Pastor W.F. Kumuyi, General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry, has taught that prayer, though important in the Christian life, is not always the first or most important step required when a wrong needs to be corrected.

Kumuyi made the statement during a recent sermon shared on YouTube while teaching on reconciliation, restitution and the need to restore what has been wrongly taken or damaged.

Using the biblical account of Abraham and Abimelech, Kumuyi explained that God instructed Abimelech to restore Sarah, Abraham’s wife, before Abraham would pray for him.

According to him, the incident demonstrated that reconciliation and restitution could take precedence over prayer in certain situations.

Kumuyi said Abimelech could not simply retain Sarah and expect Abraham’s prayers to resolve the situation.

“God said restore the man his wife. This is number one in the heart of God himself. This reconciliation, this restitution above all the other things,” he said.

The cleric noted that people sometimes approach spiritual leaders asking primarily for prayers when what is actually required is for them to correct a wrong, reconcile with someone or return what does not belong to them.

He illustrated the point by imagining someone saying, “What I need now is prayer. I don’t need preaching. I need prayer. I don’t need counselling. I need prayer.”

However, Kumuyi stressed that prayer should not be used as a substitute for taking responsibility and making necessary amends. “Well, God said prayer is not always number one. Prayer is not always the most important restoration,” he declared.

According to him, believers must understand that reconciliation and restitution can be essential steps in restoring their relationship with God and fellow human beings.

Kumuyi further noted that Abimelech eventually restored Sarah to Abraham and also gave Abraham sheep, oxen, servants and other possessions.

He stressed, however, that the material gifts were not the central issue because Abimelech had first obeyed God’s instruction to restore Sarah.

The pastor also cited Acts 24:16, where Apostle Paul spoke about maintaining a conscience void of offence towards God and humanity.

Kumuyi urged Christians to prioritise making peace, correcting wrongs and restoring what belongs to others rather than assuming that prayer alone settles every spiritual or relational problem.

Related video