Honor the Giver of the Gifts

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

The Giver of the gifts is more important than the gift. The Giver of the gifts know when it is necessary to use the gifts, how to use the gifts, where to use the gifts, and to what purpose to put the gifts. Besides, He knows best what measure of the gifts to administer at each point in time. Gifts serve specific purposes and after the specific purposes, they may not be necessary or relevant again until God wants them used again.

However, we all need the Giver of the gifts; that is God at all times and at every point in time in our lives. Without Him, the gifts really would not be effective and we would not be any different from unbelievers who use their gifts for purposes that do not glorify God, do not honor or acknowledge God as the Giver of the gifts and do not use the gifts for His purposes. Unbelievers celebrate their gifts and believe that the gifts are more important than God; and a relationship with God. They therefore boast about their exploits from the use of the gifts and believe that their achievements are based on their own power. They do not give the honor to God, do not allow God to direct them on the use of the gift and therefore use it at will and for purposes that do not glorify God. They then behave like Sennecherib who boasted about his conquests thinking he conquered those lands in his own might and like Nebuchadnezzar who learnt the hard way.

Unfortunately, we are experiencing the same challenges in the Church today. Genuine spirit filled believers, ministers of the gospel who commenced ministry fully yielded to God progressively ignore God and His directions to them and begin to emphasize the gifts of God and ministry in them rather than God who called them and gave them the gifts. That is where some believers and ministers miss it. It is great to seek the gifts but is best and greatest to seek and honor the giver of the gifts. This is because in reality the gifts do not really function outside the Giver of the gifts. So if you focus on the gifts at the expense of the Giver of the gifts, you may lose the power and consequently seek power from other sources if you do not make a quick return to the Giver of the gifts.

The Essence of the Gifts of Healings

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

God is the Healer who loves to heal His people at all times. People make up nations and if their minds, hearts and spirits are not healed to be in tune with God through repentance, then the land cannot be healed. Definitely, not everyone will repent but those who are called by the name of God, who believe in God can stand in the gap and pray for the healing of the land.

God is the Healer. He is God, Your Creator, Father, Redeemer, Savior, Sanctifier, Justifier, the only one who can save nations, Who can heal nations because He created them, He owns them, knows their entire makeup, knows everything about them, about the devil, his cohorts and camp and what they are planning, had planned and done and what they are about to do and most significantly God knows how to stop them. That is why He is the LORD Who empowers you, the One who goes ahead of you with the blood of Jesus Christ to say that the enemy has no hold or leverage against the nations (Romans Chapter 4 verses 17 to 25, 5 verses 8 to 9).

God blessed you with the gifts of healings to bring His healings to the nations of the world through teaching repentance from sins by the blood of Jesus Christ, salvation by faith in Jesus Christ, healing and total restoration by the blood of Jesus Christ. The essence of the gifts of healings in your life is for the healing of the nations.

Healing the Nations Campfire 2017

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The Significance of the Word of God in the Healing Process

Written By Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

There is power in the word of God. The power of God is the word of God, the infallible word of God that does not fail. The word of God is precise and accurate which explains why God does not use words in vain. This is because the presence of God is in the word of God. Additionally, the word of God does not return to Him without accomplishing what the word is designed and sent forth to accomplish. Please see Isaiah Chapter 55 verses 6 to 13 and Psalm 107 verses 17 to 20. God sent His word that does not return unto Him void and healed their diseases. In Matthew Chapter 8 verses 5 to 13, the Centurion implored Jesus Christ to send the word by speaking the word so that his servant would be healed. Jesus indeed sent the word and the servant of the Centurion was healed.

Healing starts in the mind. When a person’s mind receives and accepts the truth of the Word of God – I am the God who heals you (I have the capacity and power to heal you; I created you and know how your body works, can see through your body, tell what needs to be repaired, adjusted and restored and more importantly, I am willing to do it and requests healing from God, appropriating all the promises of God concerning healing; rather than worrying and fretting about who is attacking him or her, who wishes him or her dead and therefore wandering  in trackless deserts of divination; the person’s body will respond to messages OF HEALING THAT THE BRAIN WILL SEND to the body. It is what your mind feeds the brain that the brain feeds the body and it is what the brain feeds the body that the body responds to. Wake up daily and tell your body that you are healed by the stripes of Jesus Christ.

