Opening Prayer:
Have mercy on us, Lord, for You cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Let the blood of Jesus cleanse us. Jesus, let Your blood purify us as we fellowship with one another in love. Lord, cleanse us with Your blood and make us acceptable before You.
We are not accepted by our own righteousness—it is the blood of Jesus that makes us acceptable before God. Cleanse us, Lord, from all unrighteousness. As we approach the throne of grace with boldness, let our prayers be heard. Whatever You desire to speak to us, let our ears be open to hear and our hearts ready to understand. Let Your Word bear fruit in our lives, and may our prayers be answered.
Lord, we know You are here. Your presence is already with us. You are the reason we are here, the Most High God. Jehovah, You are the reason we have gathered. You are the Most High God.
Lord, we ask You to speak to us. Just as when You called Samuel, and he responded, “Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening,” may we too listen and respond to Your voice. Speak to us, Lord, for we are ready to hear and receive Your grace.
In Jesus’ name, we have prayed.
Scriptures to Reflect on
Before we stand again to pray, I want us to take some time to reflect, as today we should focus more on prayer.
But before we continue praying, let’s open our Bibles.
Galatians Chapter 6
Let’s read verses 5 through 7:
“For every man shall bear his own burden.”
Verse 6 says, “Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.”
And verse 7: “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”
Next, let’s turn to Psalms Chapter 57, Verse 2:
“I will cry unto God Most High, unto God that performeth all things for me.”
Please take note of what we’re reading because we will pray from these scriptures.
Now, let’s go to 1 Samuel Chapter 4.
We’ll start from verse 1. Why did I decide we should read these passages? It’s because we’re going to pray from them. Before we do, let me share a thought.
The God That Does Everything for Us
In Psalm 57:2, we see David crying out to God, saying He is the one who performs all things for him. David acknowledged that God takes care of everything.
Now, imagine serving a God who performs all things for you. Is there really anything left for you to do? The same God who performed all things for David is the God we serve today.
When you see God as the one who does everything for you, here’s a question I want to throw out: Should that believer fold their hands and do nothing? Should they only pray and expect God to handle everything?
What I want to say might seem contradictory, but it’s worth reflecting on. As Christians, how do we balance faith, prayer, and action?
[READ ALSO: Walking With God: Know the 7’Cs of How to Walk with God]
The Battle Between Israel and the Philitines
In 1 Samuel Chapter 4, we read an interesting story. This passage is one we often reflect on,
The story begins with the Israelites going to battle against the Philistines. As the battle raged, the Philistines began to win, and surprisingly, many Israelites were killed. It was a devastating loss for Israel.
In response, the Israelites retreated and began to strategize. They thought, “We’ve been fighting all this while and have been defeated. What should we do differently? Let’s bring the Ark of the Covenant. Surely, if the Ark of the Covenant is with us, there’s no way we can lose!”
This strategy sounded very promising. Perhaps they even consulted Eli, the priest, or others in leadership, saying something like, “We need to bring the Ark of the Covenant so God will fight for us!”
So, they brought the Ark of the Covenant into the battle. When the Israelites saw the Ark, they were filled with great joy. They said to themselves, “Our God, who performs all things for us, is now with us. Victory is certain!”
The Bible says in verse 5 that when the Ark arrived, all of Israel shouted with such a great shout that the earth rang. Imagine the kind of rejoicing and happiness the presence of the Ark brought to the Israelites. Their confidence was restored, and they believed they were invincible.
Yet, as we reflect on this story, it teaches us an important lesson. While prayer and trust in God are essential, there must also be a balance in taking personal responsibility for our actions. For example, we pray for success in exams, jobs, or other challenges, but faith must be accompanied by preparation and effort.
The story reminds us to rely on God fully, but also to act wisely and take responsibility in the areas where we have control. Let this be a reminder as we prepare to pray and align our faith with responsible actions.
