The Bible tells us in 1 Peter 4:16 that although Christians will suffer for the sake of their faith, we are to "praise God that you bear that name."
Has it ever occurred to you to thank God that you are called by His name? Yes, when you became a Christian, you joined the family of believers and became one of His children. As is typically the case for most children when they are born, you got the name of your Father written on your birth certificate. That certificate is a page in the Book of Life that calls you the child of God and thus a bearer of this name.
It is easy for some to look at all their struggles and genuinely wonder what benefits they've experienced as a child of God. This is because God's children go through tough times. In many cases, the enemy attacks them to make them regret choosing God's family. And, at other times, the Lord allows these challenges to strengthen and build up His children. Neither situation is fun and when one is in the midst of it, the pain and stress can seem daunting.
Nevertheless, can you truly say you've never experienced God's blessing? Can you say He's done nothing for you? Are there no Jericho Moments you've experienced where God worked a miracle for you or a loved one? Has God not shown Himself to you in a way you can hold on to?
Even if that is somehow your testimony, there is breath in your lungs. You've been chosen to see a new day while others weren't so fortunate. No matter how tough things are, there is a future and a hope for you and as you walk with God you will surely see it (Jeremiah 29:11). Plus, despite the trials you have been through, a time will come when you will look back and smile that you made it through with God's help. All of this is because the Lord's best is for His children and He promises that the days to come will be better than those of the past (Job 8:7).
Also, because you are God's child and bear the mark of Christ per Galatians 6:17, the worst of what satan wanted for you never came to pass and never will. When the Bible said that the devil came to steal, kill, and destroy that was no exaggeration (John 10:10). The devil wants God's people feeling hopeless and if possible, dead. That way they cannot resist hell's operations on earth. It is the grace and love of the Lord that spares each of us from the fullness of satan's wicked desires and causes our enemies to not have success.
Today, let us express gratitude that we are part of the family of believers. Let us thank the Lord that we are His children, chosen and loved by Him. Take a moment to think of the kindness you've experienced in this world. Remember the mercy God has shown you. Give Him thanks, confident that you have encountered and will encounter more of His blessings because you bear His name.
And if you are unsure that you are His child, this is the moment to change that. Ask Jesus to come into your life and reconcile you with God. Tell Him that you want to bear the name of God and submit to being His child. Just invite Him to make himself real to you right where you are. And because Romans 8:14 teaches, "For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God," ask for the gift of the Holy Spirit. That way, you will always be led by the Lord and remain His child even when life seeks to pull you away from Him. I pray in the name of Jesus that everyone who cries out for the Lord this way will have a tangible encounter. May you come to know God deeply way whereby He's as real as any human being you know. I pray you will have a wonderful relationship from this day, in the mighty and wondrous name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
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From M22 - Happy weekend folks. In regards to studying the Word more, (enduringword.com) is very good for Bible commentary on the Old and New Testament. I pray that God helps us to be more equipped in prayer and his Word! Amen
CLOSING PRAYER
Thank You God. Great is Thy faithfulness. Once again, You made it possible for us to gather from around the world to honor You with our praises and petitions for others. All glory belongs to You alone. Thank You, Lord, for this privilege.
Thank You so much for the opportunity to thank You for the blessing of being Your children who bear Your Holy Name. Hallelujah! All glory goes to You, Lord.
2 Peter 1:2 - Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
Father, this is my prayer for today's participants as well as those who will participate at a later time. May they receive Your grace and peace in abundant measure as they come to know Yourself and Your Son more. IJMN I pray, Amen.
From JJ7 - God blessed each of us so much daily I don’t think we realize how much at times. Praise the Lord!
From M22 - Father I pray for sis @FFJ that you will continue to increase her in supernatural wisdom, favour, knowledge and understanding. I pray that you will continue to build her in character and faith. I pray that you will bless her, her family, her loved ones and everything that concerns her IjMN Amen
From M22 - Father Lord I thank you for my siblings. Thank you for the spiritual changes you have been making in our lives. Thank you for teaching, correcting, renewing, transforming and pruning us. I pray that you will continue to work through us and for us. I pray that you will meet us at the point of our needs. I submit all at your feet and I pray that you help us to prioritize you above everything else no matter the circumstances IJMN Amen
From M22 - Abba Father I pray for children across the world that you continue to shield them from Harm, violence and abuse. I pray that you guard the hearts and minds of their parents and caregivers to nourish and nurture them in your ways. Thank you Father for watching over every child on earth! Amen.
From JIR - I pray for believers everywhere to be guided by the Holy Spirit to read the Bible everyday and place it as a priority in our lives. I pray that we not only read the Bible but receive the messages or lessons from the Bible being taught to us through the Holy Spirit and take heed and apply them to our everyday lives. I pray that we continue to help those in need and give the shirt off our backs or shoes off our feet if need be. I pray that we continue giving to those in need and it becomes part of our daily pleasure in life. IJMN. Amen.
From AW - Father God, thank you for waking me up this morning. I thank you for all the blessings you have given me, big and small. Your grace and mercy gives me strength and courage to face whatever challenges that come my way. Your love has always been comforting in my life, guiding me through good times and bad. Father, I praise Your holy name and thank You for being my rock and my light in the darkness. IJMN, Amen.
LAST 10 MINUTES
I pray that today's message encouraged you. I pray that you asked God to be called His own if you were unsure whether you bear His name. If you are yet to do so, please do. There's no need to live in uncertainty. Besides, joining His family is THE way to go.
