Prayer Devotional

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GOD, A LOVING FATHER

Saturday 15th April 2022

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.– Psalms 23:4

The Love and Fatherhood of God is revealed in His discipline of His Children. The Psalmist refers to this as ‘thy rod and thy staff…’ In shepherding, the rod is employed for correction, and the staff for direction; and it is the combination of these two that brings true comfort. God uses both tools to provide order and guidance while leading His Children.

The admonition by the Author of Hebrews puts it this way, “For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom he receives. But if you be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are you bastards, and not sons” – Hebrews 12:6, 8. This Scripture clearly reveals the fact that a true mark of our Father-son relationship with God is our ability to accept His discipline, lest, we become bastards. The staff without the rod will breed a rebellious child, and the rod without the staff will produce a wandering and straying child. May we not be without these two in Jesus Name.

PRAYER: O LORD, thank You for the expression of Your Love for me through the instrumentality of Your discipline. I ask that both Your Rod and Your Staff will be employed in my relationship with You, and may I be opened to Your discipline always. I ask that You’ll restore order and discipline to Your Church in Jesus Name!

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GOD, OUR RESTORER

Sunday 9th April 2023

He restores my Soul: He leads me in the path of Righteousness for His Name’s sake – Psalms 23:3

Photo by Baskin Creative Studios on Pexels.com

When God leads, He restores all that is lost, beginning from the restoration of the soul. Nothing is lost as long as the soul is saved, and everything is lost as long as the soul is lost. We see the value God places on the soul of man by the statement of Christ in Mark 8:36, “For what shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own Soul?”

Little wonder, the Devil’s central point of attack is the soul of man. The Psalmist expressed the joy of a restored soul, knowing fully well that every other restoration is tied to the restoration of the Soul. A man is first rich before God if he is rich in his soul, and poor before God if he is poor in His soul (Luke 12:16-21). The wealth of the soul is in its reconciliation and fellowship with God. Have you lost touch with God? Do you think you have come to the end of the road? There is hope in returning to the Father for total restoration. Let the cry of David be your cry today; “Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free Spirit” – Psalms 51:12.

PRAYER: FATHER, thank You for Your provision of restoration. I ask that You’ll restore my fellowship with You, and all I have lost in life today. Stretch forth Your Hand of mercy and restore every backslider and lost souls back to Yourself in Jesus Name!

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God, OUR LIFE

Tuesday 21st March 2023

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for you are with me; Your rod and Your staff they comfort me – Psalms 23:4

There is no doubt that fear precedes death (Hebrews 2:14-15), and the fear of death is the greatest terror to men today. When God leads the way, this is taken care of. The Psalmist expressed his fearlessness of the terror of death even in the ‘midst of the valley of the shadow of death’, because ‘thou art with me…’ This confession suggests a life that is completely surrendered to God in divine leadership.

An understanding of the fact that Christ died our death, rose and defeated death for us is key to living a life free of the fear of death. In Paul’s exhortation to the Colossians, he declared, “For you are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall you appear with Him in glory” – Colossians 3:3-4. This assurance of our true life in Christ is only established if we submit to His leading (1John 5:11-12).

PRAYER: Dear LORD, thank You for Your victory over death. I pray that You’ll help me yield totally to you and deliver me from the fear of death. I ask that You’ll put an end to every spell of untimely death in my family, community and neighborhood in Jesus Name!

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GOD, OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS

Monday 20th March 2023

He restores my Soul: He leads me in the path of righteousness for His Name’s sake – Psalms 23:3

Saturday 11th February 2023

Men have through the ages worked ‘hard’ to attain God’s righteousness, but the Holy Bible makes it clear that all such efforts will always end in futility – “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags…” – Isaiah 64:6a. Righteousness is the Nature of God we receive when we are saved, and this becomes the basis on which we are led or shepherded by Him. It is the trademark of the Believer in Christ Jesus. It is the symbol that ascertains our sonship, and God’s ownership of us.

When God leads and we yield, righteousness becomes our ‘new normal’ by default as Children of God. You will only walk in righteousness to the extent God leads and guides you. Paul puts this straight to the Corinthian Believers, thus; “For He has made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him” – 2 Corinthians 5:21. The understanding of righteousness as the exclusive work of grace saves us the endless and empty labour of seeking to please God in the flesh.