I’m not entirely sure how to put this together, but I’ll try to explain my thoughts. If we carefully observe the events in 1 Samuel Chapter 4, we see that the root cause of Israel’s defeat was irresponsibility. This irresponsibility can be traced back to Eli, his sons, and even the Israelites as a whole.
God had already determined to judge Eli and his household because of his failure to fulfill his responsibilities. Eli’s role as a priest and leader came with expectations from God, but he fell short. If you read the passage carefully, you might wonder, “What exactly did God expect from Eli?”
Many have argued that Eli’s failure was in how he dealt with his sons—that he didn’t question or stop them from their sinful actions. However, the issue goes deeper than parenting; it reflects a lack of responsibility in fulfilling his role before God. Eli’s negligence allowed sin to thrive, and as a result, God departed from Israel.
Now, beyond the issue of sin, let’s focus on responsibility. The responsibility I’m referring to is broad—it’s not just about studying for exams, avoiding sin, or fulfilling specific tasks. It’s about a mindset of accountability in all areas of life.
In Galatians Chapter 6, Verse 5, the Bible says, “For every man shall bear his own burden.” This means each of us has a role to play and a responsibility to carry. By the time you get to Verse 7, it says, “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap.”
This highlights the importance of taking responsibility for our actions, our decisions, and our faith journey. Irresponsibility, as we see in the story of Eli and Israel, can lead to God’s presence departing and disastrous consequences.
[READ ALSO: 10 Steps to Practicing Daily Accountability to God: The Unseen Watcher]
Taking Responsibility for Your Life
Now, I believe this is something we should seriously consider, especially in a gathering like this, as Christians. I would go as far as saying that almost 99%, if not 100%, of believers are guilty of this issue I’m talking about. I’m not exempting myself from it either.
There are actions we take and behaviors we engage in, and at the end of it all, we expect God to intervene. I don’t know if you’re getting the picture of what I’m saying.
For example, there are certain behaviors or decisions that we make, and then we expect God to come in and fix things for us. We take steps that are not aligned with His will, and then we hope He will somehow resolve the situation.
The Bible says, “Wisdom is justified by her children”. This means that our actions reveal whether we are truly walking in wisdom or not.
What I’m addressing here has led to many misconceptions in the body of Christ. Some pastors, even well-respected men of God, have taught things like, “God doesn’t heal sickness,” or “God can do everything, but He cannot restore your health.”
This kind of teaching can create confusion and hinder believers from understanding the full scope of God’s power and willingness to intervene in their lives.
Maybe I didn’t fully understand him, but I think I get the point he was trying to make. I know that God can heal sickness, but in terms of health, God does expect us to take responsibility for how we care for our bodies.
The truth is, we need our bodies to accomplish whatever God has planned for us to do on this earth. For example, if a pastor is too busy or a doctor is overworking by taking too many shifts, they may be putting their health at risk. I even heard about a particular house officer who was buying shifts from others. I’m not sure if it’s buying or selling, but essentially, she would take someone else’s shift in exchange for payment. However, one day while attending to patients, she ended up becoming the patient herself.
This shows us that we need to take care of our bodies. Our bodies are essential in fulfilling God’s purpose for us. If we neglect our health, we might not be able to perform what God has planned for us.
A point came in the Bible when Moses died, and God chose Joshua to continue leading Israel. God promised Joshua that wherever his foot would step, the land would belong to Israel, from the wilderness even to the great river Euphrates. But even though God made this promise, Joshua did not conquer all the land that was promised. I want to ask: Who is responsible for that? Was it God? Was it Joshua? Or was it the children of Israel?
Taking Responsibilty for Our Health
You see, something is expected of us. God expects us to take responsibility. This applies to every area of our lives, including our health.
Now, let’s talk about the health aspect. Imagine a Christian praying for God’s divine health but neglecting the provision God has already given them to take care of their health. What do we expect from such a person’s prayers? Do we expect God to fix the damages that the person is causing themselves through neglect? God is not like a “repairman” who comes to fix what we break; He expects us to be responsible with what He has provided. Yes, He is our Father, but He is also a Father who wants His children to learn responsibility.
