NIGERIA: PRAYING INTO OCTOBER 29 – NOVEMBER 4 (THE 44TH WEEK OF THE YEAR AND THE 5TH WEEK OF NIGERIA’S YEAR)

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December 17, 2022

THE 44TH WEEK OF THE YEAR

What does the Bible reveal about the 44th?

The 44th gate of time is the gate used by powers – powers that oppress and powers that deliver; powers that hinder and powers that help.; powers that shut doors and powers that open doors; the power of God and the power of man or satan. The hindering powers want only to have their ways to do whatever they want. The helping powers use this gate of time to rescue the just and innocent who are at the mercy of the proud and arrogant powers.

This 44th season is a week of help against closed doors. It is part of the 7th seven weeks of the year. In this season, God sends or gives help to make a way where there is no way. It is a gate of time through which help passes to open doors for the despised and persecuted. The 44th book of the Bible records the coming of the Helper, the Promise of the Father, to make a way for the Church where there is no way and to cause the unprecedented to happen.

It is the Spirit of Help that passes through this gate of time that made way for Barak Obama to become the 44th President of the United States and the first black man to serve as US President. It is the same Spirit of help that gave the Allied Powers wisdom to fight a decisive three-month battle, from D–Day in 1944, against the Axis Powers to liberate all of France . Powers collide in the 44th season.

Psalm 44 is the cry of the oppressed and persecuted to the God of miracles for intervention. Psalm 44:22-26 says, “Yet for Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Awake! Why do You sleep, O Lord? Arise! Do not cast us off forever. Why do You hide Your face, And forget our affliction and our oppression? [25] For our soul is bowed down to the dust; Our body clings to the ground. [26] Arise for our help, And redeem us for Your mercies’ sake”.

God shows off His power in the 44th season.

Isaiah 44:6 says, “Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel, And his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: ‘I am the First and I am the Last; Besides Me there is no God”. He mocks idols and idol worshippers in Isaiah 44:9-20.

God shows off His sovereignty in the 44th season.

Isaiah 44: 24-27 says, “Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, And He who formed you from the womb: “I am the LORD, who makes all things, Who stretches out the heavens all alone, Who spreads abroad the earth by Myself; [25] Who frustrates the signs of the babblers, And drives diviners mad; Who turns wise men backward, And makes their knowledge foolishness; [26] Who confirms the word of His servant, And performs the counsel of His messengers; Who says to Jerusalem, ‘You shall be inhabited,’ To the cities of Judah, ‘You shall be built,’ And I will raise up her waste places; [27] Who says to the deep, ‘Be dry! And I will dry up your rivers’;

God shows He is final authority in the 44th season.

Jeremiah 44:28 says, “Yet a small number who escape the sword shall return from the land of Egypt to the land of Judah; and all the remnant of Judah, who have gone to the land of Egypt to dwell there, shall know whose words will stand, Mine or theirs”.

Ezekiel 44 indicates that God is the decision maker in the 44th season. In this chapter, He told Ezekiel how things should be done and what should not be done.

The 44th book of the Bible, the book of Acts, illustrates that power belongs to God in the 44th season. Those who trust in God cannot not suffer defeat in this season if they are sensitive to the Spirit and employ the weapons of faith and prayer. As a book of Acts week, this is a week of spiritual positioning that would determine the direction of the rest of the year and even the future.

PRAYER POINTS FOR THE 44TH WEEK OF THE YEAR

1. O Lord , this week, deliver your people from the arrogance and wickedness of the powers that be; as you delivered Peter from the hand of Herod.

2. Let your people be unstoppable this week. Let fire keep burning on the prayer altar. Release innocent prisoners.

3. Let the people of God in Nigeria enjoy the backing of the Holy Spirit. Let Nigeria witness the power of the Spirit working through God’s people as the Church did in the 44th book of the Bible.

4. O Lord, stop those who are working against your people and your purposes in Nigeria – religious fundamentalists, corrupt political leaders, greedy people in business.

5. O Lord, release your power to deliver Nigeria from her imprisonment and captivity. Let ancient gates of wickedness stopping Nigeria open in the name of Jesus.

6. O Lord, disgrace all who use sorcery to advance wicked causes in Nigeria.
THE 5TH WEEK OF NIGERIA’S YEAR

The fifth gate of time is for the word of life and the blessings that enhance enjoyment and full expression of life. God’s will concerning the fifth is for people to enjoy life to the full though obedience to His word; but the plan of the evil one is to draw people away from the word of God so that forces that hinder full expression of life can overtake them. – so that the people will have curses instead of blessings. Deuteronomy, the fifth book of the Bible, bears witness to this.

God began to make playful and adventurous living creatures on the fifth day. It was a day many new things that make life more meaningful – movement, voice sounds, sensory perception, blessings of fruitfulness and multiplication.

He made flesh and blood – so we shall have life and not death in the fifth season. He blessed so we would not have curses. He made movement possible so we should not have lockdown and stagnation in this season. He gave voice sounds so we would not be silenced but pray and praise Him in this season. He gave sensory perception so we may not lack spiritual sensitivity and discernment in this season. He gave balance ability so we would be stable in this season. He did not make us to become prey in this season.

The fifth season is a time to hold the flesh in check. Although God began to make flesh and blood creatures on the fifth day of creation, the fifth season is a time to restrain the flesh. Joshua circumcised Israel in Joshua 5. The Servant of Elisha fell to greed and materialism in Second Kings 5. Ananias and Sapphira died for greed in Acts 5. In First Corinthians 5, a man was sleeping with his father’s wife. Galatians 5 speaks against walking in the flesh. May the lusts of the flesh not overtake us this week.

The fifth season is for the full expression of life – provisions, healing, deliverance, and victory over death. In Genesis 5, Enoch escaped death for walking with God. Naaman was healed of leprosy in Second Kings 5. Jesus delivered a man possessed by a legion of demons, healed the woman with the issue of blood, and raised a dead girl back to life in Mark 5. Jesus healed the impotent man in John 5. Peter’s shadow healed in Acts 5. Jesus made Peter catch fish in Luke 5. On October 29, 2006, the beginning of the fifth week of Nigeria’s 47th year, ADC plane crashed after take off from Abuja. Six of the 104 people onboard survived. On November 1, 2021, a 21-story building under construction on Gerrard Road, Ikoyi, collapsed. This happened on the fourth day of the fifth week of Nigeria’s year.

The week of October 29 to November 4 is both an end and a new beginning. Two months meet in this week. The 10th month will handover to the 11th month. It is a week of transition from one realm or dimension of experience to another. From the prophetic perspective of the 44th book of the Bible, this is a week of transition from Peter’s team to Paul’s team.

PRAYER POINTS FOR THE 5TH WEEK OF NIGERIA’S YEAR

Grant us safety through discernment and spiritual sensitivity. Let no evil plan escape detection this week.
Deliver Nigerians from predators of this week.
Deliver us from things that hinder full expression of life in this season.

SCRIPTURES FOR THE WEEK

Isaiah 44:3 – “For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, And floods on the dry ground; I will pour My Spirit on your descendants, And My blessing on your offspring”;

Have a blessed 5th week in Nigeria’s year and a triumphant 44th week of the year!

NIGERIA: PRAYING INTO NOVEMBER 12-18 (THE 46TH WEEK OF THE YEAR AND THE 7TH WEEK OF NIGERIA’S YEAR).

By

Nkem Okemiri

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December 17, 2022

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THE 46TH WEEK OF THE YEAR

This is the middle of the seventh 7 weeks of the year. This is bridge and Cross-over week within the seventh 7 weeks. This week connects the first three weeks of battles to the last three weeks of blessings within the 7-week season.

What’s the mind of God concerning the 46th week and how should we oray?

The will of God is that the 46th season be driven by unity (love), unwavering faith in God and the presence of God accompanied with signs. In this season, the adversary fights hard to rob people of God presence and the accompanying signs, through disunity, lack of faith and idolatry. This is the testimony of the 46th book and chapters of the Bible.

The 46th book of the Bible is a call to love and unity. In this book, Paul rebuked the Corinthian church for allowing divisions in the church and for exalting personal preferences above people, purpose and principles. He rebuked their preference of knowledge above love. He rebuked their quest for power above their love for people. He rebuked their preference of certain leaders above the unity of the Body. He wanted them to be a church that prioritized edification of one another instead of projecting individual/personal gifts.

In the 46th chapter of Genesis, Jacob’s family in the land of Canaan joined Jacob’s family in Egypt. The family came together and had joyful REUNION in this chapter.

Psalm 46 is a corporate confession of faith in God. It is not about ‘me’,’my’, and ‘mine’. It is about ‘our’,’us’, and’we’. The year 1946, after the end of the Second World War, the nations of the world saw the need to come together. The first session of the United Nations General Assembly began January 10, 1946. Unity was in the air in 1946 to fulfill Psalm 46:8-9: “Come, behold the works of the LORD, Who has made desolations in the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariot in the fire”. In 2006, the 46th year of Nigeria, the President (Obasanjo) and the Vice President (Atiku) were in a cold war. The Legislature and the Presidency were divided over the ‘third term’ agenda. The 46th week is a time unity; not a time of division or strife or war

This 46th week of the year, the Lord is pointing to, and addressing, wholeness and togetherness in the lives of individuals, families, ministries, and nations. This week, God wants to see divided people come together for good purposes. Disunity is costly in this season

The Lord is also offering His presence to those moving in the direction of love and unity according His will; and they need not fear ANYTHING.

In Genesis 46, when Jacob’s family came together to move to Egypt to REUNITE with Joseph, God told Jacob to not be afraid; and promised to be with him. The word of the Lord to Jacob was light in darkness to him. Jacob needed that reassurance because he was relocating from ‘the Promised Land’ to settle in Egypt. It is a powerful thing to have God’s word (and walk by it) in a fourth season like the. 46th week. Twice in Psalm 46 (verses 7 and 11), we read “The LORD of hosts is with US; The God of Jacob is OUR refuge. Selah”. Isaiah 46:3-4 says, “Listen to Me, O House of Jacob, And all the remnant of the House of Israel, Who have been upheld by Me from birth, Who have been carried from the womb: Even to your old age, I am He, And even to gray hairs I will carry you! I have made, and I will bear; Even I will carry, and will deliver you”.

The 46th season is a season of experiencing the supernatural. God grants supernatural manifestations in this season to show He is superior to idols. This is a season of peace and strength through unity and the presence of God. It is a season for a united people to move in, and experience, the supernatural works of God. In this season, people MUST stand on the pillars of unity, faith, and divine presence to be strong and safe. It is a season to walk in the love and power of God. It is a season of spectacular manifestations of power through unity and having God in our midst. To have one without the other is standing on one leg and that means powerlessness. In the 46th book of the Bible, the Corinthian church enjoyed manifestations of God’s presence but lacked unity. There was envy, strife, competition, division, and disunity, among them. Paul said they just noise makers like tinkling cymbals.

The other thing the devil does in the 46th season is to drive people to seek alternatives to faith in God. That is why God mocks idols in Isaiah 46; and Paul said in the 46th book book of the Bible that “an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one” (1 Corinthians 8:4). This is a week to boast in God and deride idolatry in all forms.

This 46th week, may you and all yours experience togetherness – as Jacob and his entire FAMILY came together to move to Egypt; and reunite with Joseph in Genesis 46. May true love override differences and preferences as Paul taught in the 46th book of the Bible. May everyone (the prince, the priest, and the people) have a recognized and respected place as Ezekiel 46 prescribed. As you do that, may the things that no eye had seen, nor ear heard, nor heart conceived be revealed and brought to light this week – as in the 46th book of the Bible. May the presence of God ACTIVELY go with you throughput this week as you line up with Him and the brethren. As Jacob and his family moved from Canaan to Egypt in Genesis 46, may the Lord lead you to cross over to a higher and better realm of life in this 46th week.

Although the Lord is speaking togetherness and wholeness this week, the enemy will want to unite his own and scatter God’s people. Pray and insist that unity will be impossible for those coming together outside, and against, God’s purpose. This week, God will scatter those who are uniting against Him and His purposes. They will gather to scatter!

This week, endeavor to pursue the glory of God in all you do; embrace love, and be open to the supernatural. Seek the presence of God in the atmosphere of love and unity. Love is the best answer to ‘questions’ of the 46th season. This week, do not exalt your head above your heart; or knowledge above love.

PRAYER POINTS FOR THE 46TH WEEK

Pray and prophesy the coming together of people who should be together. Speak and release love and unity into the atmosphere to influence the course of things this week.
O Lord, raise war against division and disunity in the church and in the land. Cure our self-centeredness and turn the hearts of your people to one another. Cause wars to cease in the Body of Christ. Let war cease in the nations too.
O Lord, let this week be a time to witness the mighty works of God rather than the destructive works of the enemy. Let your people witness spectacular manifestations of divine presence in their midsts.
Pray that nothing will compete with God in your life this week. Pray Isaiah 46 over the land and the nations – that the hearts of men will shift from their idols to the Living God.

