2022 Universal Week of Prayer for 5th and 6th January 2022
DAY 4 - Wednesday 5th of January, 2022
Opening Hymn: A & M 165TOPIC: AUTHORITY TO OVERCOME TEXT: LUKE 10:19, PHIL2:9-11, REV. 12:11
On this fourth day of our reflection, we shall be looking at the topic, "Authority to overcome". What really is the meaning of the word 'Authority? The Greek word exousia translated as an authority in English is the power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience. It is also the right to act in a specified way. Authority is usually given and is expected to be exercised or used.
FIRST THINGS FIRST
Authority is given. No one really exercises authority on his/her own. In our text in Luke 10. Jesus wasn't addressing the crowd. He was having a deep discussion with his disciples. What this implies is that the authority to overcome is not given to just anyone. For anyone who desires to exercise this authority must do the first thing first. A close relationship with the Lord Jesus guarantees the bequeathing of this authority. Jesus wants us to be his disciples first and afterward exercise authority (Mark 3:14). Unfortunately, there are many out there who are not willing to submit to the lordship of Jesus, those who desire to do their own will, yet they want to exercise authority. These people are like the sons of Sceva in Acts 19:11 ff. They have the name of the Lord on their lips, but their hearts are far from him. Philippians 2:9-11 clearly states that knees bow and tongues confess at the name of Jesus. And this is so. The name of Jesus is honored in the spiritual realm. However, more honor is brought to him when the vessel who mentions his name has fully departed from iniquity. The command to become born again can never be over-emphasized.
THE EXERCISE OF AUTHORITY
In Luke 10:19 Jesus said, ''Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and overall the power of the enemy and nothing shall hurt you."
Jesus has given us authority over all the power of the enemy not some of the power. And all means all. Anything the devil employs' against you should be under your control. Have you ever seen the traffic warden at work - controlling vehicular movement? Have you observed that no matter how big a vehicle may be? once the warden raises his hand, the driver brings the vehicle to a halt and can only move again when the warden signals it to move? Why does the driver stop? The driver of the vehicle does not stop because of the warden; he only stops because of what the warden represents. This is the exercise of authority. That is how the Christian should exercise his/her authority in Christ. As a Christian, what you allow in your life or family is what stays. What you do not allow does not stay. The devil only fears who you represent and not you. Your person or personality does not scare him. What scares him, is the person who sent you. Rev 12:11 puts it clearly, "And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death." How did they overcome? By the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony. Which testimony? The testimony of Jesus.
AREAS OF CONCENTRATION
There are three main domains of influence the Christian has received authority to overcome:
1. The World -1 John 2:15-17, James 4:4. The command is to not love the world. Friendship with the world is enmity with. God. We must strive to overcome worldliness. It is easy for a Christian to slide into carnality without knowing it. This is a battle we must fight and win daily.
2. The Flesh - Gal 6: The realm of the flesh is a very powerful domain in spiritual warfare. The flesh here is not really the physical flesh, but what natural human nature desires. Just like the world, we must through the power of the cross mortify the flesh. Col 3:5 instructs us thus, "Put to death, therefore, your members which are upon the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry;"
3. Satan - Satan is our Arch-enemy. He manipulates a lot of things to distort God's original plans of dominion for man. The word of God says we should resist him and he will flee... (James 4:7). This can only happen when we submit ourselves under God. We must not give him a foothold.
As we have begun a new year, let us bear in mind that the Christian life is a constant warfare. However, we need not fear, for Christ Jesus has overcome the world! And the God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
2022 Universal Week of Prayer for Wednesday 5th January 2022
Prayer
WE THANK GOD
- For making us victorious always
WE CONFESS
- Our ignorance and negligence to spiritual matters
WE PRAY
- For grace to always overcome
1. My faith
looks up to Thee,
Thou Lamb of Calvary
Savior divine!
Now hear me while I pray,
Take all my guilt away,
O let me from this day
Be wholly thine!
2. May Thy rich grace impart
Strength to my fainting heart,
My zeal inspire;
As Thou hast died or me,
O may my love to Thee,
Pure, warm and changeless
be
A living fire!
3.While life's dark maze 1 read.
And griefs around
me spread.
Be Thou my guide;
Bid darkness turn
to day.
Wipe sorrow's tears
away,
Nor let me ever
stray
From Thee aside.
4.
When ends life's transient dream
When death's cold, sullen
stream
Shallo'er me roll,
Blest Saviour, then, in
love,
Fear and distrust remove;
O bear me safe above
A ransomed soul! Amen
DAY 5 - Thursday 6th of January, 2022
2022 Universal Week of Prayer for Thursday 6th January 2022 - DAY 5
OPENING HYMN: CNH 772
1. Father who on man dose shower Gift of plenty from your dower To Your people give the power
All
Your gifts to use aright
2. Be with us, Your strength supplying
That with energy supplying
Every foe on man defying
We may rally to the fig!*.
|
3. Give
pure happiness in leisure Temperance in every pleasure Holy
use of earthly treasure Bodies dear and spirit bright.
|
5. Lift from this and every nation
All that brings us degradation
Quell the forces of temptation
Put Your enemies to flight.
6. Father, who have sought and found us
Son of God, whose love has bought us
Blessed Spirit, in us, round us,
Hear us, Godhead infinite. Amen
TOPIC: POSSESSING YOUR POSSESSIONS.
TEXT: OBADIAH 17, PSALM 2:8.
To possess, in this context, means to take charge, to take control, or lay hold of something. Your possessions simply mean what belongs to you. Moreover, in the present-day context, Zion is used to denoting the Church of God (Heb 12:22). The Church of God, as we now refer to the Body of Christ. Therefore, from the text above, Obadiah 17, we see that three principal things are assured through the instrumentality of the Church of God:
1. Deliverance. 2. Holiness.
3. Children of Jacob possessing their possessions.
Therefore, as we have been delivered from sin and powers of darkness (Col 1:13) by believing the Gospel, we should give adequate attention to studying and acting on God's Word so we can discover our possessions, also grow in holiness. (John 15:3, Colossians 3:16 Psalm 119:11). Then, through meditations, prayers of faith, intercessory prayers, and obedience to God's Word, we possess our possessions. Let us pray.
WE THANK GOD
• Thank God for. the possessions
He made available for us in Christ
Jesus.
WE PRAY
•
God to
increase our hunger and thirst for His Word in your heart.
•
God to
help us become more fruitful and active in Zion (Church).
•
Prayer
for the salvation of those who have not believed the Gospel.
•
Pray that
God should anoint you with grace to pray.
CLOSING HYMN: CH 391
1. Who is on the Lord's side?
Who will serve the King?
Who will be y is Helpers?
Other lives to bring
Who will leave the
world's side?
Who will face the foe?
Who is on the Lord's side?
Who for Him will go?
By thy call of mercy,
By Thy grace divine,
We are on the Lord's side,
Savior, we are thine.
2.
Fierce may be the conflict,
Strong
may be the foe,
But
the King's own army
None
can overthrow.
Round
His standard ranging,
'Victory
is secure,
For His truth unchanging
Makes the triumph sure;
Joyfully enlisting
By thy grace divine,
We are o the Lord's side,
Savior, we are Thine.
3. Chosen to be soldiers in
an alien land,
Chosen, called and faitful,
For our captain's band;
In the service royal
Let us not grow cold,
Let us be right loyal
Noble, true, and bold;
Master, Thou wilt keep us,
By Thy grace divine,
Always on the Lord's side,
Savior, we are thine. Amen
