How To Win Every Time

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After Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers and read it, he went up to the Lord’s Temple and spread it out before the Lord. (2 Kings 19:14)

I didn’t even know that the Grammy Awards were on television last Sunday evening until my mother in law called. She wanted to know who Megan Thee Stallion was, why she was gyrating so seductively, and why my father in law was expressing his surprise at the spectacle but still watching intently. LOL.

After giving her a brief tutorial on all things Megan, I went back to whatever it was I was doing and eventually drifted off to sleep. The next morning, I was curious about who else performed during the ceremony, and who won in what category. As I was reading the names of the performers and the winners, I read that PJ Morton won the Grammy Award for the best Gospel album.

PJ Morton is the son of Bishop Paul Morton, the founder and former presiding Bishop of the Full Gospel Baptist Fellowship, and the recently retired pastor of the Greater St. Stephens Church in Atlanta, Georgia. Bishop Morton is a highly regarded and respected Pastor, singer, and religious leader, who has been a leading fixture on the religious landscape for more than 40 years. I first met Bishop Morton many years ago in the airport in New Orleans as he was getting his shoes shined. He is a warm, gracious and generous man.

But I found out something else about Bishop Morton this week that explains so much of the impact that he has on this generation. The first track on his son PJ’s Grammy winning Gospel project is entitled “Dad’s Interlude.”. The track is a recording of a brief conversation between the Father and the Son. PJ tells his father that he is finally making a gospel album, and thanks his father “for praying over his fingers.” Confessing that he can’t read music, PJ concedes that Bishop’s prayers must have been answered.

The proof? PJ’s extraordinary musical career, now crowned by winning a Grammy for his FIRST gospel album.

What an amazing testimony and inspiring example!

PJ had the insight to recognize that his gifts (and his Grammy) are a direct result of his Father’s prayers.

Here’s a question for you to think about: what are you praying over?

As I mused about Bishop Morton praying over his son’s fingers, my mind immediately went to King Hezekiah. In 2 Kings 19, the scriptures tell us that King Sennacherib of Assyria was planning to invade Jerusalem, and sent Hezekiah a letter demanding his surrender. He warned him of the deadly and devastating consequences that would ensue if he did not.

What did Hezekiah do? He took the letter into the temple, and he “spread it before the Lord.”

Just as Bishop Morton prayed over his son’s fingers, Hezekiah prayed over the letter. And just as PJ won a Grammy, Hezekiah won the battle.

Here’s the takeaway: whenever you pray, you are setting yourself up for victory.

Unfortunately, we tend to do everything EXCEPT pray.

We buy our children expensive sneakers, the latest gadgets, and make enormous sacrifices to make sure they have the best chance at success. But when is the last time you prayed over your child?

We complain about our jobs. But when is the last time you prayed over your desk? Or the building you work in? Or the equipment you use everyday?

We worry about our bills, and stress over our looming financial obligations. But have you ever taken out every single one of your bills and spread them before the Lord?

We are fearful about catching Corona. But have you prayed over your body? Your mind? Your car? Your house?

What are you praying over?

When we don’t pray, we rob ourselves of peace.

When we don’t pray, we rob ourselves of victory.

When we do pray, we win every time. Because even if we don’t win a Grammy, or the battle, or the particular outcome we desire, we still win the assurance that comes from knowing that God has heard us, and will decide what’s best for us.

Bishop Morton didn’t pray that his son receive a Grammy. Neither did Hezekiah pray that God employ an angel to eradicate the Assyrian army before they stepped one foot inside the city of Jerusalem.

But when you pray, God tends to work out whatever the situation in your favor.

You can’t pray and not win!