A. PROLOGUE
Time is a gate! Every time and season is passage for certain purposes – good or evil. Every purpose under heaven must pass through a gate of time to find expression on earth. Every week has purposes that must pass through it. Some of the purposes are ordained from God’s throne. Some are the workings of hell and darkness. As watchmen on the tower, we must be alert to see and raise alarm. As gatekeepers, we must take charge and see that unauthorized purposes do not pass through this gate of November 5-11. In Nigeria, this is the sixth week of our current year from October 1. In the general calendar, this is the 45th week of the year.
Following Numeric Patterns in the arrangement of Bible narratives, we can identify the purposes seeking access through the different gates of time and purpose. What can we learn from the patterns about the agenda for the sixth week or season? What can we garner from the Bible about the 45th week or season?
*THE 6TH WEEK OF NIGERIA’S YEAR*
Every sixth season is a season of conflict. The sixth book and chapters of the Bible and even the sixth day of creation narrative, indicate that the sixth season is a season of war. It is a season to battle for inheritance. The 6th chapter of Ephesians tells about the spiritual conflict we’re in with principalities and powers. The Second World War broke out within the 6th seven years of the 20th century. The year 1966 was Nigeria’s 6th year from independence; and is an unforgettable year in the history of our nation. Nigeria’s Second Republic (under the 6th National Leader, Shehu Shagari), ended with a coup. The government of Sani Abacha executed Ken Saro-wiwa and 8 others this week (on November 10, 1995) – *the sixth day of the sixth week of Nigeria’s 36th year – the year beginning Nigeria’s sixth seven years (October 1995 – October 2002).* This sparked off global outrage against Nigeria that lasted almost 3 years ending with the death of Sani Abacha in 1998. The 6th year of Nigeria’s 9th seven years was a battle in Nigeria – battle with costly kidnapping and battle between the federal government and striking university lecturers. This week in 2021, former CBN Governor, Soludo won the tense and fiercely contested Anambra State governorship election. It was a week of intense spiritual warfare. This week, we must stand up for the things God had given us and wants us to possess.
*This 6th week is a book of Joshua week in Nigeria* . This is a week of battle against rebellion. It is also a season of battle for possessions. In the sixth season, you don’t wait for things to happen; you take steps to make them happen. You must take guided steps to cross the Jordan before you; and also walk around Jericho as commanded. This is a week to fight for what belongs to you. Do not allow the enemy to sit on your possession.
The sixth season is a week to express godliness to counter the ungodliness that may manifest in the season. On the sixth day of creation, God made man in His image and likeness because sixth-season challenges require supernatural response. May the people of God bear rule and rejoice in this sixth week of Nigeria’s year.
Summary of things associated with the Sixth season:
1. Conflict (Sixth day of Creation, Joshua, Judges 6, 2 Samuel 6, 2 Kings 6, Ephesians 6, WW2, 1966). This is a time to confront Leviathan size problems..
2. Hardship & Food Scarcity, (Exodus 6, Joshua, 2 Kings 6, 6th chapters of Matthew- Acts)
3. Vindication (Nehemiah 6, Esther 6, Daniel 6)
4. Keep the rules (Genesis 6, Joshua 6, Judges 6, Second Samuel 6, Matthew 6)
5. Wasting of lives. This week in 1996 (November ), a Nigerian Aviation Development Corporation (ADC) Airline Boeing 727-231 flying from Port Harcourt to Lagos with 143 passengers and 9 crew members crashed on landing, plunging into the lagoon with all onboard killed. The Ogoni 9 were executed this week in 1995 (November 10). This week in 2006 (November 10), a six-seater helicopter belonging to Odengene Air Shuttle (OAS) crashed in Delta State, killing two people. The 6th of Nigeria (1966) was a year of wasting of lives in Nigeria *
THE 45TH WEEK OF YEAR*
This is the third week in the seventh 7 weeks of the year. *The 45th week is a game-changing week* in the seventh 49 days of the year. The story of Jacob’s family changed from Genesis 45. He secured resident permit for his family to move to, and settle in Egypt.
