This communal practice resonates deeply with the Protestant theological tradition. In the writings of the Puritans, we find our contemporary practice rooted in centuries of careful reflection on how God shapes His people through prayer.

The Puritan theologian Richard Rogers noted that “God’s children are especially refreshed through public prayers” and that “we learn to pray gospel-centred, God-glorifying prayers by listening to experienced saints.” Rogers wrote these words as part of his practical guide to the Christian life (the Seven Treatises), focusing on what he called “the means^§ whereby a godly life is helped and continued”—what we now know as the Spiritual Disciplines: the preaching of the Word, the sacraments, and prayer^¶.

Rogers emphasises the importance of hearing other believers pray, particularly in the gathered assembly. As we listen and consent together in the same requests, we grow in grace. In essence, we learn to pray gospel-centred, God-glorifying, Christ-exalting prayers by listening to experienced saints. What better teachers could we have than the Apostles whose doctrine and teaching laid the foundation of the Church (Ephesians 2:20).

As the author of nearly one-third of the New Testament, Paul shaped early Christian theology and practice through his letters, his proclamation, and his intercession. His prayers, woven throughout his epistles, reveal a man whose heart was consumed with gospel concerns and whose petitions were saturated with Scripture. In Paul’s prayers, we glimpse what Spirit-empowered, gospel-centred intercession truly looks like. This is why God has graciously preserved the prayers of the apostles: so that we may learn from them and pray along with them.

In the resource that follows, we have collated the prayers of Paul, organised by theme, to serve as a guide for your meditation and spiritual growth. Read through them. Pray them for yourself and others. Meditate on them. Let them shape your understanding of what faithful intercession looks like. As you do, may you find yourself conformed to the apostolic pattern of prayer—may you discover afresh what it means to pray with biblical conviction and Spirit-empowered urgency. And may you experience the transformative grace that comes when our prayer life aligns with the Word and mirrors the example of the saints.

1. PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING

For Churches

“First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world.” (Romans 1:8)

“I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge—even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you.” (1 Corinthians 1:4–6)

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” (2 Corinthians 1:3–4)

“But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.” (2 Corinthians 2:14)

“For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God… Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:12, 15)

“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.” (Philippians 1:3–5)

“We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints.” (Colossians 1:3–4)

“We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 1:2–3)

“And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.” (1 Thessalonians 2:13)

“We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.” (2 Thessalonians 1:3)

For Individuals

“I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service.” (1 Timothy 1:12)

“I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day.” (2 Timothy 1:3)

“I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints… for I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.” (Philemon 4–5, 7)

2. PRAYERS FOR SPIRITUAL WISDOM, KNOWLEDGE & REVELATION

“…that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe.” (Ephesians 1:17–19a)

“And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent.” (Philippians 1:9–10)

“And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.” (Colossians 1:9)

“…and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.” (Philemon 6)

3. PRAYERS FOR SPIRITUAL STRENGTH, MATURITY & GROWTH

Inner Strength & Fullness

“…that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:16–19)

Maturity & Sanctification

“For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. Your restoration is what we pray for.” (2 Corinthians 13:9)

“…so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy.” (Colossians 1:10–11)

“…so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.” (1 Thessalonians 3:13)

“Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 5:23)

“To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power.” (2 Thessalonians 1:11)

“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ… so that you may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” (Philippians 1:6, 10–11)

4. PRAYERS FOR LOVE, UNITY & HARMONY

“May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together with one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 15:5–6)

“And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more.” (Philippians 1:9)

“…and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all.” (1 Thessalonians 3:12)

5. PRAYERS FOR JOY, PEACE, HOPE & ENCOURAGEMENT

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” (Romans 15:13)

“May the God of peace be with you all. Amen.” (Romans 15:33)

“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way.” (2 Thessalonians 3:16)

“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” (2 Corinthians 13:14)

“Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.” (2 Thessalonians 2:16–17)

6. PRAYERS FOR GUIDANCE & DIRECTION

“…asking that somehow by God’s will I may now at last succeed in coming to you.” (Romans 1:10)

“May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.” (2 Thessalonians 3:5)

7. PRAYERS FOR MINISTRY EFFECTIVENESS

“I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf, that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints.” (Romans 15:30–31)

“…and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.” (Ephesians 6:19–20)

