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PRAYING INTO THE 24TH WEEK OF THE YEAR (JUNE 11-17)

June 12, 2022

It is important to understand the direction of this week of the year to enable us pray in line with biblical prophetic patterns. Let us begin with the patterns for, and the nature of, the 24th week:

BIBLICAL PATTERNS FOR UNDERSTANDING THE 24TH WEEK

There are four Biblical patterns that can help us understand the the Lord’s heart for the 24th week:

1. The narrative of the third day of creation.

2. The 24th book of the Bible

3. The 24th chapters of the Bible

4. The narrative of Numbers 12-16

1. The 24th week is a third-day-of-creation week. The 24th Week is the third week in the fourth seven weeks of the year. The third season is the game-changing season. The third day of creation changed the course of creation. That’s when the carriers (sea, dry ground, and vegetation) came into existence. The third chapter of every book of the Bible is the game-changing chapter in the book. The 24th Week is the game-changing week in the in the fourth seven weeks of the year.

2. The 24th week is a book of Jeremiah week. Jeremiah is the 24th book of the Bible and is applicable to the 24th day, week, year, or seven years. In that book, God uncovered the prophet in a priest; and established him in his ordination. The 24th season is for uprooting, pulling down, building and planting. As God overthrew the waters on the third day of creation and established the earth and its vegetation, that is how God overthrow and plants in the 24th season.

Jeremiah 1:10 says, “See, I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms, To root out and to pull down, To destroy and to throw down, To build and to plant.”

In his days, Jeremiah stood for the uprooting of what God is displeased with; and for the planting of what heaven approves. The captivity of Judah and the destruction of Jerusalem happened in his season and he prophesied it. He stood for Babylon and against Judah and Jerusalem.

The 24th book of the Bible can be divided into seven seasons as follows:

1. The first day of the week is Jeremiah 1-8 day.

2. The second day of the week is Jeremiah 9-16 day

3. The third day of the week is Jeremiah 17-24 day

4. The fourth day of the week is Jeremiah 25-31 day

5. The fifth day of the week is Jeremiah 32-38 day

6. The sixth day of the week is Jeremiah 39-45 day

7. The seventh day of the week is Jeremiah 46-52 day.

3. The 24th week is a 24th-chapters-of-the-Bible week. The 24th chapters of the Bible are a special guiding light for the 24th season

4. The 24th is a Numbers 12-16 season. What does the 24th Week have to do with Numbers 12-16? The 24th Week is part of the fourth seven weeks of the year; and the fourth book of the Bible is Guiding Light for this season. As the third week in the fourth seven weeks, the 24th week expresses the third section of the fourth book of the Bible. Week 22 expresses Numbers 1-6. Week 23 expresses Numbers 7-11. Week 24 expresses Numbers 12-16. Week 25 expresses Numbers 17-21. The 5 chapters in the third section (Numbers 12-16) are the overthrow-chapters in the book. Miriam became leprous for speaking against Moses in Numbers 12. The 12 spies (except Joshua and Caleb) brought an evil report of the Promised Land. In Numbers 13. Israel rejected the Good Land and God sentenced His people to 40 years of wandering in the Wilderness in Numbers 14. The rebellion and judgment of Korah and his company is recorded in Numbers 16. The 24th Week is for the judgment and overthrow of the rebellious.

THE NATURE OF THE 24TH WEEK

The 24th Week is a Psalm 24 week. From Psalm 24, we see that God reveals and manifests Himself as the Owner of the earth and the world of men. Psalm 24:1-2 says, “The earth is the LORD’s, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein. For He has founded it upon the seas, And established it upon the waters” God demonstrated He is the Owner of the earth in Jeremiah the 24th book of the Bible and in the narratives of the 24th chapters of the Bible.. This 24th Week is also a book of Jeremiah week; and a 24th-chapters week.

FOUR THINGS ABOUT THE 24TH SEASON

1. The 24th season is a season of war against rebellion. As the Owner of the earth and everything in it, God declares was against rebels in the 24th season to bring them down. Isaiah 24:1,3 says, “Behold, the LORD makes the earth empty and makes it waste, Distorts its surface And scatters abroad its inhabitants. [3] The land shall be entirely emptied and utterly plundered, For the LORD has spoken this word” .The 24th book of the Bible is about war between God, His rebellious people, and other ungodly nations. In Second Samuel 24, the Lord reacted against David’s ill-advised census of Israel. The destruction of Jerusalem and the captivity of Judah is recorded in Second Kings 24. Joash died at the hands of his enemies for his apostacy. The 24th chapters of Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Matthew are prophecies of judgments. WW2 happened within the 24th seven years of the United States. It was war against the wicked and proud. WW2 broke out within the 24th seven years of the United States.

PRAYER: Pray that the Lord will visit rebellion in the land this week. Pray the the Lord will reveal and manifest Himself, this week, as the Owner of the world. Pray against rebellion in your own life. Confess and repent of any sin of rebellion against God in your life.

2. It is a season of overthrows . In Numbers 24, God overthrew the plans of Balak against Israel. Balaam could not curse Israel. He blessed them instead. God overthrew Saul plans and delivered him into David’s hands in First Samuel 24. David spared Saul. In Acts 24, Tertulius gathered vain fellows to raise accusation against Paul but the false accusers could not prevail. In the same chapter, Governor Felix who denied Paul due justice was moved out and Governor Festus took his place. Nigeria’s Second Republic that began in her 19th year was overthrown in the 24th year.

PRAYER: Pray that the Lord will overthrow the enemies of His people and frustrate their plans and plots. Pray in line with Psalm 24 that gates shut against God’s purposes be lifted. Pray that God will weaken the persecutors of His people in this week.

3. The 24th season is a season of vindication and establishment. It is a bounce-back season. In Second Samuel 24, Mount Moriah (where Isaac was to be sacrificed) , which had become the threshing floor of a Jebusite, was recovered and made an altar for God. That was where Solomon built the temple of God. It is also believed to be the site of the LORD’s crucifixion. The resurrection of Jesus is recorded in Luke 24. There, Jesus bounced back to life, on the third day after crucifixion and burial. The 24th President of the United States, Grover Cleveland, was also the 22nd President. He lost reelection bid to the 23rd President, Benjamin Harrison, but bounced back to become the 24th President – the only US President to serve two non-consecutive terms. 1924 was the year of the American Indian Citizenship Act. This is a week of recovery and bouncing back.

PRAYER : Pray that this 24th week will be a week of recoveries and bouncing back for God’s people in the nations. Pray that it will be a week of recovering lost grounds, realms, visions, glory, possessions, health, and so on.

4. The 24th season is for the unveiling and manifestation of hidden servant leaders. It is the season of service and sacrifice. In Genesis 24, Abraham sent his servant to get a wife for Isaac. Eleazar was a great servant leader. In the same chapter, Rebekah passed the test of sacrificial service and became Isaac’s wife. Joshua pledged to serve the Lord with his household in Joshua 24. David demonstrated great servant-leadership in the way he treated Saul in First Samuel 24. First Chronicles 24 is about the Priesthood under David’s administration. The true mark of servants is is obedience to commands and instructions. Servants please their masters. The 24th chapters of Exodus, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy, are a laws and commandments given to Israel. God recruits servants in the 24th season. Psalm 24 gives qualification of the servant-leader. Proverbs 24 gives instructions to the servant-leader. Jeremiah, author of the 24th book of the Bible, was a true servant. He served God even when it was painful to do so. The longest serving US President, Franklin D Roosevelt was in office in the 24th seven years of the US. He was President in the season of WW2.

PRAYER: Pray that the Lord will help you, this week, to be a true servant leader before God and among men. Pray that you will pass the test of servant leadership this week. Pray that God will unveil hidden servant leaders for places and positions where they are needed this week.

THE LORD GOD WILL FIGHT FOR YOU

Balak, the king of Moab, hired Balaam to curse Israel so he could defeat God’s people. That was ‘Mission Impossible’. Numbers 24 shows how frustrated and dejected Balak was because the efforts failed. In Numbers 24, Saul took 3000 soldiers to the Wilderness of Engedi in search of David and his 600 men. Saul and his men slept off and fell into the hands of David. The great servant-leader and psalmist of Israel refused to kill his master. He only cut off a part of his skirt. In Luke 24, Jesus rose from the dead. Death and the grave could not hold him. Those who masterminded His crucifixion were put to shame. In Acts 24, Paul stood trial before Felix. The Jews poured accusations on Him. The Governor knew Paul was guiltless; but to do the Jews a favor, He sat on Paul’s case for two years; expecting a bribe. Transfer cane and corrupt Felix was moved out of the way. The earth and its fullness, the world and those who live it, all belong to God. This week, the Lord will shame your adversaries. Happy 24th week!

PRAYING INTO THE 20TH WEEK OF THE YEAR (MAY 14 – 20)

Nkem Okemiri

June 9, 2022

Times and seasons do not mean much until we view them through the eyes of the God of Israel and from the Bible.

As we step into the 20th week of the year let us consider biblical patterns for the week and also thoughts and prayers for the week.

A. BIBLICAL PATTERNS FOR THE 20TH WEEK

There are six biblical patterns for understanding the 20th week. The first three patterns relate to the 20th week as the sixth week in the third 7 weeks of the year. The remaining three patterns speak directly to the 20th week as a 20th season.

1. The sixth day of creation (Genesis 1:24 – 31). The sixth day of creation is light for the 20th week because it is the sixth week in the third 7 weeks of the year.

God did 4 major things on the sixth day of creation.

a. He perfected the creation of flesh and blood creatures.

b. He made ungodly and godly creatures. He made the godly creature to express Him. ‘Ungodly’ means they were not made in the image and likeness of God.

c. He blessed the godly creature with fruitfulness and multiplication and gave him dominion over the ungodly creatures.

d. He communed with the godly creature about the provision He made for food. God does not want the godly to have anxiety concerning food in the sixth season (Matthew 6).

2. Leviticus 21-24. The sixth section of the third book of the Bible is applicable to the sixth week in the third 7 weeks of the year. Leviticus 21-24 are instructions about the conduct of priests, the feasts of the Lord and the Tabernacle.

3. The sixth book and sixth chapters of the Bible. The 20th week is the sixth week in the third 7 weeks of the year. The sixth book of the Bible is a book of instructions. The sixth chapters of the Bible are also instruction-chapters. God cares about food in the sixth season (2 Kings 6: Matthew 6; Mark 6; John 6; Acts 6)

4. Psalm 134 – 140: The 20th seven psalms are applicable to the 20th week (Days 134 – 140). The godly must bless the Lord in this season.

5. Proverbs 1 – 31 and the 20th chapters of the Bible. Proverbs is the 20th book of the Bible. It is a book of instructions to follow God’s way. The 20th chapters are light for fighting battles in the 20th season.

6. Bible passages mentioning ‘the twentieth‘. There is nothing new (Ecclesiastes 1: 9). What the Bible says about the 20th day or year is pattern for what to expect in the 20th season. The book of Nehemiah is about something that began “in the twentieth year” (Nehemiah 1: 1; 2: 1; 5:14). A king of Israel and a king of Judah fell in the 20th year (1 Kings 15:9; 2 Kings 15:30). The 20th season is a critical gate of time.

BIBLE READING SUGGESTIONS FOR THE WEEK

Going through the 20th week (Days 134-140 of the year) is like taking a prophetic journey through 20th seven psalms (134-140) and the 20th book of the Bible. So, Psalm 134-140 and Proverbs 1-31 will be a great read in the week.