Now, if you've stretched out your hand to take that of the Lord, then yay!!! Whether you did so today or in the past there is cause to rejoice. So let us declare our gratitude together -
Thank You, God, that we are known by You. Thank You, Lord, that we are known by Your wonderful name. Glory be to You, God. Help us to never forget that we belong to You when the troubles of the world stir up to turn our attention from You. Help us to rest forever in the knowledge that we are Yours and You are ours. All by Your grace and to Your glory, IJMN, Amen.
Thank You, Lord!!!
From sis FJ -
Lord I resist hell's operations on Earth (in reference to today's P&P message).
Lord, it is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Our Messiah has come to earth so we have life in abundance. Jesus Christ was wounded to bear our sins and punishments upon himself (Isaiah 53:5) so that we may be free, healed, and blameless.
God I thank You for the basis that Your word provides. This confirms that this is Your will, and the Bible says that we will have whatever we ask or desire that is in accordance with Your will. (1 John 5:14)
In Jesus name, I come against satan's attacks on children of God. Let the ministering spirits (Heb 1:14) go forth and attack the enemy's servants. I call for the breaking of chains and the deliverance of souls IJN. Amen
Glory be to You Heavenly Father. You are He who created all things and with just a word the world came to be.
Lord, we call on You to once again speak a word for those who are waiting on You for their marital destiny. Lord, guide Your children into Your marital will and purpose for their lives. Father shield them from the counterfeits. I decree that every counterfeit will be blinded just as the Aramean army was blinded when they came looking to attack Prophet Elisha (2 Kings 6).
God, with a word, direct and position Your children for Your perfect will for them (Romans 12:2). That they will join with equally yoked and holy spouses, birth and raise godly offspring, and serve in the ministry of marriage for Your glory and by Your grace, IJMN, Amen.
Lord, I come against every disease that affects women and their reproductive health. I decree against all fibroids, every sign of PCOS, anemia, and anything else presenting as a disease but is a weapon of the enemy to bring ill health and impact the reproductive capacity of your daughters in this group.
Father, I decree that I bind each and every of these diseases in the mighty name of Jesus. As they are bound here on earth, they are bound in heaven in accordance with Your word.
God, I speak life and good health. I loosen on earth Your healing grace and transformation of bodies to Your glory and by Your grace. I decree that these diseases are healed and canceled IJN, Amen. I decree that people shall experience Your healing and the attempts of the devil against them in this way - such unauthorized touches are destroyed - through Christ, Amen!
Lord, thank You for being the God of all flesh. Because of this, we know that nothing is difficult for You (Jeremiah 32:27). You are the God who can do all things and does all things as He wills because Your dominion is everlasting and Your authority cannot be contested.
Father, I lift up those who will be experiencing surgery soon.
God Your word states that nothing is difficult. Even Jesus taught us that with You, all things are possible. As such, we know that for those who will go into surgery soon, You will usher them in and bring them out successfully. The doctors and nurses shall be Your hands here on earth, bringing healing to bodies. All by Your grace and to Your glory, IJMN, Amen.
Thank You, oh mighty God. Our Jehovah Rapha. Thank You for using doctors and medicine to heal, IJMN, Amen.
From M22 - Abba Father I pray that you put an end to road, sea and aviation accidents. Father Lord it's not your will for people to perish in transport routes that should get them safely to their destination. Abba I pray for your anointing over every road, railway, sea route and airspace in this world. I pray that you cover every single person as they go in and out everyday IJMN Amen.
From sis FJ - God, I pray for new graduates in this season. I ask You to favor those who are Your children. Please smoothly walk them into the next opportunity You have for them. And if You want them to go into a calmer season and rest, please guide them to be at peace with Your will. I honor You God for successfully getting them through school. Please favor them because Jesus died for them to have life abundantly (Jn 10:10)
From AW - Pullin' up to P&P late like:
No, seriously, I got stuck running an errand. I may or may not have broken a few traffic laws to get here. :LOL:
Father God, as the school year ends, I pray for children's safety this summer. Father, guard them against any accidents or mishaps that may come their way, allowing them to enjoy their summer without worry or fear. Protect them from any negative influences or dangers that strangers pose, guiding them away from potential harm. Thank you, Father, for always listening to our prayers and watching over us. IJMN, Amen!
From M22 - Abba Father I pray for people that have not come to know you. I pray that you will open up their hearts and minds to receive you. I pray that you will send believers their ways to guide them as they ease into knowing who you are Faithful Father. I pray that the fruits of the Spirit will start to reflect in their character and faith. I pray for consistency and steadfastness for them IJMN Amen
from M22 - Abba Father I want to thank you for this Wonderful Family of Christ. Thank you for bringing us together in fellowship. Thank you for taking care of our needs. Thank you for strengthening us in character and faith. Thank you Lord for increasing us in the knowledge and understanding of your powerful Word. I bless your name over everyone of us. May we continue to walk in obedience with you and may your promise for us in Jeremiah 29:12 come to pass in our lives IJMN Amen
PRAYER TIME
Time to turn our attention to the needs of other people and pray fervently for them.
You might be the tree someone needs to lean on right now, so please lift up your prayer subjects with zeal.
God bless you.
From JIR - Thank You Lord for your unwavering, faithfulness to us all. Your love, compassion, grace and mercy are awe inspiring and incomprehensible. Thank You for helping me this week with picking out a modest car and blessing me with a smooth sale of my old car and purchase of my new car. Through Your grace I am unfazed with the choice that was made because I know that it was pleasing to You Lord and that is what matters.
All I want to do in life is obey You and do what is pleasing to You. Thank You for this path that You have picked for me. No matter what it is or the purpose You have determined for my life I am in it 100%. Please continue to give me the strength, love and comfort to endure no matter the circumstances. Thank You for loving me how You do Lord and continuously being there for me. Glory be to You! IJMN. I glorify You! I magnify You! I praise You! Amen.