“At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.” (Colossians 4:3–4)

“To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Thessalonians 1:11–12)

8. PRAYERS FOR SALVATION & DELIVERANCE

“Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved.” (Romans 10:1)

“…that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea.” (Romans 15:31)

9. PRAYERS FOR INDIVIDUALS

For Timothy

“I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy… for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” (2 Timothy 1:3–4, 7)

For Onesiphorus

“May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains… may the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that day!” (2 Timothy 1:16, 18)

Notes

1. Holy Helps for a Godly Life, Richard Rogers, Edited by Brian G. Hedges, Reformation Heritage Books, Grand Rapids, Michigan, pp. 26-27.
2. Systematic Theology, Charles Hodge, Oak Harbor, Wash: Logos Research Systems, 1997; 3:446.

• Charles Hodge writes, “By means of grace…the phrase is intended to indicate those institutions which God has ordained to be the ordinary channels of grace, i.e., of the supernatural influences of the Holy Spirit, to the souls of men.”

¶For a full treatment of the Spiritual Disciplines, see Donald S. Whitney’s ‘Spiritual Disciplines’, or Richard J. Foster’s ‘Celebrations of Discipline.’

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“All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, ‘What have you done?'” – Daniel 4:35

August 6, 2025, will be remembered across Ghana as “Black Wednesday.” Social media platforms overflowed with grief as news broke that a helicopter carrying high-ranking government officials had crashed in the Sikaman Forest of the Adansi South District, Ashanti Region. The officials were travelling on official business to support the government’s anti-illegal mining efforts under the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme.

This tragedy plunged the nation into profound discussions about safety, divine providence, and the role of prophecy in national affairs. While investigations into the crash commenced and condolences poured in from across the nation, the government announced an unprecedented response: the creation of a desk within the Office of the Envoy for Interfaith and Ecumenical Relations to receive “prophecies that bother on national security.” According to the Presidential Envoy, this initiative aims to ensure “responsibility, discernment, and stewardship over the nation’s destiny.”

Although I can understand the rationale behind this strange move by the government, I am convinced that this is a dangerous path to take and one that is not grounded in sound biblical thinking. It is my goal in this article to show why this meddling of the government in matters of faith is a dangerous precedent both for the country and the Christian community.

The Biblical Foundation: How God Rules the World

The Comprehensive Scope of Divine Providence

Scripture consistently testifies to God’s active governance over all creation. The biblical witness reveals that divine providence extends to every realm of existence, from the cosmic to the personal. Wayne Grudem reflects in Chapter 16 of his Systematic Theology that “God is continually involved with all created things in such a way that he (1) keeps them existing and maintaining the properties with which he created them; (2) cooperates with created things in every action, directing their distinctive properties to cause them to act as they do; and (3) directs them to fulfil his purposes.”

The Old Testament establishes this foundation clearly. Psalm 135:6 declares the universal extent of God’s authority: “Whatever the LORD pleases, he does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps.” This comprehensive dominion encompasses both visible and invisible realms, as Proverbs 15:3 confirms: “The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.”

Daniel’s prophecy further illuminates God’s control over human history: “He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; he reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him” (Daniel 2:21–22).

New Testament Affirmations

The New Testament continues this theme with equal clarity. Paul declares in Acts 17:24–28 that “The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything… for ‘in him we live and move and have our being.'” The author of Hebrews adds that God the Son “upholds the universe by the word of his power” (Hebrews 1:3).

This collective biblical witness establishes that God maintains active control over all aspects of heaven and earth—not as a distant observer, but as the sovereign ruler whose purposes cannot be thwarted.

Historic Christian Teaching on Divine Providence

Centuries before our present circumstances, the church engaged in deep theological reflection about how God rules the world. The 1689 London Baptist Confession and the Westminster Confession of Faith—both reliable summaries of historic Christianity—begin Article 3 with this profound declaration:

“God hath decreed in Himself, from all eternity, by the most wise and holy counsel of His own will, freely and unchangeably, all things, whatsoever comes to pass…”

These confessions capture the biblical understanding of God’s sovereignty, asserting that God is never caught off guard by any event in human history. Nothing occurs outside His wise and holy counsel. In theological terms, He ordains everything that comes to pass.

