As the year 2024 draws to a close, I want to acknowledge those dedicated to praying for the advancement of the gospel. There are indeed thousands of people committed to prayer. However, not all prayers align with God’s will. Many prayers primarily are inward-looking, like praying for prosperity, for instance. They often overlook the pressing issues affecting the rest of humanity. There is hope that others pray according to the prayer model given to the disciples. That prayer emphasizes the importance of seeking the will of God to be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.
Reflecting on the activities of the New Civilization website, it is evident that effective prayers have been essential to its longevity. Living in a hostile environment makes it difficult to find a platform for free communication without facing censorship. However, no one can hinder God’s will when He intends to communicate with those He chooses. There are various ways for God’s people to contribute to advancing the gospel, with prayer being perhaps the pinacle. Prayer deserves special recognition, as God’s work cannot progress without it.
Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison. Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands. Then the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and tie on your sandals”; and so he did. And he said to him, “Put on your garment and follow me.” So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him (Acts 12:5-10 NKJV).
The Church of God comprises God’s begotten children, possessing the Holy Spirit. These are the people whose prayers significantly impact the end-time preaching of the gospel. In our modern environment, they exist among sceptics and are known only to God. The multitude of denominations makes it difficult to identify them. However, considering that Jesus stated that the gates of hell shall not prevail against God’s Church, there is no doubt that such people exist. They may not be publicly recognized, but they certainly exist as identified by God, through the Holy Spirit. Jesus indicated that the world cannot recognize them, just as it failed to recognize Him (John 14:19-20).
Since its launch in 2016, the New Civilization website has published over 800 articles, each approximately two thousand words long, resulting in an average of two posts per week. This totals over one million five hundred thousand words. This achievement cannot solely be attributed to my resilience and tenacity; it also suggests the possibility of divine involvement. In Peter’s miraculous release from prison, it was evident that the Church was deeply engaged in prayer. I believe the same holds true for my contribution, as I intend to continue writing for the rest of my life. My only solace comes from expressing what I truly believe, rather than pretending to agree with beliefs that do not resonate with my understanding.
If this is indeed God’s work, I do not deserve any credit, as I recognize that among those who pray to Him, I may simply be an answer to their prayers. This understanding inspires me to dedicate this post to appreciating the efforts of those prayerful individuals. Christ has assured us of His presence through people; however, the Scriptures do not specify particular individuals to fulfil this role. Denominational divisions complicate the identification of those whose prayers are answered through this work. I am no different from anyone else, except for my gratitude toward the visible services of Jesus in our time.
Many founders of Christian denominations claim to have been inspired by God in various ways. However, I do not share that same sense of assurance; instead, I focus on writing what I believe to be true. The rejection and hostility, displayed by some, motivate me, as aware that Jesus mentioned this would be a sign of being on the right path. This rejection, sometimes displayed by friends, does not discourage me. Standing alone serves as a testament to my convictions. While acceptance from others can be personally uplifting, it may also indicate that I am aligning myself with the values of this world.
I welcome criticism from anyone willing to point out where my views may differ from the teachings of Jesus. My commitment to writing is primarily aimed at my personal growth, and I hope to be supported by fellow believers in this journey. I initially found it difficult to express my thoughts clearly without writing them down. I expected those who genuinely disagreed with me to provide scriptural evidence to highlight my mistakes. However, I have not received such critiques since my first publication, which encourages me to continue writing. My open-mindedness remains strong, inspired by Peter’s admonition, as described below:
“And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled. But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defence to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil” (1 Peter 3:13-17 NKJV).
Some readers may question my motivation to write, despite my limited resources and credentials. This is particularly relevant when considering a few have dared to undertake such an endeavour. The answer lies in my faith in God, which compels me to endure suffering for my convictions rather than feign belief in what I do not comprehend. I have not sought to verify whether my content aligns with anyone else’s views, as I choose not to place my trust in humans. My foundation for understanding is solely based on Jesus Christ.
Reaching out to a modest twenty people per day has sometimes been discouraging compared to other Christian platforms on social media. Nonetheless, there is comfort in knowing that Christ never indicated any potential attraction to material content associated with Him. The readership has remained a modest monthly average of six hundred. However, if the content aligns with any Christian institution, that would be a welcome coincidence.
I intend to continue writing what I believe to be true, regardless of whether others agree with me or not. My comfort comes from a strong conviction and a desire not to be alienated from God while conforming to this world. The Bible clearly states that Christians are not of this world, and thus the world should not feel comfortable in their presence. There is no greater freedom than the ability to express my beliefs while being open to critiques. Thanks to advancements in information technology, I feel confident in sharing my views without any limitations from others.
“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.
“Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. O, righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You, and these have known that You sent Me. And I have declared to them Your name and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them” (John 17:20-26 NKJV).
Jesus’ prayer is undoubtedly powerful, and He affirms that He will be present within those who believe in Him. This insight reveals that Jesus remains accessible through true believers. Christians are recognized by their unique spiritual gifts, known only to God. Christ continues to be active in His ministry, and many people are committed to prayer, just as I do through my writing. The fact that Christ takes credit for every aspect of His work helps alleviate my concerns about human limitations. As I reflect on how I have been able to maintain my website, I see God’s hand at work. This assures me that there are individuals dedicated to praying for God’s purposes around the clock, sustaining my ongoing resilience.
Many Christians often hold a partisan perspective, feeling obligated to pray primarily for their own beliefs and interests. However, it is essential to remember that prayer should encompass a broader scope, seeking divine guidance and support for all of humanity. By embracing this inclusive approach, Christians can foster a more harmonious and compassionate world.
Nevertheless, true Christians, who focus on Jesus, do not behave like the Corinthians, whom Paul described as being spiritually “infantile” due to their divisions based on loyalties to different leaders. Paul worked diligently to help them understand that Christianity should not be viewed through such divisions. Those baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are united as one in Christ.
“And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? For when one says, I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not carnal? Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labour” (1 Corinthians 3:1-8 NKJV).
Christians distinguish themselves from other religious groups that also pray by following the specific model that Jesus instructed His disciples to adhere to. This unique approach is significant for several reasons and remains relevant to Christians today. The most important reason is that God does not entertain pretenders. While the disciples had direct contact with Jesus, we are still expected to adhere to His teachings. It is impossible to truly connect with Christ without following His instructions, which suggests that there may be some prayers that God is not inclined to hear.
“And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words” (Matthew 6:5-7 NKJV).
God’s people are united in Christ through the Spirit. When speaking to the Samaritan woman, Jesus said: “But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:23-24 NKJV). This suggests that congregating for prayer may not be necessary. One can pray effectively, even while in solitary confinement, or do so discreetly without others being aware.
God knows His people, who may be spread across different locations and often unaware of one another’s existence. The concept of belonging typically applies to groups in this world, often influenced by introversion. However, God’s people are distinguished by the Spirit, whose presence cannot be measured or confined to a specific area. They are connected globally and may not physically know one another. This connection exists regardless of whether the author is aware of it, or not, which is why we should appreciate their existence, nonetheless. Physical attachment can be viewed as a limitation within Christianity.
Andrew Masuku is the author of Dimensions of a New Civilization, laying down standards for uplifting Zimbabwe from the current state of economic depression into a model for other nations worldwide. A decaying tree provides an opportunity for a blossoming sprout. Written from a Christian perspective, the book is a product of inspiration, bringing relief to those having witnessed the strings of unworkable solutions––leading to the current economic and social decay. Most Zimbabweans should find the book as a long-awaited providential oasis of hope, in a simple conversational tone.
The Print copy is now available at Amazon.com for $13.99
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