To understand how God deals with us, you need to read about Israel’s journey from Egypt to Canaan. You’ll see how God cared for them in ways they couldn’t even explain. He provided food, water, and protection. But God did not treat them like robots; He expected them to trust Him and take responsibility. At certain points, God allowed them to experience challenges to teach them to rely on Him and grow.
We are Responsible for Our Spiritual State
Let’s go back to Moses in Exodus 17. God had the power to give Moses strength, but He didn’t. Why? God could have directly given Moses the strength to hold up his hands during the battle, but He chose not to. Instead, Moses, with the wisdom of God, used common sense. He had Aaron and Hur help him by holding up his hands, and they found a stone for him to sit on. This was wisdom, responsibility, and teamwork.
This example should give us a clear picture of what God expects from us. We can’t just sit back and expect God to do everything. We have a role to play.
I mentioned earlier in Psalm 57:2, where David prays to God, “I will cry unto the Lord, the Lord that performeth all things for me.” While it’s true that God performs all things for us, there are still things He expects from us. We have a responsibility to act in partnership with His will.
Just as Moses had to rely on others and take action, we too must take responsibility in every area of our lives: our health, our studies, our spiritual lives, and more. God does His part, but He also expects us to do ours.
So, if Moses had not been wise enough to bring Aaron and Hur up with him to support him, and instead thought he could do it all by himself, do you think Israel would have gained victory in that battle? I want you to really think about that. The answer is clear—no, they wouldn’t have. The victory came because Moses took the right action, relying on others and using wisdom.
This is why, as Christians, we sometimes experience defeats, unanswered prayers, and setbacks. It’s not that God is defeated—He cannot be defeated. God is real, and there’s no doubt about His existence. If you’re here and you’re still doubting the existence of God, it’s likely because you’re questioning why God isn’t intervening in certain situations. You might be wondering, “Why is God seeing all this, yet nothing is happening?”
Let me tell you something: if you’re questioning God, you’re wasting your time. Instead, believe and start taking responsibility. Stop questioning and doubting, and take the necessary steps forward. God expects us to take responsibility in every area of our lives. That’s how we move forward—by taking action, not by staying stuck in doubt and inactivity.
We are Responsible for Our Financial State
As Christians, especially as youths, we have our wishes and desires. We desire long life, prosperity, success—what else? Money, yes, money.
I was on a call with someone today, and they asked me, “Is money everything?” I told them, yes, money does answer all things. Money is actually very important in life.
You may not fully understand until you experience a day when you check your bank account and there’s no money. You might even go through your contacts, trying to figure out who you can borrow from, but the people you’d normally call are people you owe money to already. That’s when you realize how much you need money. Until you solve that problem, everything can feel useless.
So, yes, money is important—it has a significant role to play in our lives.
Now, as Christians, we desire many things—long life, prosperity, success, even money—but often, we fail to take responsibility for achieving these things. On Sunday, I introduced a topic that perhaps, as the Spirit leads, we might revisit today: Some things don’t just fall from heaven.
I believe in miracles, but the truth is, not everything comes miraculously. If you begin to take responsibility, there are natural laws that God has set in place. These laws are so effective that even without prayer, you can succeed by following them. However, that kind of success is not good success—the kind that pleases God. Do you understand what I’m saying?
There’s a popular preacher who once said, “You don’t need God to prosper.” I don’t know if you’ve encountered that video, but please, don’t listen to such messages. You need God for everything. He is the one who performs all things for us.
Now, let me return to my message.
Many believers are folding their hands, doing nothing, and waiting for God to miraculously intervene. They think God will feed them while they sleep, perhaps imagining a scenario like, “Bro Jonathan, wake up and eat. The journey is too far.” Then they eat, go back to sleep, and wait for God to wake them again to feed them as He fed Elijah twice.
To Succeed, Be Responsible!