Implications for National Tragedy

The implication is that the calamity that happened on the 6th of August did not take God by surprise; he was in complete control. From a biblical perspective, the helicopter crash occurred within God’s sovereign will. Isaiah affirms this principle when he quotes the Lord: “I form light and create darkness; I make well-being and create calamity; I am the Lord, who does all these things” (Isaiah 45:7).

This truth provides profound comfort: the universe operates not by random chance or human foresight, but according to God’s unshakable decree. While this may challenge our natural inclinations during times of grief, it offers the solid foundation that nothing—not even tragedy—falls outside God’s ultimate control.

The Relationship Between Divine Decree and Human Responsibility

Importantly, the Confessions do not render prayer or human action meaningless. They teach something far more nuanced: God ordains both ends and means. Prayer, wise planning, and protective measures remain meaningful precisely because God employs them as instruments through which His will is accomplished.

Acts 27 provides a compelling illustration. During Paul’s storm-tossed voyage to Rome, God promised safety for all aboard (Acts 27:23-25). Yet this divine assurance coexisted with human effort—the crew’s diligent work and wise navigation did not avert the eventual shipwreck. The ship’s ultimate loss and the passengers’ preservation both fulfilled God’s decree, accomplished through ordinary means.

This understanding means that when tragedy occurs, it is not because we “missed” a prophetic warning. Similarly, when disaster is averted, it is not because a prophet intercepted God’s plan, but because God decreed prevention through whatever means He chose.

Why Institutionalising Prophecy Threatens Biblical Faith

While the government’s desire to prevent future tragedies is understandable, establishing a national prophecy desk poses significant theological and practical dangers.

Replacing Divine Sovereignty with Human Mysticism

The first danger lies in making God’s purposes contingent on human visions. This approach risks reducing the Almighty to a genie to pull out of the lamp whose plans depend on prophetic insight. Scripture teaches the opposite: “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand” (Proverbs 19:21). Job declares with confidence: “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted” (Job 42:2).

This theological confusion reflects a broader misunderstanding of God’s sovereignty within Ghana’s Christian landscape. While acknowledging the deep grief of families affected by the tragedy, biblical truth compels us to recognise that the helicopter crash occurred according to God’s will, accomplished through secondary causes. No amount of prophetic warning or spiritual intervention could have altered what God decreed. As the Psalmist affirms: “Our God is in the heavens; He does all that He pleases” (Psalm 115:3).

This reality may raise difficult questions about suffering and divine justice. Yet biblical faith calls us to worship the God whose “kingdom rules over all” (Psalm 103:19) and who numbers even “the hairs of your head” (Matthew 10:29-30). God’s governance of creation is perfect, and no situation—regardless of its magnitude or suddenness—occurs outside His knowledge or control.

The doctrine of divine sovereignty affirms that complete authority and absolute right to govern all creation, including human beings and their actions, rests solely with God. Not even Satan can alter what God has decreed.

Creating Chaos Instead of Clarity

The second major concern involves the inevitable confusion that results from institutionalising prophecy. Competing and contradictory “prophecies” will naturally arise, forcing government officials to make impossible determinations about divine communication.

Early reports suggest this problem has already emerged. In less than two weeks after the desk’s creation, over 200 prophecies were reportedly submitted, with only a few deemed credible. This raises critical questions: Who determines authenticity? By what criteria? What constitutes credible versus incredible prophecy? Such subjective determinations represent a problematic waste of government resources and administrative energy.

Biblical prophecy operated under vastly different standards. Moses established the test for authentic prophecy: “When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the word does not come to pass or come true, that is a word that the LORD has not spoken” (Deuteronomy 18:22). True biblical prophets delivered specific, accurate predictions without confusion, for “God is not a God of confusion but of peace” (1 Corinthians 14:33).

The current chaotic landscape of competing prophetic voices contrasts sharply with biblical examples, where “the word of the LORD is right and true” (Psalm 33:4). The authentication process becomes both theologically problematic and practically unworkable, creating a slippery slope that could undermine rational governance.

Scripture warns extensively about false prophets (Jeremiah 23:16, Matthew 24:11). Moreover, even genuine biblical prophets were never intended to serve as security consultants for the state. Their role typically involved confronting rulers with divine truth rather than integration into administrative machinery.

