Pray in faith.

Tuesday, January 31st.
Pray in faith.

“Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”
Mark 11:24    

The Bible shows us today from our opening scripture that faith is the only way we can receive from God. So whenever you pray, you ought to believe that you receive what you asked for before it is manifested. This means that if you pray without believing that you receive what you asked for, it will not be manifested.

Matthew 8:13 says, “And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.” Therefore, if you want the things you are desiring to spring into being or come to pass, you've got to believe.

Also, if you want to have an effective prayer life, before you pray, make sure you come to the place of prayer with faith and confidence based on the Word of God. Come with such confidence knowing that the very moment you pray is when you receive.

When you pray with faith, that is when you received. You receive when you pray.

Also, when you pray, you must learn to always pray with the Word of God because that is your guarantee and the stamp of God's approval for all your demands.

God's Word is the will of God revealed and the Bible says in 1 John 5:14-15, “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.”

Instruction.
Exercise your faith in 1 John 5:14-15 and ask in faith, believing that you receive.

For further study, read:
Matthew 21:22, John 16:23-24, 1 Timothy 2:8,
James 1:5-8.

Doing the Word.
Thank the Father for the answer to your prayers.

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Have confidence in the Name.

Monday, January 30th.
Have confidence in the Name.

“And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”         John 14:13

Do you know that whenever you make a demand in the Name of Jesus, God's glory is at stake? This is why Jesus said in our opening scripture, whatsoever you shall ask in my name, that will I do. In other words, Jesus was saying that whatsoever you ask in my name I will make it happen. Why? “… that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”

Therefore if Jesus said what He meant, and meant what He said, it means that whatsoever you demand in His Name shall be done unto you for the glory of God. Notice that Jesus did not say I will do it after you have fasted long enough. No.

I believe in fasting and I fast, but my faith is not in my fasting but in the power vested in the Name of Jesus. We fast in obedience to divine instructions and there is a blessing that goes with such obedience. If your faith is not in the power vested in the Name of Jesus, it means you will not be willing to pray when an emergency comes up.

When you are faced with an emergency case, what will you do? Is it that moment you will start fasting and praying? That is the moment for you to exercise your confidence in God and His Word by using the Name of Jesus to change that situation and it shall be done. Why? It is because you know Jesus is committed to bringing to pass whatsoever you demand in His Name, so that the Father may be glorified.  

Confession.
I refuse to fear or worry concerning tomorrow or whatever challenge that life brings my way. I am confident knowing that in the Name of Jesus I can change things in my favour. Amen.

For further study, read:
Acts 9:32-42, Acts 16:16-18, Acts 19:11-12.

Doing the Word.
Use the Name of Jesus to change any unpleasant circumstance or challenge that comes against you.

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The blessing.

Sunday, January 29th.
The blessing.

“And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.”
Deuteronomy 28:2

As we conclude our fast today, I will like to tell you a story about a dear minister of God in this country; who has been used by God to touch many lives in this nation. Before he got to where he is today, he had to submit to God's program.

He was in Kaduna, when God spoke to him to go and see another minister of the gospel who was at that time in Benin. He hesitated at first saying, he has heard too many bad things about that minister, but God insisted that he goes to see that minister of God, so he went. As he went, he took a seed of about thirty thousand naira with him. When he brought the money, the minster told him to pour the money on the ground and he did. Then, he told him to walk on the money as they lay on the floor. As he did, the minister gave a word to him saying that, “From today, this is the way you will be walking on money all your life.” And certainly of a truth today, many years after that encounter. This minister of God is presently living in wealth. Why? He humbled himself; submitted to God's plan by obeying divine instruction. By so doing, he is living today in the centre of God's plan for his life. I want you to know today as well that as many of you who have consistently fasted along with us in this month.

 You have indeed entered into God's rest for your life because, you submitted to God's will by deciding to fast when you would have chosen not to. But you chose to obey the divine instruction that went forth. As you have done this:
May you continue to live under an open heaven. May God's grace and His favor bring to you blessings and increase that will cause your store houses to run over with plenty. All your days of mourning and weeping are ended in the Name of Jesus. Only shouts of praise and rejoicing shall be heard in your home from this time and always. Divine protection and increase is yours in the Name of Jesus. May God announce you and give you supernatural publicity in all that you do. You are blessed. Your memory is blessed, your health is blessed, your children and every member of your family are blessed. You are far from all evil, including wicked and unreasonable men in the Name of Jesus.
May God grant you fresh revelations from the Word of God like never before. No weapon formed against you shall prosper in the Name of Jesus. May God's wisdom function mightily in you and distinguish you from your peers in the Name of Jesus.
May the Lord bless you and keep you. May he cause His face to shine upon you. May He be gracious unto you. May He lift up His countenance upon you, and may He give you peace.  

For further study, read:
Deuteronomy 28:1-13, Psalm 65:11, Isaiah 65:21-23, Joel 2:23-24.

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What do you have?

Saturday, January 28th.
What do you have?

“Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: …”
Acts 3:6

Today, I want you to observe the words of Peter in our opening scripture. He said, “… such as I have give I thee …” The question here is: What did Peter have?

To understand what Peter had, I will like to share with you from Matthew 9 where Jesus had just healed a lame man, in Matthew 9:8, the Bible says, “But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.” The word power in the verse you just read actually means authority. This is made obvious to us in the Good News Bible which puts it this way, “When the people saw it, they were afraid, and praised God for giving such authority to people.”

This was what Peter knew he had. He knew God had given him power and authority, so he knew what he had. He knew he had the right, the capacity and the jurisdiction to make the lame man walk in the Name of Jesus, so he said to him; , "I have no money at all, but I give you what I have: in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth I order you to get up and walk!" Acts 3:6(GNB)

Do you know that you also have been given the same authority as a child of God in the Name of Jesus to do mighty works and to heal the sick?  Therefore start using the Name of Jesus today with confidence and God will back you up.

Confession.
In the Name of Jesus, I declare that I have been given power and authority over all the ability of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt me. God is working special miracles, signs and wonders through my hands in the Name of Jesus.

For further study, read:
John 14:12-14, Acts 6:8, Acts 8:5-13.

