Servias Ministries Blog

What is the purpose of prayer?

It is to release FATHER’S Hands into the broken situation we face.  Let us be refreshed in the purpose of prayer.

Jesus gave us the model prayer to follow in Matthew chapter 6:

5 “Whenever you pray, be sincere and not like the pretenders who love the attention they receive while praying before others in the meetings and on street corners. Believe me, they’ve already received their reward.

6 But whenever you pray, go into your innermost chamber and be alone with Father God, praying to Him in secret. And Your Father, Who sees all you do, will reward you openly.

There is a reward associated with prayer.  The reward will either come from men, or it will come from FATHER.  We don’t try to manipulate FATHER for personal gain.  However, HE knows not only your needs but also your righteous desires.  HE looks for opportunities to give rewards.  That is what Love does.

7 When you pray, there is no need to repeat empty phrases, praying like the Gentiles do, for they expect God to hear them because of their many words.

Repeated prayers for what we have need of is not necessary.  HE is not reluctant to meet our needs.

8 There is no need to imitate them, since Your Father already knows what you need before you ask Him.

David wrote by The Holy Spirit in Psalm chapter 139:

1 Lord, You know everything there is to know about me.

2 You perceive every movement of my heart and soul, and you understand my every thought before it even enters my mind.

9 Pray like this: ‘Our Beloved Father, dwelling in the Heavenly realms, may the glory of Your Name be the Center on which our lives turn.

When we fully surrender to HIM, HE becomes the Center of our lives.  Jesus identifies HIM as Our Father thus we have a relationship with HIM.  As we grow closer to HIM, HIS righteousness invades our soul.  The two fundamental temptations by the adversary are to question what GOD said, and to question who you are.  Both Adam and Eve, and Jesus while in the wilderness, were tempted in the same way.  What GOD says over your life is the target of the enemy.

10 Manifest Your Kingdom realm, and cause Your every purpose to be fulfilled on earth, just as it is in Heaven.

GOD gave us the earth to dwell in and have authority over it.  To be just, HE must be invited to co-labor with us on the earth.  This prayer is the invitation.

11 We acknowledge You as our Provider of all we need each day.

We live in a true household of unlimited resources.  Our mindset must be changed so that our expectations will change.  Our faith and trust will increase.

12 Forgive us the wrongs we have done as we ourselves release forgiveness to those who have wronged us.

13 Rescue us every time we face tribulation and set us free from evil. For You are the King Who rules with power and glory forever. Amen.’

The revelation in a person’s life, helps to establish identity, purpose, destiny, and an awareness of unlimited resources.  This is what Jesus is teaching us in this prayer.

Have you lost your first Love?

We must never forget the simplicity in focusing on our first Love for Christ.  What are you focusing on in your daily walk?

Chaff is lifeless, only a shell without the kernel.  Chaff depicts a life without the Truth of Christ.  The kernel represents true fruitfulness based on Love’s motivation.

It is written by The Holy Spirit in Psalm chapter 1:

1 What delight comes to the one who follows God’s ways! He won’t walk in step with the wicked, nor share the sinner’s way, nor be found sitting in the scorner’s seat.

2 His passion is to remain true to the Word of “I AM,” meditating day and night on the true revelation of light.

3 He will be standing firm like a flourishing tree planted by God’s design, deeply rooted by the brooks of bliss, bearing fruit in every season of life. He is never dry, never fainting, ever blessed, ever prosperous.

4 But how different are the wicked. They are like chaff blown away by the wind.

Chaff also represents things within a person that GOD wants removed such as pride, hypocrisy, self-reliance, sin, and superficial faith.

Luke recorded by The Holy Spirit in Luke chapter 3:

15 During those days, everyone was gripped with messianic expectations, believing the Messiah could come at any moment, and many began to wonder if John might be the Christ.

16 But John made it clear by telling them, “There is One coming Who is mightier than I. He is supreme. In fact, I’m not worthy of even being His slave. I can only baptize you in this river, but He will baptize you into the Spirit of Holiness and into His raging fire.