The Role of Prophets in the Healing of the Nations 2

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

A prophet must prophesy; for any prophet to be used of God in bringing healing to the nation/s, the prophet must prophesy. The prophecy is what moves people, the nations to repentance if they are already prepared for repentance; or moves the people of God in the nations to fervent intercession for repentance in the land so that ultimately, there is forgiveness of sins and restoration.

Daniel interceded for Israel after studying the prophecy concerning restoration for Israel in the book of Jeremiah. Please see Daniel Chapter 9. Not quite long, the Israelites left Babylonian captivity and Jerusalem was rebuilt.

The Prophet Ezekiel was used by God to bring healing to the despondent people of Israel through the prophecy he gave in Ezekiel Chapter 37 verses 1 to 14. A people who had confessed that their bones were dry and their hope was lost stood on their feet as an exceedingly great army after they received the word of God prophesied by Ezekiel into their lives.

The prophecy can also be to energize and mobilize the people of God to action against their oppressors as in the case of Barak and the army of Israel when God used Deborah to prophesy to Barak. Barak responded positively to the prophecy by Deborah, mobilized the army of Israel and defeated General Sisera, the commander of Jabin’s army. The nation of Israel was free and healed of the military oppression by Jabin, King of Cannan through Sisera. Please see Judges Chapters 4 and 5.

Healing also came to the nation of Israel as Prophets Zechariah and Haggai prophesied to the returnee exiles to complete the rebuilding of the temple that was abandoned on account of the fierce opposition from the people who hated Jerusalem. The people of Israel were experiencing lack, miserable harvests and nothing to really show for so much labor. But as they responded positively to the prophecies of Zechariah and Haggai; the recommenced work and completed the temple, God blessed them and the works of their hands immensely. Please see Ezra Chapter 5 verses 1 to 2, 6 verse 14; Haggai Chapters 1 and 2 and Zechariah Chapter 8 verses 9 to 15.

Healing Streams 2

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Beloved, you and I can become God’s vessels of healing streams if we yield ourselves completely to God and allow Him to purge us of every pollution that could interfere or hinder His healing flow through our lives. Take for instance these very instructive Scripture references Proverbs Chapters 11 verses 18 to 20; 15 verse 7. A person with a caustic tongue who does not care about the emotions of other people can be not likely carry God’s healing flows because his or her caustic tongue will inflict wounds that may never heal in the hearts of people if God does not intervene. The Bible records in that same Proverbs Chapter 11 verses 18b that the tongue of the wise promotes health. How?

According to the Bible, the tongue of the wise or learned given to him or her by God knows how to speak a word in season to whoever is weary. Please see Isaiah Chapter 50 verses 4 to 5. This is further corroborated in Isaiah Chapters 52 verse 7; 61 verses 1 to 4, Luke Chapter 4 verses 18 to 19. A person’s tongue brings healing to people by proclaiming good tidings, peace, salvation, glad tidings of good things, the Lordship of God over everyone and all things, the sovereignty of God, the power of God. Such proclamations bring hope, joy and happiness, healing to the broken hearted and the nations, liberty to those who are mentally and spiritually caged, bring comfort and joy to those who mourn, praise to those whose spirits are heavy. Beloved, Scriptures in Proverbs Chapters 15 verses 4, 7, 30; 12 verse 25; 17 verse 22; 18 verse 4 and 20 verse 15 corroborate this.