THE SEVENTH WEEK OF NIGERIA’S YEAR

Welcome to the 7th week of Nigeria’s year. This seventh week is the week ending the first 49 days (seven weeks) of the year.

What is the agenda for the week; and how should we pray?

God intends the seventh season to be a season of rest – an end-time for yokes, burdens, struggles, and troubles. God created in six days and rested on the seventh. The seventh day was the only day God blessed at creation. He blessed creation on the fifth and sixth days but blessed the day on the seventh. So, the seventh gate is the Bus-stop for afflictions, distresses, barriers and limitations. The thick walls of Jericho fell down flat after Israel marched around it seven days and seven times on the seventh day. Naaman was cured of leprosy after washing seven times in River Jordan. Jesus healed people on the seventh day (Sabbath) to give them rest from distress. Let us proclaim rest to Nigeria and Nigerians this week of November 12-18.

As God wants people to have rest in their seventh seasons, that is how the adversary wants to afflict people with burdens and troubles. He wants them to have pain, sorrow, and weeping in the seventh season. He pushes them to do things that would bring problems into their lives. He cuts them off from the rest of the season by tempting them to rebel against God and violate His will and principles. That is the reason for the sad stories in the 7th book and some 7th chapters of the Bible. That is the reason we must fight for rest in the seventh season. This is a week to fight for rest in Nigeria.

God also makes a way for the deceived and distressed and penitent to return to Him and find rest. In 2 Chronicles 7:13-14, God said, “When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, [14] if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land”. He positions helpers to bring intervention in the seventh season by His power and wisdom. In Genesis 7, Noah’s ark saved him and his family from the flood. God used the ark to preserve life. In First Samuel 7, Samuel saved Israel from the hand of the Philistines. In Second Kings 7, Elisha saved Samaria from famine. In Luke 7, Jesus saved an only child of a widow from death. Revelation 7 talks about those who came out of the great tribulation. In Acts 7, Stephen was stoned to death without intervention. May Nigerians not lack intervention this week.

WHAT SHOULD WE DO?

We should avoid the sinful snares of distress and unrest in the week.
We should turn to God in repentance for things we had done wrongly.
We should declare rest from the yokes and burdens of the first 49 days (7 weeks) of our year.
We must labor to enter into the rest of this week by faith. Unbelief keeps people in distress.

PRAYER POINTS FOR THE SEVENTH WEEK

1. Father, forgive and cleanse Nigeria and Nigerians from violations of your principles. Forgive us and our fathers and leaders. Save us, by the blood of Jesus, from things that offend your Holy presence in our land. Show us your mercy in this seventh week.

2. Father, deliver us, this week from the enemy that is too strong for us. Send us helpers this week to fight the battles that will seek to swallow us up. Deliver your own from any disaster that may be unleashed this week.

3. O Lord, anoint your people for warfare in this week as s you anointed the Judges in the seventh book if the Bible. This is a week to fight for rest.

4. Father, use me, in the way you please, to minister rescue and intervention to anyone or group of people who might be in need of rescue or Intervention.

5. O Lord, do not allow those whom you have raised for your battle in this week to become casualty like Samson in the seventh book of the Bible; and Stephen in the seventh chapter of Acts.

6. O Lord, let this week be a week of preservation; not of destruction and death. Let the mouth of death and the grave be shut this week in Nigeria.

7. O Father, do not allow our enemies rejoice over us this week. Deliver us from taking steps, making decisions, saying or doing things, that would give our enemies power over us.

O Lord show us your mercy and forgive and cleanse us from the things in us that offend your Holy Presence.

SCRIPTURES FOR THE WERK

2 Chronicles 7:14: “if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

Jeremiah 46:27: “But do not fear, O My servant Jacob, And do not be dismayed, O Israel! For behold, I will save you from afar, And your offspring from the land of their captivity; Jacob shall return, have rest and be at ease; No one shall make him afraid.

Have a happy 46th week of the year and a blessed 7th week in Nigeria’s year!

PRAYING INTO THE 51ST WEEK OF THE YEAR (DECEMBER 17 – 23)

By

Nkem Okemiri

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December 17, 2022

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What does the Bible indicate concerning ‘the 51st’ and how should we pray in the 51st week? Let us examine, first, the patterns for the week:

A. BIBLICAL PATTERNS FOR THE WEEK

1. The second day of creation narrative (Genesis 1: 6-8) when God broke the monopoly of water by creating space.

2. The 51st book of the Bible (Colossians) that focuses on the preeminence of Christ.

3. The 51st chapters of Psalms, Isaiah and Jeremiah that are about mercy, hope and judgment.

B. BIBLE READING SUGGESTIONS FOR THE WEEK

The 51st book of the Bible (Colossians) and the 51st chapters of Psalms, Isaiah and Jeremiah are guiding lights for the week. You may read the suggested chapters as follows or as led by the Spirit:

December 17: Psalm 51

December 18: Isaiah 51

December 19: Jeremiah 51

December 20: Colossians 1

December 21: Colossians 2

December 22: Colossians 3

December 23: Colossians 4

C. THOUGHTS ABOUT THE WEEK

The 51st book of the Bible (Colossians) and the 51st chapters of the Bible point to three things concerning the 51st season:

1. IT IS HEAVEN’S SEASON OF WAR AND VENGEANCE

The 51st season is Heaven’s season of war against evil and wickedness. This week is for raising the Lord’s battle axe against evil monopolies and space-blockers. This is a season to break the rule and control of evil and oppressive powers.

The 51st week expresses the work of God on the second day of creation when He released the firmament (heaven) to break the dominion of the waters and create space for other things to exist.

In Jeremiah 51, God spoke about the desolation of Babylon and about His battle axe for the operation. Jeremiah 51:20-24 says, “You are My battle-ax and weapons of war: For with you I will break the nation in pieces; With you I will destroy kingdoms; [21] With you I will break in pieces the horse and its rider; With you I will break in pieces the chariot and its rider; [22] With you also I will break in pieces man and woman; With you I will break in pieces old and young; With you I will break in pieces the young man and the maiden; [23] With you also I will break in pieces the shepherd and his flock; With you I will break in pieces the farmer and his yoke of oxen; And with you I will break in pieces governors and rulers. [24] “And I will repay Babylon And all the inhabitants of Chaldea For all the evil they have done In Zion in your sight,” says the LORD”.

Jeremiah followed up the prophecy against Babylon with a prophetic action. Jeremiah 51:60-64 says, “So Jeremiah wrote in a book all the evil that would come upon Babylon, all these words that are written against Babylon. [61] And Jeremiah said to Seraiah, “When you arrive in Babylon and see it, and read all these words, [62] then you shall say, ‘O LORD, You have spoken against this place to cut it off, so that none shall remain in it, neither man nor beast, but it shall be desolate forever.’ [63] Now it shall be, when you have finished reading this book, that you shall tie a stone to it and throw it out into the Euphrates. [64] Then you shall say, ‘Thus Babylon shall sink and not rise from the catastrophe that I will bring upon her. And they shall be weary.'” Thus far are the words of Jeremiah”.

2. IT IS A SEASON FOR THE HUMBLE TO CRY OUT FOR MERCY

the humble hear of judgment, they tremble and cry to God for mercy because they know that God’s word is not comedy. Psalm 51 shows what the humble sinner should do in the 51st season. The sinner should repent and cry out for mercy. Psalm 51:1-14 says, “Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions. [2] Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin. [3] For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me. [4] Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight- That You may be found just when You speak, And blameless when You judge. [5] Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me. [6] Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom. [7] Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. [8] Make me hear joy and gladness, That the bones You have broken may rejoice. [9] Hide Your face from my sins, And blot out all my iniquities. [10] Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. [11] Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. [12] Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. [13] Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You. [14] Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, The God of my salvation, And my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness”.

3. IT IS A SEASON FOR THE RIGHTEOUS TO STAY FOCUSED AND TRUST GOD

Before vengeance comes, the righteous might be distracted by the seeming well-being of the wicked. Isaiah 51 speaks comfort and gives hope to the righteous in a season of vengeance. Isaiah 51:12-13 says, “I, even I, am He who comforts you. Who are you that you should be afraid Of a man who will die, And of the son of a man who will be made like grass? [13] And you forget the LORD your Maker, Who stretched out the heavens And laid the foundations of the earth; You have feared continually every day Because of the fury of the oppressor, When he has prepared to destroy. And where is the fury of the oppressor?” Isaiah 51:22-23 says, “Thus says your Lord, The LORD and your God, Who pleads the cause of His people: “See, I have taken out of your hand The cup of trembling, The dregs of the cup of My fury; You shall no longer drink it. [23] But I will put it into the hand of those who afflict you, Who have said to you, ‘Lie down, that we may walk over you.’ And you have laid your body like the ground, And as the street, for those who walk over.”

The righteous need to be focused, trusting God, living right, and not lose faith but have hope that God will avenge at the right time. The 51st book of the Bible, Colossians, calls believers to focus on Jesus Christ and live out their faith; not minding those who seek to draw them away from the faith. Colossians 1:9-18 says, “For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; [10] that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; [11] strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; [12] giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. [13] He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, [14] in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. [15] He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. [16] For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. [17] And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. [18] And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence”.

D. PRAYER-POINTS FOR THE 51ST WEEK

1. Pray that the Lord will stretch His hand against wickedness in the land and cause wickedness and the wicked to cease. As you pray reenact the prophetic action of Jeremiah against Babylon (Jeremiah 51: 60-64).

2. Pray that the wicked will humble themselves, turn from wickedness and seek God’s mercy. Isaiah 55:6-7 says, “Seek the LORD while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near. [7] Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the LORD, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon”.

3. Pray that the Lord will have mercy on the humble in this week of vengeance as the Psalmist desired in Psalm 51. Pray that God will show mercy to humble as He did to Nineveh in Jonah 3: 5-10.

4. Pray that the Lord will comfort and strengthen and uphold His people who trust and hope in Him and are asking “How long?” Psalm 119:49 says, “Remember the word to Your servant, upon which You have caused me to hope”.

SCRIPTURE FOR THE WEEK:

Jeremiah 51:20-23: “You are My battle-ax and weapons of war: For with you I will break the nation in pieces; With you I will destroy kingdoms; [21] With you I will break in pieces the horse and its rider; With you I will break in pieces the chariot and its rider; [22] With you also I will break in pieces man and woman; With you I will break in pieces old and young; With you I will break in pieces the young man and the maiden; [23] With you also I will break in pieces the shepherd and his flock; With you I will break in pieces the farmer and his yoke of oxen; And with you I will break in pieces governors and rulers.

“Finally, brethren, pray for us, THAT THE WORD OF THE LORD MAY RUN SWIFTLY AND BE GLORIFIED, just as it is with you, [2] and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith” (2 Thessalonians 3:1-2 NKJV)

Happy 51st week of the year!!!

NIGERIA: PRAYING INTO DECEMBER 17 – 23 (THE 51ST WEEK OF YEAR AND THE 12TH WEEK OF NIGERIA’S YEAR)

By

Nkem Okemiri

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December 17, 2022

0

THE 51ST WEEK OF THE YEAR

What does the Bible reveal concerning the 51st and how should we pray in the 51st week? The 51st book of the Bible (Colossians) and the 51st chapters of Psalms, Isaiah and Jeremiah point to three things concerning the 51st season:

IT IS HEAVEN’S SEASON OF WAR AND VENGEANCE

The 51st season is Heaven’s season of war against evil and wickedness. This week is for raising the Lord’s battle axe against evil monopolies and space-blockers. This is a season to break the rule and control of evil and oppressive powers.

The 51st week expresses the work of God on the second day of creation when He released the firmament (heaven) to break the dominion of the waters and create space for other things to exist.

In Jeremiah 51, God spoke about the desolation of Babylon and about His battle axe for the operation. Jeremiah 51:20-24 says, “You are My battle-ax and weapons of war: For with you I will break the nation in pieces; With you I will destroy kingdoms; [21] With you I will break in pieces the horse and its rider; With you I will break in pieces the chariot and its rider; [22] With you also I will break in pieces man and woman; With you I will break in pieces old and young; With you I will break in pieces the young man and the maiden; [23] With you also I will break in pieces the shepherd and his flock; With you I will break in pieces the farmer and his yoke of oxen; And with you I will break in pieces governors and rulers. [24] “And I will repay Babylon And all the inhabitants of Chaldea For all the evil they have done In Zion in your sight,” says the LORD”.

Jeremiah followed up the prophecy against Babylon with a prophetic action. Jeremiah 51:60-64 says, “So Jeremiah wrote in a book all the evil that would come upon Babylon, all these words that are written against Babylon. [61] And Jeremiah said to Seraiah, “When you arrive in Babylon and see it, and read all these words, [62] then you shall say, ‘O LORD, You have spoken against this place to cut it off, so that none shall remain in it, neither man nor beast, but it shall be desolate forever.’ [63] Now it shall be, when you have finished reading this book, that you shall tie a stone to it and throw it out into the Euphrates. [64] Then you shall say, ‘Thus Babylon shall sink and not rise from the catastrophe that I will bring upon her. And they shall be weary.'” Thus far are the words of Jeremiah”.

