Month: January 2024

Date: Sunday, 21^st January, 2024

Text: Judges 20:1-48

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

At a time when Israel had no king, there was a case of gang rape involving some street boys from Gibeah in Benjamin and a young lady from Bethlehem in Judah. The lady was raped to death from night till morning by these heartless men and it led to a civil war between the tribe of Benjamin and the remaining 11 tribes of Israel- Judges 19.

Four hundred thousand (400,000) soldiers from Israel were arrayed against twenty six thousand (26,000) soldiers from Benjamin. It was a three-day Civil War. Israel with the larger army prayed to God for guidance before they engaged in battle the first day. God answered them but they came back defeated having lost twenty-two thousand (22,000) men. Judges 20:21

The Israelites went back to God and prayed; this time they added weeping to their prayers. God spoke to them again. So they encouraged themselves and went back to war the second day, but they met with defeat again losing eighteen thousand (18,000) men- Judges 20:25.

They did not give up but went back to God, this time, they did things differently; in addition to weeping, they fasted and offered to the Lord Burnt offerings and Peace offerings. And God took over the battle from them. God fought their battles for them and the Benjamites were beaten hands down, losing about twenty five thousand (25,000) soldiers and they burnt their cities- Judges 20: 26-48.

Sometimes, for your prayers to be answered, you need to go the extra miles of adding bountiful offerings to it. And you will see your testimonies coming speedily; God will take over your battles and you will laugh last in Jesus name.

Action Point: Support your prayers with bountiful sacrifices and your miracles will appear speedily.

Date: Saturday, 20thJanuary, 2024

Text: Matthew 18:18-20

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

Yesterday, we discussed the importance of praying with the Spirit as a higher level of prayer. But does that overrule praying in understanding (in a known language)? No! The word of God says, “For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.” 1 Corinthians 14:14-15

Today, we are looking at another dimension of effective praying called, Corporate Praying. The word “corporate” comes from corpus, the Latin word for body, or a “body of people”. This type of prayer involves at least, two people. It is very potent, if done correctly.

In today’s text, our Lord Jesus Christ said, “Again I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Mathew 18:19-20.

Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their labour in prayer. This type of prayer is also called, “Prayer of Agreement”. This is very instructive because for corporate prayers to be work, all parties involved must have one mind and be in one accord. There must not be any room for malice, grudges, unbelief, unforgiveness, doubt etc

It was easy for God to pour down His Spirit on the 120 believers who gathered at the Upper Room because they were in one accord- Acts 1:13-14; 2:1-4.

When Peter was arrested by Herod, the king, and was marked for execution the next day; the church gathered together for a vigil, praying earnestly for him in one accord, and guess what? Apostle Peter was miraculously released by an angel that same night! Acts 12:1-19.

Corporate prayers work wonders!

Action Nugget: When you pray alone and it does not work, switch to corporate prayers, but do it in agreement.

Date: Friday, 19th January, 2024

Text: Mark 16:17-18

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

It is one thing to pray with your mind and it is another thing to pray with your spirit. To pray with your mind means you are praying with understanding. In other words, you are praying in a language you understand, which is the practice of majority of Christians.

However, when you pray with your spirit, you speak in a heavenly language you don’t understand. It is a higher level of prayer. We call it praying in an unknown tongue. It is one of the signs that must follow every believer in Christ.

The Word of God confirms this saying “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues….” Mark 16:17. Once you become born again, the new tongue, a language of praise and prayer, is a sign that is expected to follow you.

The Bible says, “For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself.” 1 Corinthians 14:2,4a

Praying in tongues (in your new spiritual language) does not make sense to your mind, but through it you edify your spirit man. Man doesn’t have a spirit. Man is a spirit. The Holy Spirit resides in your spirit and edifies you from within.   

When you charge your phone electrically, you are edifying it. A phone that is not charged cannot function as it should. When you pray in tongues regularly, you are edifying, improving and enhancing yourself spiritually.

Through this regular practice, your spirit will be very sensitive to communications from the Holy Spirit; hearing from God will be easy because your spiritual antenna is well connected. You can see the invisible and hear the inaudible. You will be operating at a higher spiritual plane than those who pray only in understanding (known language).