You carry God’s grace for healing the nations and that grace is the key to your financial abundance. The enemy attempts to stop you by polluting your mental processes so that the grace of God does not flow because it is when the grace flows that overwhelming abundance flows to you. Lying tongues, deceptive tongues as well as hearts laden with envy, pride, jealousy, bitterness, resentment and tale bearing cannot carry the healing flows of God. Please see Proverbs Chapters 26 verses 18 to 28, Hebrews Chapter 12 verse 15 and Matthew Chapter 12 verses 34 to 37. All of these are like polluted streams which do not bring healing because the water is polluted and polluted waters cause death and barrenness. The polluted water of Jericho is a classic example. It made the land unproductive and caused barrenness but after it was healed, the land became productive and there was an end to deaths caused by the water. Beloved, the flow from your spirit, soul and body on account of your mental processes, utterances and actions can make other people productive or barren depending on what you project and convey. On the other hand, a vessel or conduits of God’s healing streams should make every attempt to ensure that the stream is not polluted. This is because any form of pollution will make it difficult or impossible to fulfill your calling in life.

Healing the Nations Through Forgiveness 3

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

The Prodigal Son and His Father – Luke Chapter 15 verses 11 to 32

The prodigal son is an interesting case study of some mothers do have them! Generally, sons and daughters and whoever inherits after the demise of their parents or benefactors. But the prodigal son chose to have his inheritance even when his father was still alive. He went to his father and requested for his inheritance. His father obliged him and not quite long he lost everything to riotous living and began to live in penury. Close to eating pods - what he served to pigs as their meal, he did a rethink. He had lived wrongly and had wronged his father. He did a u-turn and returned home. Fortunately for him, his father lovingly accepted him back. The relationship between father and son was restored through repentance, forgiveness and acceptance.

Realization and acknowledgement of sin, repentance, forgiveness and acceptance culminate in the healing process and restoration of relationships. Relationships are very central to God. That explains why the Bible gives a number of instances of relationships that went awry and how God intervened and the relationships were restored. Beginning with Adam and Eve, through Sarah and Hagar, Jacob and Esau, Joseph and his brothers, the prodigal son and his father, John Mark  and the Apostle Paul, the Apostles Paul and Peter, God and us, the people of Israel, David. Manasseh.

To ensure the restoration of relationships, God gave believers principles for managing relationships. They are in the Bible. Forgiveness is one of them and very key – we are to forgive as many times as people hurt us, sin against us; we are also to ask forgiveness of other people when we offend them; we are to acknowledge our sins and repent of them, we are to tolerate one another in love, speak up and rebuke one another in love rather than bottle up and live in anger, resentment, bitterness and unforgiveness. We are to share information that transforms rather than gossip and we are to pray for one another rather than project ill will. That way, we will have wholesome individuals, communities and nations.

Equitable Resource Allocation and Control for Healing the Nations

 Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

And Esau took his wives, and his sons, and his daughters, and all the persons of his house, and his cattle, and all his beasts, and all his substance, which he had got in the land of Canaan; and went into the country from the face of his brother Jacob. For their riches were more than that they might dwell together; and the land wherein they were strangers could not bear them because of their cattle. Thus dwelt Esau in mount Seir: Esau [is] Edom. Genesis Chapter 36 verses 6 to 8.

Socio-economic injustice issues are a major cause of deep seated resentment that sometimes snowballs into conflicts that sometimes degenerate into wars. Unfortunately, this is to a large extent global. Significantly, socio-economic injustice did not start today. It has always been a part of human existence as individual, families, communities and nations have always contended over resources especially in cases of inequitable resource allocation.

There was contention over resources between Abram and his nephew Lot in the book of Genesis Chapter 13 verses 1 to 18. The land was not able to support them because of inadequate pasture for the large livestock they had acquired over time. This created constant contention and strife over between the herdsmen of Lot and Abram over pasture and probably water, storage and shed facilities for the herds of Abram and Lot.

Abram reflected on the contention and strife which his spirit, soul and body abhorred. He suggested separation so there could be peace. That resolved the issue completely but most significantly expanded Abram’s vision of divine purpose and divine resources for the accomplishment of divine purpose. There was no more distraction, anxious moments occasioned by the constant contention and strife. It was focus and progress all the way. Abram could move forward, uninterrupted in the plans and purposes of God for His life simply because he boldly took the decision to separate from contention and strife.

The herdsmen of Isaac and the herdsmen of Gerar contended over wells of water. Isaac and his herdsmen separated and dug a number of places until they found wells of water that were not contended for. They had peace and flourished in the land. Please see Genesis Chapter 26 verses 12 to 33.

