Glory of God Prayer Group, St. Cecilia Parish, Wa Diocese, Ghana - Let Your Light Shine

Saint of the Day

Two kinds of people

There are two kinds of people: those who say to God, 'Thy will be done,' and those to whom God says, 'All right, then, have it your way.' C. S. Lewis

Progress

We all want progress, but if you're on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; in that case, the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive. C. S. Lewis

As we are, such are the times

If we live good lives, the times are also good. As we are, such are the times. Saint Augustine

God judged it better

God judged it better to bring good out of evil than to suffer no evil to exist. Saint Augustine

Selective faith

If you believe what you like in the gospels, and reject what you don't like, it is not the gospel you believe, but yourself. Saint Augustine

I willingly cure him for the love of God

I try to give to the poor people for love what the rich could get for money. No, I wouldn't touch a leper for a thousand pounds; yet I willingly cure him for the love of God. Mother Teresa

What does love look like?

What does love look like? It has the hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men. That is what love looks like. Saint Augustine

Miracles

Miracles are a retelling in small letters of the very same story which is written across the whole world in letters too large for some of us to see. C. S. Lewis

Beauty is the bait

Beauty is the bait which with delight allures man to enlarge his kind. Socrates

Feed the poor

If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one. Mother Teresa

Our heart is not quiet until it rests in…

Thou hast created us for Thyself, and our heart is not quiet until it rests in Thee. Saint Augustine

Have peace fully in your heart

While you are proclaiming peace with your lips, be careful to have it even more fully in your heart. Francis of Assisi

if you love until it hurts

I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love. Mother Teresa

Man lives as to make happiness impossibl…

Indeed, man wishes to be happy even when he so lives as to make happiness impossible. Saint Augustine

unwanted, unloved

Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think that is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat. Mother Teresa

Believe that you may understand

Seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. Saint Augustine

Meaning of the universe

If the whole universe has no meaning, we should never have found out that it has no meaning: just as, if there were no light in the universe and therefore no creatures with eyes, we should never know it was dark. Dark would be without meaning. C. S. Lewis

Hear the other side

Hear the other side. Saint Augustine

The real problem

The real problem is not why some pious, humble, believing people suffer, but why some do not. C. S. Lewis

Words of light

Words which do not give the light of Christ increase the darkness. Mother Teresa

Three days fasting and prayers -28th - 30th May, 2008
Teacher: Felix Dordaa Mahama
Text: Philippians 3:7-9

Background of St. Paul

St. Paul was a Pharisee. He was a scholar well respected. He had the right to be called a Jew and to be hailed by his own people and by other people.

Everyone loves uniqueness and the Israelites were unique; and St. Paul could choose to hold on to this uniqueness without caring about the rest of the world. 

He could choose to stick to the old laws which probably were easier to follow; e.g. Jesus said because of the hardness of the hearts of the Israelites Moses allowed them to divorce. Jesus also said the Israelites believed in dishonouring their parents provided they could give to God whatever they would have used to honour their parents.

The sacrifice St. Paul made

St. Paul left all these more attractive things and chose a more difficult path of righteousness. He considered all these things that he could have enjoyed as a loss. In other words these things, as pleasing as they were did not have any attachment in his heart anymore. He left these things for the sake of the knowledge of Jesus Christ, which is eternal life.

What should we do ourselves?

It is this very knowledge of Christ that we seek, and in order to obtain this knowledge of Christ, we also need to, like St. Paul, reckon all the past things which used to give us joy, and which we might consider as profit, but which hide from as the knowledge of Christ, as loss.

This is a call to depart from past indulgences and engage in a new life. We should not fantasize about the past joys that we derived from indulging in negative activities. In fact, this is one of the reasons why we find it difficult to break away from past habits.
We need to break away from the past habits such as

  • Idolatry
  • Drunkenness
  • Drugs
  • Quarrels (home, school, work place)
  • Embezzlement
  • Selfishness (material, mental, spiritual)
  • Laziness
  • Living in illusion of past glories that prevent us from humbling ourselves and making a fresh start. We have to live in the reality of the present.
  • Fashion in the Church which either tempt or divert the attention of brethren

