Direct Confrontation Vs Prayer

Prayer is simply communicating with God—listening and talking to him.

Believers can pray from the heart, freely, spontaneously, and in their own words.

 Prayer can also be describe as an act that seeks to activate a rapport with the supernatural - GOD. Prayer is a true worship of God through deliberate communication.

For the purpose of this article, the main focus will be on the need to pray rather than depend on ones direct confrontation with an individual.

Many times when intimated by another, there is the temptation to have a one on one confrontation with the person who hurt us. However in many cases this direct confrontation may lead to conflict, enmity, violence etc.

A husband who always comes home late at night is a temptation to his wife. There is the temptation to pick a quarrel and complain of his late nights. After 6 months of complaining and the man fails to change his attitude, it may result to conflict in the home and the husband will soon be disgusted over his wife's complains, and probably seek for comfort in the arms of a mistress.

If we never speak to our spouse or never listen to anything our spouse might have to say to us, our marriage relationship will quickly deteriorate.

Another instance is a co-worker who always picks on a particular colleague team mate, he is always quick to find faults, nothing the team mate does is good enough, and no matter how hard he tries he is never appraised. However, the temptation to give up on the person will arise; sometimes the urge to snap at the co-worker will also arise. But in many cases if you react to his disapproval, it will only result to conflict and give room to enmity.

Likewise another instance is a lady been pressurized by her Manager in the office to have sexual relations with him before she can be promoted in the office, this threat could frustrate the lady and oblige her to fall for his request. But chances are it may just be a stunt to get the lady to bed.

Even in our immediate family, sometimes we disagree and no one wants to accept the others opinion.

It is in times like these that instead of having a direct confrontation or outburst with your offender, you go into prayer. Pray and the good Lord will direct your paths. He will take you through what to do as well as appeal to the individual’s heart.

God created these individuals and knows what makes them thick."In the LORD's hand the king's heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him". (Proverbs 21:1)

A typical example is in the Biblical story of Moses; God hardened Pharaohs heart and made it difficult for Moses to convince him to let the Israelites go, like wise when the time was right God knew exactly what Moses had to do to appeal to Pharaohs heart to give the Israelites their freedom.

"But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart and he would not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the LORD had said to Moses". (Exodus 9:12)

Let’s understand it’s not about us, or the intelligence in the words spoken rather it is the power of God in the words spoken. If God power is not in it, you cannot succeed. When an in individual realizes this, we then find it necessary to not rely on our own abilities but rather go to God in prayer before any confrontation.

“This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ saith the Lord of hosts”.(Zechariah 4:6)

John 15:7

But if you stay joined to me and my words remain in you, you may ask any request you like, and it will be granted!

A word of prayer can do twice more, a verbal confrontation or physical fight cannot do.

Only God can make your actions and speeches meaningful to your opponent or listener. “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)

Meanwhile, there is something under the sun; I find very amusing, in the Church. An individual or Church group prays for a sick member and when the sick member gets healed, the Church group takes pride in the healing instead of thanking Jesus Christ for the miracle.

Paul said: "I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow".(1 Corinthians 3:6)

So why should anyone share God's glory or take pride in a miracle, are we not vessels of God?

It is advised we pray like this; " LORD, I am your vessel, you are the miracle, please come to our aid." This type of prayer shows total submission and humility.

It is important for Pastors and Evangelist to know that it’s not their words or knowledge that does the conversion. God's Holy Spirit is in charge of the conversion, so it is advised they stop trying so hard to convince but rather ask the Holy Spirit to guide them to teach and reach out to the hearts of men.

It is not our word that brings the change this is the reason why different persons will listen or read same message but understand its context differently. In actual fact it is the Holy Spirit who brings understanding to the reader and the listener.

Therefore, before any confrontation, go to God in prayer and let Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit minister to your heart. God will direct you, sometimes HE says “Go ahead and say it"; sometimes He gives you the right words; but sometimes He says "Be silent".

It is in these times we must learn to trust that if God wants us to remain silent about the situation, it’s in our best interest. He definitely has a better plan.

Trusting in your abilities to approach the person with your psychological view may just make matters worse.

Be confident in God's counsel and you will be amazed at the result.

The lesson in this message is stop thinking you can, you cannot but God can."Keep alert and pray. Otherwise temptation will overpower you. For though the spirit is willing enough, the body is weak!” (Mark 14:38).

Do you want to stop a smoking habit, go to God in prayer, you cannot but God can. Trust in God's strategies. As Christians we need to get to the stage where we trust God with our all, everything. It’s not about you, it’s about God.

Cheers!