17 He has in His Hands a winnowing fork to clean up His threshing floor! He will separate the wheat from the chaff. The wheat He will gather into His barn, but He will burn the chaff in a fire that no one can ever put out!”

The threshing process becomes a picture of purification — separating what is Eternal from what is merely outward.  We can connect this to trials and refinement, where GOD removes “chaff” from a person’s life to produce genuine character and faith.  It is all based on Agape Love.

All success and progress in our lives carries “chaff”—unnecessary baggage that God wants to prune away to keep our hearts fresh.  Often, as we achieve notable success, we will develop pride and self-reliance.  We must guard against such tendencies by focusing on our full surrender to Christ.

God’s discipline is not meant to be punishment, but a form of pruning that prepares believers for greater fruitfulness.  For those who are “listening” to the Word, this process happens through intimacy and obedience rather than just hard circumstances 

Jesus spoke in Matthew chapter 6:

33 “So above all, constantly seek God’s Kingdom and His righteousness, then all these less important things will be given to you abundantly.”

We are to move beyond being mere consumers of ministry and instead adopt a lifestyle of total surrender, seeking God’s Presence above all else.  What is your priority, to acquire stuff or come into FATHER’S Presence?  As we surrender ourselves to HIM, our first Love will reignite, HIS Holy Fire will manifest in our lives, and the chaff will be burned away.  It’s that simple!

What is God doing when things don’t work out like you planned?

We are to shift from merely knowing about God to truly knowing Him.  We should expect detours and crises which are often part of a Divine plan for protection, provision, and destiny.

Wisdom wrote in Proverbs chapter 3:

5 Trust in the Lord completely, and do not rely on your own opinions. With all your heart rely on Him to guide you, and He will lead you in every decision you make.

In order to fully trust HIM, you must fully surrender to HIM.  My opinion has only limited value because I inherently have limited understanding, knowledge, and skill.

Great leaders, like Moses, struggled with the distinction of knowing GOD versus knowing about GOD.

Moses recorded by The Holy Spirit in Exodus chapter 33:

12 Then Moses said to the LORD, “See, You say to me, ‘Bring up this people.’ But You have not let me know whom You will send with me. Yet You have said, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found grace in My Sight.’

13 Now therefore, I pray, if I have found grace in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You and that I may find grace in Your sight. And consider that this nation is Your people.”

14 And He said, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

15 Then he said to Him, “If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here.

Moses fully acknowledged his own limitations thus he needed supernatural direction and participation to carry out his calling.  FATHER was more than willing to oblige his request.

David wrote by The Holy Spirit in Psalm chapter 103:

7 He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel.

We need to prioritize learning God’s “ways” to avoid being misled and to gain Wisdom for our life’s decisions.  I learned this necessity the hard way at certain times in my life.  I am sure that I am not alone in life’s challenges.

David faced repeated trials—running from Saul, living in the wilderness, and finding himself at a low point in Ziklag.  When David returned to Ziklag to find it destroyed and his family taken, his men threatened to stone him.

David responded by “strengthening himself in the Lord”—a pivotal moment where he remembered God’s faithfulness and promises before seeking Him for guidance.

It is recorded by The Holy Spirit in 1^st Samuel chapter 30:

6 Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.

There were six ways God was at work in David’s apparent defeat.

First, THE LORD protected him from being forced to kill Saul by having the Philistine lords reject David and his men before the battle began.

Second, THE LORD provided for him through the plunder of the Amalekites.

17 Then David attacked them from twilight until the evening of the next day. Not a man of them escaped, except four hundred young men who rode on camels and fled.

18 So David recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away, and David rescued his two wives.

19 And nothing of theirs was lacking, either small or great, sons or daughters, spoil or anything which they had taken from them; David recovered all.

20 Then David took all the flocks and herds they had driven before those other livestock, and said, “This is David’s spoil.”

Thirdly, THE LORD propelled him toward his destiny by leading him to Ziklag.