The Role of Young People in Healing the Nations

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

God raised David at a time that Goliath had inflicted terrible damages in the national army of Israel. Through the use of words, the strife of tongues, words that intimidate to terrify and immobilize coupled with a terrifying stature, Goliath succeeded in bringing a very heavily mobilized army to inaction.  He used fear encoded in his choice of words to immobilize the army of God. For forty days and forty nights, the national army of Israel experienced unnecessary terror, humiliation at the hands of Goliath until David heard those words. The Spirit of God in David moved David to challenge the opposition and intimidation. Significantly, it was a battle of words as both Goliath and David used words. But David used words anointed by God (where the word of a King is, there is power). As David released the words by the Spirit of God, the power of God accompanied the words and in no time, Goliath in spite of his intimidating physical stature, military expertise, experience and prowess was brought down by David.

Esther was a very young woman when she was suddenly tasked with the responsibility of interceding for the safety of the Jews. Haman had passed a death sentence on the Jews and going by the irreversible laws of the Persians and the Medes, Esther’s task was a tall dream. But Esther went to God and God used her tremendously. Though the laws were not reversed, Haman was killed, the Jews were empowered with a new set of laws to fight back and fight back they did and killed all their enemies. Also, Mordecai, a gateman whom Haman thought was beneath him to kill alone and therefore decided to kill all the Jews became the number two man in the kingdom. Beloved, the Jewish nation was spared and healed of the satanic plot to eliminate the Jews through the Holy Spirit guided actions of Esther.

The Place of Genuine Repentance in the Healing of the Nations

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

One of the weapons of warfare is repentance.

All sin is meant to be acknowledged and repented of as stated in 1^st John Chapter 1 verses 8 to 10, 2^nd Chronicles Chapter 7 verses 13 to 14, Joel Chapter 2 verses 12 to 32, Jonah Chapter 3, 1^st Kings Chapter 18; and then God Who is compassionate and rich in mercy forgives. Unfortunately, not everyone acknowledges, confesses and repents of sin. There are people and nations who always excuse their sins and blame their utterances and actions on the utterances and actions of other people. Rather than admit their wrong doing to God and repent, they blame other people. God is never pleased with such people as what pleases God is a contrite and broken spirit.

True healing for the nations and individuals and people start when they genuinely turn away from their evil ways to God in repentance, thus re-establishing fellowship with God, and the presence of God in their lives.

A number of Biblical cases attest to this. Adam and Eve excused their disobedience to God, the first sin that got humans into trouble away. They both played the game – Adam blamed his wife and his wife blamed the serpent. Please see Genesis Chapter 3. Their son Cain did not blame anyone though; but he did not admit to wrong doing. Rather, he said that his punishment was too much for him. Please see Genesis Chapter 4 verses 1 to 16.

King Saul of Israel also played the blame game not once but twice. He blamed the people for his actions – first he offered burnt offerings to God – what he was not qualified to do (1^st Samuel Chapter 13 verses 1 to 14). Secondly, he spared Agag, the King of Amalek, the best of the sheep, the oxen, the fatlings, the lamb, and all that was good. In point of fact, the Bible records that Saul and his men were unwilling to utterly destroy them as commanded by God. Please see 1^st Samuel Chapter 15. And when confronted with his sin, he said the spared goods were to offer a sacrifice to God. Significantly, he eventually acknowledged his sin but only after Samuel told him that God had rejected him from being king. It is also instructive that he did not repent but wanted Samuel’s company around him just to gain honor despite being told that he had lost the throne. Saul was more interested in the honor and applause of men more than the grace and mercy of God. Eventually like every other unrepentant sinner, he lost the presence of God and fellowship with God (Genesis Chapters 3 verses 22 to 24, 4 verse 16, 1^st Samuel Chapter 16 verses 14 to 23, 18 verses 10 to 12) ; key requirements to healing the nations. In his quest to hear from God, he turned to divination and eventually died in battle. Please see 1^st Chronicles Chapter 10 verses 1 to 14.