A Biblical Path Forward

Combining Faith with Responsibility

The proper response to national tragedy involves neither fatalistic resignation nor frantic pursuit of mystical insights. Instead, Scripture calls for combining unwavering faith in God’s sovereignty with diligent human responsibility.

The Westminster Confession reminds us that God “orders [events] to fall out, according to the nature of second causes, either necessarily, freely, or contingently.” This means we cannot excuse negligence or policy failure by appealing to divine decree. Similarly, we cannot imagine that prophetic hotlines will secure our nation’s future.

True national security emerges from trusting the God who “works all things according to the counsel of His will” (Ephesians 1:11) while faithfully executing our earthly responsibilities. Leaders and citizens must work diligently and wisely in the duties God has entrusted to them. 

Where Real Security Is Found

If Ghana’s future is to be secure, it will not be because a prophecy desk predicted danger, but because both leaders and citizens take seriously the truth that is revealed in his word, that God’s decree is unshakable. Real peace comes not from collecting confusing prophecies, but from biblical faith combined with responsible governance.

As a wise friend of mine recently observed, “God has left His mind in the Bible. Let’s go after it.” Rather than seeking divine guidance through subjective prophetic claims, we should diligently study the written revelation God has already provided in Holy Scripture.

Conclusion

The August 6th tragedy that claimed the lives of dedicated public servants deserves thoughtful reflection rather than reactionary policies. While the government’s desire to prevent future disasters is commendable, the path of institutionalized prophecy leads away from both biblical truth and effective governance.

Scripture offers a better way: trusting in the sovereign God who declares, “My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose” (Isaiah 46:10), while faithfully fulfilling our human responsibilities. This approach honours both divine sovereignty and human accountability without descending into confusion or superstition.

Ghana’s security and prosperity depend not on collecting competing prophetic visions, but on leaders and citizens who embrace both the comfort of divine sovereignty and the call to responsible stewardship. In times of national grief and uncertainty, may we find our anchor not in human predictions, but in the unchanging character of the God who governs all things according to His perfect will.

“For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’ calling a bird of prey from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country. I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it.” – Isaiah 46:9-11

God bless our homeland, Ghana, and make it great and strong!

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“Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness:

He was manifested in the flesh,

vindicated by the Spirit,

seen by angels,

proclaimed among the nations,

believed on in the world,

taken up in glory.” – 1 Timothy 3:16

Right in the middle of Paul’s first letter to Timothy, we come across a verse that forms the very basis of our Christian faith; and reveals who Jesus is and His ministry as a whole. Christians over the years have had various confessions of faith deeply steeped in the Bible that we affirm and believe. Such confessions include the Apostles’ Creed, the Nicene Creed, the Westminster Divines, etc. Paul here emphasizes the importance of what we confess: “…great indeed, we confess…” he says. Historically, Christian confessions span the 1st Century Church till now. The essence of confessionalism, an important aspect of our way of worship, is to ensure distortions against truth are corrected. They are also to build a solid defence for what we believe. It is a tragedy to believe what you cannot defend.

In our opening passage, Paul says that what we confess “is the mystery of godliness.” This simply means that what already existed is no longer hidden but has now come to light. This suggests that the person we are confessing existed, was kept secret (or not fully revealed), and is now made known to us. The confession Paul is referring to is more of a Person than anything else, referring to none other than Jesus, who is God and is the uncreated, formerly hidden, and now revealed. This is a confession in defence of the deity of Christ Jesus as God (His person) and His ministry (His work). This is the very foundation of our Christian faith.

What is this mystery of godliness? “He was manifested in the flesh…” Clearly, this alludes to the incarnation, or the act of God taking on human form and living among us. John the Apostle clarifies this when he wrote, ‘In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.’ Throughout the ages, false teachers have attempted to cast doubt on Christ Jesus’ divinity. According to the Gnostics, anything made of flesh is evil, so God cannot indwell flesh. Others contend that Jesus cannot be both God and God’s equal. Simply put, without the incarnation of Christ Jesus—God taking on human form—there is no Christianity. Every Christian should thoroughly grapple with and understand this fundamental truth to defend their confession whenever needed. In the Apostle’s Creed we affirm that ‘He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary.’ 