B. IT IS A SEASON FOR THE HUMBLE TO CRY OUT FOR MERCY

When the humble hear of judgment, they tremble and cry to God for mercy because they know that God’s word is not comedy. Psalm 51 shows what the humble sinner should do in the 51st season. The sinner should repent and cry out for mercy. Psalm 51:1-14 says, “Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions. [2] Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin. [3] For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me. [4] Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight- That You may be found just when You speak, And blameless when You judge. [5] Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me. [6] Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom. [7] Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. [8] Make me hear joy and gladness, That the bones You have broken may rejoice. [9] Hide Your face from my sins, And blot out all my iniquities. [10] Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. [11] Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. [12] Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. [13] Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You. [14] Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, The God of my salvation, And my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness”.

The Lord showed Nigeria mercy in her 51st year. Goodluck Ebele (Mercy) Jonathan became the elected President of Nigeria in the 51st year of Nigeria The same year, a suicide bomber attacked the police force headquarters in Abuja, hoping to kill the Inspector General of Police. He missed the IGP but caused destruction of property. That was mercy

3. IT IS A SEASON FOR THE RIGHTEOUS TO STAY FOCUSED AND TRUST GOD

Before vengeance comes, the righteous might be distracted by the seeming well-being of the wicked. Isaiah 51 speaks comfort and gives hope to the righteous in a season of vengeance. Isaiah 51:12-13 says, “I, even I, am He who comforts you. Who are you that you should be afraid Of a man who will die, And of the son of a man who will be made like grass? [13] And you forget the LORD your Maker, Who stretched out the heavens And laid the foundations of the earth; You have feared continually every day Because of the fury of the oppressor, When he has prepared to destroy. And where is the fury of the oppressor?” Isaiah 51:22-23 says, “Thus says your Lord, The LORD and your God, Who pleads the cause of His people: “See, I have taken out of your hand The cup of trembling, The dregs of the cup of My fury; You shall no longer drink it. [23] But I will put it into the hand of those who afflict you, Who have said to you, ‘Lie down, that we may walk over you.’ And you have laid your body like the ground, And as the street, for those who walk over.”

The righteous need to be focused, trusting God, living right, and not lose faith but have hope that God will avenge at the right time. The 51st book of the Bible, Colossians, calls believers to focus on Jesus Christ and live out their faith; not minding those who seek to draw them away from the faith. Colossians 1:9-18 says, “For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; [10] that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; [11] strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; [12] giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. [13] He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, [14] in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. [15] He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. [16] For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. [17] And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. [18] And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence”.

B. PRAYER-POINTS FOR THE 51ST WEEK

1. Pray that the Lord will stretch His hand against wickedness in the land and cause wickedness and the wicked to cease. As you pray reenact the prophetic action of Jeremiah against Babylon (Jeremiah 51: 60-64).

2. Pray that the wicked will humble themselves, turn from wickedness and seek God’s mercy. Isaiah 55:6-7 says, “Seek the LORD while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near. [7] Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the LORD, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon”.

3. Pray that the Lord will have mercy on the humble in this week of vengeance as the Psalmist desired in Psalm 51. Pray that God will show mercy to humble as He did to Nineveh in Jonah 3: 5-10.

4. Pray that the Lord will comfort and strengthen and uphold His people who trust and hope in Him and are asking “How long?” Psalm 119:49 says, “Remember the word to Your servant, upon which You have caused me to hope”.

THE 12TH WEEK OF NIGERIA’S YEAR

The 12th season is a turning-point. The 12th hour and the 12th month are turning ponts. So also the 12th day and the 12th year. Jacob’s 12th son was his last son. Change occurs in the 12th season (2 Kings 8:25; 17:1; 25: 27; 2 Chronicles 34:3; Ezra 8: 31; Esther 3:7; Ezekiel 28:1; 32: 1, 17; 33: 21).

THREE THINGS GOD DOES IN THE 12TH SEASON

1. He goes ahead of time and moves those who are targets of the enemy out of the realm and beyond the reach, of the wicked.

In Genesis 12, He moved Abraham out of his native land. In First Samuel 12, He got Samuel to exit public service. In Second Kings, the 12th book of the Bible, Elijah was taken out of this earth. In Revelation 12, He took the Man-child out of the earth.

2. He sends help to captives and delivers them from trouble in answer to prayer.

In Genesis 12, God helped Sarah and Abram in Egypt. In Exodus 12, God delivered Israel from Egyptian bondage by the Passover. The 12th book of the Bible, Second Kings is a book of divine interventions through the ministry of Elisha. In the 12th month of Esther 9, God saved the Jews from destruction contrary to the plans of Haman. In Acts 12, God delivered Peter from Herod’s prison. In Revelation 12, God helped the mother of the Man-child and saved her from destruction.

In this season, there is a dragon spirit that seeks to devour the unprotected. Nigeria lost many lives through violence and plane crashes in the season of the 12th National Leader between 1999 and 2007. This week in 2001 (December 23), Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Bola Ige was shot and killed in his residence. The 12th President of the United States died in office on the 9th of July 1850; 5 days after the 74th Independence Anniversary. Rachel died giving birth to Jacob’s 12th son.

The 12th season is for deliverance from the dragon spirit that opens its mouth to devour in the season. This week, in 2018 (December 17), over 340 abducted students were freed.

3. He judges sin and wickedness in the dragon spirit.

In Exodus 12, God judged Egypt by killing every firstborn of Egyptians. In 2nd Samuel 12, God pronounced judgment on David for the murder of Uriah. In the 12th chapter of First Kings, God split the kingdom from the house of David because of the sins of Solomon. In the 12th book of the Bible, God judged the house of Ahab and Samaria. In Acts 12, God judged Herod. In Revelation 12, Satan was cast out of heaven.

This week in 2016 (December 22), Boko Haram was sacked from Sambisa forest and over 1800 captives were rescued.

PRAYER-POINTS FOR THE 12TH WEEK

1. Lord, frustrate the dragon spirit that is out to devour this week.

2. O Lord, send help and free captives as you freed Israel in Exodus 12; and Peter in Acts 12.

3. O Lord, serve the wicked their own cup and visit them as you visited Egypt in Exodus 12 and as you visited Herod in Acts 12.

4. O Lord, do not let the dragon prevail in our 12th General Election scheduled for 2023.

SCRIPTURES FOR THE WEEK

Isaiah 51:3: “For the LORD will comfort Zion, He will comfort all her waste places; He will make her wilderness like Eden, And her desert like the garden of the LORD; Joy and gladness will be found in it, Thanksgiving and the voice of melody”.

Proverbs 12:28: “In the way of righteousness is life, And in its pathway there is no death”.

Have a blessed 12th week in Nigeria’s year and a fruitful 51st week of the year!

Prepared for
COALITION OF INTERCESSORS IN NIGERIA (COIN) by Nkem Okemiri (08027444825)

NIGERIA: PRAYING INTO NOVEMBER 19-25 (THE 8TH WEEK OF NIGERIA’S YEAR)

By

Nkem Okemiri

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December 16, 2022

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Audio: Praying Into the Week with Nkem Okemiri

The eighth week is the week beginning the second 49 days (seven weeks) of the year. It is Day 50-56 of Nigeria’s year. The 8th book and chapters of the Bible reveal that the season is for starting over (new beginning), making involuntary or guided relocation, mentoring, fighting battles, warring against famine and death, receiving mercy.

GATE OF GRACE AND MERCY : The 8th gate of time is a gate of grace and mercy; and opens for the unworthy and despised. Ruth, a Moabitess came into the Commonwealth of Israel in 8th Book of the Bible. In the book of Matthew, Jesus began his healing ministry from the 8th chapter; and the first person he healed was a leper. The woman caught in Adultery was released in John 8. Samaritans and the Ethiopian Eunuch received the gospel in Acts 8. The 8th seven books of the Bible (Philippians – Titus) promote the grace of God in Christ Jesus. Former Vice President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, a man from a Nigerian minority group became President of Nigeria within the 8th seven years of our independence. Ebele became president in a season of Ebele.

PRAYER: Pray that this is a week of grace and mercy working deliverance and preservation in Nigeria. Declare null and void every voice of accusation and condemnation speaking against Nigeria.

REASONS TO BE PREOCCUPIED WITH GRACE IN THE 8TH WEEK

A. TO OPEN THE GATE OF POSITIVE NEW BEGINNINGS

The eighth season is widely known as a time of new beginning. It is the beginning of a seven-week season of war for freedom from evil monopolies. It is the beginning of a Book of Exodus season (2nd 49 days) in Nigeria’s current year. It is a new beginning when the old must give way to the new. Noah became the head of a new earth in Genesis 8. Naomi and Ruth made a re-start in the 8th book of the Bible. Philip’s ministry in Acts 8 was a new beginning for the early Church and the people he preached to. Nigeria’s 8th National Leader created 11 of the 36 states in Nigeria. His regime popularized the office of the First Lady. In his season, the capital of Nigeria moved effectively from Lagos to Abuja. Obama became President of the United States in 2008, the 8th year of the 21st century. That’s the first African American to serve as US President.

PRAYER: Pray that this will be a week of positive new beginnings in Nigeria.

B. TO OPEN THE GATE OF GUIDED MOVEMENT AND RELOCATION

The 8th season is a season of relocation and repositioning for change. Sometimes, it is forced relocation (or relocation driven by pressure); and sometimes it is planned or guided. In Genesis 8, Noah and his family (eight people) came out the ark that saved them from the flood to begin life in a ‘scary world’ of only 8th people. The rest of humanity had died in the flood; having their flesh and bones littered all over. In the 8th book of the Bible, Elimelech and his family moved from Judah to Moab because of famine. Even Naomi’s return to Judah from Moab, with Ruth, was still out of pressure. In First Samuel 8, Israel made the decision to move from theocracy to monarchy. In Second Kings 8, the Shunemite woman moved to the land of the Philistines, by the word of the Lord, because of famine. In Acts 8, the believers in Jerusalem moved into the regions of Judea and Samaria because of persecution. The 8th chapter of Hebrews is about the shift from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant.

That the 8th season is a season of relocation is confirmed by modern history. ‘Trail of Tears’, the forced hazardous relocation of Native Americans to a reserved territory west of the Mississippi River, happened in the season of the 8th US President, Martin Van Buren. The relocation of Nigeria’s Capital from Lagos to Abuja happened in the season of the 8th national leader, Ibrahim Babaginda. The Russia-Ukraine war of 2022 started in the 8th week of the year and caused forced relocation of Ukrainians.

PRAYER: This week, pray that the Lord will help Nigerians against forced relocation and will keep us from moving back and forth because of problems. Pray that He will deliver Nigerians situations that could trigger ‘famine’ and scarcity. Pray that this will be a week of guided movements and operations for God’s people in Nigeria .

C. TO OPEN THE GATES OF MENTORING PRIVILEGES

Naomi mentored Ruth in the 8th book of the Bible. Philip coached the Ethiopian Eunuch in Acts 8. Paul was mentor in the 8th seven books of the Bible. The eighth-seven books of the Bible are Philippians, Colossians, First Thessalonians, Second Thessalonians, First Timothy, Second Timothy, and Titus. These are Paul’s letters to encourage, correct, teach, and guide. Most of these epistles were written to challenge error and get things done the right way. In the epistle to the Colossians, Paul challenged Gnosticism. In this epistles to the Thessalonians, he challenged the errors concerning the Second Coming of Christ. In the epistles to Timothy and Titus, he gave instructions that would help the young pastors do the right thing in the churches they worked with. May the Lord bring necessary support to you in this week.

PRAYER: Pray that God will give us instructors and teachers to guide us to the solutions we need in Nigeria as Naomi guided Ruth in the 8th book of the Bible.

D. TO SHUT DOORS AGAINST FAMINE

The Bible reveals that the 8th season is associated with famine. Elkanah and his family were driven by famine to go to Moab in the 8th book of the Bible. In 2nd Kings 8, the Shunemite woman moved because of famine. In Mark 8, Jesus fed 5000 because people were hungry and had no food. Second Corinthians 8 is about giving to support others in need. In Revelation 8, the sounding of the trumpets released disasters on earth affecting vegetation and water. Noah’s sacrifice in Genesis 8 produced a divine blessing against famine.

PRAYER: Pray that doors and channels of provision shall be open to God’s people in Nigeria.

E. TO SHUT DOORS AGAINST THE SPIRIT OF DEATH

Elkanah and his two sons died in the 8th book of the Bible. In 2nd Kings 8, the trigger of restoration for the Shunemite woman was the story that Elisha had raised her son back to life. In John 8, Jesus said the one who believes in Him shall not see death. The 8th week is a time to pray against deaths. Boko Haram news of suicide bombing and raids occupied Nigerians in the 8th seven years of our independence. Nigeria’s first coup, counter-coup, and Civil War happened within the 8th seven years of our Amalgamation. A plane crash that killed 87 people happened in that season also; on November 20, 1969, in the 8th week of that particular Nigeria year. President Musa Yar’Adua died in office at the beginning of the 8th seven years of our independence. We block this gate of the 8th week against the spirits of death and destruction.

