Being a young Nigerian Christian who is actually seeking to develop in the spiritual ways, this book How to Pray and Study Consistently by Pastor Daniel Olawande was sort of a heavenly nudge in the right direction. I would love to be the type of person who has a great prayer life and who also reads my Bible uniformly, but the truth is, I was not doing so well. It is days when I was telling myself, I start with excitement but along the way, the consistency just went off. A prayer to-morrow can I take, And never-more anew. In other cases, I would crack my Bible and nothing would make sense to me. This book has brought light, encouragement, and steps to walk with God in a literal way that I have not been able to follow before reading this book.
The initial element I noticed in the book was that Pastor Daniel Olawande was really simple and truthful. This was not written by somebody who was trying to impress someone. He has a script like he himself has sat at the same place of inconsistency between praying to God and studying the Bible. He has told personal experiences and this has made the book a normal conversation of two friends. I could identify with his problems, his phobias and how he survived it. I feel like, with this kind of growth, this man was capable, then I also could be.
Among other things, I liked when he explained that consistency should not be about feelings. So many times, we would like to pray when we feel like it or we would like to read the bible when we are in the mood. However, this book made me realize that when I want to grow, I must do it because I want to (regardless of my desire or lack thereof). Just as in the case of a person who desires to develop academically or physically, one needs to continue coming. The same goes with spiritual development. Pastor Daniel also says that discipline cannot be beaten by feelings. According to him, there are times when he does not feel like praying but since he is aware of the benefit and the reward he will get, he prays. I found that part to be hurtful since I have been waiting on that part (ginger) to come before I can pray and even study but the majority of the time it does not come.
The other amazing thing that I have acquired out of the book is how he deconstructed steps that one can take to become more consistent. He said something about setting up a prayer altar and having a set time and location to meet God on a daily basis. The setting of a goal of Bible reading and starting out with a strategy was also encouraged. This has been a huge help. I used to open the bible randomly and read but most of the time I get confused before now. However, I am on a Bible reading schedule now, and it helps me have direction. I also get an arrangement in the evening where I simply sit with God regardless of how I feel. This kind of habit has changed my life.
The book did not only talk about the what but also the why. Pastor Daniel then gave reasons as to why every believer should pray and study the bible. He added that it is not only about being a good Christian, but rather it is about knowing God on your own, developing power and becoming in a position to accomplish your mission. He has said that it is in prayer where you get power and course. The transformation in your mind takes place when you study your Bible. That it is my kind of thought is, not that it is my kind of thought. I heard that prayer is what we do to obtain favors or grace, I do not think anymore that prayer is like that, I think it is a way to build a relationship.
He talked about distractions also. There is a lot to distract us in our generation and these distractions include social media, movies, notifications, and even our own thoughts. He suggested that limits be made and that one should be purposeful. Among the things that he said that was helpful to me included the thought of switching off data and putting my phone way off when I am having my time with God. It is said that it is simple, but effective. He also discussed such issues as the necessity to have an accountability partner, someone who monitors your spiritual life and keeps you accountable. I have even discovered one of my friends who also read the book and we pray together in the morning. The support system has been lucky enough to have.
I found one of the best sections of the book was when he mentioned, spiritual consistency gives birth to spiritual strength. The word delivery got stuck in my head. This made me understand that there are a lot of things that I was fighting with in the spirit world due to my inconsistency. There is no soldier who develops through intermittent exercise. They are formed day by day with training. Therefore, to be strong in the Lord, I need to exercise daily by praying and studying the bible.
The book also had scriptures that he used to support his arguments. Luke 5:16 was one of them because Jesus used to get away to pray very often. That taught me that even the Son of God, Jesus Christ was faithful in prayer. It would of course, have to be Jesus, why them and why not me? Joshua 1:8 was another of them where God instructed Joshua to meditate on the word day and night. This implies that it does not give me the choice to be inconsistent when I desire to thrive and have the success I desire spiritually.
Although the book is in size and does not have too many pages, the content is so deep. It is the type of book one wants to read and read. Personally, I read it two times since the first was to get an overview and the second time to take notes and practice things. The fact that he prayed in the end and exhorted the reader is another thing that I like. I too could picture doing it as if you were holding the hand of a person and telling you, You can do this.
The other beautiful thing is that it is a very Nigerian book. Pastor Daniel has presented examples and words, which we Nigerians can comprehend. He was talking about struggles in the university, New York City Service (NYSC) experiences, church services in Nigeria and even how to keep fire after attending youth camp meetings. It made a whole lot of sense to me because of the Nigerian taste. It was not ambiguous. It was something that is very relatable.
To sum it up, How to Pray and Study Consistently, is not only a book, it is a spiritual tool. It has enabled me to get out of the mold of just being a Christian who prays when she wants to pray and reads the bible when she feels like reading the bible to someone who now learns how to be consistent. I still experience the down days but because of the grounding of the book I get back on my feet very fast. I will encourage anyone who is a Christian to read this book and to recommend it to the youth (who desire to mature in their walk with God). This is the book you should read to learn more about God and to be in a blaze on his behalf. It will make you learn, think, and above all, adopt a daily practice that will transform your life forever.