A lot of people are wishing for success—maybe a distinction in their academics—but if they examine themselves honestly, they’ll realize that those who achieve distinctions are working harder than they are. Often, the reason why they don’t put in as much effort isn’t due to any genuine reason—it’s just laziness or lack of discipline. And yet, they keep wishing for the same results.
We need to take responsibility. This message may not sound overly spiritual, but it is deeply connected to our faith. The same principle applies to our spiritual lives, which is the most important aspect of our existence. If you’re struggling with prayer, ask yourself: Have you taken responsibility for your spiritual growth?
Learning from The Audacity of the Philistines to Fight Even the Mighty God Of Israel
Let me show you why this matters by returning to 1 Samuel 4:7…
“And the Philistines were afraid, for they said, ‘God is come into the camp.’”
Now, think about this: the Philistines were not afraid because a mighty warrior had joined Israel, or because the size of Israel’s army had increased. No, they were afraid because God had come into the camp.
This was something that had never happened before—Israel bringing the Ark of the Covenant to the battlefield. The Philistines were well aware of God’s track record. Think back to the plagues in Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea, and the mighty kings God brought down for Israel’s sake. The Philistines knew the history.
But did you notice the audacity of the Philistines? Despite knowing God’s unmatched power and His record of victories, they were determined to fight. They knew they couldn’t prevent the battle, but they chose to fight anyway. Why? Because they decided they wouldn’t allow themselves to become servants to the Israelites, just as the Israelites had once served them.
This passage highlights something critical for us: there is a battle in every believer’s life. Whatever is keeping you from praying, studying your Bible, or pursuing your spiritual growth is not serious compared to the power of God. It’s time to confront those obstacles.
Let’s preach to ourselves for a moment. Talk to yourself, say:
“That thing that keeps me from praying is not serious. That thing that keeps me from studying the Word is not serious.”
It’s time to take charge and fight the distractions and hindrances in our lives, just as the Philistines resolved to fight despite their fear.
That thing that makes you feel like you don’t feel like praying,
That thing that keeps you away from studying the Bible as you should,
That thing that makes you irresponsible in areas where you know you should be responsible—
Tell yourself, “Those things are not serious.”
When you understand this, you’ll begin to take control of your life. You’ll bring your emotions, your mind, and your actions under control. You’ll find yourself saying, like Paul, “I discipline my body and bring it under subjection” (1 Corinthians 9:27).
This is the mindset of taking responsibility.
Let me make this clear: as long as you are in your right mind, as long as you’re not like the madman of Gadara—whose situation required God’s intervention because he had lost all control—you have no excuse.
God expects more from us. If your hands are weak, He expects you to find help, like Moses did with Aaron and Hur. If you’re too tired to stand, He expects you to sit but keep doing what you’re supposed to do. God will not excuse laziness, especially when you have the ability to take action.
Many Christians, unfortunately, fall into a pattern of expecting God to do everything for them. Some don’t prepare for exams and then pray, expecting the Holy Spirit to remind them of things they never studied. How many of us have done that before?
Let’s be honest: it’s a Christian who would think that way. An unbeliever knows they have no one to rely on but themselves, so they take their preparation seriously. Look at those who are consistently excelling in academics or other areas of life. They put in the effort, without relying on divine intervention during exams or critical moments.
Quit Yourself and Quit that Addiction!
I’ve spoken more than I should, but before we pray, I want to leave you with something important to reflect on.
If you’re struggling with a particular sin—whether it’s a persistent, besetting sin—you need to tell yourself:
I will be strong, I will rise, and I will not allow this thing to rule over me.
This decision is vital. Once you make up your mind to fight and overcome, it is settled. That’s an act of faith. Look at the Philistines in the story we’ve read. Their faith, determination, and decision were even greater than that of the Israelites in that battle.
There’s no excuse. Responsibility starts with a decision. If someone is trapped in addiction or any sinful habit, they need to stop blaming circumstances and recognize their responsibility. At the end of the day, we will all give an account to God for our actions—what we’ve done with our lives and our bodies.