Doing the Word.
Today, as part of the prayers for the fast, we will be praying for our businesses and jobs. Read and pray in line with the following scriptures; I Chronicles 4:10, that the blessing rest upon your business. Proverbs 8:12, for creative ideas.  Daniel 6:3, for the spirit of excellence to mantle you. Genesis 24:12, for the Lord to grant you speed and success in all you do.

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Authority from the Word.

Friday, January 27th.
Authority from the Word.

“And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.”
Acts 9:1-2

I will like you to notice from our opening scripture that Saul went to the high priest to ask for letters to take to Damascus. Why was those letters important for him to collect? Those letters gave him the right, authority, and jurisdiction from the high priest to command and enforce obedience against the disciples of the Lord in Damascus. In other words, authority was been delegated to him from the high priest through those letters.

Paul attested to this in Acts 26:12 when he recounted this event saying, “Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests,” Showing that the letters gave him authority and commission from the chief priest.

Why is this significant for us to understand? It is significant because we also have been given letters from our Heavenly Father, which have been documented for us in the Bible. These words are not ordinary, they are the legal documents authorizing  us with the right and commission to command and enforce obedience in the Name of Jesus. The Bible also shows us our jurisdiction in the Name of Jesus as influencing things in heaven, things on earth and things under the earth, because the Bible says in Philippians 2:10-11, “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Confession.
I declare that I have a more sure Word of prophecy authorizing me with the right and commission to command and enforce obedience in the Name of Jesus, of things in heaven, and things in the earth, and things under the earth to the glory of God the Father. Amen.

For further study, read:
Matthew 9:8, Matthew 16:19, 2 Peter 1:19-21.

Doing the Word.
As part of prayer during the fast, we would be praying for married couples and their marriages. Read and pray in line with the following scriptures; 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13, That their love will abound towards each other. Galatians 4:19, That Christ would be formed in every married man or woman among us. Romans 10:1, Pray for the salvation of the spouses of any Christian that is not saved. Psalm 127:3, That there will be fruitfulness in their union.

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Authority in His Name.

Thursday, January 26th.
Authority in His Name.

“Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.”
Acts 15:14

Our opening scripture lets us know that God has chosen us to represent Him. Those of us who believe in Jesus have been specially chosen by the Father, to bare His authority, His character and His power.

Therefore if you are a Christian reading this today, I want you to know that God has delegated to you the right to use the Name of Jesus. You have the right to command and enforce obedience whenever you use the Name of Jesus.

This was the understanding that Peter had which gave him the result he had in Acts 3:6, Peter said to the lame man, “… Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.” Then the Bible records what Peter did next which shows us his confidence in the Name of Jesus in Acts 3:7-8, “And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and  leaping, and praising God.”

Confession.
I am a believer and not a doubter, therefore I declare that in the authority of the Name of Jesus, nothing shall be impossible unto me. I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me. Amen.

For further study, read:
Acts 3:16, Acts 4:9-13, Acts 4:29-31.

Doing the Word.
As part of your fast, we would be praying for our children. Read; Isaiah 54:13-14, That they will all know the Lord from an early age. That they are preserved from all terror and oppression. Isaiah 26:6, That God will keep them all in peace. Psalm 91:10-12, That God will give his angels charge of them to keep them from all evil and danger in all their ways.

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Finding God's perfect will.

Wednesday, January 25th.
Finding God's perfect will.

“Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.”                
Acts 13:1-2

Prior to the time that the Lord spoke these words concerning Paul and Barnabas in our opening scripture, Paul has already been in the ministry for close to thirteen years. Yet the Lord said, “Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.”

So, being engaged in Church does not mean that you are already in God's perfect will for your life. For instance, you can have a talent in music, but that does not mean that you should be in the choir. For example, I can sing but I am not in the choir.

That was the same thing Saul experienced, he had been in the ministry teaching the Word of God, yet the Holy Ghost said, “Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.” Therefore, even though he had been in the ministry for thirteen years, he was not doing exactly what God wanted him to do.

Have you discovered exactly what God wants to do with your life? Have you discovered God's perfect will for your life? If you haven't, I encourage you to ask the Lord to reveal it to you in this season and be sensitive to the voice of God's Spirit even as you do.

Prayer.
Dear Father, I acknowledge that you created me and knew me before I was born. Today, I ask that you give unto me the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of your perfect will and purpose for my life, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

For further study, read:
Jeremiah 1:5, Galatians 1:15-16, Romans 8:28-29.

Doing the Word.
As part of your prayer during the fast, read the following scriptures and pray in line with them for our Man of God, Psalm 92:10, for a fresh anointing. Isaiah 11:2, for the seven spirits of God. Ephesians 3:16, for supernatural strength and ability. 2 Corinthians 12:12, for signs and wonders to be wrought through him.

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Getting more from fasting.

Tuesday, January 24th.
Getting more from fasting.

 “As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.”
Acts 13:2

From our opening scripture, we see that fasting and prayer will make you sensitive to divine timing. For instance the Bible says as they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, God spoke to them concerning Paul and Barnabas instructing that they should be separated for the ministry to which He has called them. So as a result of their participation in the time of prayer and fasting in the Church at Antioch God's perfect will for their lives was revealed to them.

Are you aware that your prayer life influences your will? This is why as you spend time praying in the Spirit in other tongues, you are strengthening your spirit to dominate your will. This is why there has to be consistency in your prayer life. Not that you pray today and then for the next three weeks you will not pray anymore. Your lack of consistency will not help you produce the required result.

To be a seasoned Christian, you will need to have a seasoned prayer life and a seasoned study life. For instance, when you read this devotional, to get the best out of it, do not just stop at reading the devotional alone, also read the scriptures for further study from your Bible, then also use a reference Bible to cross reference the scriptures you read and also do an in-depth study of the subject for the month. This will make you a good student of the scriptures.

Prayer.
Dear Father, I ask that you grant unto me the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of you, thank you for the eyes of my understanding is enlightened to know the hope of your calling and the riches of the glorious inheritance in the saints even as I fast and pray, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

For further study, read:
Acts 13:3, Ezra 8:21-23, Esther 4:15-17.

Doing the Word.
As part of your prayers for the fast, read the following scriptures and use it to pray for our media ministry, Colossians 4:3-4, that new doors are open to us. Luke 21:15, that the message is going forth unhindered. Romans 10:17-18, that the message will minister faith in them that hear it. Mark 16:20, that the message is confirmed with signs following.

