7 - CANONS OF PUBLIC PRAYER
C. H. Spurgeon

First, public prayer should be a matter of the heart.
A man must be really earnest in prayer. You can pardon a man’s familiarities and vulgarities too, when you clearly see that his inmost heart is speaking to his Master, and that it is only the man’s defects of education or experience which create his faults, and not any moral or spiritual vices of his heart. Cast your whole soul into the exercise of public prayer. So pray, that by a divine attraction, you draw the whole congregation up with you to the throne of God. So pray, that by the power of the Spirit, you express the desires and thoughts of every one present, and stand as the one voice for hundreds of beating hearts which are glowing with fervor before God’s throne.

Second, public prayer should be appropriate. There is no need to make the public prayer a gazette of the week’s events, or a register of the births, deaths, and marriage of your people, but the general movements that have taken place in the congregation should be noted by the minister’s careful heart. He should bring the joys and sorrows alike before the throne of grace.

Third, public prayer should not be long.
John Macdonald said, “If you are in the spirit of prayer, do not be long, because other people will not be able to keep pace with you in such unusual spirituality; and if you are not in the spirit of prayer, do not be long, because you will then be sure to weary the listeners.” Ten minutes is the limit to which our public prayer ought to be prolonged.

Fourth, do not use cant phrases.
Be done with these vile things altogether. There should be no grotesque mingling of Scripture texts, alterations of Scripture texts, or abuses of Scriptural truth in prayer. It ought always to be a point of honor among ministers always to quote Scripture directly. Make us of an expression fresh from your own mind, and it will be quite as acceptable to God as a scriptural phrase defaced or clipped. Vehemently strive against garblings and perversions of Scripture, and renounce forever all cant phrases, for the are the disfigurement of free prayer.

Five, vary the order, length, and current of your public prayers.
Vary the order of your prayers, then, for the sake of maintaining attention, and preventing people going through the whole thing as a clock runs on till the weights are down. Also vary the length of your prayers. Do you not think it would be much better if sometimes instead of giving three minutes to the first prayer and fifteen minutes to the second, you have nine minutes to each? Would it not be better sometimes to be longer in the first, and not so long in the second prayer? Finally, vary the current of your prayers. There are many topics which require your attention; the church in its weakness, its backslidings, its sorrows, and its comforts; the outside world, the neighborhood, unconverted hearers, the young people, the nation. Do not pray for all these every time, or otherwise your prayers will be long and probably uninteresting.

Six, keep from all attempts to work up spurious fervor in public devotion.
Do not labor to seem earnest. Pray as your heart dictates, under the leading of the Spirit of God, and if you are dull and heavy tell the Lord so. It will be no ill thing to confess your deadness, and bewail it, and cry for quickening; it will be real and acceptable prayer; but simulated ardor is a shameful form of lying.

Seventh, prepare your prayer.
Proper preparation means solemn consideration beforehand of the importance of prayer, meditation upon the needs of men’s souls, and a remembrance of the promises which we are to plead; and thus coming before the Lord with a petition written upon the fleshly tables of the heart. This is surely better than coming to God at random, rushing before the throne at haphazard, without a definite error or desire.

If we wanted to summarize the canons with adverbs we could say, “Spurgeon exhorts pastors to pray soulfully, appropriately, quickly, authentically, variously, and prepared-ly.”

Spugeon’s conclusion of the lecture is a most fitting place for this post to end:

Let your prayers be earnest, full of fire, vehemence, prevalence. I pray the Holy Ghost to instruct every student of this College so to offer public prayer, that God shall always be served of his best. Let your petitions be plain and heart-felt; and while your people may sometimes feel that the sermon was below the mark, may they also feel that the prayer compensated for all.

God — A Widow’s Trust and Defense

A widow’s smile is not always like every other smile. Behind that smile may be a wound, an untold story, and a depth of grief that human words cannot fully express. There are battles a widow carries within that only God knows.

