Prayer is the rope that pulls God and man together.But, it doesn’t pull God down to us; it pulls us up to him – Bill Graham.
In keeping with our Calling as Navigators and in view of our CORE Value number 5: “Expectant faith and Persevering prayer rooted in the promises of God“;
We wish to see the PURPOSE, PROCESS, and POWER of PRAYER realized by as many as become real Disciples of Jesus Christ through this ministry.
In our illustration of THE OBEDIENT CHRISTIAN, we use
“THE WHEEL” illustration with Vertical spokes representing our relationship with God, through PRAYER to Him and THE WORD from Him, while the horizontal represents our relationship with a man by WITNESSING to non-believers and FELLOWSHIP with believers.
With Christ as THE CENTRE in a Disciple’s life, it will be inevitable that each spoke will require one form of prayer or other.
“And pray in the Spirit on ALL OCCASIONS, with ALL KINDS OF PRAYERS and REQUESTS” Ephesians 6:18.
When the first Navigator Missionary Doug Sparks landed in Kenya in 1956, The founder of this Ministry, Dawson Trotman drowned that day while attempting to save a young swimmer! But on the basis of the Promises, Dawson had claimed in prayer over the years, the ministry was launched in Kenya and Africa!
Today, in view of some of those promises, a Kenyan now leads the Work as The International President of The Navigators!
Expectant faith
It takes a certain longing for something and a given source for there to be expectation. Good knowledge of the source makes it even more realistic to expect some outcome in the end.
Expectant faith must hence be related to the knowledge of the God we believe in as one who can be trusted to deliver as promised. 2Peter 1:3 says, “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and godliness”
Persevering prayer rooted in the promises of God
Picture some young children eagerly awaiting the arrival of the father who has gone on ‘Safari’ and due home soon. Knowing that the father is generous and often arrives with handouts. Only those who know him well will go through any challenge, be it sleepless nights or standing long at the gate for Daddy’s arrival.
On top of what He does to reassure us of who He is, 2 Peter 3:1-4 says, “Through these, He has given us His very great and precious promises.
Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing! James1:4
The concept of perseverance bears with it the background of suffering or endurance!
The kind of suffering that has a sweet ending, the patient child at the door will get Daddy’s sweets! But for us who believe, it has a greater promise with it.
James:1:12 says,“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial because …he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him”
It is all about LIFE IN GOD’S KINGDOM!
-Sarah Mutua
