The last few weeks have been very busy and have presented challenges that I wish I didn't have to deal with. They forced me to dig deep into what I knew of God and fight to not forget who He is and what He is capable of.
One day, while looking at an old journal of mine, I saw a simple and practical instruction I'd received years earlier while spending time with the Lord. It was - Our issues are actually praise points as they are an indication of the miracles coming our way. Although the sentence was written in my handwriting, I realized this lesson was one I'd never actually put into practice. Well, as I thought about the words, I knew it was time to change that.
I wrote down the main challenges I was facing in that moment and as I did, the Holy Spirit gave me scriptural references that spoke of God's promises on each issue. I jotted those down too. Then, I took a deep breath and started writing. I turned each problem into a praise point that incorporated scripture and reflected my faith and hope that God had already taken care of it for me. I then set to read that list once a day.
Praise God that in two days, my first praise point came to pass! seeing how God did it for me encouraged and reassured me that I will see what He does with the rest of my praise points shortly.
I want to encourage you to turn your prayer points into praise points. Those problems that have been weighing you down and seem like they will never be resolved are the very ones God wants you to give unto Him. Not just in prayer but also in praise. Acknowledge His might and power by thanking God in advance for the resolution He has already set into motion. Resolution that you will witness and rejoice for.
Do not forget that in taking this approach, I was armed with scripture. I strongly recommend that you do the same. If you don't know what scripture to use, please let this be a reminder that it is time for you to find it in the Bible. After all, faith without works is dead. So, please take the time to marry your faith with the works of seeking the scripture you need.
Take the issue you have and search for that term in the Bible. Also search with related words to pull up the verses that tie to your particular predicament. Don't just pull up random verses though, be sure to ask God for guidance and read the chapter containing the verse to see if it actually applies. If it doesn't, keep searching. It is best to patiently find what you need than to apply the wrong approach.
As a starting point, here are a few verses that are helpful to have in a believer's arsenal. They include
Psalm 23:1 - The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
Philippians 4:19 - And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (NKJV).
There are many more. God has liberally given us scripture for every circumstance. Ask Him to lead you to the weapon in His word that will turn your praise point into a ballistic missile that will break through everything standing in the way of what you are waiting for. A godly missile that will reach God and become a sweet-smelling incense that pleases Him.
God bless you.
From BNB - Thank you for sharing this. I needed to hear this more than anything. I’m on my way to the hospital right now. I’m 6 months pregnant and this week has been heartbreaking. I was told my baby may not make it. Despite being healthy and having no complications previously. I’m trying to remain positive and calm but after each perinatal visit the updates keep getting worse. My blood pressure has skyrocketed as a result and I’m being admitted shortly. I keep telling myself that it’s in God hands and he has the final say but it’s so hard right now. Please keep us in your prayers.
CLOSING PRAYER
Father, I thank You for today's message and the privilege of fellowshipping with Your children. To You be all the glory for it is You that made this possible.
God, I praise You for being the God who creates so many ways to get to know You and develop a relationship with You. Thank You for teaching us to transform our prayer points into praise points that glorify You and become a sweet-smelling incense in Your nostrils. And by doing so, we put our faith to work and please You. All glory belongs to You, great King!
Lord, I also want to pray for those who participated and those You will draw to this message in the future. I lift up Your word in 2 Peter 2:2 - Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. This is my prayer for them, IJMN, Amen. And as You have promised to answer the prayers of those who pray in accordance with Your will in 1 John 5:14, I thank You that this prayer is answered in my Savior's name, Amen!!! Glory be to You, Jehovah!
LAST 10 MINUTES
We've got 10 more minutes and now is a great time to put today's message into practice if you are yet to. Think of a solitary issue you are facing and ask the Lord to point you to the scripture you can use as an anchor.
Then, read the scripture and write down the challenge you face BUT write it as a point of praise to God.
Remember, whatever the devil is fighting you the hardest about will eventually become a testimony for you if you diligently hold on and wait on God to create the solution. A solution, that as was the case for Job, will prove that God will not allow the devil to earn any profit for troubling you.
That's what today's proposed exercise is about. As I mentioned, I saw it work for me in less than 48 hours. I've pronounced my praise points once a day since Saturday on average and the testimonies continue to flow from my lips.
What have you got to lose? Have faith in God, folks. Put that faith to work and do the exercise.
God bless you as you do!
From wldf - Amen!!
Thank you Father for turning my prayers into praise reports. The verses you place on my heart to let me know You will never leave me nor forsake me. Yesterday is not tomorrow. I submit to You Abba Father and I thank for Your will be done.
Psalms 27
Proverbs 3:5-6
Joshua 1:9
Father I also decree Isaiah 41:10-13 against the evil works operating against my fellow Peppers. I rebuke anyone who is giving them trouble at work, trying to trap them, or otherwise looking for their trouble with evil intent.