This is why every widow who is a widow indeed should remember the words of the Lord:

“Leave thy fatherless children, I will preserve them alive; and let thy widows trust in me.”
— Jeremiah 49:11

God sees the widow’s hidden tears, hears her cries, and knows the pain she cannot explain to anyone. Scripture says:

“Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child. If thou afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all unto me, I will surely hear their cry.”
— Exodus 22:22–23

And again:

“A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.”
— Psalm 68:5

Therefore, beware of oppressing, mocking, accusing, or taking advantage of a widow in her grief. Never mistake her silence for weakness or her tears for helplessness. She may appear to stand alone, but she is not alone.

The God who sees her pain is her Defender. The God who hears her cry is her Judge. And when she commits her cause into His hands, heaven is not deaf to her prayers.

Let the widow trust in the Lord. He sees. He hears. He remembers. And He will surely judge righteously.

God's Loving Heart.

Daily Bible Lesson.
WE ASK GOD FOR MORE LIGHT—THEN MAKE EXCUSES WHEN HIS LIGHT REQUIRES CHANGE

“Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice.” — 1 Samuel 15:22

We pray:

“Lord, show me Your will.”

Then His light touches something we love—

our time, appetite, appearance, character, location, or tongue—

and suddenly:

“My situation is different.”
“Everyone does it.”
“I'm not convicted.”

Perhaps our greatest problem is not always lack of light.

IT IS THE HUMAN HEART'S AMAZING ABILITY TO EXPLAIN AWAY THE LIGHT IT DOES NOT WANT TO OBEY.

Jesus asks:

“Why call ye Me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” — Luke 6:46

So here is the question beneath every reform:

ARE WE SEEKING GOD'S WILL—OR ASKING GOD TO APPROVE OURS?

---

① SABBATH REFORM—WHO OWNS YOUR TIME?

THE EXCUSES:

“I have to work.”
“Most Christians worship Sunday.”
“God knows my heart.”

Yes—God knows the heart.

And Jesus says:

“If ye love Me, keep My commandments.” — John 14:15

God's command still reads:

“The seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God.” — Exodus 20:10

Obedience may cost convenience, approval, opportunity—even income.

But faith asks something deeper:

WHAT IS JESUS WORTH?

“We ought to obey God rather than men.” — Acts 5:29

Do not merely argue for the Sabbath.

KNOW THE LORD OF THE SABBATH—and ask Him for faith to walk in His footsteps.

---

② HEALTH REFORM—HAS APPETITE RENAMED ITSELF “NECESSITY”?

THE EXCUSES:

“My body needs it.”
“I've always eaten this way.”
“We're all going to die anyway.”

But this body is not ours to abuse.

“Ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.” — 1 Corinthians 6:20

“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink… do all to the glory of God.” — 1 Corinthians 10:31

Health reform is not salvation by menu.

It is stewardship of a body purchased by Christ.

Inspiration warns of those who “frame excuses and make necessities which have no existence” while resisting health light. — Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 399

What a warning:

APPETITE IS A TERRIBLE COUNSELOR WHEN ASKED TO JUDGE ITS OWN HABITS.

Stop asking only:

“Do I enjoy it?”

Ask:

“WILL THIS KEEP MY BODY AND MIND FIT FOR CHRIST'S SERVICE?”

---

③ DRESS REFORM—WHO ARE WE TRYING TO PLEASE?

THE EXCUSES:

“It's only fashion.”
“God only looks at the heart.”
“I don't want to look different.”

Yes:

“The LORD looketh on the heart.” — 1 Samuel 16:7

And Scripture also calls for:

“Modest apparel.” — 1 Timothy 2:9

The issue is not ugliness.

Not neglect.

Not a religious uniform.

The question is:

WHO IS SHAPING MY APPEARANCE—CHRIST OR THE WORLD?

Christian dress should reflect modesty, simplicity, health, dignity, and good taste without making self the attraction.

CLOTHING CANNOT SAVE THE HEART—BUT THE MASTER OF THE HEART WILL INFLUENCE THE CLOTHING.

Let your appearance quietly testify:

“I BELONG TO CHRIST.”

---

④ CHARACTER REFORM—“THAT'S JUST HOW I AM.”

Perhaps no excuse protects cherished defects more effectively.

