Is it possible to be blind and not know it?
Jesus spoke of those who had eyes but could not see (Matthew 13:13). His assessment of such people was that they would not receive the deep wisdom God had given Him to share. So, He spoke to them in parables, saving revelation for those He did not deem blind. Paul gave further insight into this blindness in 2 Corinthians 4:4 - Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God (NLT).
Thank God that those who submitted their lives to Jesus are blessed to receive His teaching. Through Him, we get to understand God's ways and will for our lives. Nevertheless, many of us know this wasn't always the case. At some point, we lived in darkness. We had little understanding of the gospel, its rich significance, and the power it contains. This includes those raised in Christian homes who attended church every Sunday. Jesus had to reach out and touch us in a new way so we could be forever changed.
This blessed privilege was spoken of back in the 8th century by Isaiah, a prophet of God. Isaiah 42:16 - I will lead the blind on unfamiliar roads. I will lead them on unfamiliar paths. I will turn darkness into light in front of them. I will make rough places smooth. These are the things I will do for them, and I will never abandon them (GWT). At the time, many Israelites had turned away from God. Rather than serve Him alone, the people adopted the false gods, idols, and religious practices of their neighbors. These things angered the Lord and He spoke to seemingly unrepentant people through His servant.
Despite knowing the people had strayed, He assured them He would help them. Understanding their lack of wisdom, He committed to take these same individuals and lead them to new places on smooth pathways, and that the darkness that blinded them would flee.
Arguably, this is what God has done for many of us. He's opened our eyes through the knowledge of Jesus and His sacrifice, to place us on the path of righteousness, a smooth path. This journey resulted in many unfamiliar experiences. New situations that forced us to lean more on Him than our knowledge or what we can see with our physical eyes. And at every turn, God was there with us. Never abandoning us even when we thought all hope was lost.
Where would we be without Jesus and the God He reconciled us with?
This is why we who have tasted and seen that the Lord is good, must pray that others enjoy the same benefits. This is also why we must spread the good news of Jesus Christ to others. We should encourage them to choose God and let Him lead so that the darkness that causes 'blindness' will turn to light. We can do this by carrying ourselves as His own in our behavior and the things we say. And that comes through spending time with His Word and putting it to practice.
Praise be to God who, in His mercy, does not abandon the spiritually blind but seeks to lead them to spiritual sight by His Son and His Holy Spirit. Thanks be to the Lord who has vowed to Shepherd His sheep and lead them to smooth places. Places where the grass is green and water abounds (Psalm 23:1-2). Glory be to God who will not abandon us because He is a rewarder of those who earnestly seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). Hallelujah! And seek we shall, knowing that we are His to be led.
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CLOSING PRAYER
Thank You Great and Mighty King for bringing us to the end of today's fellowship. Sovereign! You who are the Beginning and the End! Once again, You've done it. Bringing us from our various locations to honor You by doing something so simple - lifting up praises to You and praying for others.
All because You willed it and said it was good.
Hallelujah and so much more belongs to You, Lord of lords.
Please look favorably upon today's participants. Remember them for storing up for themselves riches in heaven by serving You this day. Remember those who will enter this thread at a later date and time. Convict them, dear Abba. Bring them closer to You for the sake of Your word and Your incredible Name. Amen.
The earth is filled with Your glory, Hallelujah!
From M22 - Father Lord we thank you for your everlasting peace. We thank you that we are entitled to it every day. We pray that your peace which surpasseth all understanding will continue to guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. I pray that we never lose sight of your purpose and will for our lives IJMN Amen
LAST 10 MINUTES
Praise the Lord, we are in the last 10 minutes of fellowship and that is enough time to pray for ourselves. Let us take this opportunity to thank God for leading us out of blindness and ask Him to remove anything from us that needs to go for His glory.
We are all sinners who fall short of His glory. But, by His grace, when we repent, the blood of Jesus washes us clean and restores us to the Father.
1 John 1:7 - But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
And pray to submit to His leading on all things so that you enjoy the fullness of life and His goodness in all things.
It is well.
Father in Jesus name, I come before You to intercede for lost souls who are straying off Your path. Lord please remember that You are a merciful God and You do not delight in the death of sinners. Because of this, Lord, my prayer is that You would bring them out of the miry clay and establish them upon the rock that is Christ. Amen
Our Father, I pray for our fellow P&P participants and call on You to kindly meet them at their point of need. Some seek healing, others financial security. Still others seek happiness and joy.
Whatever it is they are in need of, I know You are the God of provision, Jehovah Jireh. With You, nothing is impossible. As such, I call on You, my God, to step into the lives of Your children and give them the blessings and victories they need.
My El Gibbor, I call on You, dear Lord, to overthrow everything in their lives resisting Your promise, purpose and plan in their lives. You who created them will complete what You have started in them to Your glory. Nothing and no one compares to You and Your power, so I place my prayer subjects before You, IJMN, Amen.
From M22 - Abba Father I commit our heart desires at your feet. You know our wants, needs, desires and goals. I pray Father that you answer our prayers. Father Lord help us not to turn any of our desires until idols. Hello us to put you first even before our desires. We thank you for provision. IjMN Amen
From JIR - Please Lord look over all widows and orphans. Please turn their mourning and sorrow into joy and gladness. Please bless them to take You as their refuge. Please take them under Your wings Lord and shield them for those looking to take advantage of them. Please bless them with the oil of joy for mourning. Please touch their hearts Lord to turn to You and rely on You for strength and guidance. IJMN. Amen.