May 14: Psalm 134 & Proverbs 1-5
May 15: Psalm 135 & Proverbs 6-10
May 16: Psalm 136 & Proverbs 11-15
May 17: Psalm 137 & Proverbs 16-19
May 18: Psalm 138 & Proverbs 20-23
May 19: Psalm 139 & Proverbs 24-27
May 20: Psalm 140 & Proverbs 28-31

B. THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS FOR THE WEEK

The 20th book and chapters of the Bible reveal at least 7 things about the 20th season that can guide us to pray, plan, and act:

1. It is a season of prideful conflicts and wars.

In Numbers 20, Edom resisted Israel with great force when Israel sought passage through the land of Edom.

In Deuteronomy 20, God gave instructions to Israel about going to war.

In Judges 20, all Israel fought the tribe of Benjamin and almost destroyed her.

In Second Samuel 20, Sheba led a revolution against David but the men of David crushed Sheba and his company.

In First Kings 20, there was war between Israel and Syria but Ahab defeated the Syrians twice.

In First Chronicles 20, David’s men fought battles. They conquered Rabbah and also destroyed the Philistine giants.

In Second Chronicles 20, Jehoshaphat received instructions about fighting the enemy nations that came up against him.

Proverbs 20:18 says, “..”By wise counsel wage war”. See also Proverbs 24:6

In Isaiah 20, Assyria conquered Ashdod and God spoke though Isaiah that Assyria would take Egypt and Ethiopia too.

In Revelation-20, Satan led rebellion against God after he was released from prison but his company was crushed and judged.

There were two world wars in the first half of the 20th century. The later half of the century was another long season of Cold War and literal wars in many parts of the world.

In the 20th century, the church embraced spiritual warfare (binding and loosing and commanding and casting out) as a scriptural revelation.

The 1967 six-day war between Israel and a coalition of Arab states took place at the beginning of the 20th year of the state of Israel.

PRAYER: Pray that the Lord deliver our world (including our homes) from unnecessary wars this week. Pray against escalations in battles already being fought. Pray for Israel (Psalm 76: 1-9).

2. It is God’s intervention-battle season on behalf of those who trust Him.

He fought for Abraham and Sarah in Genesis 20.

Deuteronomy 20:4 says, “for the LORD your God is He who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.”

He fought for Jehoshaphat in Second Chronicles 20.

He fought for Jesus in John 20 and raised Him from,the dead.

He fought for His people and cause in Revelation 20

PRAYER: Pray that the Lord will fight for His people in the nations and among the persecuted and abducted. Pray that God Who fights for His people in 20th seasons will fight again to help and deliver this 20th week.

3. It is a season to gain or transfer wealth.

In Genesis 20, Abraham gained much wealth following his encounter with Abimelech, king of Gerar concerning Sarah

In Second Chronicles 20, Jehoshaphat and Judah gained much wealth after stripping their dead enemies in a battle God fought for them.

The 20th book of the Bible, Proverbs, is a guide-book to wealth and riches.

In the 20th century, the church gained wealth and also began to preach the gospel of wealth.

COVID-19 meant much evil to humanity but God also brought much good out of it.

PRAYER: Pray that the battles of this week will bring much gain to God’s people in the nations and leave them richer spiritually, socially, and materially.

4. It is a season to be guided by laws and commandments and instructions and wise counsel. The reason God guides in the 20th season is because the adversary seeks to destroy men in this season foolishness and unrighteousness.

In Exodus 20, God gave Israel the Ten Commandments to restrain man’s flesh and imagination.

In Numbers 20, Moses disobeyed God’s command to give water to Israel by speaking to the rock. He struck the rock instead. For disobeying instruction, God barred Moses and Aaron from entering the Promised Land. Both Miriam and Aaron died in this chapter. Instructions are lifelines in the 20th season.

In Deuteronomy 20, God taught Israel how to engage their enemies in battle.

The 20th book of the Bible, Proverbs is a a book of instructions and counsels of wisdom.

In the year 2020, our would was guided by rules and instructions about wearing nose masks, maintaining social distance, and restricting movement.

PRAYER: Pray to be guided with wisdom to know how to operate this week. Pray that God will direct your way to the people, places and materials that have the counsel or wisdom you need.

5. It is a season to walk by faith and not by reason or senses.

In 2 Chronicles 20:20, Jehoshaphat told his people “Hear me, O Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem: Believe in the LORD your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper.”

In John 20, the disciples of Jesus struggled to believe that Jesus had risen from the dead. In this season, men want to see before they believe. They want to come to knowledge through experimentation. Thomas said he would not believe until he had touched and felt the resurrected Jesus. Jesus said, “Blessed are those who do not see but believe”.

The 20th century was a season of scientific and technological breakthroughs. Although we should pursue knowledge and understanding in this season, it must not be at the expense of faith.

PRAYER: Pray for grace to believe God’s word more than your senses and reasoning. Ask help from our Father to overcome your fears and doubts. Pray that you will not fall into the trap of Thomas.

6. It is a season of divine reversals and and exploits – when things thought impossible are made possible.

The 20th chapters of John and Revelation speak of resurrection from the dead. That’s reversal.

John 20 is about the resurrection of Jesus.

Revelation 20 is about resurrection of the dead before the last judgment.

Paul raised Eutychus from the dead in Acts 20.

The church experienced raw miracles of healing in the 20th century – even as Abraham prayed for the Abimelech in Genesis 20 and he was healed.

Things thought impossible are made possible in the 20th season.

Space exploration became possible in the 20th century. Men went to the moon in this century and has been going to space since then.

PRAYER: Pray for reversal miracles for needy people in the nations. Pray for the overturning of seeming hopeless conditions.

7. It is a season to raise a standard against the spirit of death in the nations. The enemy seeks to harvest lives in this season through war, violence, disease and natural disasters.

The 20th chapters of Judges, Second Chronicles and Revelation testify to this. The wars of the 20th century, the assassination of the 20th President of the United States (James Garfield) and the pandemic of 2020 also bear witness to this.

PRAYER: Pray fervently against the spirit of death parading nations this week.

VERSE FOR THE WEEK:
Deuteronomy 20:1: “When you go out to battle against your enemies, and see horses and chariots and people more numerous than you, do not be afraid of them; for the LORD your God is with you, who brought you up from the land of Egypt”.

DECLARATION

I declare Psalm 20:1-5 over you this week:

May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble;

May the name of the God of Jacob defend you;

May He send you help from the sanctuary, And strengthen you out of Zion;

May He remember all your offerings, And accept your burnt sacrifice. Selah

May He grant you according to your heart’s desire, And fulfill all your purpose. We will rejoice in your salvation, And in the name of our God we will set up our banners!

May the LORD fulfill all your petitions.

Happy 20th week of the year!

PRAYING INTO THE 19TH WEEK OF THE YEAR (MAY 7 – 13)

Nkem Okemiri

June 9, 2022

All we are and have, we owe to our Maker, God and Saviour. Both life and strength come from Him. Without Him, we are nothing and can do nothing. We ought to begin the new week with thanksgiving and praise to our God. Declare Psalm 127.

This week, the Holy Spirit is drawing our hearts and attention to the sufficiency of God in, and for, all situations. He is our Refuge, our Strength, and our All. This week, He is the One to look to; while pressures mount and the wicked prowl on every side. In 19th seasons, the wicked are loud, seem to be everywhere and in control, but the Word and Counsel of God will prevail mightily. In the 19th season, there is no need to think of, or seek, alternatives to God because there are none. Let us be strong in faith and magnify God this week – by our thoughts, words, decisions and actions.

As we get ready to pray into this week, we shall consider the patterns for this week in the Bible.

BIBLICAL PATTERNS FOR THE WEEK

There are five patterns for this week in the Bible:

1. The nineteenth week is a fifth day of creation week in the third seven weeks of the year. It is the 5th week in the third seven weeks of the year. On the fifth day of creation, God filled the waters with abundance of sea creatures. He made the birds of the air on the same day. The fifth day was the beginning of movement on earth. It was the beginning of flesh and blood, voice-sounds, and also the beginning of blessings. God did not bless His creatures until the fifth day. On that day, He blessed the swimming and flying creatures with fruitfulness and multiplication. The fifth day also marked the beginning of the sound-producing creatures. As a fifth season week, the 19th week is a season of warring against, and triumphing over, things that resist of hinder freedom and full expression of life – scarcity, poverty, disease, death, barrenness and wickedness.

2. The nineteenth week is a Leviticus 17-20 week. The fifth four chapters of the third book of the Bible are applicable to the fifth week in third 7 weeks of the year. This fifth section of Leviticus is about the sanctity of blood, laws of sexual morality, moral and ceremonial laws, and penalties for breaking the law. It is interesting that this fifth section discusses the sanctity of blood because flesh and blood came into existence on the fifth day of creation. Life is in the blood. Men tend to become lawless in nineteenth seasons. The 19th week is for guarding the flesh and holding it in check. It is a season to protect flesh and blood; and eschew sexual morality.

The nineteenth chapters of Genesis and judges make references to homosexuality. There is a rampant growth of wickedness and aggression in this season too. Saul wanted to kill David in the 19th chapter of First Samuel; and Jezebel wanted to kill Elijah in the nineteenth chapter of First Kings. The nineteenth chapter of John is about the crucifixion of Jesus. God began to give laws to Israel in the nineteenth chapter of Exodus. Other nineteenth chapters, like Genesis and Revelation, reveal that the nineteenth season is a time to punish law-breakers.

3. The 19th week is a Book of Psalms week in the year. Psalms is the nineteenth book of the Bible. From the book of Psalms, we learn that the nineteenth season is a time to express faith in God through meditation on the Word, prayers, songs, confessions and declarations of confidence in God, expressions of gratitude, praises, worship to God, acknowledgements of the greatness and awesomeness of God. In this book, the Psalmist trusted in God absolutely and boasted in Him. God was Everything to him; and he cried to Him when he felt threatened by the wicked and problems of life. The 19th Week is a season of magnifying God through prayers, declarations of faith, and of songs of thanksgiving and praises to God. The three major ‘P’ words of this season are pressures, prayers, and praises. The nineteenth season is a time of triumphs, victories, interventions, revivals, deliverances, and testimonies. It is a season to tap into the sufficiency of God for all needs and desires. It is a season to be preoccupied with God – regardless of circumstances. It is also a season of punitive reactions to man’s rebellion. This is the season of the Word! This is the season of songs. This week, you will triumph in battles like the Psalmist. Banish fear from your heart and keep the Word in your mouth like the Psalmist. Do not allow circumstances mute your voice. This week will end with praises to God like the book of Psalms. This is a week of the supremacy of God and His Word! In this season, God must dominate our hearts, thoughts, and words.