Understanding this truth—that you are accountable to God—should awaken a sense of responsibility in you. It should compel you to rise above any weakness or sin, trusting God for strength but also making the deliberate effort to overcome.
Let’s carry this mindset as we pray.
Praise the Lord!
If anyone here has been experiencing irregular, inconsistent, or shallow devotions or prayer life, I believe you’ve received the solution today. And what is that solution?
Quit yourself like men and fight!
Quit Yourself and Pray!
That means when you don’t feel like praying or studying the Word, tell yourself, “I will be strong, I will fight this feeling, and I will pray!” When you’re tempted to fall into sin, declare, “I will quit myself like a man and resist this.”
[Related: The Perceived Benefits of NOT Praying and the real Consequences of It]
Take responsibility. Stop shifting it entirely to God and saying, “God, help me,” while doing nothing. Don’t misunderstand me—you must pray for God’s help, for He is the one who ultimately works in us and through us. But you must also act. You are 100% responsible for your choices and actions.
Even when you feel weak, acknowledge it before God. Say,
“Lord, there are things I don’t want to do, yet I find myself doing them. Help me. Hold my hands and lift me up. Strengthen me.”
Sing and cry out to Him:
Help me, Lord. Hold my hands and lift me up, O Lord!
But remember, no excuse will stand when it comes to fulfilling your responsibilities, especially your walk with God. On the day of judgment, what reason will you give for not doing what you were supposed to do? More importantly, what excuse will you give for not pursuing God with all your heart?
Are you waiting for God to push you? Do you think God will come down and do what He has already equipped you to handle? God expects you to take responsibility for your part while He does His. Imagine Moses asking God to lift his hands for him during the battle. It would be absurd because God had already given him the wisdom and support he needed through Aaron and Hur.
We must learn to discern what God expects from us and what we should bring before Him in prayer. Here’s the principle:
- Don’t expect God to do what He is already expecting you to do.
- Pray about everything, but act on what God expects you to do.
Let’s be honest—none of us is 100% responsible in every area of life. But God expects us to strive toward that. There is grace and mercy for our shortcomings, yet God still requires us to step up and be accountable.
When you feel weak, cry out to Him:
“Lord, help me. Hold my hands and lift me up!”
Prayers to Pray
Prayer for Wisdom:
Let us pray a simple yet powerful prayer:
“Lord, give me wisdom.”
The Bible assures us that anyone who lacks wisdom should ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach (James 1:5). Pray with faith, knowing that God is capable and willing to grant you wisdom.
Responsibility in All Areas of Life:
Take a moment to reflect on every area of your life where responsibility is required:
- As a Student:
“Lord, help me to study diligently and wisely. Make me responsible in managing my time and efforts.” - As a Christian:
“Help me to be responsible in my prayer life, in studying the Word, and in standing against temptation.” - In Finances:
“Teach me to be wise in managing resources, giving, and trusting You for provision.” - In Relationships:
“Help me to love others as You have commanded, to be kind, patient, and forgiving.” - In Health and Lifestyle:
“Grant me the discipline to care for my body, eat well, rest adequately, and work as I ought.”
Victory Over Sin and Bad Habits:
Declare today as the end of any habit, behavior, or sin that holds you back. The death and resurrection of Jesus are sufficient to grant you victory. Pray in faith:
“Lord, I step out of this place with the mindset that I am not a slave to sin or bad habits. By Your grace, I am victorious.”
Closing Prayer:
“Lord, from today, I will not make excuses. Help me to take responsibility for my spiritual growth, my decisions, and my actions. Empower me by Your Spirit to quit myself like a man and fight for the life You have called me to live. I receive Your grace, wisdom, and strength to prevail in all areas of my life.”
Remember, God has already provided everything you need to succeed. Step out with confidence, knowing that His grace is sufficient and His wisdom is available to you.
Amen.
Wow. I MUST take responsibility for all my actions in all areas of my life. May God help me to do so .