Table for Two

By Praise Obaribirin

Table for Two is a book inspired by the misconception many believers and unbelievers have about God, the place, and process of communicating with God. I grew up with a misconstrued idea that God must be feared and His presence intimidating to accommodate me. But over time, I have learnt and experienced another dimension of God which reshaped my ideology of God and the Godhead. In this book, prayer is pictured as a relationship and not an act alone against popular believe. God is portrayed in new light as “romantic” and accessible as suggested by the title of the book. We know and read of God as almighty and firece but the fact that He can be encompassing is mostly left out in the details. Prayer is both spiritual and physical; the physical aspect of prayer is our state of mind on the Person of Christ.

Our God though, a consuming fire, also has His soft spots and those who are abreast with this information enjoy the place of prayer more. The act of meditation becomes less cumbersome and burdensome. Prayer is far beyond the jamboree of singing, dancing, and endless tongue- speaking. It is a life style and a process- based relationship with divinity. At the end of your perusing and regurgitation on the new insight shared on prayer in this book, I believe prayer will become your lifestyle as you journey in your Christian race in Jesus name (AMEN).

• Language: English
• Publisher: Praise Obaribirin
• Release date: Jan 26, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005923259

Book preview

TABLE FOR TWO

BY

PRAISE OBARIBIRIN

First published: 20th September, 2009.

(Copyright) 2022 by Praise Obaribirin

Revised edition, 8th June, 2017

Unless indicated all Scriptural quotations are from the King James Version of the Bible.

No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information, storage or retrieval system without the express, written permission of the author.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Foreword

Acknowledgement/Dedication

Introduction

Chapter One: The Table for Two

Chapter Two: Benefits of Prayer

Chapter Three: Condiments of Prayer

Chapter four: Tarry In The Place Of Prayer

Chapter five: A Long Lasting Relationship

Chapter Six: Love

Chapter Seven: We All Need Prayer

Chapter Eight: Facts about Prayer

FOREWORD

When you know who your God is and who you are in Him, this will give you the ability to take your stand against negative issues of life. This book opens our understanding to the secrets of prayer. Whatever you do not remember to pray for may not be answered by God or received by you. A lot of things we forfeit because we do not take them to the Lord in prayer.

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? (Matthew 7:7-9).

Ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not (James 4:2).

This book enumerates some of the benefits we get at the Table for Two, in search of answers to prayers. At the Table for Two, we enjoy fellowship, sharing and we maintain relationship. Your life can enjoy the fullness of the blessing of God if you can seize the opportunity that this book presents.

Pastor John Adebisi Sunmonu,

Regional Evangelist, Region 25, Ado-Ekiti

The Redeemed Christian Church of God.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT/DEDICATION

I want to use this opportunity to really appreciate the efforts of my family and friends. My ever-loving and supportive Mom, Pastor Adebisi Sumonu, Pastor Daniel Rika and Pastor S.K Ige.

Andrew Okpeh, I am so grateful for the exceptional editorial work.

I dedicate this book to God Almighty, and all those striving hard to maintain a solid relationship and walk with God.

INTRODUCTION

Prayer is a strong wall and fortress of the Church; it is a goodly Christian weapon - (Martin Luther).

The book, Table for Two, is a re-echoing of the call of God to everyone in doubt, sin, and hopelessness. It is a whole new spectrum of the workings of Christ through prayer as a tool for human empowerment and glorification. Hear the open invitation from a prophet:

Come now, and let us reason together says the Lord, though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow Though they are like crimson, they shall be as wool (Isaiah: 1:18).

God is calling for a date; He is asking to take you out for some lone time with Him. He longs to have fellowship with you, like He did in the Garden of Eden with the first couple, Adam and Eve. Are you not tired of the routine of your life? Have you lost the joy of your salvation? Is your life a reflection of the Creator’s manual? Hasn’t life beaten and battered you enough? The Spirit says, Come. There is a table that God has prepared for you. And it is just for the two of you. You should start taking delivery of your redemptive rights in God. Imagine the Creator of the universe calling for a chat with you at the Table for Two. He is not judging, but willing to give out His grace, and pardon. God is already sitting and waiting for you. It is up to you to decide how long you want to suffer and wander about in the wilderness of life, when you can simply come to God in search of answers to the questions of your life. I invite you to the Table for Two, where Jesus is waiting to hear you out.

CHAPTER ONE

THE TABLE FOR TWO

Men ought always to pray and not faint- (Luke 18:1).

Regardless of the state you are in right now , it’s a good place and time to dust yourself, dress up, and head out to meet the lover of your soul because God is calling for a hang out with you. Don’t be too busy or ashamed not to have time to communicate at least for 30 minutes every day with God. A man who doesn’t pray can hardly preserve anything he has in his life. Prayer helps in preventing evil and preserving. A stitch in time saves nine. Prayer is a spiritual stitch that saves and preserves the life, health, peace and prosperity of the children of God.

PRAYER PRESERVES

Just as a security man is employed in organizations, homes and even in neighborhoods to prevent thieves and unwanted persons from gaining access into places they are not wanted, in order to maintain law and order, that is the same way prayer prevents unwanted circumstances in a man’s life. It preserves the household of a prayerful man, protects his business and belongings in any given area at every given time. It averts countless numbers of ills (Genesis 45:7). Prayer has never failed in discharging the duty of preservation of lives and one’s future even till date. It’s efficacy for turning situations around is still very much potent.

Thou shalt keep them, O Lord; thou shalt preserve them from this generation forever (Psalms 12:7).

Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah (Psalms 61:1-4).

Prayer helps you to be unlimited in all spheres of life. We are sometimes carried away by the happenings around us and have forgotten our source of everything- Jesus Christ. The quest to accumulate wealth and be famous has taken our hearts off prayer. I tell you, all you worked hard to gain for years can, in a jiffy, develop wings and fly off if you don’t find time to pray for God to preserve them. The Bible says we should not overwork or even kill ourselves in a bid to get what to eat today and to save for tomorrow. Your efforts cannot help you without prayer. Luke says:

Consider the lilies how they grow, they toil not, they spin not, and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothe the grass, which is today in the field, and tomorrow is cast in the oven; how much more will he clothe you, o ye of little faith? (Luke 12:27-31).

We have so underestimated God’s ability to take care of our basic needs because of lack of faith and trust in God. The thought of what to eat, drink or wear has taken over the space for God in our hearts, yet His Word says:

And seek not ye what you shall eat, or what ye shall drink… (Luke 12:27).

From verse 29 to 31, God says He has made provisions for you to have that which makes you toil from Monday to Sunday in the office easily on a platter of gold, if only you will seek the Kingdom of God first, and then you will have all you want and need. It pays to seek God’s face first before dashing out to the office every day, because those who dash out without praying dash out to destruction/frustration most at times. Most people have accidents (physical/emotional/financial) in their lives because they refuse to pray and seek the face of God that day before going out. David was one of such men in Bible time. His days were always dedicated to prayer. He never fought a single battle without prayer. He always sought the face of God before facing the business of the day. No wonder he had outstanding victories.

Deliver me, O Lord, from the evil man: preserve me from the violent man; which imagine mischiefs in their heart; continually are they gathered