4. The 19th week is a Psalm 127-133 week. The 19th seven psalms are a great guiding light for the 19th week. This is a week to declare the 19th seven psalms (Psalms 127-133):

a). This week, I will not labor in vain. I will not keep awake in vain. My efforts shall not be wasted. I will not go in my own strength but in the strength of the Lord. This is a week of fruitfulness and multiplication. Our children shall live and not die (Psalm 127).

b). This week, my families shall be safe. We shall not lose any parent or child. My children shall live and grow up to become adults and parents. Our parents shall live to see their children’s children. I shall eat the fruit of my labours (Psalm 128).

c). I will not be afflicted this week. The Lord shall cut the cords of the wicked in pieces. Those who hate me unjustly shall be put to shame and turned back (Psalm 129).

d). This week, the Lord will show me His fearful mercy and abundant redemption. The Lord will hear my voice and show me His grace (Psalm 130).

e). This week, my spirit and soul shall be calm and quiet like a weaned child with his mother. My heart shall not be haughty. I shall not set my eyes on lofty things. I shall not concern myself with great matters or with things too profound for me (Psalm 131).

f). This week, I shall see the fulfillment of promises. I can never be forgotten or forsaken (Psalm 132).

g). This week, discord, disunity, division, and quarreling among brethren shall not be my portion. I shall not be isolated from the brethren. I shall experience both the oil and the dew on my head (Psalm 133).

5. The 19th week is a 19th chapters of the Bible week. The 19th chapters give a broad perspective of the season. The reveal God’s intention for this season, what people often do wrong in the season and the results that follow.

BIBLE READING SUGGESTIONS FOR THE 19TH WEEK:

Going through the 19th week (Days 127-133) of the year is like taking a prophetic journey through the 19th seven Psalms (127-133) and the 19th book of the Bible (Psalms). So, Psalms 127-133 and Psalms 1-150 are great guiding lights for the week. This is the season of finding sufficiency in God.

You may want to read the suggested passages as follows:

May 7: Psalm 127 & Psalms 1-22
May 8: Psalm 128 & Psalms 23-44
May 9: Psalm 129 & Psalms 45-66
May 10: Psalm 130 & Psalms 67-87
May 11: Psalm 131 & Psalms 88-108
May 12: Psalm 132 & Psalms 109-129
May 13: Psalm 133 & Psalm 130-150

SUMMARY: This is a week of finding sufficiency in God and expressing it through declarations, prayers, praises and thanksgiving.

THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS FOR THE WEEK

Here are 10 things to note from the 19th book and chapters of the Bible concerning the 19th season:

1. The 19th season is a time of reaction and judgment against vileness and wickedness. The season requires purity and separation from pollution. In Genesis 19, God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah after separating Lot’s family from the land. In Judges 19, vile men assaulted a woman to death. Revelation 19 opens with praise to for the destruction of the evil city by fire.

PRAYER: Prayer that revival and repentance will possess our hearts lands against perversion and vileness. Pray against the spread of the LGBTQ mindset in the nations. Pray that God will open the eyes of the deceived to the truth.

2. The 19th season is for separating men from men. In n this season, God calls men to separate themselves to Him and from pollution. In Genesis 19, God separated Lot from Sodom. In the 19th chapters of Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers, God called Israel to separate from pollution and be holy to Him. in Deuteronomy 19, God told Moses to separate six cities for the accidental manslayer. In First Kings 19, God called and separated Elisha for the ministry. In Second Chronicles 19, God rebuked Jehoshaphat for aligning with the house of Ahab. The 19th book of the Bible (Psalms) opens with the blessed man who stands out from the ungodly, the sinners, and the scornful. In Matthew 19, Jesus speaks of those who are willing to leave everything and follow Him. In Luke 19, Zacchaeus separated from the crowd and ran ahead to be able to see Jesus. In Acts 19, Paul separated the disciples for special instruction. Magicians who received the gospel at Ephesus separated from their former ways and gave up their books for burning. Revelation 19 mentions the separated bride and those who are called to the wedding supper of the Lamb. What is the Lord saying to you about standing out, in and from, this 19th week?

PRAYER: Pray for courage to separate from places, people and things that should not be part of your life. Pray to be separate, not from pride but, for purpose, purity and progress.

3. The 19th season is a season to run to, and be in, your Refuge. In this season, wicked and evil men seek to destroy their righteous enemies. The evil one wants to see men dead in this season; especially the righteous. For this reason, God makes a preservation plan for His people. In Deuteronomy 19, He commanded Moses to provide cities of refuge in Canaan for those escaping from the avenger of blood. In First Samuel 19, David escaped being killed by Saul by seeking refuge with Samuel at Ramah. In First Kings 19, Elijah ran from Jezebel. In Second Kings 19, Sennacherib went up against Judah to destroy it. God intervened and slew 185, 000 of his troops. He withdrew in shame. The words ‘enemies’ and ‘wicked,’ are used repeatedly in the 19th book of the Bible. That is the reason we should be prayerful in this season; but not be afraid. Do not give in to self-pity in this season. In Job 19, Job lamented his loneliness in distress. He felt like no one, not even God or his friends, was on his side. He stressed his faith in his Redeemer (Job 19:25). Your convictions may make you stand alone in the nineteenth season. This is a season to find company in God. Elijah was alone in First Kings 19.

PRAYER: Declare Psalm 46 and pray protection over Gods people in the nations. Pray that the faith of God’s people will be strong in God as their Refuge.

4. The 19th season is a time of vindication and triumph in battle. The victories of this season come from divine vindication as a result of trusting Him. In Joshua 19, six tribes received their inheritance in the Promised Land. In Second Samuel 19, David was restored to his throne after winning the war with Absalom in chapter 18. In First Chronicles 19, David defeated the Amorites and the Syrians. In Acts 19, Paul’s ministry at Ephesus triumphed over idols and Idol worshippers. In Revelation 19, the King of kings defeated and captured the beast and the false prophet in the last battle. God overthrows His enemies in the 19th season. The Word is the Warrior in this season (Psalm 19: 7-9; Revelation 19:13). In Isaiah 19, the prophet makes proclamation against Egypt. In Jeremiah 19, God announced judgment against Judah. Ezekiel 19 is the Prophet’s lamentation for the degradation of Israel because of her sins.

PRAYER: Declare that this is a week of Gods triumph in the nations. Pray that God’s people will be victorious in the battles of this week. Pray for the overthrow of the wicked this week.

5. The 19th season is a time to due consideration to the spiritual side of things. In Matthew 19, Jesus taught about marriage, divorce, and celibacy. He gave counsel to the Rich Young Ruler – to sell everything he has and distribute to the poor. The man went away sorrowful – though he had come to Jesus to enquire about eternal life. Materialism is a problem in the nineteenth season. In Luke 19, a rich man, Zacchaeus, sought to see Jesus and was found. In this chapter, also, Jesus told the parable of the minas, wept over Jerusalem and cleansed the temple. The 19th season is a time of intense hunger for the spiritual. It is a season of reckoning and change. John 19 is about the crucifixion, death, and burial of Jesus. The 19th is a season of self-denial. Jesus chose this path of spirituality for the sake of salvation for humanity. The 19th season is not a time to gratify flesh. It is a time to deny self for the benefit of self and others.

PRAYER: Pray for heightened sensitivity to focus on the right things this week – to exalt the Lord and His will above all and to choose self-denial above self-indulgence.

6. This is a season to protect marriages from attacks and disruption. It is a time to protect women from becoming victims or agents of wickedness. In Genesis 19, Lot lost his wife and fathered his grandchildren. In Judges 19, a levite lost his wife or concubine to gang rape. In First Samuel 19, David’s wife (Saul’s daughter) saved her husband from death. In Fist Kings 19, Jezebel, fighting for her husband, wanted to kill Elijah. In Matthew 19, Jesus answered questions about marriage, divorce, and celibacy. In Revelation 19, John was given a revelation of the Bride and Marriage supper.

PRAYER: Pray for the marriages and families of God’s people – that they are protected from satanic attacks. Pray that you are not distracted by pressures or pleasures from intimacy with the Lord.

7. The 19th week is a time to sing praises to God. The 19th book of the Bible is called Psalms and it says a lot about singing songs to God and making music. The word ‘sing’ is used in 166 verses of the Bible but in the book of Psalms, it is used in 59 verses. That is more than one-third. The word ‘song’ is used in 63 verses of the Bible but in Psalms alone, it is used in 18 verses. That’s about 29%. In the 19th century, the Holy Spirit poured out grace on the church to write hymns because the church was taking a prophetic journey through the 19th book of the Bible in that century. Those 19th century hymns are still great blessing to the church today. The garment of praise is God’s answer to the spirit of heaviness.

PRAYER: Sing praises to the Lord. Sing a new song to the Lord. Pray that God’s people in the nations will burst forth with songs and praises to the Lord this week.

8. This is a season of intimate communion with God. The ultimate realm of intimacy is between man and God. The 19th book of the Bible illustrates this intimacy. The psalmist lived in communion with God. Many of the 150 psalms are psalms of communion with God. In them, the psalmist prayed to God, praised Him, sang songs to Him and gave thanks to Him. He took his complaints to Him and found solace in His presence.

PRAYER: Pray that the experience of this week will move you closer in communion with the Lord.

9. This is a season to demonstrate (by thought, word and deed) that “The Lord God Omnipotent reigns”. This the root of the Psalmist’s prayers, proclamations and praises. This is a season to show that power belongs to God (Psalm 62: 11). May this come to heart of King Charles III as he goes through his first week (in 2023) as a crowned king.

PRAYER: Pray that the nations will witness the Dominion of God this week.

10. The 19th Week is Alleluia Week. It is about rejoicing and praising God. The word ‘Alleluia’ is used four times in the Bible and all in Revelation 19 (vs. 1, 3, 4, 6). This week, as we pray, praise and shout, there will righteous thunderings from the awesome presence of God (Exodus 19:17-18; Psalm 18:7-13; First Kings 19: 11-12; Revelation 19:6). This is a week of making godly noise!

PRAYER: Pray that God’s people in the nations will be stirred to take charge for God in the place of prayer. Pray that God will be magnified in situations as Sovereign this week.

Happy 19th week of the year!

PRAYING INTO THE 18TH WEEK OF THE YEAR (APRIL 30 – MAY 6)

Nkem Okemiri

June 9, 2022

It is good to begin this week with thanksgiving for the enduring mercies of God. To be alive this week is a testimony to His goodness. So, give thanks to Him for His faithfulness in the past as we step into this new week.

The Bible indicates that the 18th season is a major gate of time for deliverances on earth. Though the 18th week is a brief 18th season (unlike the 18th year or 18th seven years), it is a critical season for watchmen, gatekeepers and intercessors. This is the anniversary week of Scotland’s union with England and Wales. It is the week of Liberation Day in Netherlands when God turned her captivity around in 1945. This is also the week of the coronation of King Charles III.

Before considering the thoughts and prayers for the week, let us take a look at the patterns in the Bible for the week.

BIBLICAL PATTERNS FOR THE WEEK

There are five patterns in the Bible for understanding and praying into the 18th week

1. THE FOURTH DAY OF CREATION:

Week 18 is a fourth day of creation week in the third 7 weeks of the year. It is the fourth week in the third seven weeks of the year. It is the bridge-week or midpoint week in the seven-week season. On the fourth day of creation, God made the luminaries, to give light, divide the darkness and the light, rule the night and the day and be for seasons. The 18th week is a season of triumph over darkness, deception, fear and confusion through light – light from God’s word, the Holy Spirit and wise counsel. It is hard to operate without the light of revelation, truth, knowledge and wisdom in this season.

2. LEVITICUS 13-16:

The 18th week is a Leviticus 13-16 week in the third 7 weeks of the year. The fourth 4 chapters of the third book of the Bible are applicable to the fourth week in the third 7 weeks of the year. The third seven weeks of the year runs from April 9 to May 27 (days 99 to 147) in a Clear Year. The 4th four chapters of Leviticus are about dealing with isolation and restoring relationships. The 13th and 14th chapters are about the leper. The 15th chapter is about people with different kinds of bodily discharges. The 16th chapter is about the day of atonement and restoring men to fellowship with God. The 18th week is a time to move from isolation into fellowship.