PRAYER: FATHER, thank You for the provision of Your righteousness in Christ Jesus. I receive grace to cease from my futile labour to please you in the flesh, and embrace Your righteousness today. I ask that You release upon our land Your righteousness that men may live right in all areas of life in Jesus Name!

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GOD, OUR SHEPHERD

Saturday 18th March 2023

The LORD is my Shepherd; I shall not want – Psalms 23:1

The key to unlocking the blessings of Psalms 23 lies in the opening statement of verse 1 – ‘The LORD is my Shepherd…’ This Psalms is one of the most commonly quoted in the Christian fold today. Many a Christian quickly quotes this Psalm, and ‘claims’ the blessings without taking careful look at the key condition for unlocking the blessings therein.

The key to tapping into the fullness of the blessings of this Psalm is having God Shepherd your life. God is only a Shepherd to those who are willing to be led by Him. Total submission to His leading is what guarantees His provisions, protection and deliverance as presented in Psalm 23.

It is the sheep that wanders from the Shepherd that falls prey to the devil. What a great joy to know that He is not only a Shepherd, but the Good Shepherd (John 10:11). Your profiting in life lies in totally yielding to the Lord’s Shepherding and leadership (Isaiah 48:17-18).

PRAYER: FATHER, thank You for Your leadership over my life. I pray that You bend me and make me live a life of total surrender to Your leadership. I also ask that You provide leadership and guidance to our leaders in Jesus Name!

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GOD, THE GIVER OF REST

Sunday 19th March 2023

He makes me to lie down in green pastures: He leads me beside the still waters.– Psalms 23:2

One of the ways by which men rest is to lie down. The endless toils and turmoil of life breed weariness of the soul and body. Even in sleep, many are still restless. The rest we get from sleep and things that give us pleasure is temporary. There is a rest that is both eternal, sure and secure; and such is only found in God. Jesus drove this reality further by throwing an open invitation to all who sincerely acknowledge their weariness from the many huddles of sin and life, and desire permanent rest; “Come unto Me, all you that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” – Matthew 11:28.

In His leading is His Rest – rest from sin, rest from worries, rest from fear and anxieties; all these are resident in the opening statement of the Psalmist – “The LORD is my Shepherd…” He gives rest by making you to lie down in the best of pastures, where all you see is the beauty of His creative works. May you surrender and find true rest in the Shepherd of Your Soul in Jesus Name.

PRAYER: FATHER, thank You for the rest You provide in Your Son, Jesus. I ask that You’ll save me from everything that makes me restless and give me true rest in You. Save as many who are yet under the bondage and weariness of sin and Satan, and bring them to complete rest in Jesus Name!

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ARE YOU OVERWHELMED WITH FEAR

Friday 25th November 2022

Are you overwhelmed with fear? Do you feel trepidation and dismay? People fear almost everything. There is fear of uncertainty, fear of the unknown, fear of failure, fear of rejection, fear of people, fear of situations, fear of animals, fear of evil, fear of death and many more. In our world today, there is so much uncertainty. Terrorism, crime, violence, plagues, natural disasters etc. And In deed some of these fears can be paralysing.

But God has commanded us to fear not many times in His word. The psalmist said the LORD is my light and my salvation– whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life– of whom shall I be afraid?

As Christians God said we should not be afraid of anyone and anything, for God is our light and salvation. He offers Himself for our refuge and protection. He assures us of His presence everywhere we go, even in the valley of the shadow of death. . we should not fear, though the earth is transformed and the mountains are toppled into the depths of the seas, Psalm 23:4, 46:2.

If we allow the promise of God’s presence to fill our hearts, we will not be overwhelmed with fear. Dwell upon this promise, let it permeate your mind and heart. Pray that God will reveal His presence to you, and all fear and panic will dissolve.

Learn to meditate upon and dwell upon the promise of His Presence. Let faith replace fear, and courage dismay. Let us say today like the psalmist, The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? Psalm 118:6.

PRAYER: Father forgive me if I have made you too small in my eyes, if I have exalted fear above faith. Help me to see that you are always with me and I will never be afraid again. So help me God.