1 Now it happened, when David and his men came to Ziklag, on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the South and Ziklag, attacked Ziklag and burned it with fire,

2 and had taken captive the women and those who were there, from small to great; they did not kill anyone, but carried them away and went their way.

Fourth, this produced a crisis that (fifth) rallied men to his leadership which

resulted in David being promoted through his handling of the crisis.

Finally, the prophet led by THE SPIRIT, pronounced his David’s kingship by granting him favor with the people.

I can’t stress enough the importance of renewing the mind through Scripture.  I would encourage you to study the Bible with the question “Why did You do it that way and not another way?” to uncover the nature and ways of God.  FATHER will disclose HIS Ways to those who ask.

Let us draw closer to GOD!

It is all about our closeness to HIS Presence.

Moses recorded by The Holy Spirit in Exodus chapter 33:

12 Then Moses said to the LORD, “See, You say to me, ‘Bring up this people.’ But You have not let me know whom You will send with me. Yet You have said, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found grace in My sight.’

FATHER also knows you and me by name.

13 Now therefore, I pray, if I have found grace in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You and that I may find grace in Your sight. And consider that this nation is Your people.”

14 And He said, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

15 Then he said to Him, “If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here.

16 For how then will it be known that Your people and I have found grace in Your sight, except You go with us? So we shall be separate, Your people and I, from all the people who are upon the face of the earth.”

17 So the LORD said to Moses, “I will also do this thing that you have spoken; for you have found grace in My sight, and I know you by name.”

18 And he said, “Please, show me Your glory.”

19 Then He said, “I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.”

There were three things Moses asked of GOD since He knew Moses by name:

Show me Your Ways

I want Your Presence to go with us

I want to see Your Glory

David wrote by The Holy Spirit in Psalm chapter 103:

7 He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel.

As we spend time with THE LORD, we will come to know HIS ways, HIS nature, and HIS expectations.  Israel saw God’s acts (miracles, provision, judgments), but Moses came to know God’s ways — His nature and intentions.

We should seek God Himself, not only His blessings.  Many people seek answers,

protection, provision, experiences, and miracles.  On the other hand, Moses pursued a close relationship with FATHER.

God’s ways become clearer through relationship, not merely information.

As we spend time in Scripture, our relationship with HIM will grow closer.

The Bible repeatedly reveals how God thinks, what He Loves, what He hates,

how He deals with people, His justice, His mercy, His Holiness, and His patience.

Especially important are:

the Gospels for seeing Jesus,

Psalms for understanding God’s Heart,

Proverbs for Wisdom,

the prophets for God’s warnings and purposes.

According to the New Testament, Jesus Christ is the clearest revelation of God’s Nature:

Jesus spoke in John chapter 14:

7 “If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.”

8 Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.”

9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father‘?

We are to obey what we already understand.  Scripture connects understanding with obedience.  People often want deeper revelation while ignoring what is already clear.

Jesus spoke in John chapter 7:

16 So Jesus responded, “I don’t teach My own ideas, but the Truth revealed to Me by the One Who sent Me.

17 If you want to test My teachings and discover where I received them, first be passionate to do God’s will, and then you will be able to discern if My teachings are from the Heart of God or from My own opinions.

Spiritual understanding grows through practiced obedience.  There are times we will learn through trials and suffering.  Many people discover God’s ways most deeply during hardship.

Trials can teach dependence, humility, perseverance, trust, compassion, and surrender.  Often shows God using hardship to shape people.

We are to pray for Wisdom and discernment.  We are encouraged to ask God for Wisdom.  “Lord, teach me Your ways and keep me from deception.”

We are to walk in reverence and humility, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom.”  We are to approach God with reverence, openness, and willingness to be corrected.

Pride blinds people to God’s ways; humility makes a person teachable.

God’s ways are consistently marked by Truth, Holiness, mercy, justice, patience, faithfulness, Love, and righteousness.  Anything that contradicts His revealed Character should be tested carefully.

Many want:

power without Holiness,

blessings without surrender,

answers without transformation.