The 45th book of the Bible is the beginning of epistles in the Bible and that is how the Bible ended – with letters and epistles.1945 was the year that changed the world and set a new course for the remaining part of the 20th century and beyond. The 32nd and longest serving President of the United States, Franklin D. Roosevelt died 1945. Italian Fascist leader, Benito Mussolini and German dictator, Adolf Hitler, also died in 1945. That was also the year the Atomic bomb was used for the first time – against Japan. The 6-year Second World War ended in 1945. The 45th week of the year has been the week of U S Presidential/Mid-term elections since 1845. Let this 45th week of the year be a game- changer in the year.
*The 45th season is a season of revelations* . It is a book of Romans week. It is a week of the revelation of righteousness, wrath, and grace. Paul began his unveiling of mysteries in this book. Although, the book of Romans is not the first epistle Paul wrote, it is placed before the others in the Bible. I believe this is because of the season it speaks to. The 45th season is also a time to uncover hidden lies and truth. Joseph revealed himself to his brothers in Genesis 45 and dismantled the lies they had told for more than 13 years. The #MeToo Movement flourished in the season of the 45th President of the United States, Donald J. Trump. This is a week of opening up secrets. As we pray this week, things we would never have known will be brought to light.
*The 45th season is a season of mercy and comfort* . Joseph forgave and comforted his brothers in Genesis 45. He treated them better than they deserved. The 45th book of Bible tells us about God’s gift of eternal life in the place of the wages of sin. May grace and mercy triumph this week in our world. May Nigeria and Nigerians also receive mercy this week.
*The 45th season is the season to show off God’s sovereignty*. Isaiah 45 bears witness to this. The 45th book of the Bible also bears witness to this truth.
*The 45th season is for the recovery or discovery of what you thought was lost*. Jacob discovered Joseph was alive in Genesis 45. May this week be a time of reconnection to things you lost. *
B. PRAYER POINTS FOR THE 6TH WEEK OF NIGERIA’S YEAR*
1. O Lord, in this Book-of-Joshua week, release your power against barriers, hindrances, and obstacles in the way of those who trust in you. Let Jordan and Jericho give way to your people this week.
2. O Lord, overthrow those sitting on the inheritance you have already given to your people. Drive out the Canaanites from the portion of your people.
3. O Lord, deliver us from decisions, steps, and actions that will put stumbling blocks on our way in this season. As you exposed Achan in the sixth book of the Bible, expose all troublers of Nigeria and remove them from among us in this sixth week of our year.
4. O Lord, as you raised Gideon against the Midianites in Joshua 6, and humbled Syrians before Elisha and Israel in 2 Kings 6, and humbled Haman before Mordecai in Esther 6, this week, raise a strong wind against those who harass Nigerians in their inheritance.
5. O Lord, you fed multitudes in the sixth chapters of Mark, Luke, and John. This sixth week of our year, keep us far from anything that will cause food crisis in Nigeria. Deliver us from the economic hardship of the sixth season indicated in the 6th chapters of the Bible. We will not boil or eat our children and future this week.
6. O Lord, change the story of this week in Nigeria. Turn the tide against the wasting of lives in Nigeria this week.
*PRAYERS FOR THE 45TH WEEK OF THE YEAR*
7. O Lord , this week, throw your light over situations in our land. Expose liars and their lies. Let hidden truth in Nigeria be hidden no more.
8. O Lord, as in the book of Romans where you set aside the old way of righteousness, this week, put an end to the old and dysfunctional systems in Nigeria and raise new platforms for good in the nation.
9. O Lord, as you named Cyrus in Isaiah 45, in this 45th week of the year, shine your light on the Cyrus you have appointed for the rebuilding of ruins in Nigeria.
*C. SCRIPTURES FOR THE WEEK*
Isaiah 45:2-3: “I will go before you And make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the gates of bronze And cut the bars of iron. [3] I will give you the treasures of darkness And hidden riches of secret places, That you may know that I, the LORD, Who call you by your name, Am the God of Israel”.
Matthew 6:31-33: “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you”.
Have a blessed 6th week in Nigeria’s year and a triumphant 45th week of the year.