Anger becomes “my personality.”
Pride becomes “confidence.”
Bitterness becomes “what they deserve.”

Then comes the universal shield:

“Nobody is perfect.”

True.

But Jesus never made imperfection an excuse for refusing transformation.

“If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature.” — 2 Corinthians 5:17

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 2:5

Christ does not merely forgive us in the old life.

HE BEGINS MAKING US NEW.

“When the character of Christ shall be perfectly reproduced in His people, then He will come to claim them as His own.” — Christ's Object Lessons, p. 69

Stop defending your defect with:

“THAT'S WHO I AM.”

Bring it to Jesus:

“LORD, MAKE ME LIKE YOU.”

---

⑤ LOCATION REFORM—WHY DID INSPIRATION CRY, “OUT OF THE CITIES”?

Here excuses become painfully practical:

“My job is here.”
“My children's opportunities are here.”
“I'll move when everything becomes convenient.”

Yet Inspiration repeatedly urged:

“Out of the cities, out of the cities! This is the message the Lord has been giving me.” — Country Living, p. 29

Why?

Not because soil saves souls.

But country surroundings can favor health, simplicity, useful labor, children learning from nature, greater separation from corrupting influences, and preparation for difficult times.

God's first home for humanity was not a congested metropolis.

“The LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden.” — Genesis 2:8

Abraham lived as a pilgrim.

Lot “pitched his tent toward Sodom.” — Genesis 13:12

Their stories remind us:

LOCATION CANNOT CONVERT THE HEART—BUT ENVIRONMENT CAN POWERFULLY INFLUENCE IT.

Yet Inspiration also counseled:

“Out of the cities; but not a moment before God would have us go.” — Country Living, p. 26

So the message is not:

PANIC AND RUN.

It is:

PRAY.
PREPARE.
SIMPLIFY.
LEARN.
WATCH PROVIDENCE.
AND WHEN GOD OPENS THE WAY—OBEY.

And remember:

YOU CAN LEAVE BABYLON GEOGRAPHICALLY WHILE BABYLON STILL LIVES IN YOUR HEART.

Christ's first relocation project is:

SELF OFF THE THRONE—CHRIST ON IT.

---

⑥ SPEECH REFORM—CAN A CONVERTED HEART KEEP AN UNCONVERTED TONGUE?

Here the excuses sound innocent:

“I'm only joking.”
“But it's true!”
“I just needed to release my feelings.”

Scripture answers:

“Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting… but rather giving of thanks.” — Ephesians 5:4

“Speak evil of no man.” — Titus 3:2

And instead:

“That which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” — Ephesians 4:29

Imagine that standard:

WORDS THAT MINISTER GRACE.

No gossip.

No slander.

No degrading jesting.

No cutting sarcasm.

No dishonest flattery.

No spreading bitterness from heart to heart.

“Bless, and curse not.” — Romans 12:14

This does not mean hiding wrongdoing.

Jesus rebuked sin.

Nathan confronted David.

Paul corrected churches.

Truth sometimes must hurt before it heals.

But Scripture says:

“Speaking the truth in love.” — Ephesians 4:15

Before speaking, ask:

IS IT TRUE?
IS IT NECESSARY?
IS IT LOVING?
WILL IT BUILD RATHER THAN POISON?
WOULD I SAY IT THIS WAY IN THE VISIBLE PRESENCE OF JESUS?

“Let the law of kindness be upon your lips and the oil of grace in your heart.” — Christ's Object Lessons, p. 337

What a standard:

**TRUTH ON THE LIPS.

GRACE IN THE HEART.**

---

⑦ PERHAPS THE MOST DANGEROUS EXCUSE—“I'M NOT CONVICTED.”

Sometimes that is sincere.

Conscience must never be forced.

But sometimes:

“I'M NOT CONVICTED”

really means:

“I DON'T WANT TO INVESTIGATE THIS DEEPLY ENOUGH TO BECOME CONVICTED.”

Jesus reveals a searching principle:

“If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine.” — John 7:17

Notice the order:

WILLINGNESS → UNDERSTANDING → OBEDIENCE.