The second confessional statement in this verse, Paul writes, “…vindicated by the Spirit…” In other words, the innocence of Jesus was affirmed by the Spirit. What does it mean to be vindicated? This speaks to the fact that all the wrongful accusations that sinful men libelled him with in order to have him crucified and buried were proved false by the Spirit. In other words, by being raised again from death by the Spirit, he was exonerated from all the fraudulent charges brought against him. Thus, His resurrection proves His innocence, Hallelujah! And so, the Apostles’ Creed rightly affirms, “He was crucified and buried; on the third day, he rose again from the dead.’ Our Saviour did not remain in the grave; the Holy Spirit vindicated him by resurrecting Him from the dead.

Thirdly, Paul writes that Jesus was “seen by angels.” The day of his resurrection is implied here, when the angels appeared to the early believers and confirmed Jesus’ resurrection. We can also connect this to the moment of Jesus’ ascension when angels reassured the disciples that he would return to judge the living and the dead. The Christian confession of Jesus as having risen from the dead was corroborated by angels who testified and worship him eternally.

Fourthly, Jesus is “proclaimed among the nations.” Christians all over the world preach Christ as the central figure in salvation since the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit entered God’s Church, up until the present. The message of salvation is Jesus; the gospel of good news revolves around Jesus. That is the only message we have for the world. It is the duty of everyone who professes to be a Christian to spread the Word about Jesus and make him known. Paul says “we have been entrusted with the message of reconciliation, “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us” (2 Corinthians 5:19-20). There is no other message of hope and salvation than that of Jesus; He is the Savior of the world.

Fifthly, we accept that with our hearts we believe, and with our mouths, confession in the finished work of Christ Jesus is made unto salvation (Romans 10:9-10). Jesus is “believed on in the world.” He is the solution to human depravity. The act of placing our faith in Christ Jesus moves a person from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of the Beloved Son of God. We acknowledge that we believe in God the Father as well as “in Jesus Christ His Son.”  It is believing in Christ Jesus that transforms and makes one a Christian.

 Finally, Christians believe that not only did Jesus resurrect from the grave, but he was “taken up in glory.” We affirm in the Apostles’ Creed that when He resurrected from the dead, ‘He ascended into heaven. And is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty…” This proves that all authority in heaven and on earth resides with Him. Jesus’ glorification confirms his authority over all.

In conclusion, confessions are a significant part of our worship and the defence of our beliefs. It behoves every Christian to rejoice in these truths and be prepared to make a defence whenever the occasion arises. Amen!

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“Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd” – Luke 19:1-3

Since the year 2019, I have had an incredibly rare opportunity to carefully evaluate my Christian life. These moments of reflection were triggered when I was posted to work at our Nigeria office. The main goal of these reflections, while I was alone for a few months, was to determine the veracity of the Christianity I had been professing since 1998. In order to take a step back, think, and learn, I stepped out of active ministry. Being a minister with a busy schedule and taking part in church life here and there can make it hard to examine oneself objectively. During these times and recalling the past, I have questioned my motives, actions, and inactions severally. I remember crying out to God and literally crying for almost a week in 2022, asking Him to show me mercy.

It is clear from a cursory examination of the Christian landscape in Ghana how many Christian beliefs and practices are not wholly sincere. Despite our claims of dominance, as evidenced by the most recent census, we have no godly works to back our numbers. We employ religious jargon in our conversations; we sound very Christian. The apparent biblical inscriptions on our vehicles are one of the notable things you see in Ghana on our roads. Permit me to say that our cars in Ghana have undergone the same “baptism and born again” process as we have. We are a religious people, but the question is whether our professed conversion and vocation are genuine or not.

What does it mean for Christ to be in you?

In John 3, we are introduced to a revered teacher of the law by the name of Nicodemus, who came to Jesus one fine evening in the waning hours of the day. This Pharisee affirmed that God was with Jesus because of the overt miracles that Jesus performed. Knowing Nicodemus’ true need, Jesus refused to follow him down that path. Instead, He addresses him in the face with a statement that sums up what it means to be a Christian: “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. “That evening’s conversation produced the foundation for Christian formation. Jesus emphasized that it is through the workings of the Holy Spirit that one experiences the new birth.