David sinned severally against the Lord and each time the prophet of God accosted David with his sin, he acknowledged the sin and repented of the sin. Two examples will suffice. David numbered the men of Israel and incurred the wrath of God against the nation (1^st Chronicles Chapter 21). David immediately repented when accosted and begged God to allow the judgment fall on him and his family. Additionally he quickly offered the required sacrifices to God and judgment that had begun against the land was stayed. The other example was his sinful liaison with Bathsheba and the consequent murder of Uriah and acquisition of Bathsheba as wife (2^nd Samuel Chapters 11 and 12). When Nathan the prophet confronted David with his son, David acknowledged his sin and humbled himself in genuine repentance before God.

Manasseh sinned greatly against the Lord yet when he repented, God forgave him and stayed judgment (2^nd Chronicles Chapter 33, note verses 10 to 16).

King Rehoboam of Judah and his people repented of their sins against God and they were spared the destruction planned against them by the King of Egypt. Please see 2^nd Chronicles Chapter 12.

Whenever individuals, families, Churches, communities and organizations as well as nations genuinely repent of their sins before God and turn away from such sins, God forgives and brings healings in diverse areas.

Genuine repentance by the people and the leadership of the people helps to turn the wrath, judgment and condemnation of God from the people and the land as well as seal up every access and legal ground that the enemy had to afflict the people because of sin and God’s anger. Repentance and acknowledgment of sin is therefore a critical first step to healing the nations as it is one of the weapons of spiritual warfare. In every Holy Spirit backed intercession for peoples, nations, and the land, the intercessors commenced intercession by acknowledging their sin/s as a nation, repenting of such sins and asking for God’s mercy and forgiveness.

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The Place of Liberality in the Healing of the Nations

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

The liberality referred to here is liberality for kingdom purposes. Giving generally opens a floodgate of blessings (Luke Chapter 6 verse 38, Isaiah Chapter 32 verse 8) and also brings healings in diverse dimensions to the peoples and nations of the world (Job Chapter 42 verses 6 to 12, Genesis Chapter 20). When people and nations give of their time, money, expertise, knowledge, skills, etc to bring people out of poverty, ignorance, and diseases into a better quality life, they are giving healing (as some of their Christian brethren take advantage of such opportunities to serve as missionaries) and they in turn; both the sending nations and missionaries receive healings from God as well.

God gave the greatest gift of all for the redemption, salvation and deliverance of humanity from satanic captivity and death to abundant life in Christ Jesus. Please see  John Chapter 3 verse 16, John Chapters 10 verse 10; 15 verse 13 , Romans Chapter 8 verses 31 to 32, 2^nd Corinthians Chapter 8 verse 9.

In the book of Haggai Chapters 1 and 2, the Bible records that the people of Judah gave  of their resources to complete the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem that was abandoned on account of the fierce opposition to the rebuilding of the Temple. As the people released their resources for the rebuilding of the temple, they were healed of the famine in the land despite the fact that they had not planted fresh crops.

Proclaim His Praises in 2017

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

What a year! To God be the glory, great things He has done. Blossoms, fruiting, harvests, glories, excellence, manifestations of His glory and blessings, fruitfulness, progress, growth, and every good thing that comes from the Father of light.

God will bless His people and the nations and do them great good in Jesus mighty name. His healing streams will flow through the nations, flooding His people with healing in diverse areas of life. He is the Healer and will heal the nations and the peoples of the nations for He is the Governor among the nations and turns the hearts of kings wherever He wishes. He will turn the hearts of kings to righteousness so that as kings rule in righteousness, they will lead the people of the nations to walk in the righteousness of God through salvation by faith in Christ Jesus.

Beloved, shout to proclaim His praises as He works wonders in the earth in 2017. Welcome to 2017, the year of God’s greater glory in the nations as we proclaim His praises in and among the nations. To Him alone be all the glory. Shalom.

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The Place of Intercession in the Healing of the Nations

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Intercession is not a one off event. It is an ongoing activity that you continue doing until the will of God is established (Isaiah Chapter 62 verses 6 to 9).