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Fasting is a Christian responsibility.

Monday, January 23rd.
Fasting is a Christian responsibility.

“Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.”
Matthew 4:1-2.

From our opening scripture, we see Jesus; who is God in the flesh, been led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness to fast. If Jesus had to fast, then how much more you. Think about it. Some people will say, “I could not fast, there was a way my body was doing, and I just opted out, even God understands.” He does. That is why you are stuck where you are, and have not been able to make progress ever since, because you have not learned to follow instructions.

Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness to fast. So, the Holy Ghost can lead you to fast. Someone may want to ask, “If God is all powerful, why do we have to fast?” Such a question is like saying, “If God is all powerful, why does He not bath me or brush my mouth for me?” You have to understand that you have your part and He has His own part. He will not do your part for you. It is solely your responsibility. It is when you walk in obedience, that you will see His Power at work in your life.

This is your part in the covenant; this is your role in the covenant. There is God's part, and there is your part. He has asked you to fast. Why? He wants to position you for what He has prepared for you. He wants you to be prepared for your destiny.

God will always require you to keep on preparing from time to time because you will never get to a place where you say, “I have fully known and experienced all of God.” No. The more you know Him, the more you want to know Him because God is big. Whenever you get to one glorious phase in your walk with God, you will discover that something greater lies ahead. That is why you must keep preparing yourself as new wineskins, ready for the Master's use and prepared for every good work.

Prayer.
Dear Father, I thank you for you are the one at work in me both to will and to do of your good pleasure. Thank you for as I have separated myself to do according to your leading in this season, may all the blessings and the rewards you have set apart for me come to me by free course, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

For further study, read:
1 Corinthians 7:5, 2 Corinthians 6:5,
2 Corinthians 11:27.

Doing the Word.
As part of your prayer during the fast, read and pray with the following scriptures for yourself, Galatians 4:19, Ephesians 1:17, Ephesians 3:16, Philippians 1:9, Colossians 1:9.

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Sunday, January 22nd.
 “Yea, the LORD will answer and say unto his people, Behold, I will send you corn, and wine, and oil, and ye shall be satisfied therewith: and I will no more make you a reproach among the heathen: But I will remove far off from you the northern army, and will drive him into a land barren and desolate, … Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the LORD will do great things. … Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month.  And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the fats shall overflow with wine and oil. And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you. And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed.  And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed. And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:  And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.”  Joel 2:19-29.

I want you to know that as we fast like this, prosperity is restored, lost years are restored, lack and unfruitfulness is taken out of our lives, shame is removed from our lives, and it also brings a fresh outpouring of the Spirit upon our lives.

I heard about Jerry Falwell, who needed to buy a five thousand hectare of land. Not knowing any other way by which he was going to get the money, he decided to go on a fast and God provided the money.

Confession.
I thank you dear Father, for there is no disadvantage in my life. I thank you for as I fast, restoration is released into every area of my life where there has been a loss. The wasted years are being restored. Thank you Father for restoration in my finances and productivity in every area of my life, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

For further study, read:
Isaiah 65:21-24, Amos 9:13-15, Malachi 3:10-12.

Doing the Word.
We will be praying for Church today, please read and pray in line with Exodus 1:7, Psalm 105:24, Acts 6:7 and Jeremiah 30:19

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Fasting can avert evil.

Saturday, January 21st.
Fasting can avert evil.

“And it came to pass, when Ahab heard those words, that he rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his flesh, and fasted, and lay in sackcloth, and went softly.”
1 Kings 21:27.

Fasting is so important. Do you know that through fasting you can reverse a negative sentence? Do you know that through fasting you can reverse the consequences of certain terrible things that should have come upon you, your family, or your community and even upon your nation?

That is exactly what Ahab did in 1 Kings 21:17-29. God sent Elijah the Prophet to Ahab to prophesy to him that judgement will come upon his house. Then Ahab humbled himself and fasted. When he did, God stayed the judgement that would have come upon him till the days of his son because he fasted. As wicked as Ahab was, when he humbled himself and fasted, God spared him and decided to bring judgement upon Ahab's house after his death.

So, when you fast, know that you may just be averting some kind of evil from your life or the lives of your loved ones. We also see that when Cornelius was fasting, he saw a vision that he should send for Peter who will tell him words by which he will be saved (Acts 11:13-14). When Peter came and was delivering the Words of salvation, Cornelius and his whole house was saved (Acts 10:30-48). So, we see that fasting is not just one of the religious practices of Christians, it can change your life and reverse any negative sentence against you, your family, your nation, etc.

Prayer.
Father of mercies, I pray that every evil is averted from my life. I pray that every negative sentence against me, any member of my family and this nation is reversed at this time, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

For further study, read:
Esther 4:1-17, Esther 5:1-6, Esther 6:1-13,         Esther 7:1-10, Esther 8:1-8.

Doing the Word.
As part of your prayer for the fast today, we will pray for the nation. Pray in line with the following scriptures, 2 Chronicles 7:14, that God will heal our nation. Isaiah 60:18, for peace in all places of unrest in our nation. Zechariah 10:1, for the outpouring of the spirit upon all men and people groups in this nation leading to their salvation. Psalm 122:7, for peace and prosperity to reign within and outside the borders of our nation.

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Your prayer life counts.

Friday, January 20th.
Your prayer life counts.

“Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith. But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.”            
2 Thessalonians 3:1-3

There is such a thing as a prayer covering or prayer protection. This is because prayer can avert evil from happening to you. For instance, there was a time I sensed a strong call to prayer for someone but I did not know who exactly was in danger. After I sent out text messages to some of our leaders to pray that night, one of them called me back later to thank me saying; he was glad he was a part of this ministry because his brother was coming back from Abuja that night and they had an accident but his brother was preserved and he was glad we prayed.

If you ever find out that you are having a very strong urgency to pray or fast, know there is a reason for it. It is capable of effecting a change in heaven. Revelations 5:8 tells us that our individual prayers come before the Father, “And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.”