PRAYER: Pray that this week would not be a week of deaths and destruction in Nigeria. Pray against plane crashes and mass death.

F. TO OPEN THE GATE OF DIVINE FIRE AGAINST THE ENEMIES

The 8th season is a season of battles. Moses released the second and third and fourth plagues (frogs, lice, and flies) against Egypt in Exodus 8. Israel fought Ai in Joshua 8. In Judges 8, Israel, under Gideon’s leadership subdued the Midianites. Gideon also killed Zebah and Zalmunna. In First Samuel 8, Israel wanted a king who could lead the nation to war and fight her battles. In Second Samuel 8, David fought battles and subdued the Philistines, Moabites, Syrians, and Edomites. The nations became his servants. In Daniel 8, ‘the male goat’ nation confronted the warring and conquering ‘ram’ nation and subdued it. The goat was eventually overpowered. In Acts 8, Philip’s ministry in Samaria overthrew demons and dethroned Simon the Sorcerer; who had bewitched an entire nation to believe he was the great power of God. In Revelation 8, by the opening of the seventh seal, heaven declared war against the earth with the successive sounding of four devastating trumpets. This week, be sensitive to the Spirit, arm yourself for spiritual warfare, and get in the war against darkness. Nigeria was in a civil war in the 8th seven years of our Amalgamation.

PRAYER: Pray that God will keep us from physical wars in every part of Nigeria and grant us victory in the spiritual battles of this week.

SCRIPTURES FOR THE WEEK

Psalm 8:2: Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have ordained strength, Because of Your enemies, That You may silence the enemy and the avenger.

Have a Happy and a greatly blessed 8th week of Nigeria’s year.

NIGERIA: PRAYING INTO THE WEEK OF DECEMBER 10-16 (THE 50TH WEEK OF THE YEAR AND THE 11TH WEEK OF NIGERIA’S YEAR)

By

Nkem Okemiri

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December 14, 2022

0

Audio: Praying Into the Week of December 10-16

Video: Word & Prayer for the 50th Week

The Word of God is light for all seasons. God wants us to see all seasons through His word; and to see the seasons before they come. God wants us to impose His revealed will for each on the season.The 50th week of the year is a Book of Philippians week. This week is also a 50th-chapters-of-the-Bible week. What is the mind of the Spirit concerning the 50th and how we should pray?

A. IT IS JUBILEE: TIME TO PROCLAIM LIBERTY TO ALL PEOPLE

The Bible gives a special place to the 50th. Leviticus 25: 8-13 says, ‘And you shall count seven sabbaths of years for yourself, seven times seven years; and the time of the seven sabbaths of years shall be to you forty-nine years. [9] Then you shall cause the trumpet of the Jubilee to sound on the tenth day of the seventh month; on the Day of Atonement you shall make the trumpet to sound throughout all your land. [10] And you shall consecrate the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a Jubilee for you; and each of you shall return to his possession, and each of you shall return to his family. [11] That fiftieth year shall be a Jubilee to you; in it you shall neither sow nor reap what grows of its own accord, nor gather the grapes of your untended vine. [12] For it is the Jubilee; it shall be holy to you; you shall eat its produce from the field. [13] ‘In this Year of Jubilee, each of you shall return to his possession.

PRAYER: Pray and proclaim liberty throughout the nations of the earth. Pray and decree that people who have been displaced, deprived and dispossessed will return to their possessions. Pray that this will be a week of returning to families.

B. IT IS A TIME OF JOY AND REJOICING TO KEEP SORROW AWAY

I believe the 50th year is called Jubilee because God intends it to be a season of jubilation (Leviticus 25: 10-13). To the evil one, the 50th season is a time to cause tears, sorrowing and mourning. In Genesis 50, Joseph mourned and buried his father. The death of Joseph and instructions concerning his burial is also recorded in this chapter. In the 50th book of the Bible, Epaphroditus was sick unto death but the mercy of God turned things around and saved his family and Paul and his team from sorrowing.America lost two former presidents, the second (John Adams) and the third (Thomas Jefferson), on 4th of July 1826 – the 50th Independence Anniversary. The year 1950 (the 50th year of the 20th century) was a year of disasters around the world. January 5, Aeroflot Lisunov Li-2 crashes in a snowstorm. All 19 aboard are killed, including almost the entire national ice hockey team (VVS Moscow) of the Soviet Air Force – 11 players, as well as a team doctor and a masseur. January 7, a fire in the St Elizabeth’s Ward of Mercy Hospital in Davenport, Iowa, United States, kills 41 patients.January 12, Submarine HMS Truculent collides with Swedish oil tanker Divina in the Thames Estuary and sinks; 64 people died. March 12, a plane carrying returning rugby fans from Ireland to Wales crashed near Llandow, with the loss of 80 lives. The Korean war and the accompanying bombing and bloody massacres started June 25. On 26 June, a Douglas DC-4 Skymaster aircraft departed from Perth, Western Australia for an eight-hour flight to Adelaide, South Australia. It crashed 22 minutes after take-off. All 29 occupants were killed in the accident; one initially survived, but died six days later. November 13, a Curtiss Reid Flying Services plane crashed en route to Paris from Rome, killing all 52 on board. The same day (November 13), the President of Venezuela, Colonel Carlos Delgado Chalbaud, was kidnapped and murdered in Caracas. November 24, a phenomenal winter storm ravages the northeastern United States, brings 30–50 inches of snow and temperatures below zero, and kills 323 people. Former President of Nigeria, Umar Musa Yar’Adua, died 2010 the 50th year of Nigeria. This week in 1937, the horrific event known as Nanking (Nanjing) Rape or Nanjing Massacre which started December 13, 1937 and lasted six weeks happened. More than 20,000 women including children and the aged were brutally raped during the Japanese occupation of Nanjing city. They butchered an estimated 150,000 male “war prisoners,” and massacred more than 50,000 male civilians.

God named the 50th season Jubilee to bar the spirit of heaviness by the joy – as light drives darkness away. In the 50th book of the Bible, Paul calls believers to rejoice in the Lord always.The kingdom of darkness calls the 50th a season of mourning but we call it a season of joy and rejoicing. If we rejoice in the Lord, in Jubilee, death and mourning will have no room.The 50th week is for thanksgiving, praising God, redeeming vows, and for calling upon God. It is for celebrating the Creator, Owner, Sustainer, and Sovereign Ruler, of the Universe.Psalm 50:14-15,23: “Offer to God thanksgiving, And pay your vows to the Most High. [15] Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.” [23] Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; And to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God.”

PRAYER: Pray for the release of gratitude ‘joy in the Lord’ upon God’s people in the nations. Pray that the spirit of joy will overtake and bar sorrow and the spirit of heaviness. Pray preservation over God’s people in the nations. Pray that this week shall not end with painful high profile deaths in your land and in the nations.

C. IT IS A TIME TO GIVE UP ANXIETY AND TRUST IN GOD WHO CAN TURN EVIL TO GOOD.

In Genesis 50:20, Joseph said to his brothers, “But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive”. In the 50th book of the Bible (Philippians 1:12-14), Paul said, “But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, [13] so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; [14] and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.”

PRAYER: Pray this week that what was meant to work against Christ and the Gospel in nations will work for our good, end in testimonies and bring glory to God.

D. IT IS A SEASON OF GREAT EXPECTATIONS – A TIME TO EXPECT DIVINE VISITATION

In Genesis 50:24-25, “…Joseph said to his brethren, “I am dying; but God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land to the land of which He swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.” [25] Then Joseph took an oath from the children of Israel, saying, “God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here.”Psalm 50:2-6 says, “Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God will shine forth. [3] Our God shall come, and shall not keep silent; A fire shall devour before Him, And it shall be very tempestuous all around Him. [4] He shall call to the heavens from above, And to the earth, that He may judge His people: [5] “Gather My saints together to Me, Those who have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice.” [6] Let the heavens declare His righteousness, For God Himself is Judge. Selah”.Isaiah 50:10 says, “Who among you fears the LORD? Who obeys the voice of His Servant? Who walks in darkness And has no light? Let him trust in the name of the LORD And rely upon his God”.The 50th book of the Bible (Philippians 3:20-21) says, “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, [21] who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.”

PRAYER: Pray encouragement and hope into the hearts of God’s people in the nations – especially those going through difficult times and wondering if God is hearing their prayers.

E. IT IS A TIME OF JUDGMENT FOR THE WICKED AND A TIME OF MERCY FOR THE ELECT

Jeremiah 50:18-20,34 says, “Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: “Behold, I will punish the king of Babylon and his land, As I have punished the king of Assyria. [19] But I will bring back Israel to his home, And he shall feed on Carmel and Bashan; His soul shall be satisfied on Mount Ephraim and Gilead. [20] In those days and in that time,” says the LORD, “The iniquity of Israel shall be sought, but there shall be none; And the sins of Judah, but they shall not be found; For I will pardon those whom I preserve… [34] Their Redeemer is strong; The LORD of hosts is His name. He will thoroughly plead their case, That He may give rest to the land, And disquiet the inhabitants of Babylon”.

PRAYER: Pray that Babylon (nations and races that God blessed and exalted but have become arrogant and turned against God) shall be visited with judgment and that God’s people within her will be delivered.

F. TIME OF NEW BEGINNING

The Jubilee of Leviticus 25 marked a new beginning in Israel. It’s a time of ‘return’ to liberty, possessions and family.2 Kings 15:23: “In the fiftieth year of Azariah king of Judah, Pekahiah the son of Menahem became king over Israel in Samaria, and reigned two years”.In the 50th year Nigeria (2010), Goodluck Jonathan began to rule Nigeria….The day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came upon the Church, was the 50th day following the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It marked a new beginning.The 50th week is the beginning of the last 22 days of the year (or 23 days in a leap year). It is a new beginning in the year – following the end of the seventh 49 days. Seven times seven weeks is gone in the year. It is the beginning of what should have been the eighth 49 days (seven weeks) of the year.

PRAYER: Pray and decree that this 50th week is a new beginning in the year – the beginning of the end and another beginning. Decree an end to the negative experiences of the past seven times seven (49) weeks.

THE 11TH WEEK OF NIGERIA’S YEAR

The 11th season is the gate of the master-stroke. Unprecedented things happen in the 11th season. It is strike-time for both heaven and hell; and they deal deadly blows in this season. This is when Satan does his worst and God does His best.

The 11th book and 11th chapters of the Bible bear witness to this: In Genesis 11, God scattered the builders of the Tower of Babel. In Exodus 11, God pulled the last plague that ended Israel’s bondage to Egyptians. In Numbers 11, God gave Israel both Manna and Quails and also gave the Spirit to 70 elders to bear the burden of the congregation with Moses. God also sent a very great plague on the people for complaining and murmuring. In Acts 11, Agabus gave a prophecy about famine that would engulf the entire world. The church acted promptly and sent relief to the brethren at Jerusalem. God is a provider in the 11th season. In Joshua 11, Israel finally subdued the Canaanites with the defeat of Jabin (king of Hazor) and his northern allies. Jephthah defeated and subdued the Ammonites in Judges 11. Saul also defeated the Ammonites in First Kings 11. David became king and defeated the Jebusites in First Chronicles 11. In the 11th book of the Bible, Israel touched the peak in prosperity; God’s temple was built; but God also divided Israel because of the errors of Solomon. God also struck Jeroboam, Baasha, the man of God from Judah, and Ahab for their rebellious ways. The ministry of Elijah in the 11th book of the Bible was a divine master-stroke – even in the way He provided for him and the widow of Zarephat.Athaliah, the daughter of Jezebel was deposed and killed in Second Kings 11. In John 11, Jesus dealt the master-stroke against death by raising Lazarus from the dead. In Revelation 11, John had a vision of the ministry of the Two Witnesses. In that chapter, also, John saw the ultimate triumph. Revelation 11:15 says, “The kingdoms f of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!”

THE WITNESS OF MODERN HISTORY

Military rule ended in Nigeria in the season of the 11th National Leader. Goodluck Jonathan became elected President in 2011. Nigeria’s capital shifted effectively from Lagos to Abuja on December 12, 1991, in the 11th week of Nigeria’s year.Both Osama bin Laden and Muamnar Ghadaffi were perished in 2011, the 11th year of the 21st century. During the tenure of the 11th US President, John Polk, America’s territory grew by more than one-third and extended across the continent for the first time. Nigeria will be in her 11th seven years from October 2030 – September 2037. What the Bible reveals about the 11th will apply.

THE KINGDOM OF DARKNESS FIGHT DIRTY IN THE 11TH SEASON TO KILL, STEAL, AND DESTROY.