The basis of intercession is the word of God therefore every intercessor must know and understand the word of God and desire that the word of God takes root in the hearts of people so that their lives are transformed to Christ-likeness. Intercessors respond to situations according to the Word of God – God heals all diseases so they pray for healing. Jesus is the savior so they pray for people to be receptive to and surrendered to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, pray for Christians to mature in Christ Jesus.

Intercession is a work of the Holy Spirit therefore no one can lay claim to being an intercessor. This is because intercession is the work of the Holy Spirit and because the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Christ (Romans Chapter 8 verse 9), intercession is an ongoing work by both Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Please see Romans Chapter 8 verses 34, 26 to 27, Hebrews Chapter 7 verse 25, and Isaiah Chapter 59 verse 19. He is the one who lifts a standard and that explains why intercessors have to keep asking God for mercy because only Christ who died for the redemption of man can actually condemn (Romans Chapter 8 verse 34a and if Christ who paid the supreme price for the redemption of man through the shameful death on the cross is always interceding and not condemning, we have absolutely no right to judge and condemn.  Rather, we should request grace from God to intercede because God wants all people to come to repentance and life in Christ Jesus. Please see Matthew Chapter 18 verses 11 to 14, 2^nd Peter Chapter 3 verse 9, 1^st Timothy Chapter 2 verses 1 to 6, James Chapter 5 verses 19 to 20, Jude 22 to 23, 1^st John Chapter 5 verses 10 to 21.

Intercession should not be made for sin leading to death (2^nd Timothy Chapter 4 verses 14 to 15, 1^st Thessalonians Chapter 4 verse 8, Romans Chapter 8 verses 1 to 32, 2^nd Thessalonians Chapter 2 verses 1 to 12, Hebrews Chapter 6 verses 1 to 8 and 2^nd Peter Chapter 2 verses 1 to 25.

The Place of Fasting and Prayer in the Healing of the Nations 2

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

King Hezekiah also fasted when Sennecherib threatened the destruction of Jerusalem (Isaiah Chapters 36 verses 21 to 22, 37 verses 1 to 21). God responded to the cries of His people for deliverance and dealt hard blows to Sennecherib and his army (Isaiah Chapter 37 verses 35 to 38).

King Jehoshaphat also proclaimed a national fast to ask help from God when Moab, Ammon and the inhabitants of Mount Seir allied themselves against Judah. As usual and this is quite instructive, God always responds to the cries of His people to Him. God responded and instructed the Judeans to march to the battle front but not with spears and swords or bows but with instruments of praise to offer quality praise to God. As they praised God, the three enemy nations turned against each other; first Moab and Ammon against Mount Seir and thereafter Moab and Ammon against each other. The Bible records that not one of them escaped and when they were done slaughtering each other, the Judeans took three days in carting off the loot the enemy nations left behind (2^nd Chronicles Chapter 20).

Ezra the teaching priest proclaimed two different fasts and prayers. The first was to seek divine direction, favor and protection as they journeyed from Babylon to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple and Jerusalem (Ezra Chapter 8 verses 21 to 23). God answered their prayers. The second fast and prayer was in repentance for violation of the commandments of God concerning marriage to the people God instructed Israel not to intermarry with. Particularly dreadful was the fact that the leadership, especially some of the Levites were the worst offenders. Immediately Ezra commenced fasting and praying for repentance (Ezra Chapters 9 and 10). The men guilty of this trespass repented and the nation was forgiven, healed and restored.

The Place of Fasting and Prayer in the Healing of the Nations 1

 Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Fasting and prayer are major components of healing the nations. Fasting and prayer should always be accompanied with genuine repentance.

The prophet Jonah was asked by God to deliver a judgmental prophecy of God’s intended destruction of Nineveh on account of their wickedness. Initially, Jonah disobeyed God but as Jonah obeyed God and proclaimed the message, the people of Nineveh were convicted of sin, turned to God in repentance through fasting and prayers for forgiveness of sins. The Bible   records that God pitied them and relented. It is significant to note that it was not the mere act of fasting that made God pardon them. It was the state of their hearts – they turned from their evil ways. Additionally, they humbled themselves through the fast. That explains why the Bible instructs believers not to rend their garments but their hearts and return to the Lord. This was exactly what the people of Nineveh did. Please see Joel Chapters 2 verses 12 to 13, 1 verse 14 as well as Jonah Chapter 3 verses 5 to 10.