Consequences of fantasizing

For example, if you should begin to relive and fantasize about the times you indulged in fornication or adultery with your boyfriend or girlfriend, or the drinking sprees you used to go on, or the highs you used to go on drugs, or the pains you used to inflict on your neighbours during quarrels, all the chicken you ate with embezzled money, etc, you begin to desire to relive those days. You may even begin to regret ever leaving those ways. This sets your mind as a fertile ground for the devil and his agents to play on, influencing you towards the evil past. It would mean we consider these past things as a valuable part of our lives and so we give Satan the right to tempt us into doing them.
If we used to sacrifice to idols, we now know that it is wrong and doing so will deprive us of the knowledge of Christ and the new life it brings. Even though we used to get quick results from such practices, we have to forsake them. We should remember that the knowledge of Christ brings a new life which is filled with peace, security, hope and comfort. Even though the past may seem very pleasant, let us remember that we seek something much more valuable.

Prayer points

Our prayer is to break away from (the fantasy of)

  1. Fornication and adultery
  2. Idolatry
  3. Drunkenness and drugs
  4. Quarrels
  5. Insincerity
  6. Selfishness
  7. Laziness
  8. Illusion of past glories
  9. Immoral fashion

    We also pray for the following areas
  10. All those people who indulge in any of the above
  11. Church and renewal leaders
  12. Revival of the Renewal and the Church
  13. Revival and strengthening of ministries
  14. Successful youth congress
  15. Wars and disasters
  16. Successful campaigns and election

 

Related Articles

The unchangeable changer

The Israelites left Egypt with jewelry and clothes they didn't buy. May our enemies look on as we advance in wealth and health miraculously because the unchangeable changer and the great I AM is our God and his name and power is our solace. Cosmas Nanyaa   Read more>>>

You need to pray

DEAR BELOVED IN CHRIST, GET A LITTLE TIME AND READ AND GOD WILL BLESS YOU, AMEN. BEWARE of the times. You need to:??Pray for forgiveness??Pray for strength??Pray for knowledge ??Pray for wisdom??Pray for insight??Pray for understanding??Pray for strong faith??Pray for grace??Pray for peace??Pray for mercy??Pray for protection??Pray for Holy Ghost direction??Pray for power??Pray for spiritual guidanceso to withstand in all times.Whosoever seeks these but not wealth is founded on a rock.   Read more>>>

My soul belongs to Yahweh

Oh, satan, I pity you. I've just been reminded that my soul belongs to Yahweh, so u can't touch it. You are indeed a great loser.   Read more>>>

Knowing the God you serve: God will forg…

Teacher: Felix Dordaa Mahama Text: {bib=Judith 5:17-21} What if I were God? Would I be able to forgive the many wrongs that people do, even after they confess? When I examine my own thoughts and emotions and when I listen to contributions to the Friday morning toaster programme, I wonder what would happen to us if God were a human; He is so full of mercy and compassion, sometimes I wonder if I were God I would be able to forgive some of... Read more>>>

Marriage Software

This is what a guy wrote to a Systems Analyst -(Marriage Software Div); Dear Systems Analyst, I am desperate for some help! I recently upgraded my program from Girlfriend 7.0 to Wife 1.0 and found that the new program began unexpected Child Processing and also took up a lot of space and valuable resources. This wasn't mentioned in the product brochure. In addition Wife 1.0 installs itself into all other programs and launches during systems initialization and then it monitors all other system... Read more>>>

What does God say about your problems?

A personal reflection on 23rd July 2011{bib=2 Kings 19:1-37} (start at {bib=2 Kings 18:13}) OR {bib=Isaiah 36, 37} {bib=2 Kings 19:3} – When you are in grief, do you pick a boyfriend/girlfriend for help; do you consult another god, do you start looking for a way to extort other people, do you throw your hands up in despair?               – When you are in shame do you show your enemies? {bib=2 Kings 19:6} – What are you going through now? Sickness, joblessness, underpayment, frustration... Read more>>>

Marriage is like FUFU preparation!