3. THE BOOK OF JOB

The 18th week of the year is a book of Job season in the year. The book of Job is the 18th book of the Bible and is guiding light for the week. This does not mean we are going to experience the things that happened to Job in the 18th book of the Bible. In the book of Job, Satan struck the godly man with boils and skin disease after he had lost his children and business. He also went through emotional turmoil as his friends argued with him about his plea of innocence and charged him with guilt. The friends of Job sought theological answers to a complex existential problem. Job’s condition was a test of his faith. The problem of Job and his friends was that they had no revelation or light concerning what was happening. They simply multiplied words without knowledge. Satan was the trouble maker but God had everything under control. Illumination is important in the 18th season. Without it, people may have more questions than answers. In the 18th season, there is more happening behind the scenes than the eyes can see. It is a season to trust God even when it doesn’t make sense. With God in control, the 18th book of the Bible shows that the season will end joyfully for the one who trusts God. The 18th century was a season of Enlightenment. Philosophers rose to challenge traditional views and argued for freedom, liberty, happiness and individualism. They were like Job who challenged the religious thoughts of his friends that made no sense to him. Job asked questions and sought answers to the things happening in his life. He rejected the religious arguments of his friends that sin is the root of suffering and that righteousness always leads to happiness. His friends condemned him for asking ‘irreligious’ questions. Job wanted happiness and freedom from religion. Job was not satisfied with the religious explanations.

4. THE 18TH CHAPTERS OF THE BIBLE

The 18th week is an 18th chapters of the Bible season. The 18th chapters chapters of the Bible are powerful guiding lights for this week. They give us a broader view of what the season should be (or should not be) and how we should go through it.

5. PSALM 120 – 126

The 18th week of the year is a Psalm 120 – 126 season because the 18th week consists of Days 120-126 and correspond to the 18th seven psalms. The 18th seven psalms are psalms of preservation and are applicable to this 18th week. As the 18th book of the Bible ends with God turning the captivity of Job, Psalm 126 is about God ending and turning the captivity of Judah. This is a week to stand strong on the word of divine preservation. This week will end with joy!

BIBLE READING SUGGESTIONS FOR THE 18TH WEEK:

Going through the 18th week (Days 120-126) of the year is like taking a prophetic journey through the 18th seven Psalms (120-126) and the 18th book of the Bible (Job). So, Psalms 120-126 and Job 1-42 are great guiding lights for the week.

You may want to read the suggested passages as follows:

April 30: Psalm 120 & Job 1-6
May 1: Psalm 121 & Job 7-12
May 2: Psalm 122 & Job 13-18
May 3: Psalm 123 & Job 19-24
May 4: Psalm 124 & Job 25-30
May 5: Psalm 125 & Job 31-36
May 6: Psalm 126 & Job 37-42

SUMMARY: There are 7 P-words that are associated with the eighteenth season. They are Pressures, Puzzle, Prayers, Power, Perseverance, Partnership, Preservation. The eighteenth season is a season of pressures and puzzles requiring prayers and partnership if we want to experience God’s power and preservation. Preservation of lives and property is a great need in the eighteenth season. Praying according to the Promise of God is the key to preservation in the eighteenth season. Partnership is also key to preservation in the 18th season. Isolation is a killer in the 18th season; so, it’s a season to build or strengthen relationships. Job’s relationships seemed unhelpful in the 18th book of the Bible; but at least they help us to know what relationships should, or shouldn’t, be in the eighteenth season. Whatever pressures you face this week, through God’s promise, prayers and partnership, you will be preserved. This is a week of triumph through relationships, revelation and prayer.

VERSE FOR THE 18TH WEEK

Acts 18:9-10: “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; [10] for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city.”

THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS FOR THE WEEK

Here are 7 things to consider (as guide) as you pray into this week.

1. The 18th season is for the public presentation of God’s choice servants. God brags about His people in this season and and allows them to be . He bragged about Abraham in Genesis 18 and bragged about Job in the 18th book of the Bible. The women bragged about David in First Samuel 18 and provoked Saul. Elijah was vindicated at Mount Carmel in First Kings 18. Micaiah was presented as God’s choice servant in Second Chronicles 18.

PRAYER: Pray that the Lord will announce His servants who honor Him with their lives and all they have. Pray that this will be their week of shining brightly as light.

2. The 18th season is judgment time for the wicked and rebellious. God spoke of destroying Sodom in Genesis 18. Absalom was killed in Second Samuel 18. Great Babylon was judged in Revelation 18. Ahab died in Second Chronicles 18. Adolf Hitler died April 30 – at the beginning of the 18th week of 1945.

PRAYER: Pray that the Hand of the Lord will turn against those obstructing and interfering with the execution of His will and purposes in the nations..

3. The 18th season is a special time of preservation for God’s elect. In this season, God watches over His own with special attention. Satan targets the faith of the righteous in this season to destroy it. He asked for Job in the 18th book of the Bible. He asked for Peter in John 18.In the 18th book of the Bible, Job lost business, children, and health to satanic attacks. Saul began attack on David’s life in First Samuel 18 but missed. Absalom went to war against his father, David, in Second Samuel 18. God saved Jehoshaphat when he partnered with Ahab in a battle in Second Chronicles 18. Great Babylon was destroyed in Revelation 18 but God preserved His own there. 1 Chronicles 18: 6 and 13 says, “… the LORD preserved David wherever he went” .

PRAYER: Pray for the preservation of Christian leaders coming into limelight and standing out in this season. Pray God’s mercy over the nations this week. This week, pray to block evil plots against nations, cities, counties and communities. Pray that this 18th week will end with intervention and mighty deliverance for people in the nations – as with David in the 18th chapters of First Samuel and First Chronicles; as with Job in the 18th book of the Bible; and as with the Psalmist in Psalm 18.

DECLARATION AND THANKSGIVING

In the name of Jesus, I speak PROTECTION and PRESERVATION over families, communities, cities, and nations this week. O Lord, protect the remote, isolated and defenseless. I decree that the arrow and spear of Saul will miss David again as in First Samuel 18. I decree that the health, family and business of God’s people be protected. I decree that the plans of the enemy to destroy lives, property and, especially, the faith of those who trust in you be aborted. Thank you, Father, for leading your people in triumph. Thank you for turning captivities around. In the name of Jesus, we thank you for recoveries, restoration and resurrection happening for your people this week. Amen.

4. The 18th season is a time to walk in wisdom. Saul made attempts to kill David in First Samuel 18 but God preserved him through wisdom. Four times in that chapter, we are told that David behaved wisely (verses 5, 14, 15, 30). Foolishness gives the destroyer unreserved access in the 18th season. May the Lord keep His people in the nations from acting unwisely anywhere this 18th week.

PRAYER: Pray that the Lord will clothe you and all His people in the nations with wisdom for the tasks and challenges of the week.

5. The 18th season is a time to place high premium on relationships. Do not run alone this week as Elijah did in First Kings 18. Isolation is a killer in the 18th season. Abraham pursued relationship in Genesis 18. It opened the door to revelations and intercession. Relationship with Jethro saved Moses in Exodus 18. The people of Laish lost everything to invaders in Judges 18 because they were isolated and had no close neighbors. They had no ties with anyone. David and Jonathan started a life-saving covenant relationship in First Samuel 18. Absalom died being alone in Second Samuel 18. Jesus taught conflict resolution in Matthew 18. Aquila and Priscilla became Paul’s friends in Acts 18. Job still had his friends in the 18th book of the Bible though they blamed him wrongly for everything he went through. Relationships preserve people in the 18th season.

PRAYER: Pray that the Lord will help you with supportive relationships this week. Pray that you will be connected to people you need and those who need you. Pray for people the Lord has given you as family, friends and partners. Pray for wisdom to strengthen your relationships.

6. The 18th season is a time of relentless prayer and intercession. Abraham interceded for Lot and and the city of Sodom in Genesis 18. God healed Job after he prayed for his friends in the 18th book of the Bible. The widow in Luke 18 persevered in her quest for justice before the unjust judge. That is an illustration of perseverance in prayer. Luke 18:1 says, “.. Men always ought to pray and not lose heart”. Psalm 18 reveals that calling on God is the way to be saved from enemies in the 18th season. Psalm 18:3 says, “I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies”.

PRAYER: Pray for the grace to pray and intercede this week. Pray that the Lord will strengthen watchmen, gatekeepers and intercessors in the nations this week.

7. The 18th season is a time of revelations. God spoke to Abraham about His plans to destroy Sodom and her people. That gave him room for intercession. Ahab was deceived to go to war and fight a battle that claimed his life. He was not only deceived, but was also proud and stubborn. He did not listen to Micaiah. Job suffered untold distress and pain and did not know where his problem came from. Everything was orchestrated in the spirit realm but Job didn’t know. Without revelation in the 18th season, Satan can take advantage of people, afflict them, blindfold them, confuse them and keep them blaming one another and asking questions that have no answers. Without revelation and intercessory intervention, the 18th season can be a season of destructions.

PRAYER: Pray that the enemy will not take God’s people unawares this 18th week. Pray that darkness will not overtake God’s people this week. Pray to be sensitive and active to receive and understand whatever the Lord may want to show you this week.

Happy 18th week of the year!

PRAYING INTO THE 17TH WEEK OF THE YEAR (APRIL 23 – 29)

Nkem Okemiri

June 9, 2022

We owe gratitude to our God and Lord for the mercies we received in the 16th week. We know we can trust Him, absolutely, to lead us through this week also.

Before going into the thoughts and prayers for the week, let us consider the Biblical patterns for the week.

BIBLICAL PATTERNS FOR THE WEEK

Week 17 is a third day of creation week in the third 7 weeks of the year. The 17th is a concentrated third season. It is the third of the third seven! On the third day of creation, God gave boundaries to the waters, manifested the dry ground and released vegetation from the dry ground. On the third day, God removed the barrier (water) between heaven (firmament) and earth (dry ground). The third season is a game-changing season. On the third day of creation, dry ground took over from the waters and became the new platform for good. Dry ground brought forth new life. The 17th is a game-changing season. It is a season when freshness comes from dryness and life comes from death.

Week 17 is a Leviticus 9-12 week in the third 7 weeks of the year. The third four chapters of the third book of the Bible are applicable to the third week in the third 7 weeks of the year. Aaron’s priestly ministry began formally in the ninth chapter. His two sons, Nadab and Abihu died in chapter 10 chapter for offering strange fire. The eleventh chapter is about foods forbidden and unclean animals. The twelfth chapter is about the ritual following child-birth. This section is about manifestation for service, overthrows, and bringing forth. This is a week of rendering acceptable service before God and to men. Those who would not do what is expected (like Nadab and Abihu) are at the risk of being overthrown and displaced.

Week 17 is a book of Esther week in the year. Esther is the 17th book of the Bible. In the book of Esther, there were overthrows and replacements. Vashti was removed because she did not do the expected. Esther was selected from among the virgins and crowned Queen in the place of Vashti. Bigthan and Teresh were killed for plotting against the king. Haman was promoted, clashed with Mordecai, and decided to destroy the Jews. Everything turned against him. Mordecai and Esther and the king became the new platform for good – after the dysfunctional platform (Vashti, Bigthan, Teresh and Haman) which the king trusted was dismantled and removed. This is a week of backlashes against the wicked. Those who dig pits to harm others will fall into the pits they had dug. This week is for the manifestation of those who can be trusted to deliver desired results through service.

