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

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:

1. It is a week of praises to God.
2. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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

4. It is a week of divine visitation for recompense and rewards.
5. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.

10. 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.

12. 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.
13. 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’.
14. 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.
15. 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.