Jephthah’s rash vow is recorded in Judges 11. David’s affair with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah is recorded in Second Samuel 11. It is First Kings 11 that tells us how Solomon loved many strange women and drifted from God. In Second Chronicles 11, Rehoboam also multiplied wives for himself and his sons. Babylonians subdued Judah and destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple in the 11th year of Zedekiah, king of Judah.In Matthew 11, John the Baptist was in prison and had doubts about the person and ministry of Jesus.

On December 10, 2005, in the 11th week of Nigeria’s 46th year, the Sosoliso Airline plane crash happened in Port Harcourt.

On December 15, 2012, Former Governor of Kaduna State, Patrick Yakowa and former National Security Adviser to the President, General Owoeye Azazi, and two others died in a Helicopter Crash in Nembe Local Government of Bayelsa State.

Zachary Taylor, the 12th President of the United States died in office on July 9, 1850, in the 4th year of the 11th seven years of the United States.

B. PRAYER POINTS FOR THE 11TH WEEK

1. O Lord cause those who gather to build what heaven has not authorized in Nigeria to split and scatter.

2. O Lord, let Nigerians that are troubling Nigeria inherit the wind as Proverbs 11: 29 says – “He that troubles his own house shall inherit the wind.

3. O Lord fill the cup of the wicked in Nigeria with the portion of their cup as Psalm 11:6 says: “Upon the wicked He will rain coals; Fire and brimstone and a burning wind Shall be the portion of their cup”.

4. O Lord, let Nigeria experience your master stroke this 11th week of our 62nd year.

5. O Lord, deliver Nigeria and Nigerians from any onslaught of wickedness and darkness in this eleventh week.

SCRIPTURES FOR THE WEEK:

Psalm 50:14-15: “Offer to God thanksgiving, And pay your vows to the Most High. [15] Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.”

Happy 50th week of the year! Happy 11th week of Nigeria’s year!!!

NIGERIA: PRAYING INTO DECEMBER 3 – 9 (THE 49TH WEEK OF THE YEAR AND THE 10TH WEEK OF NIGERIA’S YEAR)

By

Nkem Okemiri

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December 14, 2022

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Audio: Praying Into the Week of December 3 – 9

What is the mind of the Lord concerning the 49th week of the year and how should we pray? The Bible indicates three things. Please take note of the prayer point(s) at the end of each section (A, B, C):

A. IT IS A SEASON FOR CRITICAL REVELATION AND INSTRUCTION.

This is a season when the Lord communicates deep things. There are ‘deep things’ in the 49th book and 49th chapters of the Bible. In them, the Lord draws attention to who you are, what you have, what He wants to do and how you should live. The demand of the season is that you listen carefully and pay attention to the Word. Notice how the 49th chapters of Genesis, Psalms and Isaiah begin:

Genesis 49:1-2: “And Jacob called his sons and said, “Gather together, that I may tell you what shall befall you in the last days: [2] “Gather together and HEAR, you sons of Jacob, And LISTEN to Israel your father”.

Psalm 49:1-4: “HEAR this, all peoples; GIVE EAR, all inhabitants of the world, [2] Both low and high, Rich and poor together. [3] My mouth shall speak wisdom, And the meditation of my heart shall give understanding. [4] I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will disclose my dark saying on the harp”.Isaiah 49:1-3: “LISTEN, O Coastlands, to Me, And TAKE HEED, you peoples from afar! The LORD has called Me from the womb; From the matrix of My mother He has made mention of My name. [2] And He has made My mouth like a sharp sword; In the shadow of His hand He has hidden Me, And made Me a polished shaft; In His quiver He has hidden Me.” [3] “And He said to me, ‘You are My servant, O Israel, In whom I will be glorified.’Jeremiah 49:20: “Therefore HEAR the counsel of the LORD that He has taken against Edom, And His purposes that He has proposed against the inhabitants of Teman: Surely the least of the flock shall draw them out; Surely He shall make their dwelling places desolate with them”.The 49th book of the Bible (Ephesians) is not left out:Ephesians 1:17-19: “…That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, [18] 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, [19] and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power”

PRAYER: Pray that you will receive the critical instruction or word God intends for you this week. Pray against distractions. Pray for wisdom and understanding.

B. IT IS FULLNESS OF TIME FOR RESULTS AND REST. IT IS A GENESIS 2:1-3 WEEK.

This is the week ending the seventh seven weeks of the year. This is the seventh of the seventh seven. This is a ‘seventh day of creation’ week. We know four things about this season from Genesis 2:1-3:

1. IT IS A WEEK TO END BURDENSOME YOKES

Genesis 2:1-2: “Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, were finished. [2] And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done…” This week, we are to declare “IT IS DONE” . We are to enter the finished work by faith. This is a week of freedom from burdens, yokes and afflictions.

2. IT IS A WEEK OF REST

Genesis 2:2: “…And He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done”. God rested on the seventh day so all people and things may rest in seventh seasons. Jesus gave distressed bodies rest from their troubles on the Sabbath. The religious leaders of His day were upset by this.The 49th week is a Sabbath week. God wants it to be a blessed week of rest but the enemy wants it to be a week of unrest and distress. As spiritual gatekeepers, we must align with God to secure the gate of this week.The Communist Party took control of China in 1949.Apartheid became official in South Africa in 1949 with the Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act.Book Haram became a distressing force in Nigeria in 2009 – the 49th year of the country.

3. IT IS A BLESSED WEEK

Genesis 2: 3: “Then God blessed the seventh day…because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made”.Of the seven days of creation, God blessed only the seventh day. So, the seventh season is a blessed season. When people come into the seventh season, they are to be given the blessing that is on the season. The 49th season is blessed. So, we are to pronounce blessings on people this week. Jacob blessed his sons in Genesis 49. The 49th book of the Bible (Ephesians) says God had blessed us with all spiritual blessings in the heavenly places. As we are blessed and we bless others, curses are broken. This week, release a blessing over someone, some people or some places.

4. IT IS A HOLY SEASON

Genesis 2: 3: “Then God …sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made”.This is a week of God’s pleasure. Pray that it does not become a week of abomination and sacrilege in the nations.Isaiah 58:13-14 says, “If you turn away your foot from the Sabbath, From doing your pleasure on My holy day, And call the Sabbath a delight, The holy day of the LORD honorable, And shall honor Him, not doing your own ways, Nor finding your own pleasure, Nor speaking your own words, [14] Then you shall delight yourself in the LORD; And I will cause you to ride on the high hills of the earth, And feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father. The mouth of the LORD has spoken.”PRAYER: Pray that the evil one does not hijack this week for evil purposes in the nations. Pray Genesis 2:1-3 over this week.

C. IT IS A WEEK OF REDEMPTION FROM OPPRESSION AND DEATH

The 49th book and 49th chapters of the Bible reveal that the 49th season is a season of redemption. God is a Redeemer and Restorer in the 49th season. He redeems from bondage, death, and destruction in this season. When the 49th season is unmanned, death and destruction hold sway. The spirit of death was unleashed through Boko Haram in the 49th year of Nigeria’s independence. Jacob died in Genesis 49 after prophesying over his sons. Psalm 49 says that no man has the power to redeem his brother from death. Isaiah 49 reveals God as Redeemer of Israel. Isaiah 49:8 says, “Thus says the LORD: “In an acceptable time I have heard You, And in the day of salvation I have helped You; I will preserve You and give You As a covenant to the people, To restore the earth, To cause them to inherit the desolate heritages”. Jeremiah 49 is a prophecy of judgment against the enemies of Israel. Until enemies are subdued, redemption cannot be executed. Redemption often requires ‘binding the strong man’ before plundering his goods.The 49th book of the Bible (Ephesians) highlights our redemption in Christ.PRAYER: Pray that the Lord will exert His Redeeming Power in the nations to plunder the plunderer and set their captives free.T

THE TENTH WEEK OF NIGERIA’S YEAR

The tenth book and tenth chapters of the Bible reveal six major things about the tenth season:

(a) The tenth season is a season of battles, conflicts, and overthrows. It is a season of power clashes, victories and overthrows. Noah was the tenth from Adam; and in his days, God battled rebellious humanity with the most deadly flood in history. The genealogy of the sons of Noah is listed in Genesis 10. They formed the new earth of Noah’s day. In Exodus 10, God fought Egypt with locusts and darkness. In Leviticus 10, the two sons of Aaron, Nadab and Abihu perished for offering profane fire. In Joshua 10, God fought for Israel against the five kings of the Canaanites with the forces of nature. In Judges 10, Israel was greatly distressed because of their enemies. Tola and Jair were Judges in this chapter. The trouble in this chapter paved the way for the emergence of Jephthah. In Second Samuel 10, David fought the Ammonites and the Syrians. The troubles of David began when kings went to war and he sat back in his palace. The tenth season is not a time of ease. In Daniel 10, Michael fought the resisting Prince of Persia so Gabriel can deliver answers to Daniel’s prayers. In Acts 10, God gave Peter new light against the understanding he had always had. Grace overthrew Law. First Corinthians 10 talks about those who came out of Egypt but were overthrown in the wilderness. In Second Corinthians 10, Paul reminds us that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through. The tenth season is a battle-season! It is a season of intense spiritual warfare.

(b) The tenth season is for the establishment and realization of dreams and expectations. It is a season of delivering answers to prayers. In Exodus 10, Egypt had darkness, but there was light in Goshen. It was the end of dialogue and negotiation between Moses and Pharaoh. In Joshua 10, the servant of God, Joshua, withstood darkness from overtaking him by commanding the sun and the moon to stand still. They obeyed him. In the tenth chapter of First Samuel, Saul was anointed the king secretly and prophesied publicly. Samuel also told him his father’s donkeys had been found. David became king in the 10th book of the Bible. In Esther 10, Mordecai sat beside the King of Persia and ruled with Him. In Daniel 10, Michael fought against, and overpowered, the prince of Persia that withstood Gabriel and the revelation (understanding) he was bringing to Daniel. Zechariah 10 says if we ask the Lord for rain in the time of the latter rain, He would send us lightning, showers of rain, and food in the fields. In the tenth chapters of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, prayers were answered through the ministries of Jesus and his disciples. In Acts 10, Cornelius prayed four days to receive angelic visitation and the word and revelation that came to his household and friends from Peter. Cornelius’ prayers were answered and he and his family were filled with the Spirit as Peter preached. The tenth season is a season of pressures that makes prayer a life line.

(c). The tenth week is a season of “no more delay”. The angel of Revelation 10 declared there shall be no more delays. In Joshua 10, Joshua prayed for an extended day instead of a delayed victory. He didn’t want the night to push the battle to another day. In Acts 10, things happened in quick succession. There was no delay. God told him to go with those who came to see him “doubting nothing”. Peter said, “I came as soon as I was sent for”; “and while Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell on those who heard the word”. Delay is dangerous in the tenth season. It was a delay that killed the ‘counsel of Ahitophel’ in the 10th book of the Bible. Ahitophel did not want delay in attacking David’s camp; but Hushai introduced the element of delay to undermine Ahitophel. Amasa died because of delay in the 10th book of the Bible (chapter 20). Psalm 70, which applies to the 70th day of the year (the last day of the tenth week) begins with “make haste” and ends with “do not delay”. When the 9th president of the United States, William Harrison, died after one month in office, there was no constitutional succession plan. The Vice President, John Tyler, did not wait for any new law to be passed. He assumed the presidency. No delay!

(d). The tenth season is for anointing with the Holy Spirit and power. The Spirit came upon Saul in First Samuel 10 and he was turned into another man and prophesied. Cornelius and his household were filled with the Holy Spirit in Acts 10. This week is for moving to another level by the Holy Spirit.

(e). The tenth season is for the manifestation and promotion of the humble. God honored Joshua in Joshua 10. He manifested and promoted Saul in First Samuel 10. God promoted David in the tenth book of the Bible. He manifested Solomon in First Kings 10:when the Queen of Sheba visited Israel. God manifested Mordecai in Esther 10 and Peter in Acts 10. The disciples of Jesus were manifested in the 10th chapters of Matthew and Luke.

(f). The enemy disappears in the tenth season. In the tenth book of the Bible, the house of Saul finally went down and David became king of all Israel. In this book, David and his mighty men subdued the Philistines and the surrounding enemy nations. He established Jerusalem as the city of God and brought the ark to Jerusalem. Psalm 10:15 says, “Break the arm of the wicked and the evil man; Seek out his wickedness until You find none”.

PRAYER POINTS FOR THE 10TH WEEK

1. O Lord, keep our land from bloodshed and evil news this week. Deliver us from blood-thirsty men and women. Those who have power are tempted to shed blood in the tenth season.

2. O Lord, bring down every resistance to answered prayers in our nation. Release the angel of your purpose in our nation to war against opposing spirits of darkness.

3. Deliver our leaders and nation from costly mistakes and decisions that will trouble us. Deliver us from ‘the errors of David’.

4. O Lord, strengthen me and all your people, to fight and win battles, this week, according to your will.

5. Pray Psalm 10 against the wicked in Nigeria:O Lord, in this 10th week of Nigeria’s year,

(a). Let the wicked in Nigeria be caught in the plots which they have devised (Psalm 10:2).

