TODAY'S KINGDOM INSIGHTS: SERMON TOPIC: HOW CAN YOU PRAY SO THAT GOD HEARS YOU? Main Text: Psalm 66:18–20; 1 John 5:14–15 Supporting Texts: Matthew 6:5–13; James 5:16; Proverbs 15:29; Mark 11:24–25 GOD IS STILL LISTENING. One of the deepest questions a believer can ask is: “When I pray, does God really hear me?” You may have prayed for months and seen no answer. You may have cried in secret, knelt beside your bed, prayed in church, prayed while travelling, prayed when nobody knew what you were going through—and still wondered, “God, are You hearing me?” Here is the good news: God hears prayer. But the Bible also teaches us that there is a way to approach God in prayer. Prayer is not merely talking loudly. Prayer is not using many religious words. Prayer is not trying to manipulate God. Prayer is fellowship with the Father. Jesus said: «“Your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.” — Matthew 6:8» So the question is not simply, “How much do I pray?” The deeper question is: “How do I position my heart when I pray?” 1. PRAY WITH A SINCERE AND HUMBLE HEART God is not impressed by religious performance. He looks at the heart. Psalm 51:17 says: «“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart…”» David understood something important: God values the condition of the heart more than the appearance of the prayer. You can pray beautiful words with a proud heart and miss the heart of prayer. But you can come before God with tears, weakness, and simple words and experience His presence. Jesus' illustration In Luke 18:9–14, Jesus told the story of two men who went to the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee. He boasted about himself. The other was a tax collector. He simply cried: «“God be merciful to me a sinner.” — Luke 18:13» Jesus said the humble man went home justified. Spiritual lesson God is not looking for impressive prayers; He is looking for surrendered hearts. Come to God honestly. If you are hurting, tell Him. If you are confused, tell Him. If you have failed, confess it. If you are afraid, tell Him. Prayer begins when pretending ends. 2. PRAY WITH FAITH James 1:6 says: «“But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering.”» Faith does not mean that you dictate to God what He must do. Faith means that you trust who God is, even when you do not understand what He is doing. Mark 11:24 says: «“What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”» Faith says: “Father, I believe You are able.” And when the answer does not come immediately: “Father, I still trust You.” Faith does not disappear because the answer is delayed. Remember the three possible answers to prayer: YES — God grants the request. WAIT — God is working, but the timing is different. NO — God knows something you do not know. A “no” from God is not proof that God has abandoned you. Sometimes God's refusal is protection. Sometimes His delay is preparation. Sometimes His silence is developing your spiritual maturity. 3. PRAY ACCORDING TO GOD'S WILL One of the most powerful scriptures on prayer is: «“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» Notice the words: “According to His will.” Prayer is not about making God's will submit to ours. Prayer is about bringing our desires into alignment with God's will. Jesus demonstrated this in Gethsemane. He prayed: «“Nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.” — Luke 22:42» Jesus was facing the cross, yet He surrendered to the Father's will. That is mature prayer. A child may say: “God, give me what I want.” But spiritual maturity says: “God, give me what You know is best.” A powerful prayer to learn: “Lord, if this desire is from You, establish it. If it is not from You, remove it. And if I must wait, give me grace to wait.” 4. DEAL WITH UNFORGIVENESS AND SIN We must be careful here. The Bible does not teach that every unanswered prayer means a person has committed some hidden sin. Job suffered greatly without being guilty of the accusations brought against him. However, Scripture clearly teaches that deliberate, unrepentant sin can affect our relationship and fellowship with God. Psalm 66:18 says: «“If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.”» And Isaiah 59:2 says: «“But your iniquities have separated between you and your God…”» God is merciful, but we should not treat sin casually. What about unforgiveness? Jesus taught: «“And when ye stand praying, forgive…” — Mark 11:25» You cannot continuously ask God for mercy while deliberately refusing to show mercy to others. Forgiveness does not mean saying that what happened was acceptable. Forgiveness means releasing vengeance into God's hands. Ask yourself: “Is there somebody I need to forgive?” “Is there something God has been asking me to surrender?” “Am I asking God to bless something He has already told me to leave?” 