(ThySistas.com) So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet. – James 4:8-10 of The Message Bible
On Sunday, March 19, 2017, I was invited to attend the Women’s Day Celebration at West Mitchell Street CME Church located at 560 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive SW in Atlanta, Georgia. The theme for the celebration was “When Women of God Pray, the Battle is Won”. I found myself very touched by the sermon delivered by Presiding Elder Jane Thomas, that I wanted to share four of the many points that truly hit home for me.
Prayer is the soul of worship, so be sure to:
* Put yourself under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. In my experience, I have found that being moved by 
the word of God and being moved by the Holy Spirit were slightly different. Typically, when we read the word we gravitate towards that which we need to hear at the time or we read from text that have been shared with us. Reading and understanding the word of God keeps us grounded in the truth, it gives us direction and guidance as believers. The Holy Spirt on the other hand may come to us as a whisper, a thought, a heartfelt feeling, overwhelming presence, and so on. When we are under the guidance of the Holy Spirt, we move with confidence, obedience, and purpose. It is the guidance of the Holy Spirit that requires our faith be strong enough to move when, where, and how God commands.
* Persistent prayer. Some may pray only when life is going great and the sole intention of prayer and obedience is for the maintenance of this “good life”. Some may pray only when life is falling apart and they see no way out so the sole intention of the prayer and obedience is to better the outcome of this “failing life”. Believers pray persistently! Believers pray when life is perfect, when they are in good health, when they are weak, when they are unclear, when they are in doubt, when they need strength, when they need forgiveness, when they want to show gratitude, when they are ready to grow, when they are seeking purpose… you see, the believer finds a reason to pray regularly because they are in a relationship with God, not solely for the things God can provide.
* Pray with conviction. We don’t always get what we want but we always get that which is for our highest good. When we pray to God/Source/Spirt, we open our hearts and mind to the guidance and will of our Creator. It does not benefit us to pray to God with a “hope you will, but you probably won’t because I…..” type of mindset. When we approach God in prayer, we must take with us the awareness of the mercy, love, forgiveness, and guidance of God. We will never be perfect enough! This is why we pray with conviction, with trust and with the knowledge that all that happens is for our highest good.
* Forsake the things of the world. When we speak of forsaking the things of this world, the mind quickly goes towards sin. Sin is not the only thing in the world. When we speak of forsaking the things of the world, we are also speaking of those things that distract you and take you off the course and path of God. Your house may be a blessing, however if, once you move into your home you begin putting all your energy, time and faith into the home rather than on God, that very blessing can turn against you. We must keep God first in our lives, we must forsake those things that take away from the time we spend listening, obeying, and following God.
“You groped your way through that murk once, but no longer. You’re out in the open now. The bright light of Christ makes your way plain. So no more stumbling around. Get on with it! The good, the right, the true—these are the actions appropriate for daylight hours. Figure out what will please Christ, and then do it”. – Ephesians 5:9-10.
For truly when women of God pray, things change!
Staff Writer; Dina Tuff
333rd Eye Healing Temple
Reconnecting Consciousness to Magick
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