The question I will like to ask you today is this: Is your prayer in those vials carried by the twenty four elders in heaven? Is your prayer there? Or all the prayers you have ever prayed in this life are for yourself. Is all your prayers directed to you and your needs alone? Do you only pray the ‘O God bless me’, ‘O God give me a husband’, ‘O God give me a job’ kind of prayer alone? Those are selfish prayers. Those are not the kind of prayers been presented here by the elders in heaven. The kind of prayers that are being presented here are prayers that are directed towards bringing the plan of God into manifestation on earth. Such prayers are like the prayers made by Daniel - See Daniel 9:1-23.

Prayer.
Dear Father, I pray that your will be established on the earth leading to the salvation of souls. May the Word of the Lord have free course and be glorified wherever it is preached today all around the world with signs following, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

For further study, read:
Luke 10:2, Romans 15:30-31, Colossians 4:3-4.

Doing the Word.
As part of your prayer during the fast today, we are going to pray for laborers in line with Matthew 9:37-38, 2 Corinthians 8:1-5,1 Chronicles 12:22 and Haggai 1:14.  

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Praying in agreement.

Thursday, January 19th.
Praying in agreement.

“Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.”
Matthew 18:19.

From our opening scripture, Jesus is saying to us that if any two of us on earth shall agree concerning anything, it shall be done by His Father in heaven. That word agreement is from the Greek word 'sumphoneo.' It means to make one sound, and the word 'done' in our opening scripture, is from the Greek word 'ginomai.' It means it shall spring into being. This means, when we come together in agreement with one heart, making one sound to God on any matter, God ensures that the thing which we are asking about springs into being even if it does not exist before.

In other words, God is saying to us that He has given us such power that releases God's creative ability. There is the true story of a boy who was born without a hip bone. His mother brought the boy who could not walk to the Man of God and told him, “Do the praying, and I will do the believing. So the Man of God prayed for the boy in agreement with her and she believed. The next day, the boy that was born without a hip socket was walking. Science may have said, this is impossible, but God is saying, that if you believe, nothing shall be impossible. Every Christian has sovereign power. That is why God wants to raise us in His Word so we can use the authority He has given unto us well.

Prayer.
Dear Father, I commit my heart to the fidelity of your Word. I believe that your Word is true and it is yes and Amen in my life always, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

For further study, read:
Acts 1:14, Acts 4:24-31, Acts 12:5-17.

Doing the Word.
As part of your prayer for the fast read Psalm 37:5 and then ensure that you write out all your goals for the year and then pray over them, committing them to the Lord.

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Take prayer seriously.

Wednesday, January 18th.
Take prayer seriously.

“And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint”
Luke 18:1

From our opening scripture, we see that every believer is called to pray and not to give up or quit. The Bible tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, “Pray without ceasing.” In other words, do not stop praying. The Bible tells us to pray on all occasions. This means that as a believer you ought to take every time of prayer seriously.

Psalm 141:2 says, “Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.” Therefore be conscious that you are performing a spiritual service to the Father every time you pray, so take it seriously.

Revelations 8:3 says, “And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.” This shows us that our prayers are offered to the Father as incense. But if you do not have time for prayer or you do not take times of prayer seriously, will your prayer be part of the prayers in the golden censer?

So be conscious knowing that every time you are praying, something spiritual is taking place. Don't trivialize or miss corporate prayer, be it in a church service or in other small group meetings or gathering of believers. When we pray in such corporate assemblies with other believers, there are angels there ready to receive those prayers and mix it with incense to offer to the Father.

Prayer.
Dear Father, I thank you for the sanctifying influence of your Spirit on my life that enables me to pray the will of the Father on every issue. I thank you Father for my prayers ascend unto you as incense sanctified of the Holy Spirit, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

For further study, read:
Psalm 5:3, Psalm 55:17, Proverbs 15:8, Mark 1:35, Revelations 5:8

Doing the Word.
As part of the prayer during the fast, we would be praying and laying claims on new territories today. Please read and pray with; Psalm 2:8, for the salvation of souls wherever we embark on an outreach. 1 Thessalonians 2:18, stand against every satanic hindrance to the work. Acts 19:20, that the message will prevail everywhere we preach it. Acts 11:21, that the hand of the Lord will be with us in all our outreaches leading to souls been saved and added to the work.

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Fasting and prayer.

Tuesday, January 17th.
Fasting and prayer.

“… give yourselves to fasting and prayer …”  1 Corinthians 7:5

Do you know that fasting and prayer is part of your Christian service? Some Christians do not fast unless there is a call to fast in their Churches. But God can actually instruct you to pray and fast concerning His work on the earth or even in your nation.

There are many things that God wants to do in this nation, He might not be able to do them or He might be able to, depending on the prayer of saints. This is why I always ask Christians, “Do you pray?” Do you have a personal prayer time or prayer life? Do you have it? If you don't, then you need to start that prayer discipline now because there are certain things that God wants to do for you that will require your own subscription to the prayer discipline.

Do you know that Jesus the Son of God had to spend time praying concerning His resurrection? You will see that in Hebrews 5:7, the Bible says, “Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared”

If Jesus had to pray, how much more us. So, you cannot just sit down at home watching movies and serious matters about your life are passing being unattended to. It is time for you to subscribe to the discipline of prayer and fasting too.

Prayer.
Thank you dear Father for your grace is released abundantly towards me to faithfully offer my service of fasting and prayer to you. As I fast and pray, I am open to the Spirit to pray through me and to receive guidance and instructions from you in this season, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

For further study, read:
Daniel 9:3, Luke 2:37, Acts 10:30, Acts 13:1-3.

Doing the Word.
Also, as part of your prayers during the fast we would be praying for the church; please read and pray with Acts 2:47, for daily additions of those God has given to us. Acts 4:30, for the miraculous to be evident in our services and meetings. Romans 15:31, for favour and acceptance of the ministry by all men in every place. Colossians 4:3-4, that every means and strategy we employ in reaching out to the lost will be effective and productive.

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You can minimize your mistakes.

Monday, January 16th.
You can minimize your mistakes.

“And the men took of their victuals, and asked not counsel at the mouth of the LORD. And Joshua made peace with them, and made a league with them, to let them live: and the princes of the congregation sware unto them.”
Joshua 9:14-15.

In our opening scripture, we see Joshua making a covenant of peace with those whom God has commanded the children of Israel to destroy because he did not ask counsel of the Lord. This shows us that if we will learn to pray and seek counsel from God, we would minimize our mistakes.

