Jesus proclaimed that only the truth would liberate us (John 8:32). During a temptation, Satan offered Jesus all the kingdoms of the Earth if He would worship him (Matthew 4:8-9). Jesus rebuffed him, affirming that only God should be worshipped. This implies that Satan claims the ability to bestow prosperity on those who worship him. According to the Apostle Paul, Satan is considered the god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:3-4). Receiving a blessing from Satan can be deemed the most detrimental occurrence for those mistakenly believing such blessings would be coming from God. Jesus introduced a unique prayer that stood apart from traditional ones.
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. Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you need before you ask Him. In this manner, therefore, pray:
Our Father in Heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen” (Matthew 6:4-13 ESV).
Orthodox Christians often refer to it as the “Lord’s Prayer.” Yet, if this were solely the Lord’s Prayer and not that of the believers, they would need to identify the prayer Jesus assigned as ours. In verses 6-8, Jesus clearly designates this prayer for His disciples, encompassing all who believe in Him. These Christians tend to create their own prayer methods, diverging from Jesus’ teachings. The authoritarian nature of some Christians in leadership positions may hinder those looking for valid answers. Anyone raising such questions, risks being labelled a heretic.
Some Christians are known to be devout prayer warriors, boastful about being dedicated to prayer. However, such prayers would often be pleading for God’s mercy over their own problems. The question is: which God would they be praying to? What sells them out is their introversion, marked by their prayer for prosperity and handling their personal problems. Rarely do they ask God to help them handle the existent problems in their respective environments. It would always be about themselves, more than God’s will on Earth as in Heaven.
The nature of God is not introverted. Jesus did not concentrate on His personal issues during His ministry. Instead, He is noted for dedicating most of His time to addressing the problems of others, without preoccupation with His own. A Christian is characterized by a preoccupation with serving others rather than self-interest. The concerns of a true Christian align with those of Jesus, not burdened by concerns of personal perception. Conversely, an introvert may desire to be seen as favoured by God, indulging in the vanity of being considered an exemplary Christian.
Reflecting on the theme of prayer, Jesus taught: “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:14-15 NKJV). This suggests that Jesus placed a greater emphasis on extroversion rather than introversion, which includes worries about accumulating wealth and attending to personal needs. In summary, His teaching was that the disciples should prioritize seeking God’s Kingdom rather than focusing on their own desires.
The subtle deception lies in equating the Old Testament laws with the teachings of Jesus. The Law was intended for those who follow rules, whereas Jesus’ teachings were meant to convey grace. Yet, an emphasis on physical blessings often carries a hidden curse. Those who adhere strictly to the law stand in contrast to the principle of grace. The apostle Paul contended with such individuals during his ministry, as they negated the significance of Jesus’ death by believing that adherence to the law alone could grant forgiveness. However, what was overlooked is that physical humans are incapable of adhering to the law without fail.
“For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.’ But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for ‘the just shall live by faith. Yet the law is not of faith, but the man who does them shall live by them. Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, ‘cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree’), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith” (Galatians 3:10-14 ESV).
Jesus assured the disciples that their petitions would be granted, as they were adopted children of God. He had earlier instructed them not to worry—but to trust in their Heavenly Father, who would not fail them. They were to concentrate solely on the Kingdom of God, which would guarantee all their needs. Prayer is vital, particularly in light of human nature’s resistance. It is contextualized by the sin of Adam, which resulted in the curse of labour as a repercussion.
Then to Adam He said, “Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat of it’: “Cursed is the ground for your sake; In toil you shall eat of it All the days of your life. Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, And you shall eat the herb of the field. In the sweat of your face, you shall eat bread Till you return to the ground, For out of it you were taken; For dust you are, And to dust you shall return” (Genesis 3:17-19 ESV).
Grace is received when one becomes a follower of Jesus, thus living under grace instead of the curse of Adam. Even as infants in the flesh, Jesus understood their battle with sin. Therefore, He advocated prayer as a means to seek God’s strength against the desires of sinful nature. The prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane serves as an example of how prayer supports humans in confronting these challenges, with Jesus triumphing by aligning His prayers with the will of God (Matthew 26:39-44). It is, therefore, necessary to scrutinize the petitioning of God to handle one’s needs.
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him? Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:7-12 ESV).
The personal needs of a child of God align with divine intentions. Yet, in our physical existence, these needs often conflict with the spiritual, opposing God’s will. This is exemplified in Jesus’ experience, who prayed thrice, asking God to deliver Him from His impending ordeal, the gravest trial He faced. Despite His physical reluctance, Jesus’ prayers were centred on fulfilling God’s will, which ultimately proved to be His own will as He overcame the crucifixion. This was also true for Paul, who implored God three times to remove the thorn that was afflicting him.
And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:7-10 ESV).
Paul’s teachings imply that genuine prosperity for the children of God lies in accepting infirmities, reproaches, necessities, persecutions, and distresses. The children of God should not envy those who flaunt material wealth, as such blessings may not always originate from the God described in the Bible. Satan, as a counterfeit of the true God, can bestow blessings on those unknowingly petitioning him instead of the true God.
Through the Holy Spirit, God’s children possess the ability to discern between divine guidance and earthly temptations. This discernment is rooted in the teachings of Jesus, which shields them from deceit. It is understood that God’s children are sustained by Scripture and fortified through prayer. Additionally, regular fasting may be essential to subdue physical cravings. Indeed, Jesus pledged to bestow abundant life upon His flock, cherished by His Father.
“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and I know My sheep and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so, I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd” (John 10:10-16 ESV).
This type of blessing is different from physical blessing, bestowed to the Israelites. There is no ambiguity in that Jesus described a blessing that did not suggest physical comfort. For instance, Jesus’ experiences on the cross are what describe blessings for God’s people. God’s blessings imply invalidating the physical, to uphold the Spiritual. Bear in mind that the Spirit and flesh cannot co-exist without conflict. Jesus came with a principle of invalidating the physical body, for the Spirit to thrive, not the other way round. Therefore, what gives pain to the physical body, enhances the spiritual body.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:10-12 ESV).
The passage of Scripture mentioned above epitomizes the essence of a divine blessing. Conversely, a spiritual curse is often mistaken for a blessing, leading many to celebrate what they perceive as a greater advantage over others. Jesus exemplified this concept through the parable of Lazarus and the rich man. While Lazarus’ state might be seen as shameful by worldly standards, it is indeed a blessing to those who recognize its true value. Conversely, the rich man, despite his earthly prosperity, is described as having lived under a curse.
It may not be disturbing to witness nonbelievers displaying their wealth. However, it is troubling to observe those who identify as God’s children remaining oblivious to the gravity of their circumstances. Jesus taught that once salt loses its flavour, it cannot become salty again. This is concerning, as it suggests the misuse of the Lord’s name. It is said that God declared such individuals would not be forgiven, in this life or the next.
The most dangerous aspect of Christianity is indulging in the praises of the people of this world. The manifestation of the Holy Spirit’s fruit, as detailed in Galatians 5:22-23, is attainable, as one cannot be easily angered. Instead of feeling upset by insults, they find joy. By adhering to these attributes, they avoid being offended and do not give in to carnal desires. The true prosperity of a spiritual person comes from what is contrary to what the secular world admires.
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
Also available as an e-copy at Lulu.com for $6.99