Week 17 is a Psalm 113-119 week. Psalm 113-119 are the 17th seven psalms. Psalm 113 shows that God is to be praised, in this season, for His loftiness, His humility, and for His gracious intervention in the lives of the poor and the barren. Psalm 114 reveals that, in this season, forces tremble; and obstacles flee, at the presence of God. It also reveals that God does unusual things in this season – turning (converting, translating, transfiguring) a rock into a pool of water; and a flint into a fountain of waters. Psalm 115 shows this is a season of the Lord’s sovereignty; when idols (and those who serve them) are mocked; and the Living God is magnified, as Help and Shield, in those who serve Him. In this season, God stops death because “the dead do not praise God”. Psalm 116 reveals that this is a season of great answers to prayers. It is a season of testimonies of deliverance from death – in answer to prayers. It is not a season of tears or mourning. It is a season to experience how much God treasures the life of His own (not their death). Psalm 117 has only two verses. It is the shortest chapter of the Bible. It reveals that this is a season to praise God for His merciful kindness towards us and for His truth that endures forever. Psalm 118 reveals seven things about this season: 1). It is a season to give thanks to God for His goodness and for His enduring mercies. 2). It is season to trust in God instead of looking to princes. 3. It is a season of intense conflict in which we triumph through the name of the Lord. 4). It is a season of rejoicing and celebrating “the right hand” of the Lord. 5. It is a season to say NO to death. “I shall not die; but live and declare the works of the Lord”. 6). It is a season to bounce back. “The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone”. 7. It is a season of marvelous works, joy, and celebration. Psalm 119 is the longest chapter of the Bible. It has 176 verses and is about confidence in the sufficiency of the word of God. This chapter reveals that the 17th week is a season to completely trust in the word of God and be preoccupied with it. It is interesting how the Holy Spirit arranged to have the shortest psalm (117) and the longest psalm (119) in the same group of the 17th seven psalms. It is to make a loud statement that, in the 17th season, God raises the lowliest to sit in the same place with the loftiest. I pray you experience that this week. This is a week to promote the humble and humble the proud. In this week of intervention and dominion, in this week of intercession and decrees, in this week of mercy and truth, put your trust in God and call upon Him. The plans of the wicked to kill and destroy will be suspended and reversed. The killer will be killed; and the destroyer will be destroyed. There shall be great deliverances this week. There will be great escape from death this week.

BIBLE READING SUGGESTIONS FOR THE 17TH WEEK:

Going through the 17th week (Days 113-119) of the year is like taking a prophetic journey through the 17th seven Psalms (113-119) and the 17th book of the Bible (Esther). So, Psalms 113-119 and Esther 1-10 are great guiding lights for the week. This is the season of great favour and triumph over death.

You may want to read the suggested passages as follows:

April 23: Psalm 113 & Esther 1-2
April 24: Psalm 114 & Esther 3-4
April 25: Psalm 115 & Esther 5-6
April 26: Psalm 116 & Esther 7
April 27: Psalm 117 & Esther 8
April 28: Psalm 118 & Esther 9
April 29: Psalm 119 & Esther 10

SUMMARY: This is a week of manifesting hidden people and things. It is a week of overthrowing wickedness.

VERSE FOR THE WEEK
Jeremiah 17:5-8:”Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, And whose hope is the LORD. [8] For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit.”

THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS FOT THE WEEK

The 17th book and chapters of the Bible indicate the following concerning the 17th season:

1. The 17th season is for crushing evil giants. God overthrew Amalek in Exodus 17, overthrew Goliath in First Samuel 17, overthrew Ahitophel in Second Samuel 17, and overthrew wicked Haman in the 17th book of the Bible. In the 17th book of the Bible, those who wanted kill the king were killed; those who wanted to kill Jews were also killed. The rebellious northern kingdom of Israel fell to the Assyrians in Second Kings 17 for disregarding God. Those who disregard God go down in the 17th season. The deposed Italian dictator, Benito Mussolini, was executed in the 17th week of 1945 (April 28). Adolf Hitler committed suicide about the same week (April 30).

PRAYER: Pray that the Lord will overthrow people and systems that are expressions of Amalek, Goliath, Ahitophel, Haman in the nations. Pray that the Lord will overturn the plans and efforts of killers and agents of death in your nation and in other nations.

2. The 17th season is a time to defy dryness: God appeared to Abraham at 99 in Genesis 17 with a definite promise that 89 year old Sarah would conceive and birth a son for him. He changed his name and the name of his wife. He also named their son, Isaac, here. In Exodus 17, fresh water came out of a dry rock. In Numbers 17, God gave life to Aaron’s dry rod and made it bud, blossom, and bear ripe almond fruits overnight. In Joshua 17, the five daughters of Zelophehad received inheritance in the name of their dead father who had no son. Jesus healed ten lepers in Luke 17. Remember that God brought forth vegetation from dryness. This week, trust God and make dryness-defying moves.

PRAYER: Pray for the release of life fro and upon dry situations in your life and country this week.

3. The 17th season is a time to triumph over death. The first place the dead was raised to life is First Kings 17. Esther and Mordecai triumphed over death and killers in the 17th book of the Bible. Esther overcame orphanhood, overcome those who plotted to kill her husband, the king, and those who wanted to kill her people, the Jews. The spirit of death rises in the 17th season but is to be resisted. The Thirty Years War of the 17th century was an operation of the spirit of death but the numerous inventions and discoveries in the same century (blood circulation, cell, micro-organisms, etc) are life-saving.

PRAYER: Pray against the spirit of death this week. Pray for the reviving of dead situations around you this week.

4. The 17th season is for the vindication and manifestation of the humble: God vindicated Aaron in Numbers 17 when his dry rod budded and bore fruit overnight. God vindicated David in First Samuel 17 where he killed Goliath. God vindicated Elijah in First Kings 17. In Matthew 17, God vindicated Jesus at His transfiguration. God vindicated Mordecai in the 17th book of the Bible.

PRAYER: Pray that the Lord will manifest and vindicate the humble in the nations as He did for Esther and Mordecai in the 17th book of the Bible.

5. The 17th season is for mysterious (supernatural) provisions: God gave Israel water from a dry rock in Exodus 17. Ravens fed Elijah in First Kings 17. God sustained a widow’s last meal by the Word of the Lord from Elijah in First Kings 17. The widow, her son and Elijah ate off a last meal for so many days. In Matthew 17, Jesus sent Peter to fetch their tax money from the mouth of a fish he would catch.

PRAYERS: Pray that this will be a week of strange provisions for missionaries, ministries, businesses and families in need. Pray for refugees and persecuted believers. Pray that you will be sensitive and open (not doubtful) to ways God may choose to meet certain needs in your life.

6. The 17th season is a time of Favor from High Places. Esther received favor from her cousin, Mordeca, when her parents died. She received favor from the keeper of the women when the king needed a replacement for Queen Vashti. Esther received favor from the king to overthrow the wicked plot of Haman. This is a week of favor for God’s people.

PRAYER: Pray for open doors for God’s people standing before closed doors in the nations. Pray for the suspension or reversal of laws in favor of God’s people where it is necessary.

7.The 17th week is a season of unprecedented happenings. New things that had never happened before are recorded in the 17th book and chapters of the Bible. In First Kings 17, Elijah prayed, spoke and stopped rainfall for 42 months, ravens brought him food twice daily in a brook, the last meal of a poor widow was sustained for many days and a dead child was raised back to life. In the 17th book of the Bible Esther obtained favor that suspended the irrevocable law of the Medes and Persians. In Mathew 17, Peter fetched tax money from the month of a fish he caught by the word of the Lord. The 17th season is a time of strange and unprecedented happenings. In Acts 17, Paul met and spoke to Athenians who were eager to hear something new. They were searching for Truth.

PRAYER: Decree that strange things that will honor and glorify God will happen in the nations this week.

8. The 17th week is a season of satisfactory discoveries. It is a season of searching and finding. In the 17th book of the Bible, Esther was searched out and made queen of Persia. In Acts 17, the people of Berea searched the scriptures to know if what Paul taught them was accurate. In Revelation 17, John sought and received light concerning Mystery Babylon. The inventions and discoveries of the 17th century are the result of searching for something out there. In the 17th century, the Pilgrim Fathers left Europe in search of a new land that now is America. This week, set your heart to search and to discover.

PRAYER: Pray that the Lord will open your eyes to receive light from His word and from life. Pray that you will come into understanding and things you have been yearning for.

Happy 17th week of the year!

PRAYING INTO THE 16TH WEEK OF THE YEAR (APRIL 16-22)

Nkem Okemiri

June 9, 2022

Thanks be to God for leading us through the 15th week and for giving us triumph in troubles. As He led us through the past weeks, He will take us through this week also.

BIBLICAL PATTERNS FOR THE WEEK

All seasons have their root and foundation in the word of God. So, in honor to the Word of God by Whom all things were made, let us begin by considering the patterns for the 16th week in the Bible.

The 16th week is a second day of creation season. This is the second week in the game-changing third seven weeks of the year. This is a season to dislodge hindering monopolies and make room and space where there is none – as God did on the second day of creation (Genesis 1: 6-8).

The 16th week is a Leviticus 5-8 week. The third 7 weeks of the year is a book of Leviticus season in the year. The third seven weeks of the year is a season to connect heaven and earth via priestly labors and sacrifices. As the second week in this season, the 16th week expresses the second four chapters of the third book of the Bible (Leviticus).

The 16th week is a Book of Nehemiah week in the year. Nehemiah is the 16th book of the Bible and gives us heavenly light into 16th season. This is a week to bring our burdens and troubles before the God of heaven so He can give us every help we need. In the 16th book of the Bible, Nehemiah mourned, prayed and fasted when he received the disturbing report about the state of Jerusalem. God gave him favor before the king to go rebuild the broken wall. By the hand of God, the work was done in 52 days amid opposition and resistance.

The 16th week is a 16th chapters of the Bible season. There are twenty-seven 16th chapters in the Bible. As you go through the week and encounter situations, the 16th chapters of the Bible will come alive to you. The Holy Spirit will use them to show you how to pray, what to do and what you must not do.

The 16th week is a Psalm 106-112 week. Psalm 106 – 112 are the 16th seven psalms and are a guide to prayer and worship in the 16th season.

BIBLE READING SUGGESTIONS FOR THE 16TH WEEK:

Going through the 16th week (Days 106-112) of the year is like taking a prophetic journey through the 16th seven Psalms (106-112) and the 16th book of the Bible (Nehemiah). Psalms 106-112 and Nehemiah 1-10 are great guiding lights for the week. You may want to read the suggested passages as follows:

April 16: Psalm 106 & Nehemiah 1-2

April 17: Psalm 107 & Nehemiah 3-4

April 18: Psalm 108 & Nehemiah 5-6

April 19: Psalm 109 & Nehemiah 7-8

April 20: Psalm 110 & Nehemiah 9-10

April 21: Psalm 111 & Nehemiah 11-12

April 22: Psalm 112 & Nehemiah 13

SUMMARY: This is a week when God makes a way for His people where there is no way.