5. PRAY WITH PERSISTENCE Some answers require persistent prayer. Jesus taught this through the parable of the persistent widow in Luke 18:1–8. The purpose of the parable was clear: «“Men ought always to pray, and not to faint.” — Luke 18:1» Do not stop praying simply because you have not yet seen the answer. Daniel gives us another powerful example. In Daniel 10, Daniel prayed and fasted. His answer was delayed, but heaven had heard him from the beginning. The angel told him: «“From the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand… thy words were heard.” — Daniel 10:12» Think about that! Daniel was praying on earth while heaven was already responding. The delay did not mean God had ignored him. BIBLICAL CASE STUDY: HANNAH — A WOMAN WHO POURED OUT HER SOUL Hannah's story in 1 Samuel 1 is one of the clearest pictures of persistent prayer. She was deeply troubled because she had no child. She went to the house of the Lord and prayed. She didn't simply perform a religious ritual. She poured out her soul before God. Eli initially misunderstood her. But Hannah kept praying. Eventually, God answered her prayer and gave her Samuel. Her story teaches us: 1. You can bring your deepest pain to God. 2. People may misunderstand your prayer, but God understands your heart. 3. Delay does not mean denial. 4. God can turn tears into testimony. Hannah went into the presence of God carrying sorrow. She came out carrying peace. The circumstances had not immediately changed—but something had changed inside her. That is one of the miracles of prayer. Sometimes prayer changes the situation. Sometimes prayer changes the person going through the situation. And sometimes God does both. WHAT DOES IT MEAN THAT GOD "HEARS" PRAYER? When Scripture says God hears prayer, it means far more than God simply detecting our words. It means God attends to, receives, and responds according to His wisdom and will. God hears the prayer of His children. Proverbs 15:29 says: «“The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.”» And James 5:16 declares: «“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”» Your prayer may look small on earth, but it is not small when it reaches heaven. PRACTICAL ACTION STEPS 1. SET A CONSISTENT PRAYER TIME Do not pray only when there is an emergency. Build a prayer life. 2. BEGIN WITH WORSHIP Before presenting your shopping list to God, acknowledge who He is. “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name…” — Matthew 6:9 3. CONFESS YOUR SINS Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart. Psalm 139:23–24 4. PRAY SCRIPTURE Use God's Word as the foundation of your prayers. 5. ASK SPECIFICALLY Instead of only saying, “Lord, bless me,” tell God what you are trusting Him for. 6. LEARN TO LISTEN Prayer is not a one-way conversation. After speaking, become quiet before God. Read Scripture. Pay attention to the convictions and guidance of the Holy Spirit. 7. KEEP A PRAYER JOURNAL Write down your requests. Record dates. Record answers. One day you will look back and realize how many prayers God answered. DEEP SPIRITUAL INSIGHTS 1. God's silence is not necessarily God's absence. You may not hear anything, but God may still be working. 2. Prayer is not primarily about getting things; it is about knowing God. The greatest answer to prayer is not always a possession. Sometimes it is God Himself. 3. Prayer changes the atmosphere of the person praying. You may enter prayer anxious and leave with peace. 4. God's answer may be different from your expectation. Never limit God to one method of answering. 5. The strongest prayer is surrendered prayer. “Lord, have Your way” is one of the deepest expressions of faith. QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION 1. When I pray, am I seeking God's will or only demanding my own will? 2. Is there any known sin I need to confess? 3. Is there someone I need to forgive? 4. Have I stopped praying because my answer is delayed? 5. Do I genuinely trust God when His answer is different from what I expected? 6. Is my prayer life based on relationship with God or only on emergency needs? 7. What prayer have I abandoned that God may be asking me to continue bringing before Him? POWERFUL PRAYER POINTS 1. PRAYER FOR A DEEPER PRAYER LIFE Father, awaken in me a fresh hunger for prayer. Take away spiritual laziness and teach me to seek Your face consistently, in Jesus' name. 2. PRAYER FOR A PURE HEART Lord, search my heart. Reveal anything that is displeasing to You and give me grace to repent and walk in righteousness. 3. PRAYER FOR FAITH Father, increase my faith. When answers are delayed, help me trust You. When I cannot see the way, help me believe that You are still working. 4. PRAYER FOR GOD'S WILL Lord, deliver me from insisting on my own way. Align my desires with Your purpose and give me grace to say, “Your will be done.” 5. PRAYER FOR PERSISTENCE Father, give me strength not to faint in prayer. Help me continue believing until Your appointed time. 6. PRAYER FOR FORGIVENESS Lord, give me grace to forgive those who have hurt me. Heal my heart and remove bitterness from my spirit. 7. PRAYER FOR DIVINE ANSWERS Father, concerning every legitimate request I have brought before You, let Your perfect will be established. Open the right doors, close the wrong doors, and lead me according to Your purpose. 