There was a time I was praying in Church and God spoke to me concerning the church and concerning certain individuals. He said, “Some persons are opportunist, be careful of such persons.” You as an individual must also take that word seriously and be mindful and careful of such persons who just want to take advantage of you. It will help you to minimize your mistakes.

These Gibeonites that came to Joshua were opportunist. They told Joshua they had come from a far country and Joshua followed what he saw instead of asking counsel from God. He hastily made a covenant with the people God said he should kill. And now, because he made the covenant of peace with them, he could not kill them anymore. If he kills them, he will be going against his covenant and God will come against him. What a dilemma he found himself in. Moses had previously warned them that if they do not kill those God had instructed them to kill; they will be pricks in their eyes and thorns in their flesh.

This is one of the reasons it is important you fast, because at such times, your spirit becomes quiet and more sensitive to hear from God. Fasting is not a time for you to spend the whole day sleeping. You will get nothing from your fast that way. It is a time to pray, study and meditate on the Word of God and let God give you directions for your life. This will save you from making costly mistakes in the future. Ask Him to grant you wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him so that the eyes of your understanding will be enlightened.

Prayer.
Dear Father, I ask that you fill me with the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of you. I also ask that you fill me with the knowledge of your will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

For further study, read: Proverbs 3:5-6, 1 Samuel 30:7-8, 2 Samuel 2:1, 2 Samuel 5:19, 23-25.

Doing the Word.
Read 1 Chronicles 12:32 and pray that God will grant unto you and all leaders in the Body of Christ especially in this nation, an understanding of the times, so that they would know what the Church and the nation ought to do in these times.

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Fasting prepares you.

Sunday, January 15th.
Fasting prepares you.

“And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.”          
Acts 13:3

This shows us that fasting prepares us for God's work. So during fasting, give it your whole attention and focus, and expect God to talk to you. Fasting prepares you for the great work God has ahead of you.

Acts 13.3 says, “And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.” If fasting was important to the life of the early church, it should also be important to us now.

In Acts 27, the Bible tells us of Paul and others that were been taken to Rome. The journey was during the period of the Atonement when the Jews fasted. Paul the Apostle took part in this fast and then in verse 33 and 34 of Acts 27, after fasting for fourteen more days because of fear for their lives, because the ship was in danger, Paul spoke to the men saying, “… This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing. Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you.”

These men fasted for fourteen days, and then, during those days, an angel of the Lord appeared to Paul letting  him know that his life and the lives of everyone in the ship with him would be preserved. (See Acts 27:22-25). This means that when we fast, we are not only preparing ourselves for what God has ahead of us, we are also clearing out of the way all danger and misfortune that are ahead of us.

We are presently fasting as God has instructed us. As we are fasting, He will be imparting every one of us who has heeded the call to fast. He would spare them and the members of their families from all evil. This fast is also positioning us rightly for the year. So, you need to take it seriously and get in the flow if you have not started yet.

Prayer.
Dear Father, I thank you for I am rightly been positioned by your Spirit for multiplied impact through my life during and after the period of this fast, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

For further study, read:
Acts 13:1-3, Acts 14:23, Luke 4:1-14.

Doing the Word.
Confess the Word of God in agreement to what has been spoken over your life.
Also, as part of your prayer for today, read         1 Timothy 1:18 and then specifically read and pray in line with the prophecies that has been given concerning us this year.

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You have special attention.

Saturday, January  14th.
You have special attention.

“And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.”
John 16:23

Our opening scripture lets us know that when we pray in the Name of Jesus, we receive special attention from God, because Jesus said “… Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.” This means that the Father will take pleasure in giving it to you.

I want you to know today that whenever you pray in the Name of Jesus, it excites God to answer your prayer. The moment you say, “Father in the Name of Jesus …” That prayer, gets God special attention. That is why Jesus said, “… Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.”  
Therefore, I encourage you to do what the Bible says in John 6:24, “… ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.” So, whenever you mention the Name of Jesus, know that you have special attention before the Father.

As you pray in the Name of Jesus today, know that God is obligated to answer your prayer, so expect a positive outcome because Jesus said, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.”
Matthew 7:7-8.

Instruction.
Today's devotional shows you that according to the Word of God, if you believe, you  will receive all that you ask for today in the Name of Jesus - So go ahead and make your demand in the Name of Jesus.

For further study, read:
John 14:13-14, John 16:26-27, Philippians 2:9-11.

Doing the Word.
As part of your prayer for the fast, pray for you and your  family with the following scriptures, Psalm 79:11, that they are all exempted from untimely or premature death. Ephesians 1:17, for wisdom to be given to them in the knowledge of God. Colossians 4:12, that they will fulfill God’s will for their lives this year.   1 Chronicles 4:10, that the blessing will rest upon all that they do and cause them to make visible progress this year.

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God already answered.

Friday, January 13th.
God already answered.

“We don't have a priest who is out of touch with our reality… ”
Hebrews 4:15(MSG)

Our opening scripture is letting us know that Jesus can be touched by our weaknesses and He understands what we may be going through. Sometimes some people pray and say, “O God, if only you know what I am going through, you would have done something.” They blame God for their problems as though it is God's fault.

I would like to share this analogy with you: For instance, let’s say you called me and told me you needed a hundred thousand naira and I paid it into your account. When I called to let you know that the money has already been paid into your account you didn't pick up your phone. As a result, you called me back later weeping and crying to tell me how you really needed the money, and to say that if I had really loved you I would have done something about it. But then I replied and told you that I had already paid the money you needed into your account. At the moment you hear that I have already paid the money into your account, you will immediately stop crying and go and withdraw the money. But if when you called me I was not reachable, you would start saying that I am wicked because you did not know that when you asked I responded immediately and paid the money into your account. You will go and continue to complain even to others that you told me about your problem but I did not do anything about it. But the truth is that I had already done something about it but you did not know and you could not go and withdraw it because you have not been able to get through to me.

That is the same way the prayer lives of many are. They have not been able to get through to God; therefore they are yet to receive what they have asked for in prayer because they lack knowledge. You get through to God through His Word which will give you faith which is your assurance and the title deed for all that you have desired of the Lord.