Before asking,

“Is this really required?”

ask:

“LORD, IF YOUR WORD SHOWS ME THAT I AM WRONG—AM I WILLING TO CHANGE?”

That question exposes whether we want truth—

or merely reassurance.

---

⑧ BUT HERE IS THE DANGER ON THE OTHER SIDE—REFORM WITHOUT CHRIST

Inspiration defines genuine reformation:

“Reformation signifies a reorganization, a change in ideas and theories, habits and practices.” — Selected Messages, vol. 1, p. 128

Truth must reach:

the calendar,
the kitchen,
the wardrobe,
the temper,
the address,
the tongue,
and the choices nobody sees.

“Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only.” — James 1:22

But never miss this:

REFORMATION WITHOUT CHRIST CAN PRODUCE A PHARISEE.

You can keep Sabbath—

and hate your brother.

Eat perfectly—

and feed on pride.

Dress modestly—

and advertise self-righteousness.

Move to the country—

and take worldliness with you.

Guard your tongue publicly—

while bitterness rules privately.

Jesus did not come merely to rearrange our habits.

HE CAME TO RECREATE OUR HEARTS.

“Without Me ye can do nothing.” — John 15:5

---

THE QUESTION BENEATH EVERY REFORM

When Christ touches your—

TIME—will He be Lord?

APPETITE—will He be Lord?

APPEARANCE—will He be Lord?

CHARACTER—will He be Lord?

LOCATION—will He be Lord?

TONGUE—will He be Lord?

There it is.

DOES JESUS HAVE PERMISSION TO CHANGE EVERYTHING?

“If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” — Luke 9:23

Perhaps we do not need another argument.

Perhaps we need another surrender.

Instead of continually praying:

“LORD, GIVE ME MORE LIGHT,”

perhaps we need to pray:

“LORD, FORGIVE ME FOR RESISTING THE LIGHT I ALREADY HAVE.”

Take my appetite.

Take my pride.

Take my temper.

Take my tongue.

Take my plans.

Take my home.

TAKE MY WHOLE HEART.

“Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?” — Acts 9:6

NO MORE EXCUSES.
NO MORE BARGAINING WITH LIGHT.
NO MORE TRYING TO OUTREASON GOD.

CHRIST BEFORE CONVENIENCE.
FAITH BEFORE FEAR.
TRUTH BEFORE TRADITION.
SURRENDER BEFORE SELF.

Because when Jesus truly becomes Lord—

REFORMATION IS NO LONGER SOMETHING GOD MUST FORCE FROM US.

IT BECOMES SOMETHING LOVE IS WILLING TO SURRENDER TO HIM.

THE MAN THEY THOUGHT WAS DEAD IS ALIVE!

Mrs. Evelyn, Benita, Benjamin and Clara saw him on the road... Jonathan!

But Clara just made a shocking confession:
"I LIED TO YOU. I came to the hospital with a deadly injection to make sure Jonathan did not leave alive... until I saw the Great Physician."

And then Jonathan told them what he saw when he died — fire, torment, wailing... and a messenger who stopped him at the line between life and death:

"You were not given the authority to take your own life. Life belongs to God."

This episode will make you cry, repent, and thank God for second chances.

Have you read Episode 19? What did it teach you?

BENITA Season 2, Episode 19 — Written by Anthony Ijere
Read now. Share to someone who needs hope today.

Download all titles by Anthony Ijere at: https://t.me/anthonyijere

OR Join the Whatsapp Group at: https://chat.whatsapp.com/BDs9qaNMQumKTicv7uU7SJ?s=cl&p=a&mlu=0&ilr=0

#BenitaSeries #AnthonyIjere #ChristianNovel #TheManTheyThoughtWasDead #ChristianFiction

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: SATURDAY 22ND AUGUST 2026

TOPIC: BREAKING COVENANTS, PART 2

MEMORIZE:
"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" 1 John 4:4 (KJV)

BIBLE READING: 2 CORINTHIANS 5:17-19
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

MESSAGE:
Years ago, one of my daughters in the Lord came to me and said, "Daddy, a young man approached me and said he wants to marry me." I congratulated her, but she replied, "Daddy, my father told me that I was dedicated to a river goddess when I was born, and a covenant was made that whoever I marry is going to die on our wedding day. I don't want the young man to die." I told her that I know someone stronger than the river goddess. We prayed a simple prayer, and she left. The next time I saw her, she was happily married and already had a baby. I declare that any evil force that might be hindering your progress is destroyed today, in Jesus' name.