8. PRAYER FOR SPIRITUAL SENSITIVITY Holy Spirit, teach me to recognize Your voice. Help me distinguish Your leading from my emotions, fears, and human desires. DON'T JUST PRAY—BUILD A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD Beloved, prayer is not a religious emergency button. Prayer is relationship. Do not wait until everything is falling apart before you seek God. Pray when you are happy. Pray when you are confused. Pray when you have money. Pray when you have nothing. Pray when the door opens. Pray when the door closes. Pray when you understand. Pray when you don't understand. And above all, pray with a heart that trusts God. Remember: A delayed answer is not necessarily a denied prayer. God's silence is not necessarily God's absence. God's “no” is not a rejection of you. And God's “wait” is not a waste of your time. There is a God who hears. There is a God who sees. There is a God who knows. There is a God who answers. So keep praying. Keep believing. Keep trusting. Keep walking with God. FINAL DECLARATION I will not give up in prayer. I will not allow delay to destroy my faith. I will seek God's face, not merely His hands. I will surrender my will to His will. I will forgive. I will believe. I will persevere. And I will trust the God who hears me. In Jesus' mighty name, Amen! If you have not given your life to Jesus kindly do so by joining a Bible believing Church. You can get inspirational ebooks from my sela shops below https://selar.com/m/umoh-edem1 https://selar com/m/umoedem https://www.amazon.com/author/umohedembooks https://afrikdp.com/author/9128a016-dd79-4f17-9e60-bf11f65f1a34 CONTACT - WhatsApp +2349024173027, +2349055447540 Email pastor.umoedem@gmail.com

Subject: Request for Support: Mayuge Gospel Crusade & Leadership Conference (Aug 28–30, 2026) ​Dear Friends, Partners, and Well-Wishers, ​We warmly invite you to stand with us as we prepare for the upcoming Gospel Crusade and Leadership Conference, scheduled for August 28th – 30th, 2026, at New Jerusalem City Church, Mayuge. ​Organized under the spiritual leadership of Pastor Charles (Host) and Brother Siraji (Co-host), this three-day gathering aims to bring spiritual transformation, community empowerment, and divine healing to the Mayuge region. ​"And he said to them, 'Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.'" — Mark 16:15 ​To ensure the success of this event and accommodate the growing ministry needs, we are humbly appealing for support of any kind from well-wishers, ministries, and community members. ​Areas Where Support Is Needed: ​Financial Contributions: To assist with logistics, speaker transport, and event administration. ​Public Address & Equipment: Sound systems, lighting, generator power, and stage setup. ​Hospitality & Catering: Food, clean drinking water, and accommodation for guest ministers and volunteers. ​Publicity & Printing: Banners, flyers, posters, and radio/local announcement support. ​Prayer Support: Interceding for open hearts, physical healing, and peace throughout the three days. ​Whether through a monetary donation, provision of physical supplies, or spiritual intercession, your contribution will directly impact lives during this powerful weekend. Every gift—no matter the size—makes a meaningful difference. ​How to Contribute & Get in Touch: ​Host: Pastor Charles | Contact: +256 780670022 ​Co-Host: Brother Siraji | Contact: +256 755145044 ​Location: New Jerusalem City Church, Mayuge ​Dates: August 28th – 30th, 2026 ​If you feel led to support or require further information, please reach out directly to Pastor Charles or Brother Siraji. May God abundantly bless you for your generosity and partnership in this vision.

Subject: Request for Support: Mayuge Gospel Crusade & Leadership Conference (Aug 28–30, 2026) Dear Friends, Partners, and Well-Wishers, We warmly invite you to stand with us as we prepare for the upcoming Gospel Crusade and Leadership Conference, scheduled for August 28th – 30th, 2026, at New Jerusalem City Church, Mayuge. Organized under the spiritual leadership of Pastor Charles (Host) and Brother Siraji (Co-host), this three-day gathering aims to bring spiritual transformation, community empowerment, and divine healing to the Mayuge region. "And he said to them, 'Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.'" — Mark 16:15 To ensure the success of this event and accommodate the growing ministry needs, we are humbly appealing for support of any kind from well-wishers, ministries, and community members. Areas Where Support Is Needed: Financial Contributions: To assist with logistics, speaker transport, and event administration. Public Address & Equipment: Sound systems, lighting, generator power, and stage setup. Hospitality & Catering: Food, clean drinking water, and accommodation for guest ministers and volunteers. Publicity & Printing: Banners, flyers, posters, and radio/local announcement support. Prayer Support: Interceding for open hearts, physical healing, and peace throughout the three days. Whether through a monetary donation, provision of physical supplies, or spiritual intercession, your contribution will directly impact lives during this powerful weekend. Every gift—no matter the size—makes a meaningful difference. How to Contribute & Get in Touch: Host: Pastor Charles Co-Host: Brother Siraji Location: New Jerusalem City Church, Mayuge Dates: August 28th – 30th, 2026 If you feel led to support or require further information, please reach out directly to Pastor Charles or Brother Siraji. May God abundantly bless you for your generosity and partnership in this vision. +25675145044 brother siraji co host