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GOD, THE VANQUISHER OF OUR ENEMIES

Thursday 24th November 2022

Thou prepare a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over – Psalms 23:5

When God leads, He defends. Our victory over the enemy is guaranteed only if we stay consistently with God. Feasting in the presence of an enemy connotes victory and dominion, this, only God can do. The table set by God for us signifies a celebration of victory before a powerless enemy. This also implies that in no time should we take the credit for victories won over the enemy; God is the Vanquisher.

In another Psalm, the Psalmist acknowledged God’s role in defeating the adversary, by declaring, “Through thee will we push down our enemies: through thy name will we tread them under that rise up against us” – Psalm 44:5. It is important to note that only through God are we able to sustain the victory handed to us by Christ’s death and resurrection. Are you surrounded by life’s battles? Turn them over to the Lord in prayer today, and see the enemy trampled under your feet.

PRAYER: FATHER, thank You for the victory You won for me through Your death and resurrection. I hand the battles of my life over to You, help me to exercise that victory over the enemy of my soul. I ask that You’ll cause Your Church to stay victorious over the hordes of hell in every respect in Jesus Name!

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GOD, THE ANOINTER OF MY HEAD

Wednesday 23rd November 2022

Thou prepare a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over – Psalms 23:5

One of the benefits of walking with God is the blessing of His Power which He bestows on us in the form of the anointing of the Spirit. As we go about our daily affairs, there is need to go with the aura of His Power, and this we can only enjoy if we abide with Him in Fellowship. The anointing of the Spirit is needed for Kingdom service, spiritual warfare and excellence in life and Ministry. Without the anointing, struggles in life and Ministry are inevitable.

It is God’s answer to all of life’s challenges; it surmounts every obstacle and squashes barriers before the Child of God. We see this in the life of David, the Psalmist, who after his anointing by Prophet Samuel, defeated Goliath and did great exploits for the Kingdom. Likewise, it is God’s utmost desire to release His anointing upon our lives today if only we will take time to seek His face and walk in His Way. May you be filled with His anointing for Kingdom exploits in Jesus Name.

PRAYER: O LORD, thank You for the release of Your anointing upon Your Church. I pray that You’ll anoint me for greater service. I ask that you’ll release your anointing in a greater measure upon your Church for greater exploit in Jesus Name!

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THE BENEFITS OF GOD’S PRESENCE

Saturday 29th October 2022

Surely, goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever – Psalms 23:6

No matter how beautiful a thing is, man will always desire something newer because his taste for things is short lived. However, there is an exception when it comes to the Presence of God; the more time we spend in His presence, the more we would want to stay. David made the desire for God’s Presence his one and utmost prayer point, “One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the House of the LORD all the days of my life…” – Psalms 27:4. What is so special about God’s Presence that a man will want to spend the rest of his life dwelling there? King David, a man who understood the value of God’s Presence stated in different passages of the Psalms the benefits of His Presence.

Firstly, God’s Presence is a place of FLOURISHING (Psalms 92:13). Secondly, God’s Presence is a place of BEAUTY (Psalms 27:4b). A truly beautiful life is one which is constantly planted in God’s Presence. Thirdly, God’s Presence is a place of JOY, fullness of Joy (Psalms 16:11). Fourthly, God’s Presence is a place of STRENGTH; the more we tarry in His Presence, the stronger we become to face life’s challenges (Psalms 84:6-7). As you step out this day, may you live in and enjoy every benefit of His Presence in Jesus Name.

PRAYER: Father, thank You for the gift of Your Presence to Your Children. I ask for grace to love and continuously live in Your Presence. I ask that You will fill the earth with Your manifest Presence today in Jesus Name!

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GOD, THE GREAT PROVIDER

Monday 24th October 2022

The LORD is my Shepherd; I shall not want – Psalms 23:1

God is a Father by Nature, and is very responsible for meeting the needs of His children. His provisions are packaged in His leading. As we walk with Him in total obedience, our supplies are assured without fail. As we look to Him in faith, we shall not want what the world runs after.

Christ buttressing this Truth declared: “For after all these things do the Gentiles seek; for your heavenly Father knows that you have need of all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” – Matthew 6:32-33.

In his encouragement of the Philippian Christians, Paul also assured them that, “… my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” – Philippians 4:19. May we receive grace to access our daily provision as we obediently yield to His Shepherding in Jesus Name.