A new and greater covenant can cancel a previously existing one. For instance, if you want to break a covenant with someone, all you need to do is enter into a covenant with someone greater; the greater fellow can release you from the lesser person's covenant by force. If a person enters into a covenant with the devil, the moment he or she enters into a covenant with God, He will wipe out all evil covenants from the fellow's life. God's covenant is superior to any other covenant. Our God is stronger than the strongest; therefore, once a person enters into a covenant with Him, He will bind any strong man who was previously in charge of the fellow's life and throw him out.

It is also important to note that the devil still seeks to retain his strongholds in the lives of people even after they have become born again. A stronghold is a deeply entrenched evil pattern that the devil has instilled in a person, and it must be addressed. Otherwise, the person will continue to operate under its influence even after he or she has become born again. Such strongholds typically include bitterness, pride, generational curses, anger, and other similar issues.

Beloved, (2 Corinthians 10:3-5) urges us to pull down strongholds and cast down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God. If you are a party to any evil covenant or are under the influence of any demonic stronghold, cry out to God today to deliver you by His mighty power. I join my faith with yours and decree that you are completely free from any evil covenant or demonic stronghold that might be in your life, in Jesus' name.

KEY POINT:
Having a covenant with God annuls every evil covenant in a person's life.

BIBLE READING IN ONE YEAR:
LAMENTATIONS 1 - 2

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMNAL 10 - IN CHRIST ALONE
1 In Christ alone, my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

2 In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
'Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live, I live

3 There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

4 No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand


‎PRAYER POINTS ON TODAY'S OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL
SATURDAY, 22ND AUGUST, 2026
*BREAKING COVENANTS II*
‎
1.Father, thank You for making me a new creature in Christ Jesus.

2.Father, thank You for destroying the covenant of death and hell over me, and bringing me into a new covenant of life through the death and resurrection in Christ Jesus.

3.Father, because greater is Jesus is in me than the devil in the world, I declare that any evil force that might be hindering my progress be destroyed today, in Jesus' name.

4.Father, because I am in covenant with You, I decree that any evil covenant entered into on my behalf is destroyed by the power in the blood of Jesus.

5.Father, by the new covenant in the blood of Jesus, I terminate every negative effect of any evil covenant in my life, in Jesus' name.

6.Father, by the power of the new covenant in the blood of Jesus, I bind any strong man previously in charge of any area of my life and I throw them out of my life, in Jesus' name.

7.Father, I break and destroy every evil stronghold of the devil over any area of my life today, in Jesus' name.

8.Father, I break every evil pattern of bitterness, pride generational curses, anger, and every demonic stronghold in my life and family, and I terminate its influence over my life, in Jesus' name.

9.Father, I pull down every stronghold and cast down imagination and every high thing that exalts itself against Your knowledge in my life and family, in Jesus' name.

10.Father, as many of Your children that are under the influence of any demonic stronghold, deliver and set them completely free from any evil covenant in their lives, in Jesus' name.

11.Father, thank You for the life of Your son, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye.
‎
Let Your anointing be on in the increase in his life and establish every decree from his mouth, in Jesus' name. Bless his children (biological and spiritual). Help him to continue to produce sons and daughters to Your glory, in Jesus name
‎
‎12.Father, please bless Your son that You have been using to prepare these prayer points, with wisdom and favour. Answer all his prayers beyond measure, and all those who have been broadcasting them, in Jesus' name.
‎
‎13.Father, please let every challenge and temptations, hindrance and obstacles of getting these prayer points across to Your children, timely, and on daily basis be removed, in Jesus name.
‎
‎14.Your personal petitions.
‎(Philippians 4:6)
‎
‎15.In Jesus name I pray.
‎(John 14:13-14; 15:16)
‎
#GodBlessOurNation

*These prayers have no expiry date! Please join us in prayer, irrespective of the time they get to you. Remain blessed, in Jesus’ name.