Prayer.
 Dear Father, I thank you for your Word to me today that has enlightened me to know that you have already answered all my previous prayers. Right now I release my faith to lay hold on all the answers to my prayers. Thank you Father for all the benefits you have for me are all coming to me by free course today, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

For further study, read:
 Hosea 4:6, John 11:41-42, Philippians 4:6-7.

Doing the Word.
Take time out through the day to thank the Father for His answers instead of complaining.
Also, as part of your prayer for the fast read and pray with 2 Thessalonians 3:1, Acts 19:20, Colossians 4:2-4, Mark 16:20 for the spread of the gospel.

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Your household can be saved.

Thursday, January 12th.
Your household can be saved.

 “Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.”
Jonah 1:17

God spoke to me some years ago, saying, “A three day fast can bring about a household salvation.” The first person God brought to my heart to prove that was Jonah. Jonah was in the belly of the fish, for three days and three nights. This means, he also did not eat for three days and three nights (See Jonah 2:1-10). He stayed in the belly of the fish for three days and three nights.

When Jonah came into Nineveh in Jonah 3, an entire city went on a fast and repented because the man that was preaching came out from a fast. When the people of Nineveh (men, women, children including animals) came out of their own fast. What happened? The judgment that was supposed to come on them because of their sins was averted (See Jonah 3:1-10). So, we see that fasting not only averted the judgment that was to come on the wicked people of Nineveh but it also brought about their salvation.

It is also important for you to understand these things because a lot of people are fasting but because they do not know what their fasting can accomplish for them, they do not reap the full benefits of their fast. If only they knew that a three day dry fast can lead to a household salvation, they would have fasted. So, instead of wondering why certain members of your family are not saved, I will encourage you to go on a fast for their salvation.
Why is it important to fast for your family's salvation? It is important because, if you believe there is hell, then such a sacrifice is worth it for your family to be saved if you truly love them. The proof of love is the ability to sacrifice for the one you love.
If your cell or your Church is not growing, try the three day dry fasting. Someone may say, “Pastor I am scared.” Then know that, “You are unqualified to lead a people you cannot die for.” A three day fast will not only help you spiritually, it will help to flush out all the toxins in your body, and it will make your skin better. These are Biblical principles for producing the change we desire.

Prayer.
Dear Father, I ask today, for the salvation of every member of my family. I pray that conviction will come upon every member of my family that is not saved, and that the light of the glorious gospel of Jesus would shine upon their hearts, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

For further study, read:
2 Chronicles 20:2-3, Ezra 8:21-23.

Doing the Word.
Read Joshua 24:15 then call the names of members of your household that are not saved and then pray for their salvation.

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How to fast.

Wednesday, January 11th.
How to fast.

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”
Matthew 16:24

In fasting, you deny the flesh. There must be sacrifice involved. But sadly, what most people call a fast is just a rest of their flesh until a certain time. They keep all their food that they would have eaten from morning till later in the day when they break their fast. That is not the kind of fast God wants us to fast.

When you fast, you ought to be expecting and longing for an encounter with God, and not for food. In your fast, your attention should be on God and His Word and not on food. You ought to give time to prayer and the study of the Word of God because you want to hear God's voice. There ought to be a strong desire to receive revelations from God's Spirit. So, when you fast, you ought to separate yourself from all distractions so that your heart will be more attentive to God's voice.

In Matthew 6:16, Jesus shows us how to fast, He said, “Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.” In other words, the reason why you do something decides your reward for that thing.

So, if you fast so that people would know that you are fasting, you get your reward the moment they know. But if you fast because of a strong passion to have an encounter with God and to be transformed, you will get it.
Jesus said in Matthew 6:17-18, “But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;  That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.” This is different from the way they fasted in the Old Testament. In the Old Testament, when they fasted, they wore sack cloth and ashes. We don't fast like that anymore. Instead of putting ashes on your head, Jesus tells you to anoint your head with oil. He tells you to look good during your fast. Wash your face. Knowing that God who sees in secret will reward you openly.

Prayer.
Dear Father, I ask that as I fast the Word way, I ask for an encounter with you that will completely transform my life and adequately prepare me for all that you have in store for me this year, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

For further study, read:
Colossians 3:23-24, Acts 10:30-33, Acts 13:1-3.

Doing the Word.
Write down a definite expectation for your fast.    Also, as part of prayer during your fast, read and pray with Colossians 1:9, Colossians 4:12, 1 Chronicles 12:32 and Psalm 90:12 that God will give you clarity in His will for your life this year.

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What is your motive?

Tuesday,  January 10th.
What is your motive?

“And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.”
Matthew 6:5

From our opening scripture it is obvious that your motive in prayer is what decides your results from prayer. For instance, if you are praying loud so that others can hear how well you pray, you have your reward because they have heard you pray. Also, if you are singing in worship to God so that others can hear how well you can sing, you have your reward because they have heard you singing.

Therefore, your reward for praying is determined by your motive in prayer. In other words, if you are praying so that you will get noticed when you pray Jesus said you have your reward for that prayer because you have been noticed. So if there is anything you are doing in Church or for the Lord just so you can be noticed, the moment you are noticed you get your reward. So it matters why you do what you do.

Someone may decide to go on a fast by himself and  then go about telling everyone that he is fasting for seven days so that others may think he is very spiritual. If you have that attitude, Jesus said you have your reward because I know that you are fasting for seven days. At the end of the fast, you would not get any blessing out of it because everyone knows you have fasted for seven days because you wanted them to know so that you can be highly esteemed before them. So what reward will you get from God after such a fast? None.

Therefore, it is important you understand that your motive in prayer matters. It is what will determine your rewards or your results in prayer.

Prayer.
Dear Father, I present myself, my service, my abilities, my dreams, my deeds, and my entire life to you as a living sacrifice. Let it all be acceptable unto you, being sanctified of your Spirit, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

For further study, read:
Matthew 6:1-8, Isaiah 58:3-12, James 4:1-3.

Doing the Word.
If you have been doing things for the wrong motives, repent and start doing what you do for the right motives.
Also, as part of prayer during your fast, read and pray with Ephesians 1:17 and Isaiah 11:2, Ephesians 3:16, Philippians 1:19 for our Man of God.

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What is fasting?

Monday, January 9th.
What is fasting?

“Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.”
Matthew 4:1

Fasting is from the word 'nesteuo' in the Greek. It means to fast. It also means to abstain from food and drink as a religious exercise.

