It is so easy to enter into a new year thinking about all the things you failed to do in the year that just ended. It is equally easy to focus on all the things you are waiting on the Lord to do. You look at all the promises you hoped to see that seemingly remain unfulfilled.
If that's how you felt on New Year's Day, or if that's how you feel right now, you are not alone. There's something about stepping into a calendar year that gets people sentimental. And in some cases, melancholy.
However, you cannot allow such attitudes to become the theme of your year. It just will not do to be burdened with what shoulda or coulda been. Instead, you have to take a moment or two, to remember what the Lord did for you in the last year. Things you never could have achieved on your own You can't afford to forget what God has done for your loved ones and yourself.
And as you remember those Jericho Moments - the wins God gave you along the way - you will no longer focus on what you are yet to see. You will instead focus on what God is bringing your way. There will be a shift in attitude and perspective. You'll go from sadness to the joy of the Lord. You'll fulfill Isaiah 61:3's guidance of replacing the spirit of despair with the garment of despair. This will be accomplished by singing and playing music that praises the Lord and dancing in anticipation of what's coming by His grace. After all, He promised that those who wait on Him will not be disappointed (Romans 10:11). Plus, He said in Proverbs 23:18 - ...you have a bright future (GNT). That commitment belongs to every child of God who believes in it.
Has your mind turned to the verse on "hope deferred"? Then, I want you to remember something. Proverbs 13:12 tells us, Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life (NKJV). This verse is true and you might have lifted it up to the Lord to encourage Him to swiftly fulfill your desire. There is nothing wrong with that, except if your request is detestable to Him. Nevertheless, keep the following in mind: God can defer our desires to strengthen our faith and increase our patience.
If either of those is the reason why you are still waiting, then buckle up and be prepared to wait a little longer. We can't skip any classes with the Lord. Remember, He has taken full responsibility for you, His child. You must therefore be raised properly to become effective tools for His purpose here on earth. Thus, if you signed up to be His child, then you've signed up to learn what He has to teach the way He wants to teach you.
So, as we place some distance between 2023 and each new day, turn your gaze to the God who has good plans for you (Jeremiah 29:11). Plans that will not fail but will surely come to pass as we cooperate with Him and allow Him to help us with everything.
I hope to see you at Noon EST when we'll worship the Lord and pray for others. See you then!
Please read the following New Year's posts from the past:
From M22 - Happy New Year Folks! May we have the cause to rejoice this year! Endless Praise Reports IjMN amen! Above all, may we draw closer to God and continue to seek him regardless of circumstances! IjMN amen
From M22 - Thank you Abba for the first P&P of the year! Thank you Abba that we are not leaving this fellowship empty handed. Thank you Abba for your transformation in our lives as we intercede on behalf of others and causes dear to our hearts. Thank you Lord for making our hearts your home. We glorify your name Abba! Amen !
From M22 - Thank you for fighting our battles Jehovah Olugbeja! Thank you for destroying the plans of the enemy. Thank you for being infinite steps ahead of the enemy and for your continuous protection and preservation over our lives. Mighty Man in Battle we worship you! Amen.
From M22 - Abba I commit my siblings, loved ones and this wonderful community into your care. I pray that you help them navigate this year. I pray that they will continue to seek you above everything else. I pray that you will grant them supernatural clarity and discernment moving forward IJMN amen!
From MFC - Our God who surrounds us with lovingkindness and tender mercies, we ask Your blessing over this new year. Surely You crown the year with all that is pleasant and good, and Your paths drip with abundance. We are so blessed to have You dwell among us. On this first day of P&P of the year, we commit ourselves to You anew, to love You with all our hearts, souls, and minds, and to love others as You love us. Amen.
From M22 - Abba I pray for people in tht waiting season. I pray that you will help them hold on to your word in 2 Timothy 1:7 that you have not given them a spirit of fear and timidity but a spirit of power, love and a sound mind. I pray that you will silence every external or internal voice that is making them doubt you and the victory you have granted them. I hold on to your word in Isaiah 40:31 that you will renew their strength and they will soar high like eagles IjMN amen.
CLOSING PRAYER
Praise the Lord God Almighty! By His grace we have come to the end of another P&P gathering.
Hallelujah!
Lord, we thank You for showing us great grace and mercy. Thank You for the blessing of bringing us into a new year.
We pray that our worship and intercession rose as a sweet-smelling incense to You. Please take all the glory, Messiah!
From sis OD - May we see, feel, and hear God and never be blinded by what the devil or our enemies try to do to steal from our ability to know and trust God in all aspects of our lives. Amen
LAST 10 MINUTES
The Bible warns us in Proverbs 4:23 - Carefully guard your thoughts because they are the source of true life (CEV).
None of us should allow the enemy to control how we see things. As we walk further and further into 2024, we must protect our minds.
