A vow is to swear an oath, or a promise or undertaken unto the Lord “to bind [ones] soul with a bond” (Numbers 30:2-3). Prayer and supplication to God is usually sufficient to seek God’s favour for a situation (Philippians 4:6-7). But the expressions show that vowing Vows are an effective faith tool to move God to act in one’s course. Both vowing prayer and normal supplication require one to believe in God’s ability to deliver on the request (James 1:6-7; Hebrew 11:6). Now lets us examine the basics principles of vowing vows:
a) Vows, Require Specificity of Needs
Before you commence the prayer for a vow, one should have a specific need. It may be more than one need as with Jacob (e.g. for protection, clothing, restoration etc.); or a need for a son as Hannah. You may wish to write down your vows so you do not forget when it is honoured by God, because God does remember it. For instance God reminds Jacob saying, “I am the God of Bethel, where thou [anointed] the pillar, and where thou [vowed] a vow unto me: now arise …return unto the land of thy kindred” (Genesis 31:13).
b) Negotiate a binding reward for God
One should also consider a suitable reward or payment to give to God that binds them, for the favour they are seeking from God. The avower specifies both his own need and the reward they would give God in a one-way negotiation. You could also specify a time frame for action and payment.
Note that it is not a sin if one refrains from vowing; but once you chose to vow a vow unto God ” thou shalt not slack to pay it: for the LORD thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee”(Deuteronomy 23:21-22). Also, do not be late in paying or performing it (Ecclesiastes 5:4-6; Psalm 119:106).
Further, one must be very careful what reward or payment you vow to give God. For example Jephthah vowed to reward God with a burnt offering whatsoever that comes from the doors of his house to meet me, when I returns from the battle .It ws his only child that came out to meet him; but because he “opened his mouth unto the Lord and cannot go back”(Judges 11:32-40). Ensure that honesty, sincerity, and humility inform your decision and choices.
c) Vow Rewards and God’s Purposes
What can one offer to God in a Vow? There is no condition on what we may chose to bind ourselves to give to God in a vow. But the faith expressions suggest that the rewards could be of things, people, or actions that serve the purpose of God. For instance, Jacob promises to make Bethel God’s house and give God “the tenth” of all that God shall give him and to make Him his God (Genesis 28:20-22); and Hannah gave up her son to the serve God at Shiloh. One could also vow a reward and payment that is not directly connected with the work or house of God, such as to feed the poor.
4.2. FAITH NEGOTIATION RELYING ON GOOD DEED