(b). Break the arm of the wicked and the evil man; in Nigeria Seek out his wickedness until You find none (Psalm 10:15).

(c). Do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, That the man of the earth may oppress no more (Psalm 10:18).

SCRIPTURES FOR THE WEEK:

Isaiah 49:26: “I will feed those who oppress you with their own flesh, And they shall be drunk with their own blood as with sweet wine. All flesh shall know That I, the LORD, am your Savior, And your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.”Psalm 10:17-18: “LORD, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will prepare their heart; You will cause Your ear to hear, [18] To do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, That the man of the earth may oppress no more*.

Have a happy 49th week of the year and a greatly blessed 10th week of Nigeria’s year!.

PRAYING INTO THE 50TH WEEK OF THE YEAR (DECEMBER 10-16)

By

Nkem Okemiri

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December 10, 2022

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What is the mind of the Spirit concerning the 50th and how we should pray? Let us begin with the Biblical patterns for the week.

A. BIBLICAL PATTERNS FOR THE 50TH WEEK

The first day of creation. This is a season of conflict between light and darkness.

The 50th Book of the Bible. This is a Book of Philippians week.

The 50th-chapters-of-the-Bible.

B. THOUGHTS AND PRAYER POINTS FOR THE WEEK

Here are six things to bear in mind as we pray into this week:

1. IT IS JUBILEE: TIME TO PROCLAIM LIBERTY TO ALL PEOPLE

The Bible gives a special place to the 50th. Leviticus 25: 8-13 says, ‘And you shall count seven sabbaths of years for yourself, seven times seven years; and the time of the seven sabbaths of years shall be to you forty-nine years. [9] Then you shall cause the trumpet of the Jubilee to sound on the tenth day of the seventh month; on the Day of Atonement you shall make the trumpet to sound throughout all your land. [10] And you shall consecrate the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a Jubilee for you; and each of you shall return to his possession, and each of you shall return to his family. [11] That fiftieth year shall be a Jubilee to you; in it you shall neither sow nor reap what grows of its own accord, nor gather the grapes of your untended vine. [12] For it is the Jubilee; it shall be holy to you; you shall eat its produce from the field. [13] ‘In this Year of Jubilee, each of you shall return to his possession.

PRAYER: Pray and proclaim liberty throughout the nations of the earth. Pray and decree that people who have been displaced, deprived and dispossessed will return to their possessions. Pray that this will be a week of returning to families

.2. IT IS A TIME OF JOY AND REJOICING TO KEEP SORROW AWAY

I believe the 50th year is called Jubilee because God intends it to be a season of jubilation (Leviticus 25: 10-13). To the evil one, the 50th season is a time to cause tears, sorrowing and mourning. In Genesis 50, Joseph mourned and buried his father. The death of Joseph and instructions concerning his burial is also recorded in this chapter. In the 50th book of the Bible, Epaphroditus was sick unto death but the mercy of God turned things around and saved his family and Paul and his team from sorrowing.America lost two former presidents, the second (John Adams) and the third (Thomas Jefferson), on 4th of July 1826 – the 50th Independence Anniversary. The year 1950 (the 50th year of the 20th century) was a year of disasters around the world. January 5, Aeroflot Lisunov Li-2 crashed in a snowstorm. All 19 aboard are killed, including almost the entire national ice hockey team (VVS Moscow) of the Soviet Air Force – 11 players, as well as a team doctor and a masseur. January 7, a fire in the St Elizabeth’s Ward of Mercy Hospital in Davenport, Iowa, United States, kills 41 patients.January 12, Submarine HMS Truculent collides with Swedish oil tanker Divina in the Thames Estuary and sinks; 64 people died. March 12, a plane carrying returning rugby fans from Ireland to Wales crashed near Llandow, with the loss of 80 lives. The Korean war and the accompanying bombing and bloody massacres started June 25. On 26 June, a Douglas DC-4 Skymaster aircraft departed from Perth, Western Australia for an eight-hour flight to Adelaide, South Australia. It crashed 22 minutes after take-off. All 29 occupants were killed in the accident; one initially survived, but died six days later. November 13, a Curtiss Reid Flying Services plane crashed en route to Paris from Rome, killing all 52 on board. The same day (November 13), the President of Venezuela, Colonel Carlos Delgado Chalbaud, was kidnapped and murdered in Caracas. November 24, a phenomenal winter storm ravages the northeastern United States, brings 30–50 inches of snow and temperatures below zero, and kills 323 people. Former President of Nigeria, Umar Musa Yar’Adua, died 2010 the 50th year of Nigeria. This week in 1937, the horrific event known as Nanking (Nanjing) Rape or Nanjing Massacre which started December 13, 1937 and lasted six weeks happened. More than 20,000 women including children and the aged were brutally raped during the Japanese occupation of Nanjing city. They butchered an estimated 150,000 male “war prisoners,” and massacred more than 50,000 male civilians. God named the 50th season Jubilee to bar the spirit of heaviness by the joy – as light drives darkness away. In the 50th book of the Bible, Paul calls believers to rejoice in the Lord always.The kingdom of darkness calls the 50th a season of mourning but we call it a season of joy and rejoicing. If we rejoice in the Lord, in Jubilee, death and mourning will have no room.Psalm 50:14-15,23: “Offer to God thanksgiving, And pay your vows to the Most High. [15] Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.” [23] Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; And to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God.”

PRAYER: Pray for the release of gratitude ‘joy in the Lord’ upon God’s people in the nations. Pray that the spirit of joy will overtake and bar sorrow and the spirit of heaviness. Pray preservation over God’s people in the nations. Pray that this week shall not end with painful high profile deaths in your land and in the nations.

3. IT IS A TIME TO GIVE UP ANXIETY AND TRUST IN GOD WHO CAN TURN EVIL TO GOOD.

In Genesis 50:20, Joseph said to his brothers, “But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive”. In the 50th book of the Bible (Philippians 1:12-14), Paul said, “But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, [13] so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; [14] and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.”

PRAYER: Pray this week that what was meant to work against Christ and the Gospel in nations will work for our good, end in testimonies and bring glory to God.

4. IT IS A SEASON OF GREAT EXPECTATIONS – A TIME TO EXPECT DIVINE VISITATION

In Genesis 50:24-25, “…Joseph said to his brethren, “I am dying; but God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land to the land of which He swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.” [25] Then Joseph took an oath from the children of Israel, saying, “God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here.”Psalm 50:2-6 says, “Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God will shine forth. [3] Our God shall come, and shall not keep silent; A fire shall devour before Him, And it shall be very tempestuous all around Him. [4] He shall call to the heavens from above, And to the earth, that He may judge His people: [5] “Gather My saints together to Me, Those who have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice.” [6] Let the heavens declare His righteousness, For God Himself is Judge. Selah”.Isaiah 50:10 says, “Who among you fears the LORD? Who obeys the voice of His Servant? Who walks in darkness And has no light? Let him trust in the name of the LORD And rely upon his God”.The 50th book of the Bible (Philippians 3:20-21) says, “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, [21] who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.”

PRAYER: Pray encouragement and hope into the hearts of God’s people in the nations – especially those going through difficult times and wondering if God is hearing their prayers.

5. IT IS A TIME OF JUDGMENT FOR THE WICKED AND A TIME OF MERCY FOR THE ELECT

Jeremiah 50:18-20,34 says, “Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: “Behold, I will punish the king of Babylon and his land, As I have punished the king of Assyria. [19] But I will bring back Israel to his home, And he shall feed on Carmel and Bashan; His soul shall be satisfied on Mount Ephraim and Gilead. [20] In those days and in that time,” says the LORD, “The iniquity of Israel shall be sought, but there shall be none; And the sins of Judah, but they shall not be found; For I will pardon those whom I preserve… [34] Their Redeemer is strong; The LORD of hosts is His name. He will thoroughly plead their case, That He may give rest to the land, And disquiet the inhabitants of Babylon”.

PRAYER: Pray that Babylon (nations and races that God blessed and exalted but have become arrogant and turned against God) shall be visited with judgment and that God’s people within her will be delivered.

6. TIME OF NEW BEGINNING

The Jubilee of Leviticus 25 marked a new beginning in Israel. It’s a time of ‘return’ to liberty, possessions and family. 2 Kings 15:23: “In the fiftieth year of Azariah king of Judah, Pekahiah the son of Menahem became king over Israel in Samaria, and reigned two years”.The day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came upon the Church, was the 50th day following the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It marked a new beginning.The 50th week is the beginning of the last 22 days of the year (or 23 days in a leap year). It is a new beginning in the year – following the end of the seventh 49 days (7th seventh 7 weeks). Seven times seven weeks is gone in the year. It is the beginning of what should have been the eighth 49 days (seven weeks) of the year.

PRAYER: Pray and decree that this 50th week is a new beginning in the year – the beginning of the end and another beginning. Decree an end to the negative experiences of the past seven times seven (49) weeks.

C. BIBLE READING SUGGESTIONS

The 50th book of the Bible and the 50th chapters of the Bible are prophetic guiding lights for the 50th week. You may read as follows or as the Spirit leads you:

AjuqDecember 10: Genesis 50

December 11: Psalm 50

December 12: Isaiah 50

December 13: Jeremiah 50

December 14: Philippians 1

December 15: Philippians 2

December 16: Philippians 3-4

SCRIPTURE FOR THE WEEK:

Psalm 50:14-15: “Offer to God thanksgiving, And pay your vows to the Most High. [15] Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.”Happy 50th week of the year!

PRAYING INTO THE 49TH WEEK OF THE YEAR (DECEMBER 3 – 9)

By

Nkem Okemiri

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December 3, 2022

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What is the mind of the Lord concerning the 49th week of the year and how should we pray?Let us, first, consider the Biblical patterns for the week-season.

BIBLICAL PATTERNS FOR THE SEASON

1. The seventh day of creation narrative (Genesis 2:1-3).

2. The 49th Book of the Bible.

3. The 49th chapters of the Bible

4. Judges 19-21 (the seventh 3 chapters of the 7th book of the Bible)

THOUGHTS AND PRAYER POINTS FOR THE SEASON

The Bible indicates three things about the 49th season. Please also take note of the prayer point(s) at the end of each section (A, B, C):

A. IT IS A SEASON FOR CRITICAL REVELATION AND INSTRUCTION.

This is a season when the Lord communicates deep things. There are ‘deep things’ in the 49th book and 49th chapters of the Bible. In them, the Lord draws attention to who you are, what you have, what He wants to do and how you should live. The demand of the season is that you listen carefully and pay attention to the Word because this is a season to operate with wisdom, knowledge and understanding. Notice how the 49th chapters of Genesis, Psalms and Isaiah begin:

Genesis 49:1-2: “And Jacob called his sons and said, “Gather together, that I may tell you what shall befall you in the last days: [2] “Gather together and HEAR, you sons of Jacob, And LISTEN to Israel your father”.

Psalm 49:1-4: “HEAR this, all peoples; GIVE EAR, all inhabitants of the world, [2] Both low and high, Rich and poor together. [3] My mouth shall speak wisdom, And the meditation of my heart shall give understanding. [4] I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will disclose my dark saying on the harp”.

Isaiah 49:1-3: “LISTEN, O Coastlands, to Me, And TAKE HEED, you peoples from afar! The LORD has called Me from the womb; From the matrix of My mother He has made mention of My name. [2] And He has made My mouth like a sharp sword; In the shadow of His hand He has hidden Me, And made Me a polished shaft; In His quiver He has hidden Me.” [3] “And He said to me, ‘You are My servant, O Israel, In whom I will be glorified.’

Jeremiah 49:20: “Therefore HEAR the counsel of the LORD that He has taken against Edom, And His purposes that He has proposed against the inhabitants of Teman: Surely the least of the flock shall draw them out; Surely He shall make their dwelling places desolate with them”.

The 49th book of the Bible (Ephesians) is not left out:

Ephesians 1:17-19: “…That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, [18] 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, [19] and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power”

The 49th book of the Bible says deep things about our place in Christ, Christian living, marriage and family, work and spiritual warfare.

PRAYER: Pray that you will receive the critical instruction or word God intends for you this week. Pray against distractions. Pray for wisdom and understanding. Pray against situations and experiences that are a mockery of the identity and purpose of believers in the nations. Pray also against the Psalm 49 attitudes and lifestyles that misrepresent who and what we are.

B. IT IS FULLNESS OF TIME FOR RESULTS AND REST. IT IS A GENESIS 2:1-3 WEEK.

This is the week ending the seventh seven weeks of the year. This is the seventh of the seventh seven. This is a ‘seventh day of creation’ week. We know four things about this season from Genesis 2:1-3:

1. IT IS A WEEK TO END BURDENSOME YOKES

Genesis 2:1-2: “Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, were finished. [2] And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done…” This week, we are to declare “IT IS DONE” . We are to enter the finished work by faith. This is a week of freedom from burdens, yokes and afflictions.