In fufu making, we basically use two crops- CASSAVA AND PLANTAIN!In marriage making, it involves two people- MAN AND WOMAN! Two different people are being put together to live as one.The cassava comes from the GROUND; the plantain comes from ABOVE! Two different people with different backgrounds are to live together as one.The cassava is always dirty but the plantain always enjoys the washing by rain water and the direct brightness of the sun.Don't expect your spouse to be like you! Your... Read more>>>

In praise of the Lord

Who is it that visits the hot sun without getting burnt?Who else but the Lord of power Who is it that visits the cold moon without being frozen?Who else but the Lord of might Who is it that confines the seas with His hands?Who else but the Lord, the creator of the heavens and the earth Who is it that tames lions?Who else but the Lord Who is it that the winds obey?Who else but the Lord Who is it that waves obey?Who else but... Read more>>>

The agenda is on - The six stages of soc…

Social Deception very often is a process by which wrong becomes right, and right becomes wrong. It’s a complete paradigm shift of opinions, standards and morals that is achieved softly, subtly and often takes a generation to entrench into society. Those who engineer it are very deliberate and structured in their approach.   If you want to know what I am talking about, find out your mother’s views on things like sexuality and marriage and compare them with yours. The contrast in... Read more>>>

Living in a changed life

Three days fasting and prayers - Wednesday, 26th November, 2008 Teacher: Felix Dordaa Mahama Text: {bib=1 Peter 4:1-6} “When you go to Rome, do what the Romans do” Once we want something from a certain place, we have to identify ourselves with that place and live like the people there (“When you go to Rome, do what the Romans do”). Once we change our state of life, we have to change the things that we do or the way we used to do them. In our... Read more>>>

The different world of blurred future of…

The world is more than rotten The world has changed completely into what I can’t describe. Will I say rotten? Oh no, it will be an understatement. Some youth say, “We are in the 21st century.” Some also say, “We are the future leaders.” Other youth say, “We are civilised.” Still, others say, “Computer children.” Indeed this twenty-first century has changed. Things are now upside down, which has made the road to righteousness very rough for the youth and difficult to... Read more>>>

The Apostles' creed

I believe in God, The Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from there He shall come to judge the... Read more>>>

The rotten generation

 Aaah! Oooh!I can smell the smokeThe smoke of the burning generationGeneration of darkness and crimeDark, deep, deeper than the bottomless pit   This rotten generationMakes my heart bleedI am filled with sorrow about how morality Is being thrown away Like a piece of cloth wrapped around the waist Aah! What a generation of it-doesn’t-matter   This rotten generationPursues the youth with its rotten fingersCapture them, harden their hearts like stonesThe youth no more see the light Jesus Christ has become deviant crime Drugs and... Read more>>>

Understanding the book of Acts

Analysis of video condemning water baptism for gentiles(Understanding Acts)   It is very helpful to watch the complete video before reading my comments, so that you can have the full picture. Someone referred me to this video when we were discussing about baptism. The video claims that water baptism is not required by gentiles for salvation. I have analyzed the video and given my thoughts on it. I would have loved to post my comments directly on youtube, but comments have been disabled... Read more>>>

Pack your things and give them to me to …

Drama this Morning:  My wife and I were having a serious quarrel when I said to her, "Pack your things and ...." At that moment her phone rang, so I had to stop for her to receive the call. It was her dad. The phone was on speaker so I could hear what he was saying. After the usual pleasantries between father and daughter, he said: "my daughter, I have transferred $1,000,000 into your account, give your husband $500,000 out... Read more>>>

It's a hoax: NASA finds message fro…

This message has been circulating on the internet and elsewhere about the discovery of a message from God by NASA. This is part of the story: The original message "NASA announced today that its Curiosity Rover has found an unambiguous message from God written on tablets in a Martian cave. According to an official press release two giant stone slabs the size of small elephants were located deep inside a cavern abutting Aeolis Mons, a large mountain. Upon one tablet is a copy of the Ten... Read more>>>

Hail Mary ...

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen. OR Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of... Read more>>>

Popular prayers

The Apostles’ Creed I believe in God, The Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from there He shall come to... Read more>>>

My prayer for you

I pray that you may prosper, more so in your soul, in the name of Jesus Christ. May Jehova Jire  provide all your needs according to his riches in glory. May he who saved the Israelites from the tyranny of the Egyptian king rescue you completely. May he who is all-knowing and source of all knowledge and wisdom give you the needed grace this day and help you understand the dream you just woke up from. May your enemies look... Read more>>>

The art of quiet time: prayer

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, I greet you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. May the grace and peace of God be in your heart. Friends, in {bib=Luke 22:39-46}, Jesus admonished us to keep watch and pray so as to avoid trial. Beloved, there will at some point in your life be a moment of trial, but at those times you need strength from above just as in the case of Jesus. ({bib=Luke 22:43}) Importance of prayer Dear friends, prayer... Read more>>>