It is also instructive to note that this was what Daniel did. Daniel accompanied his intercession for the restoration of Israel with prayer and fasting. Please see Daniel Chapter 9 verses 1 to 3. Nehemiah also fasted and prayed when he learnt about what had befallen Jerusalem – the distressing state of the survivors coupled with the broken down walls and burnt gates (Nehemiah Chapter 1 verses 1 to 4). The Old Testament prophet Samuel also led the people of Israel fasting and prayer as they returned to the Lord after practicing idolatry. Please see 1^st Samuel Chapter 7 verses 1 to 17. Quite instructive is the fact that as they fasted and prayed, the Philistines attacked them but God gave them overwhelming victory.

The Role of Prayer Cells in the Healing of the Nations

                                                Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

 Mary the mother of John Mark remains a woman of unrivaled beauty to me. Why, you may ask? She made available her home a place of prayer. Please see Acts Chapter 12. Many women whether believers or unbelievers make available their homes for unprofitable time wasting activities such as gossiping, sexual immorality as in the case of Potiphar’s wife,  centers of cannibalism as in the case of the foolish woman who agreed to kill her son for food and later regretted it because the person who urged her to do so refused to kill her own child; dens for trafficking and other forms of criminal activities.

But Mary used her home for divine purposes. She made it a place where the Church gathered together to intercede for the deliverance of Peter from the hands of untimely death through the evil intent of Herod who had found a new past time in killing the servants of God. God honored the prayers made in this home and Peter was released from the prison by an angel of God.

A prayer meeting can be held in any home that is made available for such a purpose and God will honor the prayers prayed in that home irrespective of the size, grandeur, opulence or insignificance and plainness. What is significant is the desire of the owners of the home to use their home as an altar of prayer to God; the hearts and the willingness of the people to pray. God is faithful and will always be present where two or three are gathered together in His name (Matthew Chapter 18 verse 20).

The Contributions of Exceptional Mothers to the Healing of the Nations

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

There are several dimensions to healing the nations. One of them is godly parenting that incorporates the fear of God and respect for other people into the consciousness of the child.

The Mother of King Lemuel Proverbs Chapter 30 verses 1 to 9

Though her name is not mentioned in the Bible, the name of her son, King Lemuel is mentioned, significantly in connection with what his mother taught him (Please see Deuteronomy Chapters 6 verses 6 to 9, 4 verses 5 to 10). The Bible states that King Lemuel’s mother instructed him to practice justice and equity in his domain, to open his mouth for the speechless, that is to speak for those who  had no voice in the society, intervene in cases of people sentenced to death, to plead the cause of the poor and needy.

King Lemuel was instructed by his mother to speak up at all times and judge righteously as a King. This instruction is in keeping with the word of God in Proverbs Chapter 16 verse 12, 20 verse 8, 29 verses 4 and 14.

To rule effectively, and to dispense justice in the land, King Lemuel’s mother cautioned her son not to engage in that which destroys king which she enumerated as – give his strength to women, drink wine or intoxicating drink. She noted that when kings multiply women against the commandments of God (Deuteronomy Chapter 17 verses 14 to 20) and rise to drink wine and intoxicating drink, they forget the law and pervert the justice of all the afflicted. She therefore instructed her son quite early in life not to engage in such destructive activities.

The mother of King Lemuel was an exceptional mother, in point of fact, one of the mothers to be celebrated. She had a godly view and understanding of kingship – to rule in the fear of God and be a blessing to humanity. She is different from the likes of Jezebel and Athalliah who used positions of power for oppression; and for promoting the practice of idolatry in the land.