Fasting is also derived from the word 'nestis'. It just means not haven't eaten. It is also from the word 'nesteia'. It is used eight times in the Bible. Seven times it is translated fasting, and once, it is translated feast. In other words, fasting is a spiritual feast.

The word nesteia means, fasting as a religious exercise or as a private practice, or the public fast. The public fast refers to the Jewish fast between September and October which marks the period of atonement.

From our opening text, we see that Jesus our ultimate example was led by the Holy Spirit to fast. Again, in Luke 1:1-2, the Bible says,  “And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered.”

The above scriptures show us that Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit to fast. The Holy Spirit sent Him forth to go and fast. In other words, He fasted because the Holy Spirit told Him to fast. So, the Holy Spirit can also lead us to fast, just as He is leading us to go on a fast for 21 days beginning from today in this month. So, join in the fast and expect an unusual encounter with God's Spirit and the Word of God.

We would be using the next 21 days to pray fervently for our nation, our families, the spread of the gospel, etc. This fast is also a divine instruction by God's Spirit to prepare us for this year. Join us to take responsibility for the future of this nation and the year 2017.

Prayer.
Dear Father, as I begin today to fast and pray in obedience to your instruction to us, I thank you for a release of the Spirit of grace and supplication to me and every one that will be participating in this fast each day, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

For further study, read:
Exodus 34:28, Deuteronomy 9:18-19, Luke 5:33-35.

Doing the Word.
Read 1Timothy 2:1-4. Then pray for the Political leaders (The Presidents, Governor's and their Cabinet members, the Legislator's and members of the Judiciary) in this nation that the fear of God will be upon their heart. Also pray that they will come to know the Lord and be born again.

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The devil is your subject.

Sunday,  January 8th.
The devil is your subject.

“And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.”
Luke 10:17

Satan is subject to the believer in the Name of Jesus according to the Bible in our opening scripture. This is because satan is ranked under each and every believer.

For instance in the army, if you had one thousand privates, and one general: the general is still greater than all the privates put together. Though physically, they may all be able to overpower him, but he has authority over them all based on his rank, and that authority has to be respected.

In the same way, Jesus sent out the seventy in our opening scripture, and they returned again with joy and said, “…Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.” This shows us that all devils are arranged under us to obey us in the Name of Jesus.

Please make this confession out loud; “No devil shall be able to resist the command I make in the  Name of Jesus.” You need to know that and be confident in that authority. No devil can resist the command you make in the Name of Jesus. Say this again out loud; “The devil is subject unto me in the Name of Jesus.”

The devil is your subordinate through the Name of Jesus. So it is time for you to stand in your authority and start commanding the devil to stop in all his maneuvers against you and all that has to do with you in the Name of Jesus.

Prayer.
Dear Father, based on the authority of your word, I command the devil and all his cohorts to stop in all his maneuvers against me, my family, my ministry, and all that has to do with me right now, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

For further study, read:
James 4:7, Ephesians 6:10-17, 1 Peter 5:8-9.

Doing the Word.
The devil is ranked under you, cast him out.

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You have a blank cheque.

Saturday,  January 7th.
You have a blank cheque.

“And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.”
John 16:23

Our opening scripture reveals to us in Jesus' own words that we do not pray to Him, instead He tells us to pray to the Father in His Name. We love Jesus, we fellowship with Him, we honour Him, but we pray to the Father.

Jesus said, “Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.” That is a blank cheque Jesus has given to us before the Father. There was a time my wife and I made a list to the Father because I figured out that it is important to be specific when making your demands to the Father. For the Father to provide for your needs He must know exactly what you want. For instance, if you don't know my school fees, then how can you pay my school fees?

So, in order for my wife and me to be specific in our asking, we made a list of all the things we needed and we prayed over it in agreement. In less than two weeks after that day, I travelled to Benin and I ministered there to the brethren. On a Thursday during those meetings, I was speaking on the great commission not on giving, but God spoke to a lady to go to the market and she bought everything that we wrote down on our list to the Father. How did she know? Jesus said, “Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.” God is not a respecter of persons. Therefore I encourage you to be specific as you ask in faith today and you will get the same results.

Prayer.
Dear Father I believe I receive all that I will ask for today in the Name of Jesus according to the Words of Jesus which says, “Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.” So shall it be in Jesus' Name. Amen.

For further study, read:
Matthew 7:7-11, John 14:13-14, John 16:23-24.

Doing the Word.
Therefore, with this understanding, put your faith to work today and make a list of all that you need and thank Him for meeting it.

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A right to the Name.

Friday, January 6th.
A right to the Name.

“Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.”
Acts 19:13

Today, I will like you to notice that these men in our opening scripture who went about casting out devils were not believers. The Bible calls them vagabond Jews. So because they were not born again, they did not have the right to use the Name of Jesus like those of us who are born again in Christ.

As a result of the illegal use of the Name of Jesus by these men, the Bible says in Acts 19:15-16, “And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.”

Now the story is different for every born again child of God. It does not matter how many years ago you got born again, even if you just got born again yesterday, you still have absolute authority in the Name of Jesus over every devil because that Name has been given to every child of God. So be confident as you use that Name because all devils will surely obey you. The Bible says concerning you in 1 John 4:4, “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”

Confession.
I declare that greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world. I have been born of God, therefore I have overcome the world and I have a right to use the Name of Jesus to command and enforce obedience over all devils, principalities and all powers. Amen.

For further study, read:
Matthew 12:17-30, Mark 16:17-18, Luke 9:1,
Luke 10:17.

Doing the Word.
Fear no evil; you have the Name of Jesus.

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Pray based on the Word.

Thursday, January 5th.
Pray based on the Word.

“And Jacob said, O God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac, the LORD which saidst unto me, Return unto thy country, and to thy kindred, and I will deal well with thee:”
Genesis 32:9

I want you to notice from our opening scripture in the prayer of Jacob that he begins his prayer by bringing God's Word back to Him. He said, “…the LORD which saidst unto me, Return unto thy country, and to thy kindred, and I will deal well with thee:” This is the right way to pray, but for some people, when they want to pray, all they do is tell God about all their needs or problems without bringing to Him His Word and then they wonder why they do not seem to get answers every time.