PRAYER: FATHER, thank You for Your divine provision to me. I ask for grace to submit to Your leadership and be totally given to seeking Your Kingdom as I look up to You for my daily provision. May all who are in dire need (widows, orphans, victims of Covid-19, etc.) in our world today be visited by Your divine providence in Jesus Name!

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Friday 5th August 2022

Satan hindered Us

But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire. Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us. 1 Thessalonians 2:17‭-‬18 KJV

Satan must not hinder you. Satan knows He cannot stop God from doing what He is set to do in your life, so he will try hard to hinder you first, from praying. He knows that when we pray God answers and so what he tries to do is to hinder you from praying.

Satan hates it when we pray, because in prayers we express our utter dependence on God. He fears what God will do in our midst when they praise and pray by faith in the name of Jesus Christ and because of this he will stop at nothing in his attempts to hinder us from truly praying and communing with God.

He uses different devices to hinder us from praying. But no matter what, determine in your heart that you will always pray and praise.

But we are not ignorant of his devices, In warfare if you know the plans of your enemy you are at an advantage to stop and annul it. So rise up today in prayer and decree that Satan will not succeed in hindering you in anyway. Pray and cancel all his devices. Declare that no plans of satan against you, your family, your community and nation will prosper.

May God answer you speedily as you pray!

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Tuesday December 28th 2021 -God Our Helper

Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth, I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe.

Psalm 61 :1

Sometimes life can become so challenging and all hope is lost, with no friends to call on, and no helpers to beckon on. At such times we need to remember that our God is always a helper to cry out to. He listens, He cares and understands all the challenges we might be passing through. God wants his people to call upon Him for help.

Dear Saints, let us be assured that the Lord is a strength to the fainting hearts. He gives energy to his beloved who truly trust upon his name, He supplies grace to the weary hearts and fills it with gladness and Joy. He guides us through the paths of life to a safe and secured place in Him. What a relief, to know that God is guiding us through life.

God defends his people by the power of his might, The troubles, attacks and wars ravaging the nations daily are real and men and woman have been victims, but the Lord guides his own people to a Place of Refuge

Why not put your faith and confidence in God, cry unto him in faith, believe He will keep you from all troubles and lead you to his resting place.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, I cry to you to help me as I walk the narrow way in this wicked and crooked world. Help me always to put my trust in You. Amen.

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Tuesday 26th October 2021

I Will Arise

I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father; I have sinned against heaven and before thee
– Luke 15:18

Life is about choices everyday. We make decisions and take responsibilities each day. Yesterday’s decision is today’s reality, and your ability to make the right decisions per time makes you a responsible person. The prodigal son came to a point where he needed to make a life changing decision, and Bible records that, “And when he came to himself, he said…” – Luke 15:17b. This phrase suggests him coming to terms with his present predicament. He didn’t just come to his senses, but took a decision and followed it up by taking responsibility. There was no shifting of blames for his condition, no making of baseless excuses, but he rather said to himself, “I will arise…”, and he did.

Have you fallen so low that it looks like there is no hope of rising? Take a cue from the prodigal son, and arise (Proverbs 24:16). God is saying to you today, ‘Arise from that shame’, ‘Arise from that defeat’, ‘Arise from that mess’ and so forth. In the words of a man who had firsthand experience of life’s troubles, “For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease” – Job 14:7. If there is such hope for a tree stump, much more, there is hope for you. Arise!

PRAYER: FATHER, thank You for past victories in my most trying times. I pray that You will grant me grace to take responsibility and make the right decisions daily in Jesus Name!

PRAYER, A TOTAL SUBMISSION TO GOD’S WILL

Tuesday May 30th 2023

‘Your Will be done on earth as it is in Heaven’

So He said to them, “When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven – Luke 11:2

And He was withdrawn from them a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done.” – Luke 22:41-42

Many times, our will tends not to be at par with God’s will, but alignment is achieved in the place of prayer. The case of Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane is a clear example. Prayer isn’t just coming to tell God what we want Him to do for us, but honestly seeking His will in everything that concerns us.

In His teaching on prayer, Jesus taught that we should pray for the will of God to be done on earth, even as it is in heaven. In heaven, God’s will is perfectly done; so God desires it to be done on earth, and this we must achieve first, in the place of prayer. If His will must prevail on earth, then it must begin with us. Our submission to His will, will determine the prevalence of His will on earth.