2. IT IS A WEEK OF REST

Genesis 2:2: “…And He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done”. God rested on the seventh day so all people and things may rest in seventh seasons. Jesus gave distressed bodies rest from their troubles on the Sabbath. The religious leaders of His day were upset by this.The 49th week is a Sabbath week. God wants it to be a blessed week of rest but the enemy wants it to be a week of unrest and distress. As spiritual gatekeepers, we must align with God to secure the gate of this week.

THIS IS A WEEK OF WARFARE

When God speaks rest, you must prepare for war. The 49th season is a core seventh season. It is a season of war for rest. In 1949, the Communist Party took control of China. In the same 1949, Apartheid became official in South Africa with the Mixed Marriages Prohibition Act. In the 49th year of Nigeria (2009), Book Haram became a distressing force in the country. Psalm 49 says a man in honour who does not KNOW it is like a perishing beast. The 49th book of the Bible (Ephesians) says we are not wrestling against flesh and blood but against principalities, powers and spiritual wickedness in high places. THIS 49TH WEEK of the year, I pray that the evil one will not gain the upper hand in your life and affairs. “Be strong in the Lord…Put on the whole armor of God”.

3. IT IS A BLESSED WEEK

Genesis 2: 3: “Then God blessed the seventh day…because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made”.Of the seven days of creation, God blessed only the seventh day. So, the seventh season is a blessed season. When people come into the seventh season, they are to be given the blessing that is on the season. The 49th season is blessed. So, we are to pronounce blessings on people this week. Jacob blessed his sons in Genesis 49. The 49th book of the Bible (Ephesians) opens (after salutations) with the word BLESSED and says God had blessed us with all spiritual blessings in the heavenly places. Ephesians 1:3 says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ”. As we are blessed and we bless others this week, curses are broken. This week, release a blessing over someone, some people or some places

4. IT IS A HOLY SEASON

Genesis 2: 3: “Then God …sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made”.This is a week of God’s pleasure. Pray that it does not become a week of abomination and sacrilege in the nations.

Isaiah 58:13-14 says, “If you turn away your foot from the Sabbath, From doing your pleasure on My holy day, And call the Sabbath a delight, The holy day of the LORD honorable, And shall honor Him, not doing your own ways, Nor finding your own pleasure, Nor speaking your own words, [14] Then you shall delight yourself in the LORD; And I will cause you to ride on the high hills of the earth, And feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father. The mouth of the LORD has spoken.”

PRAYER: Pray that the evil one does not hijack this week for evil purposes in the nations. Pray Genesis 2:1-3 over this week.

C. IT IS A WEEK TO CELEBRATE REDEMPTION FROM OPPRESSION AND DEATH

The 49th book and 49th chapters of the Bible reveal that the 49th season is a season of redemption. God is a Redeemer and Restorer in the 49th season. He redeems from bondage, death, and destruction in this season. When the 49th season is unmanned, death and destruction hold sway. The spirit of death was unleashed through Boko Haram in the 49th year of Nigeria’s independence. Jacob died in Genesis 49 after prophesying over his sons. Psalm 49 says that no man has the power to redeem his brother from death. Isaiah 49 reveals God as Redeemer of Israel. Isaiah 49:8 says, “Thus says the LORD: “In an acceptable time I have heard You, And in the day of salvation I have helped You; I will preserve You and give You As a covenant to the people, To restore the earth, To cause them to inherit the desolate heritages”. Jeremiah 49 is a prophecy of judgment against the enemies of Israel. Until enemies are subdued, redemption cannot be executed. Redemption often requires ‘binding the strong man’ before plundering his goods.The 49th book of the Bible (Ephesians) highlights our redemption in Christ.

PRAYER: Pray that the Lord will exert His Redeeming Power in the nations to plunder the plunderer and set their captives free.

BIBLE READING SUGGESTIONS

Read the 49th book of the Bible (Ephesians) and the 49th chapters of the Bible. You may read as follows or as led by the Spirit.

December 3: Genesis 49; Ephesians 1

December 4: Ephesians 2;; Judges 19

December 5: Ephesians 3; Judges 20

December 6: Ephesians 4; Psalm 49

December 7: Ephesians 5

December 8: Ephesians 6; Isaiah 49

December 9: Ezekiel 49; Judges 21

SCRIPTURE FOR THE WEEK:

Isaiah 49:26: “I will feed those who oppress you with their own flesh, And they shall be drunk with their own blood as with sweet wine. All flesh shall know That I, the LORD, am your Savior, And your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.”

Have a blessed 49th week of the year!

2023: THE YEAR AND ITS PROPHETIC SIGNIFICANCE

By

Nkem Okemiri

-

November 30, 2022

7

Every year is a unique gate of time for certain purposes (good and bad) to find expression. The Bible is Light and is a solid guide to understanding the direction of each year.

How can the Bible help me to understand the direction of 2023?

There are, at least, five Biblical patterns for discerning the year 2023 – what the Lord wants to do, what the kingdom of darkness is planning to do, how people will behave, and what the Lord expects His people to do. Each of the five patterns has a unique contribution; and together, they help us to get a complete or broader picture of the season. Seeing the big picture is great but you must run with only the part and pattern the Lord stirs in your heart. The 5 Biblical patterns are:

1. The mention of “the 23rd year” in the Bible

2. The narrative of the second day of creation in Genesis 1: 6-8.

3. The second of the seven prophetic divisions of the fourth book of the Bible (Numbers 7-11).

4. The 23rd book of the Bible (Isaiah)

5. The 23rd chapters of the Bible.

A. “THE 23RD YEAR” IN THE BIBLE

Since 2023 is the 23rd year of the 21st century, it is important to see what the Bible says about ‘the 23rd year’. It is interesting to know that the “the twenty-third year” is mentioned four times in the Bible (2 Kings 12 :6; 2 Kings 13: 1; Jeremiah 25: 3; Jeremiah 52: 30). Those four passages reveal, at least, four things about this numbered season – the 23rd season:

1. THE 23RD YEAR IS A SEASON OF ‘NO MORE DELAY’. IT IS A SEASON TO REPAIR THE TEMPLE WITHOUT DELAY.

2 Kings 12:1-10 : “In the seventh year of Jehu, Jehoash became king, and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Zibiah of Beersheba. [2] Jehoash did what was right in the sight of the LORD all the days in which Jehoiada the priest instructed him. [3] But the high places were not taken away; the people still sacrificed and burned incense on the high places. [4] And Jehoash said to the priests, “All the money of the dedicated gifts that are brought into the house of the LORD-each man’s census money, each man’s assessment money-and all the money that a man purposes in his heart to bring into the house of the LORD, [5] let the priests take it themselves, each from his constituency; and let them repair the damages of the temple, wherever any dilapidation is found.” [6] Now it was so, by the twenty-third year of King Jehoash, that the priests had not repaired the damages of the temple. [7] So King Jehoash called Jehoiada the priest and the other priests, and said to them, “Why have you not repaired the damages of the temple? Now therefore, do not take more money from your constituency, but deliver it for repairing the damages of the temple.” [8] And the priests agreed that they would neither receive more money from the people, nor repair the damages of the temple. [9] Then Jehoiada the priest took a chest, bored a hole in its lid, and set it beside the altar, on the right side as one comes into the house of the LORD; and the priests who kept the door put there all the money brought into the house of the LORD. [10] So it was, whenever they saw that there was much money in the chest, that the king’s scribe and the high priest came up and put it in bags, and counted the money that was found in the house of the LORD”.

When the king saw the priests had been receiving money to fix the temple but had done nothing by the 23rd year, he took action, changed strategy and insisted the right thing be done. The 23rd year is a season of action and a time to end procrastination. It is a time of awakening to resume delayed or abandoned kingdom projects. It is a season of ‘no more delay’.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE TEMPLE IN A 23RD SEASON

The temple of God is the House of God and the House of prayer. It is necessary to repair the temple in the 23rd season because the house of prayer is a great need in this season. Hezekiah needed it in the 23rd book of the Bible. He prayed in the temple against Sennacherib in Isaiah 37. It is a place to dwell in the 23rd season. Psalm 23:6 says, “…And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever”. Jehoiada the Priest needed the temple for the crowning of the king’s son in Second Chronicles 23. The House of Prayer is a backbone and lifeline in 2023. It is the power-house of the season. The House of God is also the target of the enemy and the wicked in the 23rd season.

2. THE 23RD YEAR IS A SEASON TO WATCH AGAINST THE TOUGH CONSEQUENCES OF DOING EVIL AND SUPPORTING EVIL MEN AND LEADERS

2 Kings 13:1-3: “In the twenty-third year of Joash the son of Ahaziah, king of Judah, Jehoahaz the son of Jehu became king over Israel in Samaria, and reigned seventeen years. [2] And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, and followed the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who had made Israel sin. He did not depart from them. [3] Then the anger of the LORD was aroused against Israel, and He delivered them into the hand of Hazael king of Syria, and into the hand of Ben-Hadad the son of Hazael, all their days”.

The rising of evil leaders in this season provokes judgment. Change in the 23rd year should be one that advances the will of God and honours Him. Otherwise, judgment could follow. In Second Samuel 23, King David indicates that this season calls for just and God-fearing leaders.

2 Samuel 23:3-4 says, “The God of Israel said, The Rock of Israel spoke to me: ‘He who rules over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God. [4] And he shall be like the light of the morning when the sun rises, A morning without clouds, Like the tender grass springing out of the earth, By clear shining after rain.”

Unjust leaders are a major reason for judgment in the 23rd season.

In Second Kings 23, King Josiah destroyed priests who worshipped idols and taught the people to do the same. Isaiah prophesied against unjust leaders in the 23rd book of the Bible. In Jeremiah 23, the prophet pronounced judgment on spiritual leaders that misled the people. In Matthew 23, Jesus denounced the religious leaders of His day for their hypocrisy and superficiality.

3. THE 23RD YEAR IS THE TERMINUS OF DIVINE SILENCE AND THE BEGINNING OF REACTIONS. IT IS FOR BREAKING DIVINE SILENCE.

Jeremiah 25:1-11: “The word that came to Jeremiah concerning all the people of Judah, in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah (which was the first year of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon), [2] which Jeremiah the prophet spoke to all the people of Judah and to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying: [3] “From the thirteenth year of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah, even to this day, this is the twenty-third year in which the word of the LORD has come to me; and I have spoken to you, rising early and speaking, but you have not listened. [4] And the LORD has sent to you all His servants the prophets, rising early and sending them, but you have not listened nor inclined your ear to hear. [5] They said, ‘Repent now everyone of his evil way and his evil doings, and dwell in the land that the LORD has given to you and your fathers forever and ever. [6] Do not go after other gods to serve them and worship them, and do not provoke Me to anger with the works of your hands; and I will not harm you.’ [7] Yet you have not listened to Me,” says the LORD, “that you might provoke Me to anger with the works of your hands to your own hurt. [8] “Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Because you have not heard My words, [9] behold, I will send and take all the families of the north,’ says the LORD, ‘and Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, My servant, and will bring them against this land, against its inhabitants, and against these nations all around, and will utterly destroy them, and make them an astonishment, a hissing, and perpetual desolations. [10] Moreover I will take from them the voice of mirth and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the sound of the millstones and the light of the lamp. [11] And this whole land shall be a desolation and an astonishment, and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years”.

Heaven breaks silence in the 23rd season. The silence of God does not mean He is pleased with the ways of men. The people of the world do not know that.

Ecclesiastes 8:11 says, “Because the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil”.

God may keep silent and seemingly ignore evil and wickedness for a long time but He certainly breaks His silence in the 23rd season.

God broke silence in the 23rd book of the Bible. God made heaven and earth and man in the first book of the Bible. Man chose to go his own way and besides the divine reaction in the Garden, in days of Noah and at Babel (all in the first book of the Bible), God did not address the failure of man till the time of the 23rd book of the Bible. In the 23rd book of the Bible, he called heaven and earth to witness against man.

Isaiah 1:1-7 says, “The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. [2] Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth! For the LORD has spoken: “I have nourished and brought up children, And they have rebelled against Me; [3] The ox knows its owner And the donkey its master’s crib; But Israel does not know, My people do not consider.” [4] Alas, sinful nation, A people laden with iniquity, A brood of evildoers, Children who are corrupters! They have forsaken the LORD, They have provoked to anger The Holy One of Israel, They have turned away backward. [5] Why should you be stricken again? You will revolt more and more. The whole head is sick, And the whole heart faints. [6] From the sole of the foot even to the head, There is no soundness in it, But wounds and bruises and putrefying sores; They have not been closed or bound up, or soothed with ointment. [7] Your country is desolate, Your cities are burned with fire; Strangers devour your land in your presence; And it is desolate, as overthrown by strangers”.

Since the beginning of the 21st century, the world has not heard the Voice of God as it is purposed to sound in the year 2023. The Lord will confront the church and the nations in 2023.

4. THE 23RD YEAR IS THE SEASON OF ‘THE THIRD AND LAST’ BLOW. IT IS A SEASON TO COMPLETE DIVINE TASKS AND PROJECTS

Jeremiah 52:28-30: “These are the people whom Nebuchadnezzar carried away captive: in the seventh year, three thousand and twenty-three Jews; [29] in the eighteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar he carried away captive from Jerusalem eight hundred and thirty-two persons; [30] in the twenty-third year of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive of the Jews seven hundred and forty-five persons. All the persons were four thousand six hundred”.

