God is With You

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

What makes a Church a Church is the Presence of God in the Church. It is not the physical size of the structure in which the people gather to worship. It is also not the economic power or social status of the people. It is not the large number of people. Rather it is the Presence of God in the Church and in the personal lives of the people. It is also the personal relationships the people have with God that dovetail into the indwelling Presence of God in the people. This is what makes a Church the Church of God. It is not the finesse of the pastor, leadership or the finery in terms of dress, furniture, etc. It is the wholesome, awesome, sanctifying Presence of God in the midst of the people or in the building that makes the place a Church.

In like manner, what makes an individual strong, a family or nation strong is the Presence of God in that individual, family or nation.

The Biblical Samson remained strong and unbeaten as long as God was with him. But the moment he got careless and made known the source of his strength, the Presence of God in his life through his Nazrite hair, he lost his super human strength and became a slave to the Philistines. His strength however returned when he repented and his hair grew afresh.

Severally, the nation of Israel was defeated by nations who they ordinarily overran. This was because the nation of Israel sinned against God and lost the critical and very important Presence of God in their personal and national lives. A case in point was the defeat they suffered from Ai, a small nation they could have defeated easily. Please read Joshua Chapter 7. But the moment there was national repentance, the Presence of God came on strong and they not only defeated Ai but went on to defeat several nations to possess the land of Canaan.

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.

Individual Repentance for Healing the Nations

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Repentance is a change of mind, a change of heart, a change of course of life from sin to righteousness. Please see Luke Chapter 6 verse 44.  True repentance is manifested in a genuine turning away from sin, further demonstrated in a genuine hatred for sin. Please see Romans Chapter 12 verse 9, Psalm 119 verse 104, 2^nd Corinthians Chapter 7 verse 10, Luke Chapter 22 verse 62, Proverbs Chapter 28 verse 13, Ezekiel Chapter 14 verse 6. A person who does not hate sin loves sin.  Unfortunately, many people give or make excuses for sin - Genesis Chapter 3 verse 13. When people make excuses for sin, the sin becomes a besetting sin. But when people acknowledge their sins and repent of them, they receive grace to completely turn away from the sin.  

Repentance is also reflected when a person bears the fruits of repentance. When Paul was converted there was a complete transformation; a u-turn from persecuting the Church to promoting the Church. He embraced the belief that he vehemently rejected.  Consequently, the same people who admired him and employed him became his persecutors who wanted to kill him. Please see Please see Acts Chapter 8 verses 1 to 4, and Acts Chapter 9. Paul was a student of law under Gamaliel but Paul became the leading Apostle of the Christian faith after repentance.

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 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.

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 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.

Rend Your Hearts

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

There are several dimensions to healing the nations but none is as potent as the acknowledgement of sins, repentance and  complete turning away from sin by the leadership and the led (individual, family, community, national). When a people, beginning with the leadership, those in authority, alongside the led acknowledge their sins, repent of the sins, turn away from the sin and return to God, God usually shows mercy, forgives their sins, brings healing and restoration to the land. Please see 2nd Chronicles Chapter 7 verse 14, Joel Chapter 2 verses 12 to 28, 1st John Chapters 1 verses 7 to 10 and 5 verses 14 to 15.

There are examples in the Bible of people and nations who acknowledged their sins, repented of the sins and turned away from the sins to God who were forgiven, restored and healed. Not only were the people forgiven, restored and healed, the lands were also healed and restored. 

Israel under Ahab experienced three and a half years of drought and consequently famine ravaged the land. but after national repentance and restoration of the altar of God led by Prophet Elijah, the land experienced heavy downpour on the same day. forgiveness, healing and restoration was instant. 

The nation of Nineveh also experienced instant forgiveness, healing and restoration after everyone from the leadership to the led repented before God in fasting and prayer. Please see Jonah Chapter 3.