MEL GIBSON’S RESURRECTION EPIC PROMISES TO GO FAR BEYOND THE EMPTY TOMB Mel Gibson has revealed new details about his long-awaited follow-up to the 2004 blockbuster The Passion of the Christ. Titled The Resurrection of the Christ, the biblical epic has been filmed as two full-length movies. Production has now wrapped after 134 days of filming across several locations in Italy. Gibson says the story will be much broader than a simple retelling of Easter morning. The films will reportedly travel beyond Jerusalem into Damascus, Rome, Egypt and the desert, with massive sets constructed to bring the ancient world to life. The project is expected to explore the Resurrection, the spiritual realm and the events surrounding the birth and growth of the early Church. Gibson has described it as a deeply personal mission that he has carried for more than 20 years. A new cast will lead the story, with Finnish actor Jaakko Ohtonen portraying Jesus. The first film is scheduled for release on 6th May 2027, with the second planned for 25th May 2028 - both dates coinciding with Ascension Day. For Christians, however, the greatest excitement is not merely another biblical film. It is the opportunity for millions of people to once again hear the message at the heart of the Gospel: JESUS CHRIST WAS CRUCIFIED - BUT THE GRAVE COULD NOT HOLD HIM! As with every film inspired by Scripture, viewers should compare what appears on screen with the truth of God’s Word. The power is not found in Hollywood’s interpretation—the power is found in the historical reality that Jesus Christ is risen! 📖 “He is not here; He has risen, just as He said.” —Matthew 28:6 📖 “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day.” —1 Corinthians 15:3–4 THE CROSS WAS NOT THE END THE RESURRECTION CHANGED EVERYTHING ! ( Courtesy: Kevin Evans of facebook )

🦖 MEDIEVAL T-REX CARVINGS PROVE HUMAN-DRAGON COEXISTENCE! 1. THE SHOCK HOOK How did medieval stonemasons in the 1300s and 1400s carve two distinct, upright T-Rex theropods framing an archer's window—hundreds of years before modern paleontology ever dug up a single theropod fossil? 2. THE HARD EVIDENCE Look closely at the stone window arch from Noah's Vineyard region in Turkey. Framing the defensive archer slit are two clearly recognizable bipedal reptiles facing each other. Theropod Anatomy: They feature a heavy tail base, upright posture, powerful hind limbs, short arms, and distinct head profiles—classic theropod anatomy. Carved Centuries Before 1841: This church and bell-tower stonework dates to the 14th–15th centuries (1300s–1400s). That is over 400 years before Sir Richard Owen invented the word Dinosauria in 1841! Categorized as Dragons: Ancient history grouped these beasts under the general banner of "dragons." The fierce meat-eaters (theropods/T-Rex forms) were often depicted in combat, warnings, or defensive architectural carvings, while the massive herbivores (sauropods and ceratopsians) were recorded as great long-tailed land dragons like Behemoth. If no human eye ever saw a living theropod, how could medieval sculptors accurately carve their exact anatomy into stone windows? They carved them because they saw them! 3. THE BIBLICAL TIE-IN Secular history insists that dinosaurs died out 65 million years ago, but physical artifacts and ancient church carvings prove that humans lived alongside these creatures. Genesis tells us that God created all land animals on Day 6 alongside man. When you strip away the 1841 word "dinosaur" and look at historical dragon accounts, artwork, and stone carvings, history aligns perfectly with God's Word! 4. CALL TO ACTION & MINISTRY OUTREACH The Bible has been accurate from the very beginning! Stop letting secular timelines hide the truth of God's creation. Share this post to open eyes, and follow Creation Group Ministries for more undeniable historical and scientific evidence! 🛐 A code like DNA that is arranged in appropriate order has to be done by intelligent guidance, a code requires a code writer and design demands a designer! 🔬📃 Zeb Wilson & Zion AI Apologetics ( AI Apologetics Assistant) Creation Group Ministries 🦕 🔬🐉🦕🧬🔭🦠🧪🌌🔬🛐🐉_🦕🧬 #reels #love #truth #hope #reelsfbシ #WhenDragonsWereDinosaurs #CreationScience #IntelligentDesign #Apologetics #Truth #Faith #Science #God #Jesus #TheBible #CreationGroupMinistries #Everyone @ [highlight] #CreationGroupMinistries #reelsvideoシ #reelsviralシfb #reelsviralシ #reelsfbシ #facebookreelsviral #reelsfacebook #facebookreels #reelsviral #CreationGroupMinistries https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1UwbEqqqTg/

