Can prayers do all things?

By Helen Paul

I’m from a part of the world where religion and spirituality are held in very high esteem. Nigerians, nay Africans, don’t joke with religion and most times would go the extra mile to defend what they believe in, be it Christianity, Islam, or traditional ways of worship. While many social analysts believe that religion is one of the major banes of Nigeria, considering the many riots, unrest and counterattacks it has ignited, I think religion, irrespective, is one of the things that is keeping us together as an entity. However, as individuals, it is pertinent that we understand that a man’s character is his fate.

For instance, you may be vast with the knowledge of the Bible or Quran, but your character would ultimately determine how people relate with you. Also, the roles of spirituality and reality cannot be used interchangeably. If you’re not feeling fine, you will need to consult a doctor, run some tests to determine exactly what is wrong, then take the necessary medication or treatment, not praying and fasting for the ailment to vanish. I believe in miracles — they do happen — but when and where they will happen can only be determined by God. Heraclitus Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States (US), said: “Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude.”

I have watched pitiably how people self-sabotage themselves by seeking spiritual solutions to character-deficit issues. They look around at everybody as suspects for their predicaments when their greatest demons lurk within them – their character. What we often call our destiny is truly our character, and since that character can change, then destiny can be altered. Character is destiny.

Is prayer actually everything? Many would begin to argue back and forth on this intriguing question, but my main purpose of writing this piece is not to get involved in arguments. Arguments don’t improve the validity of a ‘truth;’ they only determine how long it would take before you realise it. Most people believe that we can pray ourselves to success and get away with virtually anything if we become a stickler to some prayer routines. There is no amount of spiritual penance that can substitute for character. Sometimes, you need character, not prayer.

Dutch Sheets said: “Prayer is not a check request asking for things from God; it is a deposit slip — a way of depositing God’s character into our bankrupt souls.” British writer and politician, Thomas Macaulay (1800–1859), said: “The measure of a man’s character is what he would do if he knew he never would be found out.” I have often said that what would ultimately destroy a man going to high places in life is not really the enemies that are waiting for him there, but the character that followed him there.

I want to emphatically underline the fact that this write-up is not meant to trivialise prayers in any way. I have observed that many people take character for granted, while overzealously tuning into their spiritual mode. We have become so spiritually in tune through prayers that we neglect the place of character and our relationship with people. Many are actually ‘heavenly’-bound, but with no earthly relevance. You can speak with spiritual eloquence, pray in public and maintain a holy appearance, but it is your behaviour and character that will actually trigger the manifestation of all that God has for you.

You must learn to treat people with courtesy. The Shunammite woman must have been praying for a child all through her life. By being hospitable to a man of God, she eventually got her much-awaited miracle. It wasn’t prayer that opened the door for her; it was her character. Assuming she wasn’t hospitable, she would have missed a critical miracle. Many times, we pray, fast and bind demons that don’t exist when our real demons are just our greatly flawed character. Many have insulted people that were divinely placed and orchestrated to help them fulfil their destiny. Some people are keeping malice with their destiny helpers. Treat people with respect. Treat strangers with courtesy. Never look down on anybody. God can use anyone to change your story.

Abigail Van Buren said: “The best index to a person’s character is how he treats people who can’t do him any good, and how he treats people who can’t fight back.” You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him. The way we treat people we think can’t help or hurt us — like housekeepers, waiters, and secretaries — tells more about our character than how we treat people we think are important. How do you treat people?

Prayer is not everything. Build relationships, and don’t ever forget that God will always use man. Be mindful of your words and how you speak to people. Work seriously on your character and attitude towards life.