If you are born again and not yet baptized in the Holy Spirit; open up your heart and ask Jesus, the Baptizer to pour His Spirit on you today, and you too will speak with new tongues.                                                                    

Action Nugget: As from today, make it a habit to always pray with your spirit, sing with your spirit and operate in the spirit.

Date: Thursday, 18thJanuary, 2024

Text: Exodus 1:6-14, 6:5

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

When you are afflicted or under pain, you may pray to a point that you run out of words and all that you have left is groaning like a woman in labour. To groan is to make a long, low sound because you are in pain, or because you are upset or unhappy about something.

Today’s text tells us of a point in time during the sojourn of the children of Israel in Egypt. At this time they became fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them.

However, after Joseph, the Prime Minister died, there arose a Pharaoh that did not recognize Joseph; therefore, out of fear and envy the Egyptians began to afflict the Israelites; but the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage, in all manner of service in the field: all their service, wherein they made them serve, was with rigour.

The children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage. And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.

When words are no longer adequate to express your prayers, and all you are left with is groaning, even then God understands you perfectly.

The Word of God says, “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groaning which cannot be uttered” Romans 8:26.

Epaphras, was always labouring fervently in prayers, that God’s people  may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. Colossians 4:12. and take delivery of your testimonies in Jesus name Paul travailed in prayers until Christ was formed in his converts- Galatians 4:19.

May the Lord hearken unto your groaning this season in Jesus name.

Prophetic Nugget: Receive grace to travail in prayers until you take delivery of your testimonies in Jesus name.

Date: Wednesday, 17th January, 2024

Text: Isaiah 38:1-8

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

The God who made the Heavens and the Earth, the Almighty, whom we serve, can be emotional. He laughs, weeps, gets angry, he can be funny etc. Being made in his image, we too can be emotional.

Having laid this foundation, it will be easy to understand the next prayer strategy we are about to discuss.

According to today’s text, Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to him and said, “This is what the Lord says: Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover.”

Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, “Remember, Lord, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly.

 Then the word of the Lord came to Isaiah:“Go and tell Hezekiah, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will add fifteen years to your life.” Isaiah 38:1-5

God was moved with Hezekiah’s tears, death was cancelled an his life was prolonged by an additional fifteen years.

Sometimes, if all else fails in prayer, try tears. Personally, when I have used many other methods, and it seems I couldn’t get God’s attention, I break down into tears and most times, God responds speedily.

May the Lord hearken unto your prayers this season in Jesus name.

Reflective Nugget: If all else fails in prayer, try tears.

Date: Tuesday, 16thJanuary, 2024

Text: Luke 17:11-14

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

Sometimes, for your prayers to be effective you may need to cry out loud in desperation. God does not ignore the cries of the afflicted. Psalm 22:24 confirms, “For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard.”

According to today’s text, on his way to Jerusalem, as Jesus was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” When he saw them, he said, “Go, and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.” Luke 17:11-14.

Their desperation led them to cry out loudly and they got divine attention and intervention.

In the next chapter 18, as Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” He called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Eventually, Blind Bartimeus got his sight- Luke 18:35-39.

Bartimeus roared loudly against all odds and he was attended to. Add desperation to your prayers and cry out loud and God will take care of that nagging problem in Jesus name.

Action Nugget: Do not be quiet, lift up your voice and cry out loud to Him today!

Date: Monday, 15thJanuary, 2024

Text: Esther 4:15-16

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

When a mass death sentence was given against the lives of all the Jews in the Citadel of Susa, Esther, the Queen called for a corporate fast, saying, to her uncle Mordecai, “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” Esther 4:15-16

Even though it was against the palace protocol for Esther to see the king without being invited, because fasting and prayer had gone to the Heavens, protocols were by-passed and Esther was favoured in his royal presence. The judgement of genocide against them was reversed. The instigator of the mass destruction, Haman was humiliated and hanged in the very gallows he had built against Mordecai.

Nineveh enjoyed a similar grace. In their own case, God was the One judging them, not man. They humbled themselves and fasted. Their king rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust; he and his nobles decreed a national fast for three days, saying, “Do not let people or animals, herds or flocks, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink. But let people and animals be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence. Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish.” Jonah 3:6-9.