The last batch of captives that went to Babylon from Judah (745 people) were taken in the 23rd year of Nebuchadnezzar. Judah also fell to Babylon in the season of the 23rd king (Zedekiah) counting from the beginning of monarchy in Israel. The year 2023 is a critical window of opportunity to cry out to God for the remnant that escaped COVID-19 and other destroyers released thus far in the 21st century.

B. THE KEY OF THE SECOND DAY OF CREATION (GENESIS 1:6-8)

Genesis 1:6-8 says, “And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. [7] And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so. [8] And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day” (KJV).

What does the second day of creation have to do with 2023? The narrative of the second day of creation is key to understanding the mystery of the second year in every seven years. What God did on the seventh day is a pattern for the seventh season in every seven days, weeks, years or centuries. In the same way, what God did on the second day of creation is a pattern for the second in every seven. 2023 is a second day of creation year. It is the second year in the fourth seven years of the 21st century.

On the second day of creation (Genesis 1:6-8), God made the firmament to divide the water-bloc that seized all space. He did it so that other creatures could have room and breathing space. The firmament that divided the waters is called ‘heaven’. This means that the second season is a time to engage Heaven to make a way where there is none. In this season, God helps with wisdom, information, relationships and whatever the need is. God gave man a suitable help in the second chapter of Genesis. Moses found needed help in the second chapter of Exodus. In the second book of the Bible, Exodus, Israel received help, from Heaven, to come out of Egyptian bondage. Ruth found help in the second chapter of the book. Daniel received help to tell and interpret the king’s dream in the second chapter of his book. Esther became Queen of Persia in the second chapter. Jesus turned water into wine in the second chapter of John. The coming of the Helper, the Holy Spirit is recorded in the second chapter of Acts. Every second chapter of the Bible is a help-chapter. So, 2023 is a year of seeking and receiving Help from Heaven. It is a year to break through barriers and dismantle, or tear down, evil monopolies and space-blockers by a heavenly force. In this season, the rising of proud and boastful monopolies will pave way for the release of the monopoly-breaking anointing. This monopoly breaking anointing may be released via the instrument of legislation, or public protest or revolution. In the season of the 23rd President of the United States, Benjamin Harrison, the Sherman Anti-trust Act of 1890 was a legislative monopoly-breaker. 2023 is a year of Heaven-backed war against evil monopolies – in the sphere of politics, business and religion and so on.

C. THE KEY OF NUMBERS 7-11

The year 2023 is a Numbers 7-11 year. How? The fourth book of the Bible is a guiding light for the fourth 7 years of the 21st century (2022 – 2028). This means we should be able to locate each of the seven years in the fourth book of the Bible. This is only possible if we properly divide the 36-chapter book into seven parts – one part for a year. This second-division chapters of the book of Numbers are applicable to the second year in the fourth seven years of the 21st century. This season is about leadership, guidance and faith. Numbers 7 is about the offerings of the leaders that followed the setting up of the tabernacle. The leaders of the tribes and heads of families led in the offerings. The year 2023 is a season that demands exemplary leadership. God’s eyes are on leaders in 2023. Numbers 8 is about the spiritual leaders of Israel – Aaron and the Levites. Numbers 9 is about being guided by God. In this chapter, Moses needed to hear from God concerning those who missed the Passover in the first month. This chapter also revealed how Israel was to be guided by the Cloud and Pillar of Fire. Numbers 10 is about guidance through the sounding of the trumpets and the order of movement of the tribes from Sinai. In Numbers 11, Israel complained and were plagued after God gave them Quails to eat. God also gave Moses 70 supportive elders who were filled with the Spirit and prophesied – to lighten Moses’ burden of leading the people. We need servant-leaders in 2023. We need to be guided by God in 2023. We need to trust God (and not complain) in 2023. The implication of Numbers 7-11 is that leaders and people who choose to go their own way and do their own things in 2023 will not enjoy the presence of God and the blessings that go with it.

D. THE WITNESS OF THE 23RD BOOK AND 23RD CHAPTERS OF THE BIBLE.

The year 2023 is a 23rd book of the Bible year. It is a book of Isaiah year. It is also a 23rd-chapters-of-the-Bible year. The 23rd chapters of the Bible indicate 11 major things that are applicable to the 23rd year of the 21st century:

1. 2023 is a year to magnify God as Sovereign Lord and Way-Maker. In this season, proud men will rise who trust in themselves and their idols (what they can do and what they have) but they will be cut down. So, this is our season to boast in God. In Psalm 23, the psalmist boasted about his God. He expressed great confidence in the God of Israel. 2023 is a year to trust God and speak confidently about Him. God is magnified as Lord in the book of Isaiah – the 23rd book of the Bible. In that book, the Lord Himself says “There is none like Me” and “There is none besides Me”.

2. 2023 is for capturing the future through revelation and wisdom. Abraham purchased the future in Genesis 23. Sarah died there and Abraham bought and paid for a burial ground for his family. That gave him a stake in the Promised Land. Isaiah saw and spoke of the future in the 23rd book of the Bible. He spoke of the virgin conception, the rising and falling of kings and nations, the coming of the Messiah, the restoration of Israel and the emergence of a new heaven and earth. The 23rd book of the Bible captured the future like no other book of the Bible. The Lord will be granting revelations concerning ‘the future’ to His prophetic people in 2023. The year 2023 is a year to see and seize the future. It is a year to act with the future in view. It is a year to plant seeds for the future – seeds of reformation and change in the church and nations; seeds of a transformed earth. It is a year of breakthroughs in medical and scientific research that will shape the future.

Human history bears witness that the 23rd season is a season of change. I will illustrate with the United States. In the season of the 23rd President of the United States, Benjamin Harrison, the United States began to be a naval power. He admitted more states into the Union than any other president; and he was the earliest President to have his voice recorded (with phonograph wax). He saw the future. The story of Time Warner corporation is rooted in 1923 when both Warner Brothers and Time Magazine started as separate and independent ventures. In the same year, 1923, the 29th President of the United States, Warren G. Harding, died in office; turning over the presidency to Calvin Coolidge (the 30th President), who “demonstrated his determination to preserve the old moral and economic precepts of frugality amid the material prosperity which many Americans were enjoying during the 1920s era”. The 23rd seven years of the United States (1930-1937) were the closing years of Herbert Hoover and the first-term years of Franklin D. Roosevelt, the longest serving US President who was elected for four successive terms. He led the United States for the most part of WW2 till his death in 1945. The year 2023 is for securing the future by prayer, prophetic decrees and wise action. This is the season of visionary leaders.

3. 2023 is a year to expose and shame fakery. In Jeremiah 23, the prophet spoke out against false prophets and shepherds. Jesus denounced hypocritical leaders in Matthew 23. In Acts 23, Paul called the high priest “whitewashed wall”. Idols and those who serve them are mocked in 23rd book of the Bible. 2023 is a year to mock idols and idol worshippers. It is a year of war against powerless religion. It is a season to shake up empty boasters. The Lord will honor His Authentic Vessels in 2023. This is a year to prioritize authenticity. It is a year to get real with God and men. Hypocrisy will be exposed and confronted.

4. 2023 is a year of multi-dimensional prophetic anointing. The church will need Isaiah’s kind of multi-purpose prophetic mantle. The Isaiah mantle was an all-in-one prophetic mantle. The book of Isaiah is just a book in the Bible but every book of the Bible is also in Isaiah. The Bible has 66 books and Isaiah has 66 chapters. It is the miniature Bible. Each chapter of Isaiah is key to the book of the Bible that corresponds to it. Isaiah’s mantle is a mantle of fullness. 2023 is a year of the fullness. It is a year of All-In-One. It is a year of “I in you and you in me”. Isaiah was a prophet of woes and also a prophet of comfort. The Lord is looking for chosen vessels into whom He can pour His All in this season. Get ready!

5. 2023 is a year of judgments and woes. The word ‘woe’ is used in 70 verses of the Old Testament but in Isaiah alone it used in 22 verses. The same word is used in 33 verses of the New Testament but in Matthew 23, alone, it is used in 7 verses. The woeful tone of Isaiah changed after the 39th chapter. Pray that the judgments of 2023 will have a boundary (by the mercy of God) that must not be crossed.

6. 2023 is a year of ground-breaking prophetic revelations. Isaiah was a prophet of “that day”. There are over 50 references to “that day” in the book of Isaiah. The prophecies of Isaiah laid foundation for the life and ministry of John the Baptist, Jesus of Nazareth and the apostles. 2023 is a year to lay a prophetic foundation for a move of God coming upon the church and the earth.

7. 2023 is a year of comfort for God’s people. The first 39 chapters of Isaiah are chapters of judgments and woes but the last 27 chapters are about restoration. They are like the New Testament side of the book of Isaiah. Pray that the year 2023 will end with comfort and restoration. Of the 71 verses where the word ‘comfort’ is used in the Old Testament, 14 of the verses are in the book of Isaiah and 12 of those verses are between Isaiah 40 and Isaiah 66. 2023 is a year to speak comfort to God’s people because the evil one will want to harass people this season.

8. 2023 is a year of recovery and restoration. Isaiah’s ministry sparked off “in the year that king Uzziah died” and ended with Hezekiah, the man whom God helped against his enemy and death. The book opens with divine displeasure and ends with God standing with His people against their foes.

9. 2023 is a year to humble the proud. 2023 is a book of Isaiah year. The book of Isaiah is the 23rd book of the Bible. The ministry of Isaiah began in the days of Uzziah, king of Judah, who died a leper because of pride. Isaiah records the fall of Lucifer (Isaiah 14) and Sennacherib, the Assyrian king (Isaiah 37). Isaiah also spoke of the fall of Babylon (Isaiah 21). In 2023, “The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day. On that day a man will cast away his idols of silver and his idols of gold, which they made, each for himself to worship, To the moles and bats, [21] To go into the clefts of the rocks, And into the crags of the rugged rocks, From the terror of the LORD And the glory of His majesty, When He arises to shake the earth mightily” (Isaiah 2:11,20-21)

10. 2023 is a season of finding sufficiency in God. It is Psalm 23 year. It is the year of the Great Shepherd Who leads, guides, feeds, protects, fights for His sheep and delivers them. The 23rd book of the Bible also speaks of God as the Shepherd of Israel. Isaiah 40:10-11 says, “Behold, the Lord GOD shall come with a strong hand, And His arm shall rule for Him; Behold, His reward is with Him, And His work before Him. He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, And carry them in His bosom, And gently lead those who are with young”.

11. 2023 is a year of revolutions and overthrows. In Second Chronicles 23, Jehoiada overthrew Athaliah and enthroned Joash. Leaders who are nothing more than space-blockers are at the risk of being thrown out.

On June 9, 1923 (in the 23rd week of 1923), a military coup in Bulgaria ousted Prime Minister Aleksandra Stamboliyski. He was killed the following week on June 14.

On June 13, President Li Yuanhong of China abandoned his residence because a warlord commanded forces to surround the mansion and cut off its water and electric supplies in order to force him to abandon his post.

Germany was shaken by revolutions in this season.

On September 30 in Küstrin Putsch outside Berlin, Major Ernst von Buchrucker, the leader of the Black Reichswehr, attempted a putsch by seizing several forts. They later surrendered.

Hitler attempted a failed coup (Beer Hall Putsch) in his country in 1923 (November 8-9).

In 2023, people in different nations will dare the powers that be in their countries.

HOW TO LIVE JOYFULLY IN 2023

1. Be confident in God like the psalmist in Psalm 23

2. Be prayerful. Seek prayer-support also

3. Be sincere and authentic before God. Put off hypocrisy

4. Be far-sighted in your decisions and actions. Isaiah was a far-sighted prophet.

5. Preoccupy your heart with thoughts of the loftiness and sovereignty of God.

6. Speak as a prophet. Words are powerful in the 23rd season. The future is in your mouth in this season. The 23rd book of the Bible is the beginning of prophetic books in the Bible. The 23rd year of the 21st century is the beginning of a new prophetic season!

SCRIPTURE FOR 2023: “God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?” (Numbers 23:19).

The Lord will do it and make it good for you in 2023!

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2023: THE YEAR AND ITS PROPHETIC SIGNIFICANCE

1. THE 23RD YEAR IS A SEASON OF ‘NO MORE DELAY’. IT IS A SEASON TO REPAIR THE TEMPLE WITHOUT DELAY.

3. THE 23RD YEAR IS THE TERMINUS OF DIVINE SILENCE AND THE BEGINNING OF REACTIONS. IT IS FOR BREAKING DIVINE SILENCE.

4. THE 23RD YEAR IS THE SEASON OF ‘THE THIRD AND LAST’ BLOW. IT IS A SEASON TO COMPLETE DIVINE TASKS AND PROJECTS

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