Permit me to say this prayer over you:
I pray for You that on that issue You are waiting on, the Lord has come to tackle it. He has come to handle it for you. I pray for you that your eyes will open - every scale will fall - and you will see the Lord's prosperity when it shows up for you. I declare over your life that you have the mind of Christ and that transforms the way your brain and every part of your body operates. I declare that you are off limits to the devil because Christ's blood sets you free. You will desire to walk with God and He will help you to do so even better than you did last year. Your perspective will be heaven-minded in the wondrous name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
If you receive this prayer, please type Amen below and be sure to praise God for what He has coming for you in this new year.
It is well with you and shall remain so to the glory of our God!
From sis FJ- Almighty God, I thank You for being the Great Shepherd who cares for His sheep. You leave the 99 to find the 1. You promise, "never again will I be angry with my people". However, You are still the Lord, our Judge, King, and Lawgiver and You know of our past mistakes which are responsible for our problems. "your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear" (Isaiah 59:2). Merciful God, I call upon You on behalf of Peppers and other believers. It is written "the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” (Mt 4:16). And "For thus says the LORD: “Even the lawful captives of the mighty shall be taken, and the prey of the terrible be rescued, for I will contend with those who contend with you, and I will save your children." (Isaiah 49:25)
Because of this, God, I come before You to call for the release of people who are in darkness. Anyone who the enemy has blinded, so that they don't see or understand as they should, I command that blind off in Jesus name. After all, people perish for lack of knowledge. God, You don't take pleasure in the death of sinners, You'd rather thye come to salvation. Let there be deliverance in Jesus name. Oh Lord of Hosts, I call for angelic help to bring freedom to the captives. Angels are ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation, so let the angels, that You have assigned to these people, go and free them. Amen in Jesus name!
From MFC - Father God, thank You for bringing us together to pray over the needs of Your people. We humbly touch and agree over these petitions. Have your way Heavenly Father. We bless Your name because only You can make crooked ways straight and take painful situations to bring You glory and honor. May we never forget that You are in control. Hallelujah and Amen!
From M22 - Abba I pray for people that are job hunting this season. I pray that you will lead them to companies where their workflow will be optimized, their inputs will be appreciated and their mental health will be prioritized. I pray they will not fall into the trap of exploitation and forced labour. IjMN amen.
From M22 - Abba I pray for couples seeking the fruit of the womb. I pray that you will turn their waiting into fruitfulness. I pray that you will bless them with beautiful and healthy babies. I pray that you will help them nourish and nurture their babies IJMN amen.
Good God, You are the Almighty. Nobody compares to You. Father, thank You for hearing my prayer for people that they come to a knowledge of You as You promised in Jeremiah 24:7. Thank You for giving people a desire for You. Thank You for whetting their appetites for more of You. Thank You for letting hearts clamor for You. Thank You for kindly pouring out Your Spirit on all mankind in accordance with Your word in Joel 2:28. Be glorified, Lord our Redeemer.
Now and forever more, IJMN, Amen.
From M22 - Abba I pray for people that are sick and recovering. I pray that you will hear their cries and grant them permanent healing and relief. I pray that you will touch the hearts and minds of medical staff to use the right procedures, drugs and treatment . I pray abba that you will coordinate the hand, eyes and hearts of very surgeon to carry out successful surgeries IJMN amen. Abba I pray for supernatural healing for everyone that is sick and recovering IjMN amen.
From M22 - Blessed Father I lift up children into your care. I pray that you will continue to shield them from harm, violence and abuse. I pray that you will continue to nourish and nurture them. Abba please help them fulfil their purpose and potentials. Help them advance your kingdom here on earth. Strengthen their faith as they grow. IjMN amen.
From MFC -
Father, I place Japan before You.
Psalm 65:6-7 - You formed the mountains by your power and armed yourself with mighty strength. You quieted the raging oceans with their pounding waves and silenced the shouting of the nations (NLT).
Father, the devil is the source of confusion and chaos. I therefore call on You who stills the seas and the nations. As the earth is Yours, Lord, I call on You to still the ground and the earthquakes that have destroyed lives and property on New Year's day.
Have mercy, my God, IJMN, Amen.
From sis FJ - Father I want to thank You for Your protection and grace upon our lives. Because where others say there is a "casting down" we say there's a lifting up! Thank You, God, that what could've gone south for someone else went perfectly fine for me and O. That is Your grace and I thank You Abba!
From MFC - Happy New Year Peppers!
it's Tuesday, the very first Tuesday of the year. I pray that God has continued to bless and keep you all throughout the holidays.
@FFJ we bless the Lord for today's message. Totally relatable for me, because I have felt melancholy.
The Word tells us that the spoils of this world are meaningless, and ultimately will be forgotten. Only what we do for Christ will last.
The Spirit convicts my heart to press towards the mark of the higher calling. Instead of being regretful over wasted time or missed opportunities, now is the time to reflect and pray. So many earthly things consume my time, but how many of my priorities align with the call Jesus has placed on my life?
Instead of being distracted and scrolling the internet, I tried something new...starting with writing (some) of the attributes of our Father God...
Awesome, Benevolent, Caring, Divine, Everlasting, Forgiving, Graceful, Humble, Incredible, Joyful, Knowing, Loving, Magnificent, Never-Failing, Omnipotent, Powerful, Quiet Assurance, Reigning, Strong Tower, Unlimited, Victorious, Wonderful, eXcellent, Yahweh, Zenith
From A-Z, with God all things are possible!