VERSE OF THE WEEK:
Matthew 16:19: “And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS FOR THE WEEK

The 16th book and chapters of the Bible reveal 5 things we can apply to the 16th week:

1. God makes a way where there is no way in the sixteenth season. In Exodus 16, God gave Israel bread from heaven. That’s when Manna began to fall for Israel in the wilderness. In First Samuel 16, God made a way for David to be anointed king. In the same chapter, he was recruited as musician to help king Saul in his depression. In Second Samuel 16, God made way for David’s friend, Hushai, to join Absalom’s cabinet to counter Ahitophel. Psalm 16:10 says, “For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption”. In Mark 16, Jesus rose from the dead. In Acts 16, God made a way for the Macedonians to hear the gospel; made a way for a slave girl to be delivered from demon-possession. and also opened prison doors for Paul and Silas. In the sixteenth century, God made way for the Protestant Reformation to kick off. Under the 16th President of the United States (Abraham Lincoln), God made a way for slaves to gain freedom. In the 16th book of the Bible, God made a way for Nehemiah to go and rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. In the 16th season, God shows Himself strong on behalf of those who trust Him. That’s the reason God rebuked king Asa for seeking the help of an ungodly king in 2 Chronicles 16 . This week, the Lord will do amazing wonders for His people in the nations.

PRAYERS: Pray that the Lord will work wonders and grant help to His people who are desperately looking to him m the nations. Pray that help will reach refuges in need in different parts of the world; and that a way be made where there is no way – for them, for your family, for the church, and for nations.

2. The 16th season is a season of war against rebellion. Spirits working pride and rebellion are very active in this season. In Genesis 16, God stood against Hagar’s rebellion to Sarah. In Numbers 16, He stood against the rebellion of Korah and his company against Moses’ leadership. In Second Samuel 16, King David came under judgment for his sin against Uriah. In First Kings 16, God brought judgment on kings rebelling against His will – Baasha, Elah, Zimri, Tibni, and Omri. In the same chapter, a man rebuilt the Jericho, which Joshua cursed and said should not be rebuilt. In Revelation 16, God released the seven vials of judgement against rebellious humanity. The 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, stood against, and defeated, the Confederate States Army seeking secession from the Union. In the 16th year of Nigeria, B.S Dinka led a failed coup against the Murtala Mohammed regime. He and 41 others indicted in the coup were executed by firing squad. The 16th season is a season of wrath leading to mass destruction and death of rebels. The 16th chapters of Numbers, Judges, and Revelation, bear witness to this. This week, go before the Lord and intercede against the wasting of lives through disease, war, terrorism, violent protests, and all manner of disasters. War against (unjust) rebellion against legitimate authorities making right policies.

PRAYER: Pray against spirits of rebellion sponsoring lawlessness, anarchy, ill-advised protests, or blatant violation of positive orders.

3. The 16th season is a time to cast out demons working deception through pressures or pleasures. Evil spirits are deployed to cause havoc in this season but this also the time to stand against devils. In Mark 16, Jesus said those who believe in Him would cast out demons. In Genesis 16, Sarah was deceived to give Hagar, her maid, to her husband as wife. In Numbers 16, Korah and his company were deceived to question and challenge the authority of Moses and Aaron. In Judges 16, Delilah deceived Samson to his death. In First Samuel 16, an evil spirit took over the life of King Saul. In that chapter, Samuel was almost deceived about who to anoint as the next king. In Second Samuel 16, Ziba deceived David to believe his lies against Mephiboshet. In the same chapter, a deceiving spirit possessed Absalom through the influence of Ahitophel. In First Kings 16, Zimri was deceived into a coup that left him dead after seven days of being in power. In the same chapter, Hiel of Bethel was deceived to rebuild Jericho in the days of Ahab and Jezebel. In Second Kings 16, king of Ahaz was deceived to forsake God and embrace the idols of Syria. In Second Chronicles 16, Asa was deceived to seek the help of an ungodly king. God rebuked him for it. Nehemiah escaped deception in the 16th book of the Bible. A false prophet was hired to prophesy lies to him. He found out God didn’t send him. Proverbs 16 warns against the deception of following the way that seems right but ends in death. In Matthew 16, Jesus said the gates of hell will not prevail against His Church. In Luke 16, the rich man was deceived by his wealth until he woke up in hell. John 16 said deceived people would kill while thinking they are doing service to God. In Acts 16, Paul cast out a spirit of divination from a slave girl making money for his master through fortune-telling. In the same chapter, the master of the delivered slave girl told lies against Paul and Silas; leading to their imprisonment. In Revelation 16, three unclean spirits deceived kings and nations and gathered them to the great battle of Armageddon. In the season of the 16th President of the United States, a section of the nation was deceived to drag the nation into a costly civil war. President Lincoln was assassinated by a well known play actor. Appearance deceives in the 16th season. There is a strong spirit of delusion that comes upon people in 16th seasons. Watch out against deceiving spirits in this 16th week. Be strong to cast them out.

PRAYER: Pray to awaken leaders and nations who have succumbed to deception in various ways. Pray against deceiving spirits behind war, terrorism, shootings, anti-semitism, blatant rejection of truth, and resistance to the gospel. Pray for a heightened spiritual sensitivity to discern between voices.

4. The 16th season is a time of exploits through singing and making music. David was first called to the palace in First Samuel 16 to serve distressed king Saul because of his ability to play harp and sing. David also sang to the Lord in the sixteenth chapter of First Chronicles as he brought the Ark into the tabernacle he erected. He was the great psalmist of Israel. He made singing and singers to be part of temple worship. He must have won battles by singing unto God. Singers are mentioned more in the sixteenth book of the Bible than in any other book of the Bible. The word ‘singers’ appears in about 37 verses in the entire Bible. About sixteen of those is found in Nehemiah; the sixteenth book of the Bible. Paul and Silas overcame imprisonment by singing to God in Acts 16. The Lord will lead us to experience victories and breakthroughs and break the spirit of heaviness as we sing to Him this week.

PRAYER: Pray that the hearts of God’s people will overflow with joy and singing. Pray that this will be a week of new songs to God.

5. Women are key-players in the 16th season. The 16th book and chapters of the Bible indicate that women play strategic roles in this season. Genesis 16 opens with a woman calling the shots. The chapter is about Sarah and Hagar. Judges 16 introduces the seductress, Delilah, as the Philistine’s last hope of gaining victory over Samson. They succeeded through her. In Second Samuel 16, Absalom abused his father’s concubine whom he left to keep the house as he fled Jerusalem. In First Kings 16, Jezebel came to power with her husband, Ahab. In the second chapter of the 16th book of the Bible, the king’s wife sat beside him as Nehemiah sought permission to go and rebuild the wall and gates of Jerusalem. In Mark 16, Mary Magdalena, Mary the mother of James, Salome went to the tomb to anoint the body of Jesus on the morning of resurrection. They took the good news of Jesus’ resurrection to His disciples. In Acts 16, Paul and Silas started ministry in a women prayer meeting. There they met Lydia, the prominent seller of purple who became a follower of Christ; and in whose house they lodged. They went to prison because they cast out a spirit of divination from a slave girl that made money for her master through fortune-telling. Abraham Lincoln was in a theater with his wife, Mary, when he was shot. Women are great movers in the 16th season – for good or for evil.

PRAYER: Pray for all women in strategic places – home, community, work, church/ministry to be sensitive and rise courageously to do the Lord’s bidding this week. Pray against the spirit of wickedness working against women in this season. Pray against those that have become tools in the hands of Satan.

Happy 16th week of the year!

PRAYING INTO THE 14TH WEEK OF A LEAP YEAR (APRIL 1 – 7)

Nkem Okemiri

June 9, 2022

In John 14:1, Jesus said, “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me”. In John 14:27, He said, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid”.

As we step into, and go through, the 14th week of the year, we should garrison our hearts with those words of Jesus. God’s Word is Lamp and Light (Psalm 119: 105) and helps us to see things around and ahead. The Holy Spirit has left us patterns in the 14th book and 14th chapters of the Bible – indicating what to expect and how to live in the 14th season We’ll go over the patterns and then take the prayer points and promises applicable to the week.

PATTERNS
The fourteenth book and chapters of the Bible reveal 3 major things about the 14th season (of day, week, year, seven years, century, or leadership):

1. It is a season when fearful things that trouble the heart happen. It is a season when the strong and mighty throw their strength against the weak, the feeble, and vulnerable.

In Genesis 14, enemies invaded attacked Sodom and her allies (in a fourteenth year) and took many captives – including Lot and his family.

In Exodus 14, Pharaoh pursued Israel to the Red Sea hoping to arrest them there.

A messenger of destruction passed through Egypt to kill all firstborn on the 14th day of the first month of the first Hebrew year.

In Judges 14, a lion roared against Samson but he went after the lion and tore it like a young goat.

In First Samuel 14, the Philistines went up against Israel but God gave Israel victory through Jonathan, the King’s son.

In Second Samuel 14, Absalom set Joab’s field on fire to get attention.

Sennacherib invaded Judah in the 14th year of Hezekiah. That was also the year Isaiah told him to prepare to die.

Babylon invaded Judah in the 14th book of the Bible. The last chapter of the book is about the destruction of Jerusalem and the captivity of Judah.

Job 14 is about the hopelessness that surrounds death.

Matthew 14 opens with the gruesome murder of John the Baptist.

Mark 14 is about the plot to kill Jesus, His betrayal and arrest.

The 14th century was a century of disasters including the Bubonic plague (Black Death).

The 14th President of the United States, Franklin Pierce, lost his only surviving 11-year old son to train accident weeks before his inauguration. He also lost VP James Sherman in office.

The KKK terrorised African Americans, especially, in the 14th seven years of the United States.

The First World War broke out in 1914.

The year 2014 was a year disasters around the world: Russia annexation of Crimea, suicide bombings and abduction of 276 school girls in Nigeria by Boko Haram, the Malaysian airplane 370, etc.

2. It is a season of uncommon divine intervention and deliverance for those who fear God and hope in Him.

Abraham intervened and rescued Lot in Genesis 14.
God saved Israel on the night of Passover (the 14th day of the first Hebrew month). The destroyer did not visit homes marked with the blood of the Lamb.
God made a way for Israel across the Red Sea in Exodus 14.

God delivered Israel from the hand of the Philistines in First Samuel 14.

God delivered Asa and Judah from the Ethiopians in Second Chronicles 14.

God intervened with revivals in Judah in the 14th book of the Bible (Asa, Jehoshaphat, Hezekiah, and Josiah).

The 14th book of the Bible ends with the Proclamation of Cyrus to end captivity for Jews and rebuild Jerusalem.

God answered Hezekiah’s prayer and delivered him from death in the 14th year of his reign.

Jesus fed the multitudes, healed many sick folks, walked on water, rescued Peter from drowning in Matthew 14

Jesus celebrated and instituted the Passover in Mark 14

Paul healed a crippled man at Lustra in Acts 14.

3. It is a season of judgment for the proud and arrogant who trust in their own strength.

God judged Egypt on the Passover night (the 14th day of the first Hebrew month) to deliver Israel.

God judged Pharaoh and his company at the Red Sea in Exodus 14.

God judged the rebels among Israel who despised the Promised Land in Numbers 14. A generation of fighting men was condemned to death. Only Caleb and Joshua were saved.
Samson began to war against Philistines in Judges 14.