I’ll make an effort to clarify what it means to be born again, simply and with reference to the Bible. It is important for us to understand that only God’s omnipotent act can bring about salvation or a person’s new birth. In other words, it is initiated by God, sustained, and perfectly completed by Him. According to Scripture, the person who receives salvation was chosen before the creation of the world (Ephesians 1:4). I wonder how one played a part in his/her salvation way before the world’s foundation was laid. In going through the born again process, the first is the choice (election) by God (The Father, The Son and Holy Spirit), regeneration, and then expressed confession in repentance and faith in Christ Jesus as Lord. One chosen by God through His grace experiences a change of heart through the work of the Holy Spirit’s conviction in regeneration, which is the new birth itself. Your heart is changed, and you become a new creature; the old is completely done away with, and one becomes totally new in heart. Literally, what this means is that, Christ Jesus makes His abode in you. You become the habitation of God, you literally carry God around wherever you find yourself. In fact, if regeneration has not yet occurred, one can sincerely follow the other steps (confession and faith in Christ Jesus) and still be lost – I don’t think altar calls convert people to Christianity. My main concern has been the fact that many people profess to have had a “born-again” experience, or to have the whole of Christ Jesus residing within them, but their actions are completely at odds with that confession. I find it incomprehensible to have Christ live in us and yet live consistently in unrepentant sin.

The Example of Zacchaeus.

In our focus scripture, we are introduced to a man named Zacchaeus. The Bible says he was a chief tax collector and wealthy. Tax collectors are described in biblical history as sinners. You’ll find it fascinating to learn that Zacchaeus’ name meant “pure” or “righteous.” He lived in direct opposition to what his name implied. I pause here to say that many in church or who identify with Christianity are just like Zacchaeus; they contradict the very essence of their Christian identity. Their claim to have a Christian identity is untrue.

The story’s main point is that Jesus sees him perched on a sycamore tree and tells him to descend because “I must stay at your house today,” Jesus said. Without a doubt, Zacchaeus’ intense desire to see Jesus was a means by which the Holy Spirit was transforming him into a new person. When he agreed to Jesus’ request to stay in his home, it was evident that He had actually experienced the Holy Spirit’s rebirth at that precise moment. In other words Christ Jesus made him His habitation.

While fellowshipping over bread and wine, we note how Zacchaeus took a stand and made this announcement: “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” While others were criticizing him for being such a terrible sinner, he took a stand and made a choice that established his new identity in Christ Jesus. He didn’t care what people thought; all he needed to do was demonstrate his newly found faith in the Lord.

Beloved in the Lord, the life of Zacchaeus confirms one who experienced the new birth and instantly produced fruits consistent with his new identity. Zacchaeus was a man of strong convictions who insisted that he uphold the principles of his new identity despite what others may think. We have so many who profess Christianity but have no fruit to show after so many years of claiming the Christian identity. I believe it is time for us to examine ourselves to confirm whether we are in the faith or not. Those who, by their fruits, can clearly provethat they have not experienced regeneration can further seek God’s mercy.

There is an urgent need for us to examine the Christianity we profess in this country; this is an individual exercise. The one who has genuinely experienced the new birth can no longer live in unrepentant sins; the one who has genuinely experienced the new birth will certainly have some fruits to show for that claim. Which category do you fall into?

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One of the difficult doctrines to wrap one’s head around is the doctrine of eternal security monikered as “Once Saved Always Saved”. The controversy around this doctrine is the misconception that maintaining good works doesn’t matter. One can live as they want; after all they are saved. This misconception showed up in a conversation with a friend, who on the basis of Titus 3:8 pointed to me that “Receiving salvation should also be coupled with maintaining good works”. The text reads:

This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

You see, this friend holds a misconception that Once Saved Always Saved means a cavielier attitude towards grace. Now, it is important for all to understand that salvation is the complete work of God; It was initiated by God, and it will be sustained and brought to an end when we are glorified by God (Phil. 1:6; Jude 1:24). Many people seem to misunderstand the doctrine of works and perhaps Paul’s words “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil. 2:12) has been erroneously interpreted by many to mean working to earn our salvation. It must be noted that works–good works– is always a consequence of the great work of salvation done by God in us. It is the fruit we show that we are saved and no believer worth their profession will think works can earn them their salvation.

Every regenerated child of God has or must have the longing and desire to live a holy life…if that is not the case that person we can argue is not genuinely born again. When you are truly saved by The Lord you are in a state of grace that will carry you through to the end of your life into glory. God is able to keep us to the end. This is an important element to understand the doctrine. Believers must work out their salvation not because of the fear of losing it but rather; because obedience is a hallmark of a regenerated life. Even what we call good works is initiated by the Holy Spirit who enables us to carry out those works and not us. There is no good in us but as scripture has said the Holy Spirit works in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure.