God heard their prayer and the pending destruction was cancelled.

When you fast and pray with humility, you will enjoy God’s favour, protocols are bypassed and the irreversible is reversed.

Prayer Nugget: Father, as I fast and pray this season, let judgements be upturned and protocols bypassed in my favour in Jesus name.

Date: Saturday, 13th January, 2024

Text: Lamentation 2:19

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

About 17 years ago, I needed to make a decision with life-long consequences. At a point I was emotionally down and I met a matured Christian brother for counseling. He then advised me to seek God’s face at night. I followed his counsel, got up and prayed earnestly at night. God answered speedily, guided me and it turned out to be one of the best decisions I have ever made.

When the Lord wanted to make a life-long decision of choosing the twelve disciples, Luke 6:12 says, “Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles.”

After Jesus prayed all night, He walked on the water, healed the multitudes, and preached. (Matthew 14:22-36).

Jacob’s persistent all-night prayer brought him a new name, a new destiny, victory and blessing (Genesis 32:22-32).

In Acts 16:25-26, Paul received a supernatural deliverance after praying in the midnight hours.

Are you faced with economic hardship, confused or in need of urgent divine intervention, the word of God says, “Arise, cry out in the night, as the watches of the night begin; pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord. Lift up your hands to him for the lives of your children, who faint from hunger at every street corner.” Lamentations 2:19.

Prophetic Nugget: May you encounter God afresh this season in Jesus name.

Date: Friday, 12th January, 2024

Texts: Exodus 32:7-14; Matthew 4:1-11

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

The whole world was created by the spoken word of God which became the written word of God. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.” John 1:1-3.

If there be any problem with anything God has created, it is the same word of God that will be the solution. The name of God is highly exalted and powerful but the scripture affirms, “For thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.” Psalm 138:2B

Three times the Lord Jesus Christ was tempted by the devil after fasting for 40 Days and Nights; and those three times he overcame with the Word of God. The devil had no choice but to leave him alone- Matthew 4:1-11.

Some folks can pray for one hour and they will not make a single reference to the word of God. It is like a witch doctor making long pronouncements without any form of incantations. Prayers become effective when sufficiently backed up with the Word of God. The word of God is the Christian’s “incantation.”

One of the greatest intercessors of all time is the prophet Moses. He well understood the secret behind effective prayers. When Israel prostituted themselves with other gods and bowed down to them, God became very angry with them, so much that he wanted to destroy them.

However, Moses quickly swung into action. He pleaded with God saying, “Turn from Your fierce wrath, and relent from this harm to Your people. Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, Your servants, to whom You swore by Your own self, and said to them, ‘I will multiply your descendants as the stars of heaven; and all this land that I have spoken of I give to your descendants, and they shall inherit it forever.’ ” So the Lord relented from the harm which He said He would do to His people.” Exodus 32:12-14

God relented from destroying his people because Moses reminded him of his promises to the founding fathers of the faith.

Make it a habit to study the word so that you can know the promises of God and regularly remind him of his promises in prayers and so that you can put the devil where he belongs.

Victory shall be yours in Jesus name.

Action Nugget: For effectiveness, always back up your prayers with the relevant word of God.

Date: Thursday, 11thJanuary, 2024

Text: 2 Chronicles 7:13-14

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

Some people don’t get result because they approach God’s presence the wrong way. They barge into the presence of the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Such folks just get into his presence and start to pour out all their complaints before him; they then wonder why they don’t get answers.

God knows all your problems even before you tell him. But “enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.” Psalm 100:4

Come also with an attitude of humility and sincerity. Don’t come flaunting your credentials like the Pharisee who came to God’s presence and said, “‘I thank you, God, that I am not greedy, dishonest, or an adulterer, like everybody else. I thank you that I am not like that tax collector over there. I fast two days a week, and I give you one tenth of all my income.’ Luke 18:11-12. His prayers were not answered because of his boastful attitude.

God spoke to Solomon saying, “If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people;

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:13-14.

This year, may all your prayers be answered in Jesus name.

Action Nugget: Always come into His presence with an attitude of thanksgiving, humility and sincerity.