God’s will is revealed in His Word, and as we pray according to His Word, His will finds expression. The Apostle John in his letter to the Church, expressed confidence in prayer that is done according to God’s will; “And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us” – 1John 5:14.

May our prayers lead to a fulfillment of God’s will on earth in Jesus Name!

PRAYER: FATHER, thank You for desiring the best for me in every area of life. I pray for Your Will to be done in my life and in the earth in Jesus Name!

PRAYER, AS EXPRESSION OF GRATITUDE TO GOD

Monday 29th May 2023

‘Hallowed be Your Name’

So He said to them, “When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven – Luke 11:1

I will worship towards Your holy temple, and praise Your name for Your loving-kindness, and for Your truth: for You have magnified Your word above all Your name – Psalms 138:2

When we pray, we’re edified, but when we praise, God is glorified (Psalms 50:23). Praise gives prayer a definite direction; it sets the atmosphere for a fruitful communion with God; and motivates God to rise on our behalf. The prophet Isaiah revealed the mind of God in creating man when he wrote, “This people have I formed for Myself; they shall show forth My praise” – Isaiah 43:21. This implies that we were primarily created to praise and bring pleasure to God (Revelation 4:11). Little wonder, the Psalmist declared, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows His Handiwork” – Psalms 19:1. This means that creation as a whole is a testament to God’s greatness and glory.

Christ exemplified the art of thanksgiving in prayer on several occasions during His earthly life (John 6:11; 11:41b), and we are meant to draw from His example. Dedicate today to thanksgiving, and commit to living a life devoted to praise, and God will be glorified in Your life.

PRAYER: FATHER, Thank You for who You are to me. Give me the grace to always live a life of praise and thanksgiving in Jesus Name (Make mention of all of God’s goodness, as many as you can remember, and thank Him for it).

PRAYER, A KEY TO OVERCOMING TEMPTATIONS

Saturday May 27th 2023

‘And Lead Us Not Into Temptations…’

And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one – Luke 11:4

No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it – 1 Corinthians 10:13

Temptations are a usual part of our daily lives. Not being ready for one, is like going to write an examination without preparation. There is no doubt, we will always be confronted with temptations, but God has made a way of escape in every temptation (1Corinthians 10:13). This Scripture also reveals that, God in His faithfulness will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we are able to bear.

If Christ, while He was on earth was tempted, likewise, we shall be tempted too. Our victory over temptations is largely dependent on our prayer lives; little wonder, Christ had to make it the concluding part of His teaching on prayer. Knowing the importance of prayer in overcoming temptations, Jesus charged the slumbering disciples at the garden of Gethsemane, saying, “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” – Matthew 26:41. God, on His part, is faithfully committed to helping us overcome temptation; therefore, we must do our part by watching and praying to ensure we do not fall into temptation.

In overcoming temptation, prayer is like an explosive detector which helps detect and clear our path of every satanic arrangement against us. Prayer keeps us spiritually alert to the wiles of the evil one, and ensures our deliverance from all evil.

PRAYER: FATHER, thank You for Your mighty deliverance over my life. I pray for grace to be watchful and prayerful at all times, and to stay victorious over temptations in Jesus Name!

PRAYER, AN EXPRESSION OF OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD – ‘OUR FATHER …’

Friday May 26th 2023

So He said to them, “When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. – Luke 11:1

For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba Father”. – Romans 8:15

Prayer is a relationship, and not a ritual. When we come to God in prayer, we are not just approaching Him as our Creator, but as ‘Abba Father’. This statement of fact connotes deep intimacy between a loving father and his son or daughter. As a child approaches his father without any fear of being let down, so God, our loving Father, wants us to approach Him in prayer. For this reason, He beckons on us to “…come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” – Hebrews 4:16. Prayer therefore, is the expression of that Father-child relationship with God in loving fellowship. Our ability to see prayer from this perspective will greatly determine the effectiveness of our prayers. Beyond our desire to pray, God is much more ready to answer just as a loving father will not give a stone to his child instead of the bread requested for (Luke 11:11). By our new birth experience, we are no longer in bondage to the spirit of fear, but have been given the right by adoption whereby we can boldly call Him ‘Abba Father’.