SEED OF LIFE
When the Lord saw that the wickedness of man on the earth was great, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. But the earth was corrupt before the face of God, and the earth was filled with violence.
• Genesis 6:5 & 11

Our Father gave His commandments to man as a rule of life, but His law was transgressed, and every conceivable sin was the result. The wickedness of man was open and defiant, justice was trampled into the dust, and the cry of the oppressed ascended to heaven... The sins that cried out for vengeance upon the world before the flood exist today. The fear of God is banished from the hearts of men, and His law is treated with indifference and contempt. The intense worldliness of that generation is matched by that of the generation now living.• Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 90 & 101

•A Point to Ponder•
The world may become increasingly lawless, more violent, and more secular, but our Father's answer is not fear. It is faithfulness – a continuous walk with Him.(FrontierOfHopeMinistry)

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL
DATE: SATURDAY, AUGUST 22, 2026.

TOPIC: BREAKING COVENANTS 2

MEMORISE
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. - (1 John 4:4)

READ: 2 Corinthians 5:17-19 (KJV)
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

MESSAGE

Years ago, one of my daughters in the Lord came to me and said, "Daddy, a young man approached me and said he wants to marry me." I congratulated her, but she replied, "Daddy, my father told me that I was dedicated to a river goddess when I was born, and a covenant was made that whoever I marry is going to die on our wedding day. I don't want the young man to die." I told her that I know someone stronger than the river goddess. We prayed a simple prayer, and she left. The next time I saw her, she was happily married and already had a baby. I declare that any evil force that might be hindering your progress is destroyed today, in Jesus' name.

A new and greater covenant can cancel a previously existing one. For instance, if you want to break a covenant with someone, all you need to do is enter into a covenant with someone greater; the greater fellow can release you from the lesser person's covenant by force. If a person enters into a covenant with the devil, the moment he or she enters into a covenant with God, He will wipe out all evil covenants from the fellow's life. God's covenant is superior to any other covenant. Our God is stronger than the strongest; therefore, once a person enters into a covenant with Him, He will bind any strong man who was previously in charge of the fellow's life and throw him out.

It is also important to note that the devil still seeks to retain his strongholds in the lives of people even after they have become born again. A stronghold is a deeply entrenched evil pattern that the devil has instilled in a person, and it must be addressed. Otherwise, the person will continue to operate under its influence even after he or she has become born again. Such strongholds typically include bitterness, pride, generational curses, anger, and other similar issues.

Beloved, (2 Corinthians 10:3-5) urges us to pull down strongholds and cast down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God. If you are a party to any evil covenant or are under the influence of any demonic stronghold, cry out to God today to deliver you by His mighty power. I join my faith with yours and decree that you are completely free from any evil covenant or demonic stronghold that might be in your life, in Jesus' name.

KEY POINT
Having a covenant with God annuls every evil covenant in a person's life.

AUTHOR: Pastor E. A. Adeboye

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR
Lamentations 1 - 2

HYMN 10 - IN CHRIST ALONE
1. In Christ alone, my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

2. In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
'Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live, I live

3. There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

4. No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand

August 22 - Jesus’ Availability to Jairus

#LifeOfChrist


“Jesus got up and began to follow him, and so did His disciples” (Matthew 9:19).

Jesus was always willing to go out of His way to serve others in the Father’s name. This trait was certainly evident as Christ reached out to Jairus with accessibility and availability. There were certainly many other needy people in the region near Jairus, but the urgency of the synagogue leader’s circumstances demanded that Jesus go to Jairus’s home. From a distance the Lord could have sent the power to raise the man’s daughter from the dead. He chose, however, to manifest selfless love and compassion by following the grieving Jairus to his home.