God judged the house of Jeroboam in First Kings 14, the Philistines in First Chronicles 14, the Ethiopians in Second Chronicles 14, Sennacherib in the 14th year of Hezekiah, Lucifer

Jeremiah 14 is a prophecy of judgment against Judah.

Revelation 14 is the judgmental harvest of the earth.

C. PRAYER POINTS
1. Pray against the spirit destruction and death that hovers over nations in the 14th season.
2. Pray against terrorist attacks in nations in this 14th week.
3. Pray against unjust military invasions in this 14th week. The 14th season is the evil one’s season of invasions.
4. Declare this 14th week a week of divine intervention, Passover and deliverance. Pray for God’s people who are at risk in the different parts of nation and the earth.
5. Pray, this week, that God will deliver His people from the hand of the Strong Oppressor. Pray that God will make a way for people who are fleeing war zones in this season.
6. Pray that the fire of revival will be kindled in nations this week.
7. This week, pray and release judgment against the wicked who will not repent from their evil works and ways.
9. Pray in the spirit, declare war and invade the camp of the wicked in this 14th week. Decree the downfall and overthrow of the wicked in this 14th week. This is a week of war!
10. Pray mercy over nations where the wicked are in authority; so that the righteous will not partake in the judgment of the wicked.
11. Pray this week and war against the spirit of fear and despondency attacking the hearts of God’s people. Release the Caleb-kind of faith in Joshua over believers in the nations.
12. Give thanks to God for His moves in the week ahead; for the hungry He will feed, the sick He will heal, the oppressed and distressed He will deliver, and the unsaved He will save.

D. PROMISES
Exodus 14:13-14:“…Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. [14] The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace”.

RUN AHEAD, PRAY
Noah ran ahead of the flood. Joseph and Egypt ran ahead of the famine. Elisha and Israel were ahead of the Syrian king and his army. The Shunemite woman ran ahead of the famine. Agabus and the Church at Antioch ran ahead of famine. Jesus said we can be ahead of the thief through revelation. Let’s run ahead this week. Happy 14th week.

PRAYING INTO THE 15TH WEEK OF YEAR (APRIL 9 – 15).

Nkem Okemiri

June 9, 2022

Welcome to the 15th week of the year – the week of April 9-15. We shall be praying into the 15th week of the year from the 15th book and 15th chapters of the Bible. The 15th week is the beginning of the third seven weeks of the year – the seven weeks that will change the course of the year. How should we pray this week?

Zechariah 10: 1 tells us to ask the Lord for rain in the time of the latter rain. The Holy Spirit can guide us to pray in line with seasons through impressions and revelations. He can also guide us through principles and patterns in the Bible. The 15th book and chapters of the Bible reveal five basic things about the 15th season:

1. This is a week of restoration and recovery.
In the 15th book of the Bible, Ezra, Cyrus proclaimed the release of Jews in captivity. The captivity ended, and some Jews returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple destroyed by Babylonians. This is a week of rebuilding ruins and experiencing fulfillment of prophecies. Unfortunately, this is the week (April 14, 2014) when 276 high school girls were abducted by Boko Haram in North-east Nigeria.
In Exodus 15, Moses and Miriam sang to the Lord after Israel crossed the Red Sea. God healed bitter water for the people and also spoke of healing them of diseases if they obey Him.
In Luke 15, Jesus spoke 3 parables of restoration and recovery – the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son.
In Acts 15, James referred to the prophecy of Amos about restoring and rebuilding the Tabernacle of David.
First Corinthians 15 dwells on resurrection and triumph over death.

The 15th week is

a week of singing. There was singing and dancing in First Chronicles when David brought the Ark into Jerusalem. There was singing in Revelation 15. They sang the song of Moses and of the Lamb. It speaks of those who had victory over the beast all his.
The 15th week of the year is a week of Victory Celebration

2. This is a week of receiving the word about issues in your life.
In Genesis 15, God spoke to Abraham about having multitude of children and about inheriting the land of the Amorites – after He had argued with God about having to child. God also spoke to him about Egyptian bondage without mentioning Egypt. This is a prophetic season – both for declaration and fulfillment.
The Word of the Lord came to John the Baptist in the 15th year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar. God speaks in the 15th season.
The Bible was printed for the first time in the 15th century. The 15th season is a season of the Word – season of releasing the Word and a season of performing the Word.

3. This is a week receiving the fulfillment and manifestation of God’s word. The Lord remembers His word to perform it in the 15th season.
In First Samuel 15, God sent Samuel to go and perform His word against Amalek in Exodus 17. Saul was called to be the agent of the fulfillment of that prophecy. He trivialized the calling and was rejected from being king. The Lord is passionate His word this this 15th week of the year.
In the 15th book of the Bible, Ezra, Cyrus proclaimed the release of Jews in captivity – to fulfill the word of God through Jeremiah. This is a week of experiencing fulfillment of prophecies.

4. This a week of contending against opposition and resistance the fulfillment of God’s word. This is a week of resistance and opposition against God’s purposes.
The 15th book of the Bible also indicate that this is a week contending with resistance and opposition against God’s will for our lives. Sanballat and Tobiah rose against the Jews rebuilding the temple in the 15th book of the Bible. The work stopped, was restarted, and then completed. Don’t let the devil stop you this week!
In Acts 15, the council at Jerusalem dealt with the opposition against admission of gentile believers into the church.
Jesus was crucified in Mark 15. In 2022, April 15 is Good Friday.
Abraham Lincoln was assassinated in the 15th week of 1865 (precisely April 15) – the day before Resurrection Day.
The 15th seven years of the United States (from 1776) ended with the assassination of the 20th President, James A. Garfield on July 2, 1881.

5. This 15th week is the beginning of a new beginning in the year. This week is a terminus for the status quo.
Babylonian captivity of the Jews ended in the 15th book of the Bible; and the Return began.
The Promise of the child born in Genesis 21 began in Genesis 15.
In Exodus 15, Israel was on the other side of the Red Sea where Egyptians were no longer a threat.
In First Samuel 15, God finally rejected Saul and the search for a new king began.
King Asa carried out sweeping reforms in Judah in Second Chronicles 15. That was a new beginning for God’s people.
In Acts 15, Gentiles were formally admitted into the church. It was a new beginning for Gentile believers. Paul and Barnabas parted ways in this chapter too

PRAYERS
1. Pray for sensitivity to receive the Word of the Lord this week. The Lord has a word for us this week.
2. Pray against resistance and opposition to the fulfillment of God’s word in our lives, families and nations.
3. Pray for the recovery and restoration of what is lost. Pray for the rebuilding of ruins. Pray for the resurrection God for the week will prevail in the nations.
4. Pray for the activation of prophecies this week. Pray that what Heaven had declared in the past will find room for performance this week.

PROMISES
Exodus 15:26: “If you diligently heed the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD who heals you.”

PRAYING INTO THE 23RD WEEK OF THE YEAR (JUNE 4 – 10)

Nkem Okemiri

June 4, 2022

Week 23 is a Psalm 23 week. It is the week of the Great Shepherd Who leads, guides, feeds, protects, and fights for His sheep, and delivers them. Week 23 is also a book of Isaiah week. Isaiah is the 23rd book of the Bible and the beginning of the prophetic books. In this 23rd book of the Bible, God is 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”.

IMPLICATIONS
Here are seven implications of being in a 23rd season (The Great Shepherds Season).

1. Because the 23rd season is the Shepherd’s season, the Shepherd fights for His sheep to deliver them. God fought for Israel in Numbers 23. He made it impossible for Balaam to curse Israel. God fought for Hezekiah and Judah (against Sennacherib and Assyria) in the 23rd book of the Bible. The Lord Jesus fought for Paul and delivered him the conspiracies against him in the 23rd chapter of Acts. In the 23rd week of 1967 (June 5-10), God fought for Israel in the Six-Day War against Jordan, Syria, and Egypt; and gave her victory.

PRAYER: Pray that the Lord will fight for His people against those who contend with them. Pray that the Great Shepherd of Israel will rise to help His people again, this week, as He did in the past.

2. Because the 23rd season is the Shepherds season, God expects leaders to express the Shepherd’s heart in this season. He seeks shepherds after His heart for His people and rebukes leaders who do not express the heart of the Shepherd in this season. He spoke of Cyrus as a shepherd to Israel in the 23rd book of the Bible (Isaiah 44:28). God rebuked the shepherds of Israel in Jeremiah 23. Jesus denounced the Pharisees in Matthew 23.

PRAYER: Pray and prophesy against leaders (in nations and institutions) who exploit people and serve themselves instead of serving the people.

3. Because the 23rd season is the Shepherd’s season, it is a season of disaster for those who compete with, or rise against, the Great Shepherd of Israel. The 23rd book of the Bible records the fall of Lucifer, Babylon, and Sennacherib. Ayatollah Khomeni of Iran fell in the 23rd week of 1989. He died on the last day of the 22nd week (June 3) and his two-day funeral was June 5-6. General Sani Abacha of Nigeria died suddenly on June 8, 1998.

PRAYER: Pray and prophesy against ‘powerful people’ who have risen against God and the cause of His kingdom in the nations. Pray this week for the fall of the wicked and ungodly.

4. Because the 23rd season is the Shepherd’s season, it is a ‘dangerous’ season for those who will not want to submit to the leadership of the Great Shepherd. A sheep that strays from the Shepherd is at risk. In First Samuel 23, David escaped falling into the hands of Saul through divine guidance. In Second Samuel 23, David celebrated the Great Shepherd who had blessed him with mighty men. In Second Kings 23, Josiah and Judah returned to the great Shepherd and prospered. Ezekiel 23 is about rebellious Israel and Judah (Oholah and Oholibah) that rejected God’s leadership.

PRAYER: Pray that this is a week of returning to God and aligning with Him in the nations. Pray that the hearts of people are awakened to the word of God in the nations.

5. Because the 23rd season is the Shepherd’s season, it is a season to strike shepherds and leaders so the sheep will scatter. Sarah died in Genesis 23. The 29th President of the United States died in 23rd year of the 20th century. Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated in the 23rd week of 1968. He was shot on June 5 and pronounced dead on June 6. Kudirat Abiola was murdered on June 4, 1996.

PRAYER: Pray that the Lord will protect His own who may walk through the valley of the shadows of death in this 23rd week.

6. Because the 23rd season is the Shepherd’s season, it is a season to be taught, guided, and helped by the Spirit. The Great Shepherd leads His people by His Spirit.

In 2 Samuel 23:2, the Psalmist said, “The Spirit of the LORD spoke by me, And His word was on my tongue”.

Isaiah 11:1-2 says, “There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, And a Branch shall grow out of his roots. [2] The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD”.

Isaiah 61:1-3 says, “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, Because the LORD has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; [2] To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn, [3] To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.”

The 23rd week is the week of Pentecost.

PRAYER: Pray that this 23rd week will be a season of awakening, by the Spirit, in the church and the nations. Pray that the Pentecost will be experiential reality among God’s people in this week.

7. Because the 23rd season is the Shepherd’s season, the 23rd week is a week of All-In-One. It is a week of multi-faceted blessings. Psalm 23 reveals that God is All-In-One to those who trust in Him. That is the reason Psalm 23 says, “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want”. The 23rd book of the Bible illustrates that the 23rd season is a season of ‘all-in-one’. The Bible has 66 books and the book of Isaiah has 66 chapters. The 66 books of the Bible is condensed in the 66 chapters of Isaiah. So, the 23rd book of the Bible is the one book of the Bible that has all the books of the Bible in it. This week, The Great Shepherd of the Church is all you need. He is sufficient for every need. There is nothing to fear. There is nothing to worry about.