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL DATE: TUESDAY 18TH AUGUST 2026 TOPIC: GOD’S COVENANT OF PROMOTION MEMORIZE: "But my horn shalt thou exalt like the horn of an unicorn: I shall be anointed with fresh oil." Psalm 92:10 (KJV) BIBLE READING: PSALM 75:6-7 6 For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. 7 But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another. MESSAGE: The devil often uses the promise of promotion to lure people into making covenants with him. For example, I have heard of cases where those in authority would ask someone due for a promotion at work to enter into an evil covenant by joining a secret cult before the promotion is granted. Beloved, if you ever find yourself in such an ordeal, I urge you never to enter into such covenants. Today’s Bible reading tells us that promotion comes from God. When He says yes, nobody can say no. When God decides to promote you, it doesn’t matter what anybody may try because you will reach the position that He intends. He controls the heart of kings; therefore, if anyone in authority threatens you, saying, “You will not be promoted unless you join us,” take your stand as a child of God, and never give in. Just hold on to God, and in the end, you will emerge victorious. Sometime ago, one of my spiritual sons came to me and said, “Daddy, I am tired of being in one spot for so long; I want to move forward. I have an interview tomorrow, please pray for me.” I replied, “Let us pray,” and he said, “No! Just speak a word.” Then I told him that the interview would be successful. He went for the interview and came back beaming with joy. He said, “Daddy, I prepared hard for the interview, but they only asked me three questions: What is your name? Which post did you apply for? When do you want to start?” | congratulated him, and he said, “Daddy, please speak another word.” I obliged and responded, “Your promotion will be rapid.” The next day, He came back dancing for joy. He said, “When I resumed this morning, I was asked to go to the boardroom. The people who interviewed me the previous day were seated there, and they said, ‘Our Managing Director resigned yesterday. Are you ready to take on the post?’ I replied, “Congratulations, that’s a rapid promotion.” He told me to speak another word, and I said that God would complete the good work He had started in him. The next day, he came back to me almost speechless as his salary had been doubled! Then he said I should speak another word, and I jokingly responded, “Do you want to collect the company from the owners?” Beloved, I pray that my Father will surprise you with rapid promotions, in Jesus’ name. KEY POINT: Nothing and no one can limit a man whom God has decided to promote. BIBLE READING IN ONE YEAR: JEREMIAH 47-48 AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE HYMNAL 20 - I'M PRESSING ON THE UPWARD WAY 1. I'm pressing on the upward way, New heights I'm gaining everyday; Still praying as I onward bound "Lord, plant my feet on higher ground." CHORUS: Lord, lift me up and let me stand, By faith, on Heaven's table-land; Where love, and joy, and light abound, Lord, plant my feet on higher ground. 2. My heart has no desire to stay where doubts arise, and fears dismay; though some may dwell where these abound, My constant aim is higher ground. CHORUS: 3. Beyond the mist I fain would rise, to rest beneath unclouded skies, above earth's turmoil peace is found By those who dwell on higher ground. CHORUS: 4. I long to scale the utmost height, Though rough the way, and hard the fight, My song, while climbing, shall resound Lord, lead me on to higher ground. CHORUS: 5. Lord, lead me up the mountain side I dare not climb without my Guide; And, heaven gained, I'll gaze around, With grateful heart from higher ground. CHORUS: PRAYER POINTS ON TODAY'S OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL Tuesday 18th August 2026 GOD'S COVENANT OF PROMOTION ‎ ‎PRAYER POINTS 1.Father, I praise You for promotion comes from You, and this is an assurance that nothing and no one can stop my lifting from you. 2.Father, thank You for Your covenant to make me the head and never the tail. Thank You for choosing me to prosper and and to be in good health. 3.Father, please help me to stand in the assurance of Your covenant with me. Help me to trust You with all my heart and to wait on the fulfillment of Your promises for my life, in Jesus' name. 4.Father, please help me never to compromise my faith in You. Help me to be faithful at the level I am now so I can attain the greater heights You have prepared for me, in Jesus' name. 5.Father, please help me to take my stand as Your child, and never to give in to the deceits of the devil so I can emerge victorious everyday of my life, in Jesus' name. 6.Father, please speak a word into my life and terminate every form of stagnation in every area of my endeavors, in Jesus' name. 7.Father, please show me Your mercy and let Your covenant of promotion be activated on me, in Jesus' name. 8.Father, please keep me in Your covenant and let me begin to enjoy rapid promotions, in Jesus' name. 9.Father, please establish me and my household in Your covenant of promotion so we can have access to Your immeasurable blessings and benefits, in Jesus' name. 10.Father, thank You for the life of Your son, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye. ‎ Help him to continue to enjoy Your covenant of promotion, in Jesus' name. Bless his children (biological and spiritual). Help him to continue to produce sons and daughters to Your glory, in Jesus name ‎ ‎11.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. ‎ ‎12.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. ‎ ‎13.Your personal petitions. ‎(Philippians 4:6) ‎ ‎14.In Jesus name I pray. ‎(John 14:13-14; 15:16) ‎ ‎#Godblessournation ‎These prayers have no expiry dates! Please, pray them, irrespective of the time they get to you. Remain blessed, in Jesus name.