The Place of Praise in the Healing of the Nations

 Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Praise unlocks divine blessings. Divine blessings are myriad and diverse. You can unlock divine blessings through praise; I mean quality, genuine and glorious praise of God and to God. The praise to God and for God flows from your heart in appreciation of who God is to God and for God. Such praise is not designed for showmanship that you are the best singer or the one who knows how best to praise God. No. such praise is your acknowledgment of God’s supremacy, sovereignty, Lordship and headship over you, that He is your Creator and you are grateful to Him for who He is. In essence, you celebrate God for who He is and not necessarily for what He did or what He will do for you. You celebrate Him because He is God.

God appreciates such praise and inhabits such praises – meaning that if you always praise God, you will always be filed with the indwelling presence of God. Please see Psalm 22 verse 3.

Praise is also a worthy sacrifice to God (Psalm 50 verse, Jeremiah Chapter 33 verse 11 and Hebrews Chapter 13 verse 15) and if offered from the depths of the heart with genuine and best intent, praise becomes a precious seed (Psalm 126 verses 5 to 6) that always yields bountiful harvests of joy, peace, increase, salvation, deliverance, abundance, protection, celebration, victories and promotions (Psalm 67 verses 1 to 7).

The Place of Restitution in the Healing of the Nations

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Sometimes, restitution, the practice of restoring whatever was taken illegally by force of arms, subtlety or deceit is necessary for the healing of the nations, communities, organizations, families and individuals.

In the book of Genesis Chapter 12 verses 14 to 20, the Bible records an interesting story of what transpired between Abraham and Pharaoh. Until Pharaoh restituted Sarah back to Abraham, the lawful and rightful owner of Sarah, the Bible records that God plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because he took Sarah, Abraham’s wife as one of his wives. King Abimelech of Gerar also took on Sarah as one of his wives but God rebuked him and asked him to return Sarah back to Abraham. Thereafter, he and his household were restored. Please see Genesis Chapter 20 for full details of this very instructive story.

The Israelites under King David experienced and suffered famine for three years and when eventually King David went to  inquire of the LORD, God revealed that Israel had transgressed through Saul and his bloodthirsty house who killed the Gibeonites, people whom Israel had sworn protection to under the leadership of Joshua. Please see Joshua Chapter 9 for details of the transaction.

Healing the Nations Through Prophesying 2

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

The Bible records that the elders of the Jews built and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they built the temple and finished it. Please see Ezra Chapters 5 verses 1 to 2; 6 verse 14, Haggai Chapters 1 and 2, Zechariah Chapter 1 verses 12 to 21, What is pertinent is what Haggai and Zechariah prophesied (the content of their prophecies and the Spirit by whom they prophesied). They prophesied by the Spirit of God; and the words which they spoke by the Holy Spirit were life to the people, the words quickened the people and helped them to prosper in the rebuilding of the temple and the temple was completed despite the severe opposition by the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin.

The forms of opposition include false assistance designed to frustrate the work; discouragement; use of counselors to frustrate the work, accusation and force of arms (Ezra Chapter 4 verses 1 to 23). Eventually the work ceased. But because God had spoken His word and His word does not return unto Him without accomplishing what the word was sent to do (Isaiah Chapter 55 verses 8 to 13), He raised the prophets Haggai and Zechariah to speak hope, strength, confidence and restoration to His people. The prophets Haggai and Zechariah continued prophesying to the people in the name of God and the people were strengthened and encouraged to continue rebuilding the Temple (Ezra Chapter 5). As they spoke, the people rose up and began to build the house of God, hugely supported by King Cyrus whom God had purposed to use (Isaiah Chapters 44 verses 26 to 28, 45 verse 13). The fierce opposition to the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem by the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin was quashed by prophesying. Additionally, the Bible records that the completion of the temple brought healing and restoration of dignity, true worship of God as well as restoration of all things to Judah.

Prophesying the Word of God into the situation, the people and the land as evidenced in the valley of dry bones when Ezekiel prophesied the Word of God into the very dry bones in the valley certainly brings God’s healing to the nations. The very dry bones represent utter hopelessness – a situation that was probably beyond redemption because the people had lost all hope and believed that nothing could be done to redeem the situation. Apart from being very dry, the bones were also very many. This is symbolic of the mindsets of many people, utter hopelessness for them as a people and a nation.