But knowing God’s ways changes the person:

how they think,

treat others,

respond to pressure,

use authority,

handle suffering,

pursue Truth.

To know the ways of God is to seek Him sincerely, study His Word, obey Him,

remain humble and teachable, walk with Him through life, and gradually learn His Heart, Wisdom, and Character through relationship and faithfulness.

As we humble ourselves in HIS Presence, we will be able to take a decisive stand against the adversary!

It is all about our closeness to HIS Presence.

Peter wrote by The Holy Spirit in 1^st Peter chapter 5:

6 If you bow low in God’s Awesome Presence, HE will eventually exalt you as you leave the timing in HIS Hands.

7 Pour out all your worries and stress upon Him and leave them there, for He always tenderly cares for you.

8 Be well balanced and always alert, because your enemy, the devil, roams around incessantly, like a roaring lion looking for its prey to devour.

9 Take a decisive stand against him and resist his every attack with strong, vigorous faith. For you know that your believing brothers and sisters around the world are experiencing the same kinds of troubles you endure.

1] And then, after your brief suffering, the God of all Loving grace, Who has called you to share in His Eternal glory in Christ, will personally and powerfully restore you and make you stronger than ever. Yes, HE will set you firmly in place and build you up. 

Yes, we are being tested and strengthened IN HIM.  We are not to fear the devil but instead we are to take a decisive stand against him.

Taking a decisive stand against the devil means actively resisting evil, deception, temptation, and spiritual compromise by standing firmly in loyalty and trust in God, Truth, and righteousness. It is not mainly about aggression, fear, or dramatic confrontation — it is about steadfast faith, obedience, discernment, and endurance.

James wrote by The Holy Spirit in James 4:

7 So then, surrender to God. Stand up to the devil and resist him and he will flee in agony.

8 Move your heart closer and closer to God, and He will come even closer to you. But make sure you cleanse your life, you sinners, and keep your heart pure and stop doubting.

FATHER equipped us to deal with the adversary.  We must trust in this Truth and reality.

Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in Ephesians chapter 6:

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

1] Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.

The emphasis is repeatedly on standing firm.

What does “standing firm” look like from a practical standpoint?

1. Refusing agreement with lies

The devil is described as “the father of lies” in Gospel of John 8:44.

A decisive stand means rejecting thoughts, beliefs, or influences that contradict God’s Truth.

Examples:

refusing bitterness even when wounded

refusing despair when pressured

refusing compromise for personal gain

refusing false teaching or manipulation

2. Choosing obedience even when costly

The stand becomes decisive when a person settles beforehand:

“I will obey God even if it costs comfort, approval, money, reputation, or ease.”

This is similar to how Book of Daniel describes Daniel refusing to defile himself in Babylon, or how Jesus resisted temptation in the wilderness.

Jesus’ example:

When tempted by Satan in the wilderness, Jesus Christ answered with Scripture and remained aligned with the Father’s will rather than emotion, appetite, or pride.

3. Remaining spiritually alert

A decisive stand includes vigilance:

guarding what influences your mind

testing teachings and spirits

recognizing temptation early

not becoming spiritually passive

Scripture often connects spiritual danger with drifting, sleeping, or becoming dull-hearted.

4. Standing in faith instead of fear

The New Testament does not teach believers to obsess over the devil.  Instead, it teaches confidence in God’s authority.

A decisive stand is not panic, superstition, seeing demons everywhere, trying to appear spiritually powerful.  It is calm, grounded resistance through faith, Truth, prayer, and obedience.

We are told to persevere under pressure.  This is when our faith is tested.

The enemy’s work in Scripture often includes:

accusation

discouragement

division

temptation

deception

intimidation

So perseverance itself can become Spiritual resistance.

Simply, to take a decisive stand against the devil means fully aligning yourself with God, refusing compromise with evil or deception, resisting temptation and spiritual corruption, remaining faithful under pressure, and standing firm in Truth, prayer, and obedience no matter the cost.