There are protocols or principles in respect to prayer that we need to observe. Jacob said in his prayer, “…the LORD which saidst unto me, Return unto thy country, and to thy kindred, and I will deal well with thee:” This shows us that in prayer, we ought to pray base on the Word of God.

Therefore, no matter what you want to pray about and how much you desire that thing, you must pray based on the Word of God. So get the Word of God first about that issue, because it is that Word that will give you confidence when you pray.

Prayer.
Dear Father, I thank you because your Word is producing in my life what it talks about. I thank you because I am daily been transformed into the image that I see in the Word of God from glory to glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

For further study, read:
Nehemiah 1:8-11, Psalm 119:49-50, Hosea 14:2.

Doing the Word.
Find out what the Word of God says concerning the challenge that you have and use those scriptures in praying to the Father.

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What are you saying?

Wednesday, January 4th.
What are you saying?

“I create the fruit of the lips; …”
Isaiah 57:19

Do you know that it is what you are saying that God is going to create for you? He has given you the authority to determine whatsoever you want with your mouth. Your mouth can hinder what God seeks to do in your life, and your mouth could also release you into what God has ordained to happen in your life.

For instance, when God was bringing the children of Israel from Egypt to the Promised Land, most of them kept on confessing that they were going to die in the wilderness. They even accused God of bringing them into the wilderness to kill them.  As a result of their confession that they were going to die in the wilderness, God said to them in Numbers 14:27-30, “How long shall I bear with this evil congregation, which murmur against me? I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur against me. Say unto them, As truly as I live, saith the LORD, as ye have spoken in mine ears, so will I do to you: Your carcases shall fall in this wilderness; and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward, which have murmured against me, Doubtless ye shall not come into the land, concerning  Which I sware to make you dwell therein, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun.”

They died in the wilderness as they had always confessed, but it was not God's will for them to die there. His will was to bring them into the Promised Land, but they died in the wilderness because they refused to agree with God with their confession. Therefore, no matter what God has determined for your life, if you are standing against it with your words, you will not see it happen. I encourage you even as you are beginning a New Year to maintain a good confession consistent with what God has said concerning you.

Confession.
In the Name of Jesus, I declare that God's Word to me is true. No matter how I feel, no matter what I see, no matter what I hear. I choose to believe the Word of God. His Word is perfect, all His ways are just and He is ever faithful and true to me. There shall not fail any of His good word to me. I believe that it shall be unto me as He had said. Amen.

For further study, read:
Matthew 12:35-37, 1 Timothy 1:18-19,
1 Timothy 6:12.

Doing the Word.
Always keep your confessions in line with the Word of God.

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Call God Father.

Tuesday, January 3rd.
Call God Father.

“These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.”
 John 17:1-5

Our opening scripture is a part of the prayer by Jesus in John 17. Reading this prayer lets you see prayer more as a conversation with God based on His Word. Jesus spoke to the Father as though he was speaking to someone sitting right beside Him. You would also notice that when Jesus prayed, He did not pray saying, “Oh God,” but rather He repeatedly addressed God as 'Father'. That is how every one of us ought to pray. Therefore, call God Father when you pray.

In John 11:41-42, Jesus prayed before the tomb of Lazarus saying, “…Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always …” Jesus is showing us here that if we ask any thing according to God's will, we should consider it done. So be confident when you pray knowing that God; your heavenly Father hears you always.

Prayer.
Dear Father, I thank you because my love is increasing and abounding more and more in knowledge and in all judgment. I thank you for I approve things that are excellent and I remain sincere and without offence till the day of Christ, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

For further study, read:
Ephesians 1:16-17, Ephesians 3:14-16,
Colossians 1:3.

Doing the Word.
Whenever you pray always learn to address God as Father.

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Have confidence in the Name.

Monday, January 2nd.
Have confidence in the Name.

“And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.”
Acts 3:16          

In our opening scripture today, we see Peter the apostle testifying concerning the healing of the lame man at the beautiful gate. He testified to those who were amazed by the miracle that was done. He made them know that it was through faith alone the lame man was made strong and had perfect soundness.

Why is it important for every one of us to understand this? It is important because there are some Christians who erroneously depend on their own power and ability when praying for others. In other words, their focus when praying for others is usually on themselves and not on Jesus. So, they shout, they beg, they cry, so that God can be merciful and hear their prayer and heal. God does not hear you just because you shouted, He hears you because your confidence and faith is in the name of Jesus.

Therefore, I encourage you to put your faith in the power and authority that is in the Name of Jesus. Be confident in your heart that whenever you use the Name of Jesus every devil must obey, because all devils are subject to you in the Name of Jesus. Have such confidence, and do not expect anything less irrespective of how long you have been a Christian. You can get results in the Name of Jesus.

Prayer.
Dear Father, I thank you for your love towards me. I also thank you for the assurance you have given to me in your Word that whatsoever I ask in the Name of Jesus you will do. Thank you Father for the abundant supplies of your grace and your benefits toward me today and always, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

For further study, read:
John 14:13-14, Ephesians 3:12, 1 John 5:14-15.

Doing the Word.
Pray with confidence in the Name of Jesus.

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Praying God's will.

Sunday, January 1st.
 Praying God's will.

“And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:”
1 John 5:14

Today from our opening scripture it is obvious that when we ask any thing according to God's will, he hears us. God's will is revealed to us in His Word. Therefore, when we pray according to the Word of God, He hears us. Praying according to the Word of God, gives us confidence that God will hear us. In other words, God hears you when you pray according to His Word.

In 1 John 5:15, the Bible says, “And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.” Therefore, praying with the Word of God gives us confidence and the guarantee that whatsoever we ask of the Father, we receive of Him. Notice that 1 John 5:15 did not say, 'and we shall have the petitions' but rather it says, “…we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.” What gives us that confidence? It is because we asked according to the Word of God.

Knowing that God hears you when you pray, means that whatever you have desired or requested of Him is as good as done. If He heard you, then your answer is granted. Let this always be your conviction when you pray.

Prayer.
Dear Father, I thank you for this New Year and I know I am guaranteed to get answers to all my prayers whenever I pray in Jesus' Name. Amen.

For further study, read:
Mark 11:22-24, John 15:7, John 16:23-27.

Doing the Word.
As you pray today, thank the Father for His answers.

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