PRAYER: ABBA FATHER, I thank You for being a Father to me. Give me grace to always approach You with this sense of Father-son/daughter relationship in Jesus Name

PRAYER, AN ESTABLISHMENT OF GOD’S RULE

Thursday 25th May 2023

‘Your Kingdom Come…’

So He said to them, “When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven – Luke 11:2

Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this – Isaiah 9:7

Jesus’ central theme while He walked the earth was the proclamation of God’s Kingdom. We see this all through His many parables; using relevant stories to point His listeners to the Kingdom. The establishment of the Kingdom is so paramount to God that it was made the key starting point in the model prayer, which is commonly known as ‘The Lord’s Prayer’. Every act of praying that does not have bearing or give priority to the Kingdom, may be termed ‘praying amiss’ (James 4:1-3). The term, ‘thy Kingdom come’ signifies an enforcement of God’s rule in every sphere of life (family, politics, business, entertainment, economy, etc.), until the earth is filled with the knowledge of the glory of God, as the waters cover the sea (Habakkuk 2:14). If our prayer must attract heaven’s attention and yield the needed results, then the matters of the Kingdom must be at the heart of such prayers.

You can measure the answerability of your prayers by asking yourself this simple question; ‘how does my prayer profit the Kingdom?’ An affirmative response to this question is a pointer to prayers that will receive God’s attention. Like the stone in Nebuchadnezzar’s vision which crushed into pieces the great image (earthly kingdoms), became a great mountain and filled the earth, so will God’s Kingdom advance in an unstoppable fashion. Let us see it as a great privilege to partner with Him in prayer to advance His unstoppable Kingdom.

PRAYER: FATHER, thank You for making me a part of Your advancing Kingdom. I ask for the grace to prioritize Your Kingdom in everything I do in Jesus Name!

PRAYER, AN EXPRESSION OF DEPENDENCE ON GOD

Wednesday 24th May 2023

‘…In Heaven…’

So He said to them, “When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven – Luke 11:1

Thus says the LORD: “Heaven is My throne, And earth is My footstool. Where is the house that you will build Me? And where is the place of My rest? – Isaiah 66:1

As Jesus continued to teach His Disciples (whom we are today) the art of prayer, He provided an address section to reveal where the Father dwells, ‘in heaven’. Although, God is Omnipresent (All pervading, Ever-present), He administers His rule from heaven. This also signifies His sovereignty over all. Christ also reveals this truth when He declared, “He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all” – John 3:31. As we live with the reality of His Presence within us, it is equally important to behold Him from His Throne where His rule is administered. The Saints of old had this understanding, therefore, would always lift their hands or eyes towards heaven when in prayer (2Chronicles 6:13; Psalms 121:1; Luke 6:55). This speaks of focus and total dependence on God who is above and above all.

When we look up to Him in prayer, there we draw strength, and every distraction is waded off. Christ also exemplified this practice of looking up to heaven as an art of total dependence on God. Of Him it is written, ‘… And Jesus lifted up His eyes, and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me”’ – John 11:41b, and in Matthew 14:21, we are told, ‘… and looking up to heaven, He blessed and brake, and gave the loaves to His Disciples, and the Disciples to the multitude’. Jesus, being God Himself, could do nothing in the flesh (earthly bodily form) without expressing His dependence on the Father through prayer. We likewise, must learn from His example as we express our total dependence on Him in prayer.

PRAYER: FATHER, thank You for Your Sovereign Power. I ask for grace to continually express my utter dependence on You in prayer in Jesus Name!

PRAYER -A VITAL NECESSITY FOR FINISHING STRONG

Tuesday 23rd May 2023

So He said to them, “When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven – Luke 11:1

In His lesson on prayer, Jesus began His statement by saying, ‘When you pray…’, signifying the necessity of prayer. He didn’t make it a conditional or optional statement by using ‘if’, because prayer is an inevitable path in the journey of faith. Jesus didn’t just teach prayer, but He lived an exemplary prayer life. His consistent prayer life was what inspired His Disciples to ask Him to teach them how to pray. This is revealed in Luke 11:1 – ‘And it came to pass as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, one of His Disciples said unto Him, “Lord, teach us to pray…”’ Prayer is best learnt by praying, and it is best taught by exemplification.

