An ordained Assistant Pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Olusola Olugboye, has given fresh insight on prayer in his new book, titled Ignite the Flame.
Contrary to what many think, Olugboye states that prayer is not only about making requests of God but also about changing the believer to conform to the will and expectation of God.
Olugboye, who is the pastor-in-charge of the RCCG New Song Parish in Lagos, said that since he came to know the Lord in 2009, his passion has been to see lives transformed through the Word of God and to help people grow in their relationship with Him.
He said he was inspired to write the book during the preparation for one of the programmes in the parish, which featured the theme “Ignite the Flame.”
”I was praying and preparing for the programme when God laid the burden of spiritual revival on me. During the programme, I realised the message was not to be limited to just that event. Many lives were touched. It was that programme that informed the writing of the book, also titled Ignite the Flame,” he said.
He further stated that prayer has been one of the most transformative aspects of his walk with God.
”Like many believers, there are seasons where prayer felt difficult because of distractions and the dryness of life, but I discovered that prayer is not only a religious activity; it is a relationship and a lifeline between man and God.
”Through consistent prayer, I have experienced God’s guidance, strength, peace, and direction. It has sustained me during difficult times and ignited my passion for God. I have also learnt that the secret is not just praying when you want to, but when it is difficult and challenging to pray.”
How the book came about
Olugboye who is also the Assistant Provincial Youth Pastor of Lagos Province 71 of the RCCG explained that the book, Ignite the Flame, was also put together to encourage believers to maintain fellowship with God.
”Ignite the Flame is not just a book. It is a call to spiritual awakening. Many believers genuinely love God but struggle with spiritual consistency, prayer consistency, and passion for God.
”The book provides biblical insights on how believers can maintain their passion for God, develop a consistent prayer life, overcome spiritual dryness, and experience personal revival and deeper intimacy with God. Anyone whose spiritual fire has grown dim needs the book to get back on fire,” he said.
He noted that many believers are discouraged when they do not get immediate answers to their prayers.
But prayer, according to him, “is not just a tool to get things from God. It is, first and foremost, a means of building a relationship with God. It not only changes the situation, but it changes the believer.
”We pray that God will change our circumstances, but God uses prayer to change our hearts, character, faith, and perspective. When we pray, we receive strength, peace, wisdom, direction, and spiritual sensitivity. Prayer aligns our will with the will of God. It helps us trust God even when we do not see the answers.”
On how God responds to prayer, he said, “There are times God answers immediately, there are times He answers gradually, and there are times He uses the waiting season to build our faith.
”The purpose of prayer is not just to obtain blessings but to maintain fellowship with God. Jesus Himself prayed because He valued communion with the Father. If prayer were only about getting things, we would stop praying when our requests are met.”
Olugboye, who works in a leading Nigerian bank and holds a Master’s degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, stressed that while prayer will not always change our circumstances, it always changes the person who prays.
”Prayer is not to move the hand of God, but to align the heart of man with the will of God.”