From M22 - Father Lord I thank you for sis @FFJ . Thank you Lord for constantly increasing her in supernatural wisdom, favour, knowledge and strength. Thank you for taking care of her and her loved ones. Thank you Lord for giving her and her loved ones a future and a hope. Thank you Lord for what you will do, you have done and you will continue to do in her life IJMN Amen
Isaiah 59:17 - He put on righteousness as his breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on his head; he put on the garments of vengeance and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak.
Lord, I call on You to wrap people in Your cloak of zeal. Breathe into dry bones, Lord. Let them come to life (Ezekiel 37:4-5). Let the slain stand tall like an army for Your glory, Jehovah. Lord, let hearts return to You. Pour out Your Spirit on flesh (Joel 2:28). Restore the weary. Replace hearts of stone with hearts of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26).
Give Your people hearts that pound for You, tongues that thirst for You, eyes that see and ears that hear that they may not be like those Jesus spoke of in Matthew 13:13 - This is why I speak to them in parables: “Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.
IJMN, Amen.
From M22 - Abba Father I thank you for couples waiting on you for the fruit of the womb. I thank you Father that you will turn their waiting into fruitfulness in due timing. I thank you for the healthy and beautiful babies you will bless them with. I thank you for putting an end to miscarriages, failed IVFs and difficult adoption processes IjMN Amen
From SN - I have returned and I'm late as usual
From M22 - Abba Father I thank you for taking care of those in need. Thank you for helping them persevere even in the toughest of situations. I thank you for guiding them according to your will. I thank you for providing for them in ways beyond rheur imagination. I thank you for showing them how much you love them and will always be with them. May your name be exalted IJMN Amen
Sovereign Lord. You are the Almighty. Full of power and might. I thank You for this opportunity to lift up the healing needs of my prayer subjects before You today.
Almighty God, Your word is clear in Isaiah 38:16 - Your words and your deeds bring life to everyone, including me. Please make me healthy and strong again.
Father, I know that satan seeks to steal, kill, and destroy. However, You are the God who said that You came to bring life and life to the fullest.
I therefore call on You, my Creator, to send forth Your word to heal the sick. Let Your word transform their diseased bodies and clouded minds. Uproot whatever You have not planted, Heavenly Father. Bring the enemy's plans to steal, kill, and destroy to an end in the lives of my prayer subjects, IJMN, Amen. Make them healthy and strong again, IJN, Amen.
From M22 - Abba Father I thank you for children across the world. I thank you for continually shielding and protecting them from harm, violence and abuse. I thank you Lord for helping them grow and fulfil destiny. I thank you for touching the hearts and minds of parents, caregivers and guardians to nourish and nurture them in your ways. I thank you for aligning them in accordance to your will. I bless your name of these little ones IJMN Amen
Heavenly Father, I thank You for Your kindness and mercy. Thank You for being the God whom we come to. The God who hears and answers our prayers.
Lord, I lift up the issue of poverty. People are starving around the world, unable to find resources for their immediate needs such as food, medicine, housing. God, I call on You in accordance with Your word in Psalm 12:5 - But you, LORD, tell them, "I will do something! The poor are mistreated and helpless people moan. I'll rescue all who suffer." (CEV). Dear God, move on behalf of these ones. You see their suffering and their pain. You are the God who has promised to show mercy and compassion to those whom You will show mercy and compassion. May these ones be recipients of this grace, IJMN, Amen. IJN, I break the spirit of poverty in any form upon these ones. For Jesus died to set every captive free and thus anyone stuck in a structure of poverty and lack has access to the abundance and provision of the Lord through the name of Jesus in which I pray. Amen.
Remember Your word in Psalm 22:26 - The poor will eat and be satisfied; those who seek the LORD will praise him— may your hearts live forever!
Make a mockery of the enemy and its plans to keep people in deprivation, my King. For the word states and I believe it to be true that for those in need, My God will supply their need according to His riches in glory (Philippians 4:19). You are not a stingy or lacking God, so Father, pour out upon those struggling in poverty, IJMN, Amen.
From M22 - Abba Father I want to thank you for seeing us through this week till date. Thank you Father for ushering us into the weekend. Thank you Father that we can rest in your comfort and authority. We thank you for meeting us at the point of our needs and we thank you for your infinite compassion towards us. We pray to always remain grateful and glorify your name IJMN Amen
From JIR - I pray for those in storm stricken and war stricken areas. I pray that You bless them with the love, peace, comfort, strength, courage and protection they need to withstand what they are going through. I pray that they pray to You steadfast, never give up on praying to You and never give up on You. I pray that You pull them out of what they are going through so that they bounce back and recover. IJMN. Amen.
PRAYER TIME
Glory to God in the highest! Now, it is time for us to lift up the needs of others in prayer. Let us call on the Lord to help them by turning their situation around.
If you're not praying for a person but are praying about an issue affecting people, call on the Lord to work miracles.
The Lord bless and guide you, IJMN, Amen.
Father I thank You for increase, understanding, and discipline! Thank You for fellowship today
Sovereign Lord, thank You for this opportunity to fellowship together. Glory be to Your Holy Name!
Hebrews 10:24-25 - And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.