From sis OD -
Thank you, God, for 2023. Thanks for bringing my family together and giving us healing. We are not where we want to be, but you have started the work, and it's a great work.
Thank you for my growth through PnP, and thanks for my health, job, coworkers, protection from many things, including two accidents in July 2023, provision, vision, teaching, and growth in all areas of my life.
You have been working on the desires of my heart. This December, you showed and gave me things I know I deserve but am conflicted about receiving. But I trust you and only you.
From AC - I didn't write this prayer, it's one that went viral years ago but one I am lifting up to the Lord for my prayer subjects, and the millions of others struggling with addiction.
Dear Lord, we come to you and we pray for all those who are struggling tonight. We ask in the name of Jesus, that you be with each person who is struggling with addiction, whether it be alcohol, drugs, xes, gambling, food...sometimes it’s more than one at a time.
Lord, you are our deliverer. We can do anything through Christ who strengthens us, but, we must take the first step. We must realize we have a problem and a need, and we must ask for help. I ask Lord, that you will give each person the courage to face up to their problems and to have a strong desire to change.
I ask that you will remove all outside influences that hinder them from coming clean and who perpetuate their addictions. We ask in Jesus’ name, that you will bind the enemy and that you will put your angels about each person to protect them tonight from themselves and from the things that keep dragging them down. Lord, I know many self-medicate so they won’t have to deal with the pain in their life. I pray that you will give them the courage and strength to face down their demons and hurts, and to clean out the wounds once and for all, so they can be free to be the person that you’ve called them to be. To be free from the sickness and pain that keeps them in bondage.
We ask for healing in families torn apart by addiction. We ask for protection for those family members who are in harm’s way because of their loved one’s addictions. Lord, everyone suffers in a family where there is addiction. Please pour out your grace, mercy, and healing power on each person who has been affected by someone with an addiction.
May the chains be broken tonight, Lord. Set the captives free and please begin that healing that only you can bring. Please bring hope…give a vision of what life can be like for a person freed from pain and addiction. Lord, for every need spoken or unspoken… and you know them all, we ask for your provision.
Please bring people into their lives who will stand beside them and help them to be accountable and will help them to stay clean and free. May you restore their sense of self-worth, and may they find redemption and restoration in you Lord. We praise you and thank you Lord for the work you are going to do. In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen
PRAYER TIME
Now that we've entered His throne with our praises, it is time to pray for people.
Exodus 15:18 - “_The Lord reigns for ever and ever._”
Hallelujah!
Thank You, Jehovah, the protector of my family.
What the enemy intended was shattered to pieces. Thank You for foiling the devil's plans against my loved ones.
Thank You so much for surrounding them with favor as a shield that couldn't be pierced through.
Hallelujah!!!!
From M22 - Heavenly Father, we bless and thank you for your grace upon our lives. We thank you for ushering us into this new year. We pray that you hold our hands and help us navigate through each day, week, month of this year. We pray that this year we will devote ourselves to you more than ever IJMN amen!
Heavenly Father, thank You for those gathered here today. Thank You for the mercy and grace they have received from You.
May they forever praise Your Holy Name.
Marvelous God, we come before You today to offer our praise.
Thank You for kindly allowing us to enter into a new year.
May every part of our lives glorify You IJN, Amen.
PRAISE TIME
You already know what time it is!!
Let's get to praising!
From AC - Thank You Abba, for ushering us into a new year, a new season, a new dawn. Thank You for the Jericho Moments and sweet testimonies of Your faithfulness that continue to encourage us. Thank You for ordering our lives and ruling over our affairs, I know that You love Your children and that You are working all things together for our good. We are grateful that You are indeed our Daddy in Heaven Who watches over us. In Jesus' name, we give You all glory and praise. Amen!
Happy New Year Peppers and thank you @FFJ for sharing today's New Year message.
From EC - Amen and Happy New Year ladies!
From SN - dancing in anticipation of what's to come
From S - What a beautiful Praise & Pray message on this first Tuesday! I am so excited for what 2024 has to offer. I want to thank all the fonts that prayed for me last year. May God continue to wrap his arms around everyone this year! :heart:
From M22 - Thank you Abba for the first P&P of 2024. Thank you for the start of greater things in our lives. Thank you for ushering us into a new era. Thank you Father for your grace, mercy, kindness,love, patience mad generosity to us. May your name be exalted in Jesus name. Amen!
Happy New Year Peppers and sis @FFJ !! Grateful for another year of Fellowship with everyone of you all!
Thank you for today's word sis @FFJ . Today's message definitely highlighted how I felt yesterday. The nervousness of how this year will be because of how tough last year was. Grateful we have God's promise in Jeremiah 29:11 to remind us that he has created a future for us and renewed our hope. I pray that God will help us shift our focus to the natural because it is the physical that scares and intimidates us , the "What if I don't" and so on. I pray that we will continue to seek God according to his word in Matthew 6:33. IjMN amen.
From sis OD - Happy New Year P&P
Thank you, God, for this message