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL DATE: MONDAY, AUGUST 17TH 2026. TOPIC: THE GAINS OF GOD'S COVENANT II MEMORISE Wherefore it shall come to pass, if ye hearken to these judgments, and keep, and do them, that the LORD thy God shall keep unto thee the covenant and the mercy which he sware unto thy fathers: - (Deuteronomy 7:12) BIBLE READING: GENESIS 20:1-18 (KJV) 1 And Abraham journeyed from thence toward the south country, and dwelled between Kadesh and Shur, and sojourned in Gerar. 2 And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister: and Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah. 3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she is a man's wife. 4 But Abimelech had not come near her: and he said, Lord, wilt thou slay also a righteous nation? 5 Said he not unto me, She is my sister? and she, even she herself said, He is my brother: in the integrity of my heart and innocency of my hands have I done this. 6 And God said unto him in a dream, Yea, I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart; for I also withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore suffered I thee not to touch her. 7 Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine. 8 Therefore Abimelech rose early in the morning, and called all his servants, and told all these things in their ears: and the men were sore afraid. 9 Then Abimelech called Abraham, and said unto him, What hast thou done unto us? and what have I offended thee, that thou hast brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? thou hast done deeds unto me that ought not to be done. 10 And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What sawest thou, that thou hast done this thing? 11 And Abraham said, Because I thought, Surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will slay me for my wife's sake. 12 And yet indeed she is my sister; she is the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife. 13 And it came to pass, when God caused me to wander from my father's house, that I said unto her, This is thy kindness which thou shalt shew unto me; at every place whither we shall come, say of me, He is my brother. 14 And Abimelech took sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and womenservants, and gave them unto Abraham, and restored him Sarah his wife. 15 And Abimelech said, Behold, my land is before thee: dwell where it pleaseth thee. 16 And unto Sarah he said, Behold, I have given thy brother a thousand pieces of silver: behold, he is to thee a covering of the eyes, unto all that are with thee, and with all other: thus she was reproved. 17 So Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bare children. 18 For the Lord had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah Abraham's wife. MESSAGE Years ago, a highly influential man in an Islamic nation, where church planting was prohibited, invited one of our missionaries to establish a church within his compound. When the church started, his wife said to him, "With your position in government and your influence in this nation, you allowed a church be established in your compound?" He looked at his wife and said, "Don't you dare say a word against these people!" I believe that it was easy for the RCCG to plant a church in that nation, and indeed many nations in the world today, because of God's covenant with its founder, Pa Josiah Akindayomi. One of the gains of being in a covenant with God is that you will keep getting greater results than your peers as long as you keep fulfilling your part of the covenant. God will keep giving you results that are beyond your efforts. What other people struggle to get will come to you easily because of His covenant with you. In Exodus 19:5, God said, "If you will keep my covenant, I will make you a peculiar treasure." This means that people will take a look at you and wonder why God loves you so much. Several times, when I wake up at night and reflect on all the good things God is doing in RCCG, I usually say, "Lord, how can you love us this much?" Some people might claim that it is because we fast and pray, but believe me, some people fast more than we do. I recall vividly that when I became the General Overseer, I had some of my friends join me in a 36-hour non-stop prayer session. We thought this was a remarkable feat until we heard of a man who prayed non-stop for so much longer! I may not have spent as many hours in prayer at a stretch as that person, yet what God has done for RCCG is unprecedented and truly remarkable. Indeed, there are immense gains in being in a covenant with the Almighty God. Another gain of being in a covenant with God is protection. When a king took Abraham's wife, God intervened by appearing in the king's dream. He went the extra mile to protect her and instructed the king to ask Abraham to pray for him, as we see in today's Bible reading. Beloved, there are immeasurable blessings that flow from being in covenant with God. KEY POINT Being in a covenant with God gives you access to tremendous benefits and makes difficult things easy. AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR JEREMIAH 44 - 46 HYMN 19 - ROCK OF AGES, CLEFT FOR ME 1. Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee! Let the water and the blood, From Thy riven side which flowed, Be of sin the double cure; Cleanse me from its guilt and power. 2. Not the labours of my hands, can fulfill thy law's demands could zeal no respite know, could my tears forever flow, all for sin could not atone, thou must save and thou alone. 3. Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to thy cross I cling naked, come to thee for dress, helpless, look to thee fir grace foul to the fountain fly wash me saviour or I die. 4. While I draw this fleeting breath, when my eyelids close in death, when I soar to worlds unknown, see thee on thy judgment throne, rock of ages cleft for me, let me hide myself in thee. PRAYER POINTS ON TODAY'S OPEN HEAVENS DATE: MONDAY AUGUST 17TH 2026 *THE GAINS OF GOD'S COVENANT II ‎PRAYER POINTS 1.Father, thank You for Your covenant to build Your church and never to allow the gate of hell to prevail over it. 2.Father, thank You for the spread of the gospel across the nations of the earth. Thank You for raising men and women to bare the light of the gospel even to the inter lands. 3.Father, thank You for divinely positioning men and women to favour the advancement of Your gospel across the world. 4.Father, please help me never to go out Your covenant for my life. Help me to keep fulfilling my part of the covenant so I can keep enjoying greater results than my peers, in Jesus' name. 5.Father, please keep me in Your covenant, and grant me results that are beyond my efforts. Make easy for me what other people struggle to get, in Jesus' name. 6.Father, please help me to keep Your covenant, and make me a wonder to nations, in Jesus' name. 7.Father, please show me Your mercy and let it continue to speak for me such that I will constantly enjoy unprecedented and truly remarkable blessings of Your covenant, in Jesus' name. 8.Father, please keep me in Your covenant and let me and my household enjoy divine protection everywhere we go, in Jesus' name. 9.Father, please help me to hearken to Your judgements, to keep and to do them, so I can abide in Your covenant and enjoy Your mercies, in Jesus' name. 10.Father, please establish me and my household in Your covenant so we can have access to Your immeasurable blessings and benefits, in Jesus' name. 11.Father, thank You for the life of Your son, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye. ‎ Help him to continue to enjoy the gains of Your covenant with him, 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) ‎#GodBlessOThese prayers have no expiry dates! Please, pray them, irrespective of the time they get to you.

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL DATE: THURSDAY, AUGUST 13TH, 2026 THEME: UNDERSTANDING COVENANTS AUTHOR: PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE MEMORISE: "Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;" Deuteronomy 7:9 READ: 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. 19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. MESSAGE: To understand what a covenant is, it is helpful first to understand what a contract is, as it is a more familiar concept. A contract is a written and signed agreement between two or more parties which outlines the expectations and responsibilities of all the parties involved in an interaction. The moment a contract is signed, all parties involved are bound by it, and typically, the contract will outline the consequences of what will happen if any party breaches the agreement. Such consequences may include penalties, damages, and other similar outcomes. A covenant is also a contract, but one that is signed with body fluids, mostly blood. This means that when body fluids, especially blood, are involved in a contract, a covenant has been established. For example, in Genesis 17:1-14, God entered into a covenant with Abraham, and to sign that covenant, every male that was born into Abraham's household was to be circumcised, beginning with Abraham himself, even though he was almost 100 years old at the time. A covenant is no joking matter, primarily because the penalty for breaking it is usually death. This is why today's teaching is very important. When a man and a woman come together to exchange body fluids, particularly through sex, they are entering into a covenant. They may not know it, but they have become bonded with each other. This is why it is important for a husband and a wife to only have sexual relationships with each other, because the devil usually takes advantage of extramarital sexual intercourse to pass on demons between those who indulge in it. Many years ago, a boy was barking like a dog and was brought to me for deliverance. When I investigated the matter, I discovered that he had been sleeping with a dog in his house. In other words, he had entered into a covenant with that dog, and the devil had obviously attacked him through that. In the same vein, when a fellow sleeps with someone who is not his or her spouse, certain things will be passed from that fellow to them, and you can be sure that they are not good things because the act that was committed was contrary to God's will. Beloved, do not neglect the Almighty God's instructions about keeping yourself sexually pure. Do not allow the devil access into your life by engaging in illicit sexual acts. I pray that the Lord will continually empower you to overcome all forms of sexual temptation, in Jesus' name. KEY POINT: Illicit sexual relations establish covenants that the devil can exploit. BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Jeremiah 31-32 HYMN 31: YIELD NOT TO TEMPTATION 1 Yield not to temptation, for yielding is sin; Each vict’ry will help you some other to win; Fight manfully onward, dark passions subdue; Look ever to Jesus, He will carry you through. Refrain: Ask the Saviour to help you, Comfort, strengthen, and keep you; He is willing to aid you, He will carry you through. 2 Shun evil companions, bad language disdain, God’s name hold in reverence, nor take it in vain; Be thoughtful and earnest, kindhearted and true; Look ever to Jesus, He will carry you through. Chorus 3 To him that o’ercometh, God giveth a crown, Through faith we will conquer, though often cast down; He who is our Saviour, our strength will renew; Look ever to Jesus, He will carry you through. PRAYER POINTS ON TODAY'S OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL Thursday 13th August 2026 UNDERSTANDING COVENANTS ‎PRAYER POINTS 1.Father, I worship You, The covenant keeping God. Thank You for Your covenant of mercy from generation to generation to them that loves You. 2.Father, thank You for destroying the power of sin over my soul. Thank You for breaking me free from the covenant of death into the covenant of life sealed by the blood of Jesus. 