God is sensitive not only to the needs of the many but to the cry of individuals in need. The Holy Spirit’s work through Philip in Acts 8 illustrates this principle. In the midst of a highly profitable ministry in Samaria, an angel dispatched the evangelist to Gaza (v. 26). Right away Philip met the Ethiopian eunuch, the royal official who served the queen of Ethiopia. When the Holy Spirit prompted Philip to approach the man, the evangelist found an eager seeker about the things of God and was able to lead him to saving faith in Christ (vv. 35–37).

God sometimes leads us, as He often led His own Son and the early disciples, to temporarily set aside a larger ministry to focus on the need of one person—and He wants us to be available. After all, Jesus did promise that every single individual who genuinely “comes to Me I will certainly not cast out” (John 6:37).

Ask Yourself

Who comes to mind when you think of someone God has called you to influence at this point in time? Avoid the temptation to withhold yourself from others, not wanting to get involved in the messiness of their needs and problems, when Jesus has called you to compassion.

PROVERB OF THE DAY

(Proverbs 21)

1. The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD,
Like the rivers of water;
He turns it wherever He wishes.

2. Every way of a man is right in his own eyes,
But the LORD weighs the hearts.

3. To do righteousness and justice
Is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

4. A haughty look, a proud heart,
And the plowing of the wicked are sin.

5. The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty,
But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.

6. Getting treasures by a lying tongue
Is the fleeting fantasy of those who seek death.

7. The violence of the wicked will destroy them,
Because they refuse to do justice.

8. The way of a guilty man is perverse;
But as for the pure, his work is right.

9. Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop,
Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.

10. The soul of the wicked desires evil;
His neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.

11. When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise;
But when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.

12. The righteous God wisely considers the house of the wicked,
Overthrowing the wicked for their wickedness.

13. Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor
Will also cry himself and not be heard.

14. A gift in secret pacifies anger,
And a bribe behind the back, strong wrath.

15. It is a joy for the just to do justice,
But destruction will come to the workers of iniquity.

16. A man who wanders from the way of understanding
Will rest in the assembly of the dead.

17. He who loves pleasure will be a poor man;
He who loves wine and oil will not be rich.

18. The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous,
And the unfaithful for the upright.

19. Better to dwell in the wilderness,
Than with a contentious and angry woman.

20. There is desirable treasure,
And oil in the dwelling of the wise,
But a foolish man squanders it.

21. He who follows righteousness and mercy
Finds life, righteousness, and honor.

22. A wise man
scales the city of the mighty, And brings
down the trusted stronghold.

23. Whoever guards his mouth and tongue
Keeps his soul from troubles.

24. A proud and
haughty man— “Scoffer” is his name;
He acts with arrogant pride.

25. The desire of the lazy man kills him,
For his hands refuse to labor.

26. He covets greedily all day long,
But the righteous gives and does not spare.

27. The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination;
How much more when he brings it with wicked intent!

28. A false witness shall perish,
But the man who hears him will speak endlessly.

29. A wicked man hardens his face,
But as for the upright, he establishes his way.

30. There is no wisdom or understanding
Or counsel against the LORD.

31. The horse is prepared for the day of battle,
But deliverance is of the LORD

Psalm 5:1-12
Give ear to my words, O LORD, Consider my meditation. [2] Give heed to the voice of my cry, My King and my God, For to You I will pray. [3] My voice You shall hear in the morning, O LORD; In the morning I will direct it to You, And I will look up. [4] For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness, Nor shall evil dwell with You. [5] The boastful shall not stand in Your sight; You hate all workers of iniquity. [6] You shall destroy those who speak falsehood; The LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man. [7] But as for me, I will come into Your house in the multitude of Your mercy; In fear of You I will worship toward Your holy temple. [8] Lead me, O LORD, in Your righteousness because of my enemies; Make Your way straight before my face. [9] For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; Their inward part is destruction; Their throat is an open tomb; They flatter with their tongue. [10] Pronounce them guilty, O God! Let them fall by their own counsels; Cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions, For they have rebelled against You. [11] But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name Be joyful in You. [12] For You, O LORD, will bless the righteous; With favor You will surround him as with a shield.