The 40th week is a critical gate of time. Since nothing comes into this world without passing through a gate of time, this week will be the door for certain purposes seeking to manifest on earth. God has an agenda for every gate of time. The evil one also has a purpose for every gate of time. It is important to understand this battle for time and what we ought to do or how we ought to pray.. Gates of time should be guarded diligently just as we guard physical gates. When gates of time are not guarded with understanding, the enemy will push through the gate to execute evil purposes planned for that gate of time or to obstruct divine purposes meant for that time.
Let us consider the Biblical patterns for the week before going into the prayer points for the week
BIBLICAL PATTERNS FOR THE WEEK
There are five Biblical patterns for understanding the 40th week:
The fifth day of creation. This is because the 40th week is the 5th week in the 7-week season that began September 3. This is a fifth-day-of-creation week.
The Book of Maltthew – the 40th book of the Bible. This is a Book-of-Matthew week.
The 40th chapters of the Bible (Genesis 40, Exodus 40, Job 40, Psalm 40, Isaiah 40, Jeremiah 40 and Ezekiel 40).
The fifth section chapters (16-18) of the sixth book of the Bible (Joshua). This is a Joshua 16 week – time to be up in the spirit.
The first 9 books of the New Year (Matthew – Galatians)
B. BIBLE READING SUGGESTIONS FOR THE WEEK
Going through the 40th week of the year is like taking a journey through the 40th book of the Bible (Matthew). It is also like walking through the 40th chapters of the Bible. So, the Book of Matthew and the 40th chapters of the Bible are great guiding lights for the week. Matthew is the first book of the New Testament and has 28 chapters.
You may want to read the suggested passages as follows but also be free to follow the leading of the Spirit of God:
October 1: Genesis 40; Matthew 1-4.
October 2: Exodus 40; Matthew 5-8.
October 3: Job 40; Matthew 9-12.
October 4: Psalm 40; Matthew 13-16.
October 5: Isaiah 40; Matthew 17-20
October 6: Jeremiah 40; Matthew 21-24.
October 7: Ezekiel 40; Matthew 25-28.
VERSE FOR THE WEEK
Isaiah 40: 31 “But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint”.
THOUGHTS AND PRAYER POINTS FOR THE WEEK
Here are 6 things the Bible indicates concerning the 40th season:
1. The ’40th’ is the beginning of good news. The 40th book of the Bible (Matthew) is the beginning of the New Testament and the gospel of Jesus Christ. Isaiah 40 opens with a message of comfort: “Comfort, yes, comfort My people!” Says your God. [2] “Speak comfort to Jerusalem, and cry out to her, that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned; for she has received from the LORD’s hand Double for all her sins.” The plan of the evil one is for battles to continue when it ought to cease.
PRAYER: a). Give thanks to God for leading us through 39 weeks of the year. Thank Him for His love and faithfulness. b). Pray that as the Old Testament ends with 39th book and the New Testament begins with the 40th, so be it that the Old Testament side of the year is gone with the 39th week and that we have cone into the New Testament side of good news in the year. Let the good news begin this week. c). Pray also that as the stripes of Jesus ended with the 39th, let the season of stripes come to an end in the year. Let there be a shift in the year from pain to comfort as Isaiah 40:1-2 says.
2. The 40th is a point of testimonies and new songs. Psalm 40:1-3 says, “I waited patiently for the LORD; And He inclined to me, And heard my cry. [2] He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, And established my steps. [3] He has put a new song in my mouth- Praise to our God; Many will see it and fear, And will trust in the LORD”.
PRAYER: Pray that this is a week of testimonies and answers to prayers for God’s people in the nations. Pray that the Lord will guide us this 40th week to find answers to puzzles in the nations by His wisdom and power – as Joseph interpreted the dreams of Pharaoh’s servants in Genesis 40.
3. The 40th season is for the manifestation of God in the affairs of men. In the 40th book of the Bible, Jesus is called Emmanuel (God with us). In Genesis 40, God manifested Himself through Joseph to interpret the dreams of Pharaoh’s servants. Joseph told them that “interpretations belong to God”; yet it came through him. He was Emmanuel in that prison. In Exodus 40, the glory of God filled the tabernacle in the form of cloud; and Moses could not enter the tabernacle of meeting. In Job 40, the servant of God laid his hands in his mouth and said he would not speak again. He gave up the floor so God would have His way. In Psalm 40, the psalmist testifies of God’s intervention and deliverance following a season of waiting. Isaiah 40 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. [11] 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” (Isaiah 40:10-11). In Jeremiah 40, God sent a savior, Johanan, to Gedaliah; to save his life by revealing the plot of the Ammonites to assassinate him; but he did not believe him. He rejected the truth. He lacked spiritual sensitivity.
PRAYER: Declare and proclaim that this 40th week is the week of Emmanuel and that God’s people in the nations will yield themselves to become channels through whom God will manifest this week. Pray also that the presence and glory of the Lord will take over in the nations this 40th week – wherever God’s people have done as commanded – as it filled the Tabernacle in the 40th chapter of Exodus.
4. The 40th season is a season of freedom and salvation for those who believe. In Jeremiah 40, the prophet was set free to choose where to live. Jesus set people free from afflictions in the 40th book of the Bible
PRAYER: Pray that as Jesus came in the 40th book of the Bible and brought change by His teachings and miracles, let the 40th week of the year be a week of change and freedom in the nations.
5. The 40th is a season to operate by faith. It is not a season of rationalizations. Sensitivity in the spirit is key to succeeding in the 40th season. Jesus challenged people to believe the gospel in the 40th book of the Bible. In Ezekiel 40, the prophet began to receive a revelation of the Jerusalem and new temple. God comes in the 40th season; so, it is necessary to prepare the way for His coming. The 40th season is a time to see into the spirit realm.
PRAYER: Pray that the Lord will grant us grace to walk by faith concerning His works in the nations and concerning our prayers before – as this New Testament week demands; because without faith it is impossible to please God; and two cannot work together unless they agree.
6. The 40th season is the terminus for waiting. Psalm 40:1-3 says, “I WAITED PATIENTLY for the LORD; And He inclined to me, And heard my cry. [2] He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, And established my steps. [3] He has put a new song in my mouth- Praise to our God; Many will see it and fear, And will trust in the LORD”.The Lord discharged Moses from waiting and fasting before Him on the 40th day. Jesus ended His great fast on the 40th day. Israel’s wilderness journey ended with 40th year. Moses ended His allegiance to the Pharaoh family about his 40th year. This is a good time to remember nations, journeys and projects that are in the 40th season.
PRAYER: Pray that this week will mark the end of WAITING for some who have been waiting patiently for God to answer them in different areas. Pray also for strength to diligently occupy and guard the gate of this 40th week against satanic purposes and to see that God’s will is done in the nations as it is in heaven.
Have a happy 40th week of the year!