Now, picture the relationship between a parent and their child. Under what condition will that child cease to be a child of the parent? Will they ever disown a child because of disobedience?Will a parent who loves their child throw her out and take their family name off? Would you? If we as earthly parents will not disown our children because of disobedience, how much more our heavenly father? Ephesians 1:14 tells us our salvation is sealed by the Holy Spirit.

In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory (Ephesians 1:11-14).

Those who are genuinely saved are those who bear fruits. There is always an evidence of the new birth in the life of the disciple of Christ Jesus. Fruit bearing follows along with being born again. It does not lead to the new birth but it stands with the believer after the new birth. “The Christian is Justified by faith alone but not faith that is alone” Luther said. Throughout scripture, the assurance of the believer’s security is outlined:

Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;‭‭(Hebrews‬ ‭7:25-26‬).

Come to think of it, when the Sovereign God takes someone in His mighty hands the devil cannot take that person away from His hands. If Jesus died for us to be born again and for us to lose it then there is a problem. However, Scripture tells us “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.”
‭‭(Romans‬ ‭8:1-2‬).

Once you are in Christ, there is no more condemnation. Your salvation is sealed.

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The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the LORD; they flourish in the courts of our God”. Psalm 92:12-13, ESV

A cursory look at Christian programs on TV reveals a worrying trend in our churches. Almost every Christian channel one turns to has material prosperity as the content of its message. One wonders if the gospel is only about material prosperity. The teaching of the unadulterated word of God has been replaced by an undue emphasis on the “non-weightier matters”. While I am not against material prosperity, I believe true Christian prosperity — which is not limited to material blessing — is being rooted in the Word of The LORD.

We are still in the early days of the year, it is essential for us to reflect on our walk with God and seek to be grounded in our relationship with Him.

In this beautiful Psalm of thanks and praise to God, the Psalmist describes the righteous as flourishing like a palm tree and growing like a cedar in Lebanon (v.12). He continues in v. 13 by saying they are planted in the house of the LORD; they flourish in the courts of our God.

What does the Psalmist mean by these Agricultural analogies?

In describing the believer’s life, the Psalmist uses terms that symbolizes growth and thriving. And he does so by using two of the toughest trees one could find. These trees have very unique properties that speaks volumes to the believers’ life. They both grow strong and firm in the ground. They can withstand harsh conditions without withering. Unlike the wicked, who are compared to grass that sprouts and withers, the righteous will flourish. Notable also is the longevity of the Palm and Cedar trees and their continuous bearing of fruits.

These analogies describes the life of a Christian in terms of growth, maturity, holiness, fruit bearing and eternal life. How sad we hardly hear about being planted–growth, maturity, holiness, and fruit bearing– on many pulpits.

How Can We Be Planted?

The most reliable source to keep us planted in the house of the Lord is the word of God. Growth and maturity in Christian living do not come by accident. They require deliberate effort and empowerment by the Holy Spirit. The story of Joshua has much encouragement for us as we seek to be planted in God’s house. Joshua was given the mandate to lead God’s people to the promised  land. He accepted the task with much uncertainty and fear, having seen first hand the stubbornness of the Israelites under the leadership of Moses. But God reassured him and pointed him to His word:

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success’ (Joshua 1:8).

The command of God to Joshua in not allowing His Law to depart from his mouth, but to make it his whole life preoccupation is something that holds instruction for us. J. C Ryle, has said ‘the Bible is the true lantern for a dark and cloudy time, let us beware of travelling without its light’. There are many things that will seek to take our focus away from God each passing moment, but it is the Word of God that will stamp our persuasion in Christ Jesus.

Paul in his letter to the Corinthian church admonished them to “…keep the ordinances…”(1 Corinthians 11:2, KJV). He says to the Corinthian church as he does to us to hold fast the whole body of truth of the Gospel as has been delivered to us in the Bible.

A lot of false teachings abound that seek to take the focus away from Christ Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of our faith. It behooves us to keep the Word of God, to be planted in the house of God. Make the word “a lamp to [your] feet and a light to [your] path.(Psalm 119:105).

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