PRAYER: Pray that this would be week of awakening to the sufficiency of God. Pray that the needy in all nations will open their hearts to the All-Sufficient God. Pray that the eyes of those who have opportunity to hear or receive the gospel this week will be opened to the All-Sufficient God. Pray that those who carry the gospel in all nations will reveal, through signs and wonders, the All-Sufficient power of God.

PRAYERS FOR YOU IN THIS 23RD WEEK

1. In Genesis 23, as Abraham took advantage of Sarah’s death to purchase a burial ground and secured the future in the Promised Land, may the Lord guide you to make decisions that would secure the future this week.
2. As God blocked and thwarted the efforts of Balak and Balaam to place a curse on Israel in Numbers 23, so, may the Lord frustrate those who seek your harm and downfall this week.
3. As God delivered David from the hand of Saul in First Samuel 23, and He delivered Paul from the evil conspiracy of Pharisees and Sadducees in Acts 23, may God deliver you from the hands of your enemies. This week, by His grace and wisdom, the Lord will frustrate and destroy the plots of the wicked against you.
4. As King David prospered by the Word of the Lord and faithful relationships in Second Samuel 23, this week, you will prosper by the word of the Lord and be helped by faithful mighty men – supportive mighty men and women.
5. As Josiah, driven by the Word of the Lord, carried out sweeping reforms in Judah in Second Kings 23, and as Jehoiada led a revolution that enthroned young Joash and dethroned Athaliah in Second Chronicles 23, so may the wind of the Lord overthrow and scatter evil seeds in the nations of the earth this week. May ‘Athaliah’ go down this week.
6. As Jeremiah 23 spoke against false prophets, and as Jesus denounced the Scribes and Pharisees in Matthew 23 and exposed their superficiality, so, may the Lord lift the rod of His Voice against fakes, exploiters, and manipulators, this week. May the hypocrisies of men be exposed in the nations this week.
7. As the 23rd book of the Bible spoke of the fall of Lucifer and Sennacherib, may this week see the fall of proud and evil men who blaspheme the name and ways of God.
WORD FOR THE WEEK Numbers 23:19: “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?”

Have a Happy and a greatly blessed 23rd week of the year.

PRAYING INTO THE 22ND WEEK OF THE YEAR (MAY 28 – JUNE 3)

Nkem Okemiri

May 28, 2022

The 22nd week is the week opening the fourth seven weeks (49 days) of the year.

The 22nd book and chapters of the Bible indicate the following 7 things concerning the 22nd week:

It is a week of praises to God.
David sang praises to God in Second Samuel 22. The 22nd book of the Bible is about a bride and bridegroom praising each other. If you split the book of psalms into sections of seven chapters each, you will have 21 sections and a remainder of three chapters for the 22nd section. The last three psalms (148-150) are psalms of praises to God. They belong to the 22nd section of the book.

Why is the 22nd a season of praises. It is the end of a prophetic cycle and the end of certain experiences. The last letter of the Hebrew alphabet is the 22nd. Abraham’s loyalty to God was confirmed in Genesis 22; and his tests ended. In Second Samuel 22, David sang to God for delivering him from ALL his enemies. After Jesus answered his critics in Matthew 22, no one dared ask him more questions. Jesus and His disciples ate the last supper in Luke 22. Acts 22 was the end of scourging and humiliation for Paul. Revelation 22 says “there shall be no more night. The 22nd is the end.

This week, we praise God by faith and with understanding that a prophetic cycle in the year is ending this week. Praise Him for His word that will be fulfilled this week. Praise Him for negative circumstances coming to an end this week. Praise Him for the new beginning that will follow this week in the nation.

This is a week of company and alliances. It is a season when men need and seek company. Both Russia and Ukraine need allies in 2022. The righteous are often alone in this season as men gather together against them. It is not easy to be alone in this season. That’s the reason the psalmist cried out in. Psalm 22: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? ” In the 22nd book of the Bible, the bride and bridegroom had companions. Abraham was alone with Isaac on Mount Moriah. In First Samuel 22, David’s company of distressed people came to him. He also needed help from the king of Moab. Saul lamented that people were aligning with David against him. Ahab needed a company to go with him against Ramoth Gilead. In Second Chronicles 22, Ahaziah king of Judah allied with Jehoram king of Israel against Jehu. They all came to an end. Jehoshabeath rescued Joash from Athaliah. In Matthew 22, Jesus told a parable about a king who invited guests to a wedding party for his son. When those he invited did not come, he gathered guests from the streets. In Luke 22, a company rose against Jesus; and He needed His company to pray with. In Acts 22, Paul defended himself against a company.

Ask the Lord for a supportive right company this week. Pray against evil companies that may surround God’s people this week. Pray that great companies will rise for fhe just in different places this week.

It is a week of trials. Jesus faced trial in the 22nd chapters of Matthew and Luke. Paul faced trial in Acts 22. Psalm 22 records the words of a man going through trials.

It is a week to demonstrate loyalty to God and commitment to His word. Abraham gave Isaac to God in Genesis 22. It is a week of tests to prove our commitment to God. Balaam faced temptations in Numbers 22. Micaiah was tempted in First Kings 22.

Pray for those who are persecuted and are facing trials for their faith this week

It is a week of divine visitation for recompense and rewards.
God judged Ahab and his house in the 22nd chapters of First Kings and Second Chronicles. God judged the ungodly sons of King Josiah in Jeremiah 22. He used Ezekiel to judge the ‘bloody city’ in Ezekiel 22. In Revelation 22, Jesus said, “I am coming quickly and my reward is in my hands.

Pray for visitations of the Lord this week to bless the faithful and hopeful; and to judge the wicked.

It is a week of revival and recovering the missing thing. In Second Kings 22, the book of the law was found in the temple. King Josiah had the book of the law read to him and that was the beginning of his reformation. In Revelation 22, a pure river of the water of life flowed from the throne of God and caused the tree of life to spring forth. Isaac was appointed to die in Genesis 22 but God gave him back to Abraham. No doubt, Abraham’s joy overflowed. This week, what you thought was lost and gone will come back to you.

Pray that this will be a week of recovering the missing thing in families, churches, and in the nation. Pray that the Lord will move the efforts of His people to a least expected glorious new level.

It is a week of appointment with kings; and this requires setting priorities right. Balaam had appointment with the King of Moab in Numbers 22. Micaiah was invited to meet the King in First Kings 22. The Shulamite was engaged to king Solomon in the 22nd book of the Bible. In Matthew 22, people were invited to be a king’s guest. Proverbs 22:29 says a man diligent in his works will appear before kings rather than before mean men.

Pray that this is a week of encounter with the king of kings. Pray also for those who are called to serve in high places. Pray that they remain faithful to God and that their influence will make a difference. Pray that you and others will not miss appointments with the King this week.

It is a week of tests of wisdom. In Matthew 22, Jesus answered tricky questions from religious leaders concerning tributes to Caesar, resurrection, the greatest commandment. He also asked them questions they could not answer.

Pray for wisdom to answer the hard questions life may throw this week. Pray that those who seek the downfall of the godly and righteous will be put to shame.

PERSONAL PRAYER POINTS

In Genesis 22, God tested Abraham’s loyalty to Him. O Lord, enable me this week, by your Spirit, to pass any test of loyalty to Jesus Christ. O Lord, keep me from faltering in my commitment to you. Keep me from failing any test of loyalty to you in this season. Let me be exactly what your heart desires.
O Lord, deliver me, this week, from temptations that come from the great and mighty as it happened to Balaam in Numbers 22, and to Micaiah in First Kings 22.
In Luke 22, Judas betrayed Jesus but later committed suicide, and Peter denied Jesus and wept bitterly afterwards. This week, deliver me from regrettable actions.
In First Kings 22, Micaiah stayed focused on the Lord despite the crowd of performing false prophets. O Lord, help me this week to stay focused on your Word despite what others are doing or may choose to do.
In Joshua 22, the Reubenites, Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh were released to return to their inheritance on the other side of Jordan. This week, let the blessings put on hold for me until obedience is complete be released to me.
O Lord, give me wisdom to handle my critics and persecutors, this week, as Jesus had in Matthew 22 and Luke 22; and as Paul had in Acts 22.
In Matthew 22, those who were invited to the wedding party missed out because of excuses. They were displaced. This week, let me not miss the call of the kingdom because of my personal concerns. Let me not be too busy for You in this season. May Heaven not put others in my place. O Lord, help me, this week, to know the difference between my thing and Your thing.
In Matthew 22, a man already admitted into a wedding party was cast out because he was negligent of the rules of the wedding party. O Lord, let me never be disqualified in this week from opportunities because of carelessness and negligence. Help me to stay properly positioned for doors opening for me.

9. In First Kings 22 and Second Chronicles 22, God judged Ahab and his house for the blood of Naboth. In Jeremiah 22, the prophet pronounced curses and judgment on the errant successors of king Josiah. In Ezekiel 22, the prophet pronounced judgment on the bloody city. O Lord, judge wickedness in the nations this week. O Lord, utter the Voice of your power this week and bring an end to evil systems and evil men. Bring evil and dysfunctional cycles to an end.

In First Kings 22, Jehoshaphat joined and escorted Ahab to battle against Syria and almost lost his life. O Lord, deliver me this week from the company of evil men. Let me not be in the company of people appointed to death. Deliver me from counselors whose counsel only lead to destruction. Hide me from those who want to kill me as you hid Jotham from Athaliah in Second Chronicles 22. Destroy the evil plans of the Athaliahs of this week. O Lord, let your mercy preserve your people from the judgments and curses of the week.

11. In First Kings 22, Ahab went heedlessly to war and died in battle. O Lord, help me this week against forces, within me and without, that could push me to where my life will be wasted. This week, keep me from wars I should not fight in.

In Second Kings 22, King Josiah’s men found the book of the Law in the temple. The reading of that book sparked off revival and reformation. O Lord, lead us this week to discover the missing thing that will move us forward as a nation. O Lord, open the gates of this week for new things and new people in the different spheres of life and society. This week, lead me back to your Word with renewed zeal.
In Second Samuel 22, David sang to God for delivering him from all his troubles. Revelation 22:3 says, “And there shall be no more curse….” O Lord , let this 22nd week be a week of ‘no more trouble’.
In Revelation 22, the Lord spoke of the pure river of water of life flowing from God’s throne; and also about the tree of life. This week, O Lord, connect me to the move of life backed by your throne. Let nations drink from the water of life and eat from the tree of life this week.
The Word of the Lord came to Abraham in Genesis 22, to Balaam in Numbers 22, and to Micaiah in First Kings 22. O Lord, in this week of hearing and obeying your Voice, help me against inhibiting noise and distractions. Grant me the grace and wisdom for a quiet and peaceful atmosphere for your Voice.

16. O Lord, block the enemies from reaching your people in this week as you blocked Balaam and Balak the king of Moab from cursing Israel in Numbers 22. O Lord, use those who seek the downfall of your people to bless them instead.

THE PROMISE FOR THE 22ND WEEK

Psalm 22:27-28
All the ends of the world Shall remember and turn to the LORD, And all the families of the nations Shall worship before You. [28] For the kingdom is the LORD’s, And He rules over the nations.

Have a Happy 22nd week of the year.

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