hands, I wil hide mine eyes from you: and though ye make many prayers, I wil not heare: for your hands are full of blood. 16 Wash you, make you cleane: take away the euill of your workes from before mine eyes: cease to doe euill. 17 Learne to doe well: seeke iudgement, relieue the oppressed: iudge the fatherlesse and defend the widowe. 18 Come nowe, and let vs reason together, sayth the Lord: though your sinnes were as crimsin, they shalbe made white as snowe: though they were red like skarlet, they shalbe as wooll. 19 If ye consent and obey, ye shall eate the good things of the land. 20 But if ye refuse and be rebellious, ye shalbe deuoured with the sword: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. 21 Howe is the faithfull citie become an harlot? it was full of iudgement, and iustice lodged therein, but now they are murtherers. 22 Thy siluer is become drosse: thy wine is mixt with water. 23 Thy Princes are rebellious and companions of theeues: euery one loueth giftes, and followeth after rewards: they iudge not the fatherlesse, neither doeth the widowes cause come before them. 24 Therefore sayth the Lord God of hostes, the mightie one of Israel, Ah, I will ease me of mine aduersaries, and auenge me of mine enemies. 25 Then I will turne mine hand vpon thee, and burne out thy drosse, till it be pure, and take away all thy tinne. 26 And I will restore thy iudges as at the first, and thy counsellers as at the beginning: afterward shalt thou be called a citie of righteousnes, and a faithfull citie. 27 Zion shall be redeemed in iudgement, and they that returne in her, in iustice. 28 And the destruction of the transgressers and of the sinners shalbe together: and they that forsake the Lord, shalbe consumed. 29 For they shalbe confounded for the okes, which ye haue desired, and ye shall be ashamed of the gardens, that ye haue chosen. 30 For ye shalbe as an oke, whose leafe fadeth: and as a garden that hath no water. 31 And the strong shall be as towe, and the maker thereof, as a sparke: and they shall both burne together, and none shall quench them.

Isaiah 1