Pray Without Ceasing

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Prayer is a command from God to believers. Please see Luke Chapter 18 verses 1 to 8, 2 verses 36 to 38 and 1^st Thessalonians Chapter 5 verse 18, and Ephesians Chapter 6 verse 18. It is also a platform for making our requests to God.

The content of prayers is very important to God. I am sure that explains why Jesus Christ gave the Church a prayer template in Matthew Chapter 6 verses 5 to 15, Luke Chapter 11 verses 1 to 4 so that believers are not misguided when praying especially so when they are praying against people who hurt them, offended them and made them angry. Nowhere in the Bible did Jesus say that believers should pray against their enemies; asking them to die, be destroyed, or their properties destroyed. Also, the prayer template does not give room for self righteousness as in the case of the two men – the Pharisee and the tax collector who Jesus Christ described in Luke Chapter 18 verses 9 to 14. Jesus Christ commended the tax collector who humbly asked God for mercy.

Why Pray

God answers prayer. The Bible is replete with instances of the people of God praying to God and God in turn responding positively to their prayers. Additionally, God said so in His word. Please see Matthew Chapter 7 verse 7, Luke Chapter 18 verses 1 to 8, and Jeremiah Chapter 33 verse 3. The early Church prayed without ceasing in spite of the fact that the Apostle Peter was already on death row. God intervened and Peter was miraculously released from prison by an angel of God. Please read Acts Chapter 12 for details. Prophet Elijah prayed for the son of the widow of Zarephath and the young man came back to life. Please read 1^st Kings Chapter 17 verses 17 to 24. He also prayed for rain after a long period of drought in Israel. God honored his prayer and there was a heavy downpour. Please read 1^st Kings Chapter 18. The prophet Elisha prayed and the dead son of the woman of Shunem was brought back to life. Please read 2^nd Kings Chapter 4 verses 15 to 37.

Give Thanks to the Lord

1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever. 2 Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever. 3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever. 4 to him who alone does great wonders, His love endures forever. 5 who by his understanding made the heavens, His love endures forever. 6 who spread out the earth upon the waters, His love endures forever. 7 who made the great lights— His love endures forever. 8 the sun to govern the day, His love endures forever. 9 the moon and stars to govern the night; His love endures forever. 10 to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt His love endures forever. 11 and brought Israel out from among them His love endures forever. 12 with a mighty hand and outstretched arm; His love endures forever.

The Sacrifice of Praise for Healing the Nations 1

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Do not take what belongs to God and use for yourself. Praise belongs to God and should be given to God alone. He deserves all our praise. The praise due to God should not be given to anyone else. Please see Psalm 47 verses 6 to 7, 69 verse 30.  Praising God goes beyond singing to sharing testimonies of God’s goodness. Your utterances should also glorify God. Praise shortens your journey to the top. If you are not praising God, you are not fulfilling the purpose for which God created you. Carefully choose songs of praise and minister quality praise to God.

God created us to be agents of praise. God is looking for people that will glorify Him. God does not share His glory with anyone, Praise goes directly to God. Intermediaries are not required. Praise should come from the depths of your heart to God.

Why Praise God?

He is the Creator, He commands and they are created, He establishes them forever – Psalm 148 verses 5 to 6; God is good and His name is pleasant– Psalm 135 verse 3; God is worthy to be praised – Psalm 18 verse 3, 48 verse 1; He does wonderful things - Isaiah Chapter 25 verses 1 to 4; He gives rain for the earth so that food grows for all of creation ; His merciful kindness – Psalm 117 verse 2; His mighty acts and greatness – Psalm 150 verse 2; His truth endures forever – Psalm 117 verse 2; Answered prayers – Psalm 118 verse 21; His name is good – Psalm 54 verse 6 ; He strengthened the bars of the gates of Jerusalem and blessed the children – Psalm 147 verses 12 to 13; Praise is good and beautiful – Psalm 147 verse 1, 7 to 8, ; He gives righteous judgments – psalm 119 verse 164.

God inhabits the praises of His people.  Please see 2^nd Chronicles Chapter 5 verses 12 to 14, 20 verses 19 to 25. Besides, praise is a good weapon of warfare. `

Thank You

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

This post is to appreciate the contribution of everyone who participated in Healing the Nations Campfire 2016. I am grateful first to God who enabled you to do of His good pleasure and to you all who honored God and prayed through for the healing of the nations. God bless you all and meet you at the point of every need in your life in Jesus mighty name. May He also enlarge your coast and make you as prosperous as you desire in Jesus mighty name.

Beloved, the healing of the nations is not an event; that is to say that it is not a one off activity. It is a continuum – prayers, intercession, prophetic declarations, and activities such as prayer walks, praise and worship sessions, adoration and thanksgiving to God, celebrating the awesome sanctifying, healing and protective presence of God in the people and in the land.

Healing the Nations Campfire is an annual event, a one off prayer activity every year. But the bulk of the work, the real intercession for the healing of the nations is in the daily intercessory meetings for the healing of the nations; the lead up activities such as prayer and fasting, confession of sins, praise and worship, prophetic declarations to the one off annual event. The healing of the nations is therefore a daily activity – constant prayer as exemplified in Acts Chapter 12 where the Church gathered in the home of Mary, the mother of John Mark to pray for the release of Peter.