3.Father, thank You for the blood of Jesus that speaks better things than the blood of animals. Thank You for the atonement of the blood of Jesus for my cleansing and healings, in Jesus' name. 4.Father, now that I'm joined in the new covenant by the blood of Jesus, please help me to be faithful in keeping my own part of the covenant, to keep myself holy in all manner, in Jesus' name. 5.Father, please help all Christian couples to be faithful to each other and their marital vows, in keeping themselves sexually pure, in Jesus' name. 6.Father, please save the homes of all Your children from sexual immorality and deliver any couple that are under the control of demons, in Jesus' name. 7.Father, please deliver all our youths from sexual immorality and perversion. Uproot everything You have not planted in them, and separate them from every unholy relationship, in Jesus' name. 8.Father, please help me not to neglect Your instructions on sexual purity. Help me not to join myself with immorality at any point of my walk with You, in Jesus' name. 9.Father, please help me never to allow the devil access to my life through illicit sexual acts, in Jesus' name. 10.Father, please empower me to overcome all forms of sexual temptations, in Jesus' name. 11.Father, thank You for the life of Your son, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye. ‎ Help him to remain committed to purity in all areas of his life, 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) These prayers have no expiry dates! Please, pray them, irrespective of the time they get to you. Remain blessed, in Jesus name.

‎PRAYER POINTS ON TODAY'S OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL Wednesday 12th August 2026 INPUT DETERMINES OUTPUT - part 2 ‎PRAYER POINTS 1.Father, thank You for blessing me with all heavenly gifts. Thank You for every resources You had provided me in time past, and for Your treasury that never runs out of supply 2.Father, thank You for every talent You have gifted me. Please help me to make good use of the talents to Your glory and to bring more results, in Jesus' name. 3.Father, please help me never to despise the talent You have given me rather, help me to make effective use of every of the telents, in Jesus' name. 4.Father, please help me to be faithful with every resources You have given me and in every little task You commit into my hands, in Jesus' name. 5.Father, please as many that are still held captive by the devil in the pit of sin, save them that they may use their talents to become better persons in life, in Jesus' name. 6.Father, despite the limited resources they may start out with, please make all Your children become useful vessels in Your hands, in Jesus' name. 7.Father, please open my eyes to discover the great gifts You have surrounded me with, and help me to activate the gifts within me, in Jesus' name. 8.Father, please help me not to fail You but to use every gift You have given me to win more souls to Your kingdom, in Jesus' name. 9.Father, please help me to use Your gifts in me to gain so much influence that when I speak, people will be willing to listen and serve You, in Jesus' name. 10.Father, please help me to serve You faithfully with the gifts You have given me, and use me to accomplish mighty things in Your kingdom, in Jesus' name. 11.Father, thank You for the life of Your son, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye. ‎ Help him to continue to serve You faithfully, 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) These prayers have no expiry dates! Please, pray them, irrespective of the time they get to you. Remain blessed, in Jesus name.

‎PRAYER POINTS ON TODAY'S OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL Wednesday 12th August 2026 INPUT DETERMINES OUTPUT - part 2 ‎PRAYER POINTS 1.Father, thank You for blessing me with all heavenly gifts. Thank You for every resources You had provided me in time past, and for Your treasury that never runs out of supply 2.Father, thank You for every talent You have gifted me. Please help me to make good use of the talents to Your glory and to bring more results, in Jesus' name. 3.Father, please help me never to despise the talent You have given me rather, help me to make effective use of every of the telents, in Jesus' name. 4.Father, please help me to be faithful with every resources You have given me and in every little task You commit into my hands, in Jesus' name. 5.Father, please as many that are still held captive by the devil in the pit of sin, save them that they may use their talents to become better persons in life, in Jesus' name. 6.Father, despite the limited resources they may start out with, please make all Your children become useful vessels in Your hands, in Jesus' name. 7.Father, please open my eyes to discover the great gifts You have surrounded me with, and help me to activate the gifts within me, in Jesus' name. 8.Father, please help me not to fail You but to use every gift You have given me to win more souls to Your kingdom, in Jesus' name. 9.Father, please help me to use Your gifts in me to gain so much influence that when I speak, people will be willing to listen and serve You, in Jesus' name. 10.Father, please help me to serve You faithfully with the gifts You have given me, and use me to accomplish mighty things in Your kingdom, in Jesus' name. 11.Father, thank You for the life of Your son, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye. ‎ Help him to continue to serve You faithfully, 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) These prayers have no expiry dates! Please, pray them, irrespective of the time they get to you. Remain blessed, in Jesus name.