Praying The Price to be victorious

Updated: Tuesday 12-05-2009

A review of Rev. (Dr) Ademola Ojo’s’ Praying The Price by Prof. Isaac Akinyele.

Praying The Price is an essential ingredient of Christian living, church growth and winning souls for Christ. In reviewing the book, I identified the themes of the book before examining the contents to confirm its appropriateness in relation to the themes of the book. The major themes are praying and price.

Dr. Ojo, in this book, places emphasis on the need to pray in different situations to achieve peace, understanding, deliverance, open heavens, reversing blunders and failures, weapon against enemies and prosperity.

The book also dwells on patterns of prayers; praying in the name of Jesus, praying in truth, praying in faith, invoking the blood of Jesus, praying with understanding, amongst others.

The other theme which comes out clearly is the “price” to achieve the promises of God through prayers.

The first theme on prayer provides an insight into the power and benefit of prayers. The sermons on “price” intersperse the praying discourse. The writing of the book is lucid, which makes for easy understanding by readers.

It also demonstrates that the contents were well researched and inspired by great divine influence. I find the book fascinating and inspirational.

The book offers every Christian a chance for revival and improved preparation for the second coming.

In the forward written on the book, certain key words are used by the writers, which shows an agreement on the perception which comes throughout the book.

Pastor Olagunju, the General Superintendent, CAC Worldwide writes: “Prayer is the link between man and his source, any river that breaks the link with its source will dry up”

Dr. Onagwa, the National Coordinator, Youth Fellowship, CAC Worldwide writes:“Here are the five loaves of bread and two fishes placed in your hand by Dr. Ojo with a divine commission.”

Dr. (Pastor) Paul Obadare from Baltimore, Maryland, writes: “The paradigm in this book is based on Jesus’ prayer life which I like to describe as the ammunition which enabled him to succeed in the work of redemption. The scriptures reveal Christ’s pattern which Christians ought to follow. This is because prayer is the only key that connects us to the right source and the only instrument of change in human life.”

Finally, Professor (Pastor) Olusola Akinyele, my elder brother, also from Baltimore, Maryland USA, writes: “Christians cannot live a life of devotion to God in worship without prayers. It is an important part of entering into the presence of God.”

The author, himself, in the preface writes: ”I do not attempt to set forth rudiments or basic principles of answered prayers. Instead, my aim, with the help of the Holy Ghost, is to provide the believer with a deeper understanding and appreciation of prayers as a multifaceted instrument for unlocking heavens abundant and limitless resources.”

I discover that the 22 chapters in the book are interconnected when examined together as a whole.

Chapter One: Prayer: The weapon of our warfare provides the foundation for the rest of the book and explains in details the intricacies of weapon and warfare. It provides scriptures to explain the different forms of weapon in relation to our warfare. The chapter helps us to identify our enemy as Satan and gives us an understanding of the need to be equipped for battle as contained in Ephesians 6:12, where we are commanded to put on the full armour of God so that we will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.

“The armour with which we need to be equipped are the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the sandals of peace, the shield of faith (so that we will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one), the helmet of salvation, since the battle starts in our minds. We, therefore, need protection against the temptations with which Satan is sure to attack us. The last armour is the sword of the spirit which is the word of God and the “price” we need to “pray”. The sword is both a defensive and offensive weapon against the tactics of the Satan. It is more powerful than any weapon of mass destruction because the word of God pierces the human heart to bring about conviction, repentance and a transformed life.

These different armours against Satan are required for praying away the curse of men, praying away blunders and failures, and praying away parasites.

In chapter six, the author lists the type of prayers God will not hear, while praying away parasites. He also lists the prayers that God will hear. If we do not understand these differences concerning prayers, one will always wonder why they pray and do not see results. Unless we understand the scriptures that serve as guide to answered prayers, we shall continue to labour in vain. The author makes this clear in all the chapters emphasising what we need to know in the word of God to achieve results.

On Page 72 of the book, the author illustrates with a personal experience in his church on the issue of prayers which God will hear or not hear. Most people would not want to teach or pray what God will not hear but he writes, “I prefer to teach on that prayer that God will not hear simply to help the children of God understand the meaning of prayer with respect to what Jesus taught us. Prayer in this sense is not to overcome the reluctance of God but to entreat His willingness to fulfil whatsoever He has promised and that is achieved by praying the words of God”.

These weapons are strengthened when you are praying in the spirit, praying with understanding and when you adopt the practice of praying always as well as a lifestyle of prayer. The author lucidly presents the scriptural basis of these prayers and the meaning of the price attached to them to get results.

Going into battle in God’s strength produces the victory promised by Him. You are saved to profit when you pray the prayer of David. God’s promises and open heavens are achieved when you pray the price indicated by the word of God. Chapters 9, 10, 13, 17 and 18 bring together the arrow head of Praying the Price. Since it brings together the ministry of the Son of God who is the author and finisher of our faith and salvation –Jesus Christ.

The power in the price He prayed on the cross and the blood which He shed at Calvary strengthens our faith and makes it possible to pray in truth. The author brings out with understanding these aspects of Praying The Price. Chapter 14 brings out the need to pray together to achieve results.

The injunction of Jesus Christ that where two or three are gathered together in my name becomes relevant here. The author provides the arguments for partnership in praying the price based solidly on the word of God which is our sword of the spirit, a weapon for fighting the warfare. There are some patterns of prayer which are required and needed to be prayed.

There are special prayers for certain situations which need to be prayed and appointed prayers. All these are based on the scriptures which the author explains very well bringing out the anointing which directed the treatise espoused in the book Praying The Price.

One fascinating thing about this book is the fact that throughout the book, the author lists prayer points either at the end of the chapter or at appropriate places that the user of this book can understand and know the type of Praying The Price which needs to be done.