This was a common practice with Christ. Each day comes with new needs and demands for prayer, and as we end our day, if we are sensitive enough, we would see a thousand and one reasons to end the day in prayer. For Christ, it was a lifestyle which He lived all through His earthly life and Ministry.

We too, if we must succeed in our walk and work on this side of eternity, then prayer is a nonnegotiable constant factor. We must be determined to make it a lifestyle rather than an occasional religious ritual. May the Lord grant us grace to live prayerful lives.

PRAYER: FATHER, thank You for sending Your Holy Spirit to help me in the place of prayer. I ask for the grace to imbibe the discipline and lifestyle of prayer by the help of Your Spirit in Jesus Name.

THE RICHES OF HIS GLORY

Monday 22nd May 2023

The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints – Ephesians 1:18

Part of the inheritance promised us by God is, ‘The riches of His glory’. This phrase is commonly used throughout the epistles of Paul to portray the immensity of Heaven’s riches.

Every divine supply or provision (spiritual and physical) we enjoy is not based on our income or abilities but on the riches of His glory. If we truly understand the mystery of these glorious riches in Christ, we will cease struggling for this world’s goods. Having this understanding, Paul prayed for the Philippian Christians to receive divine supply “… according to His (God’s) riches in glory by Christ Jesus” – Philippians 4:19.

Laboring to only get rich by this world’s standard is poverty in disguise because true riches are measured by the measure of our richness in God. Beyond anything else, God’s earnest desire is to bless us according to the riches of His glory. His will is to display His glory in and through us, making us His true representatives to the world.

This is revealed in another of Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians, “That He would grant you according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man” – Ephesians 3:16.

This Scripture implies that spiritual strength is part of the package of this riches as well as everything we need for life and godliness (2Peter 1:3).

May you not labour for earthly riches at the expense of His riches in glory in Jesus’ Name!

PRAYER: Father, thank You for the immense riches You have prepared for me in glory. May I not trade these riches in glory with the fading earthly riches in Jesus’ Name!

THE GOD WHO ANSWERS PRAYERS

Sunday 21st May 2023

The poor and needy are seeking water when there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst. I the Lord will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them – Isaiah 41:17

There is no doubt that God is a God who answers prayer. The Psalmist puts it thus: “O You who hear prayer, to You all flesh will come” – Psalm 65:2. God said when the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, He will be there for them. The poor and needy here signifies those who recognize or acknowledge their need for God. God’s assurance to answer prayer should spur you to prayer. It is evident that we pray less than God is willing to answer. God craves fellowship with us on a daily basis, but sometimes we could be too busy.

Are you seeking refreshing from the wrong source? Is your tongue parched with thirst and dissatisfaction with your present spiritual state? There’s good news for you today as Jesus is still crying out: “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of His heart will flow rivers of living water” – John 7:37b-38. God’s desire is that your thirst is not just quenched, but that you become a channel of living water quenching the thirst of others. Always remember that God is more willing to answer us than we are willing to pray. Be encouraged to present every matter of your life to Him in prayer, and He will not forsake you.

PRAYER: Thank You Lord, for Your assurance to answer prayer. Give me grace for effective prayer, and help me to trust in Your ability to answer prayer always, in Jesus’ Name!

YOUR ENEMIES WILL BE CONFUSED AND ASHAMED

Saturday May 20th 2023

See, all your angry enemies lie there, confused and ashamed. Anyone who opposes you will die. You will look for them in vain. They will be gone! – Isaiah 41:11-12

The believer in Christ is seated in Christ far above principalities and powers (Ephesians 1:20-21; 2:5-6). The devil rages and is angry at our heavenly position in Christ; therefore, he confronts us on all fronts to see us quit the faith. The word of God declares that our enemies lie, though angry, yet confused and ashamed.

Sometimes, our arch enemy – the devil operates through human vessels that constitute human enemies. The Biblical injunction is to love, pray and do good to our enemies. And by so doing, “…they will be ashamed of what they have done to you” – Romans 12:19-20. Do not be deterred or distracted by the activities of ‘enemies’, stay focused, prayerful and watchful; for the battle is the Lord’s!

PRAYER: Father, thank You for fighting my battle. I receive grace to live a prayerful and watchful life, and to totally trust You so as to stay in absolute victory, in Jesus’ Name!