I pray this with confidence because I know this prayer is aligned with Your will. It is written "touch not my anointed and do my prophets no harm; I will contend with those who contend with You; whoever digs a pit [for someone else will be the one to] fall into it.
Amen, in Jesus name! Let this prayer come to pass for whoever God desires.
10 So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
11 “All who rage against you
will surely be ashamed and disgraced;
those who oppose you
will be as nothing and perish.
12 Though you search for your enemies,
you will not find them.
Those who wage war against you
will be as nothing at all.
13 For I am the Lord your God
who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
I will help you.
God our Helper. He who is Righteous. Glory be to You always.
Lord, in Isaiah 41 verses 10 and 13, You specifically said You will help us. It is a promise You made and as You are incapable of lying, we lift this promise to You and call on You to please help those in need of Your help.
People are suffering due to weather disasters that have forced them from their homes, natural disasters which have cost them their income, insecurity that creates stress.
Whatever the reason Lord, we know You are the solution.
And so, we call on You The Helper to help. Please meet people at their point of need. Make a way for them for it is only You who can transform lives and immediately change bad situations for the better.
You know what people need, and so we pray for the needy all around the world, that they will be recipients of Your help and accept it with grace. We ask that You please do it because of Your word. To Your glory and by Your grace, IJMN, Amen.
From BI - Lord, I lift into Your capable hands refugees and displaced people. Look upon them with mercy and send divine help to them. Protect them on their journey and guide them to safety. Grant us Lord a spirit of compassion and charity to help those who have not. May You Lord still the fears of refugees as they flee from war and oppression. Let them feel the warmth of Your love and grant them Your transcending peace. Bless them with food, shelter and good health IJMN Amen.
From C23 - Lord I pray for those who are being evacuated from their homes due to fires. Those who have no one may they find refuge in you during this time. May you preserve lives of first responders and all in that region and their homes and livelihoods be preserved. Please bring the fires come to an end. Amen.
Big and Mighty God!
I submit Your sheep to You. You are our Father, greater than all, and it is written: "no one will snatch them out of [Your] hand. "
Be exalted, mighty Defender, and let Your sheep be protected from the evil one. Make Your sheep "as blameless as doves, yet as shrewd as serpents". Remember Your promise in Your word, "never again will I be angry with My people Israel" . You are building them as living stones, to offer what is acceptable to You (1 Peter 2:5).
Have mercy on Your sheep, in Jesus name, amen!
Here's a prayer from sis @MamaFatCheeks from a few years ago -
Heavenly Father, I pray for the people that have lost their jobs or are looking for new employment. We ask that you order their steps and navigate them to their next opportunity. It can be so difficult financially and emotionally, please encourage their spirits to remain faithful and focus on the bright future that lies ahead. We give thanks for the jobs we have. May we be a beacon in the workplace, shining Your light to bring others closer to You. Father, I pray right now that with every presentation and meeting, we work as though we are working for You rather than people. I know that my reward is not on earth but can be found with You in heaven, and only what we do for Christ will last. Amen ❤️
Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. Colossians 3: 23-24
Glorious King. You are Sovereign and You created the heavens, the earth, the seas and everything in them (Psalm 146:6).
Psalm 22:28 - for dominion belongs to the LORD and he rules over the nations.
Father, satan told Jesus that it would give Him the nations of the world, asserting that it had such authority (Matthew 4:8-9). However, we know the truth, God, that You have all authority over the world.
As such, Father, we lift the nations up to You. There is chaos and confusion, suffering and disaster. None of these are Your doing but a reflection of the fact that we, Your children, chose to do things without Your input and instruction.
Nevertheless, I call on You to please have mercy and in accordance with Your word, still the turmoil of the nations (Psalm 65:7), IJMN, Amen.
From BI - God, I pray for those that do not know You. Lord, open their hearts to welcome You. Open their ears to hear You. Open their eyes to see You. Create in them a clean heart and renew a steadfast spirit within them. Forgive them their sins and show them the door of salvation through which they can escape the snare of the devil. May they use their mouths to confess that Jesus is Lord all to the glory of God the Father IJMN Amen.
This was a good exercise, writing down my concerns and transforming them into praise points using the word of God!
Praise reports:
Thank You God for sorting things out for us
Thank You for your surprise provision
Thank You for giving us favor and exaltation everywhere we go. Truly, whoever serves the Lord will not be put to shame.
PRAYER TIME
Let us pray to the Lord and make petitions for other people.
Know someone going through a tough time? Call on God to assist them.
Know someone in need of healing? Ask the Lord to touch them.
Know someone looking for a new job? Pray to the Lord to grant it to them.
Feel free to share your prayers with the rest of us so we join you in agreement for that person. Remember, Matthew 18:19 - “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.
Let us agree on the prayers others share for people. The Lord has committed to answer. So, please, type an 'Amen' and get to agreeing with the prayers for others.
God of my Salvation.
Words will never be able to fully express my gratitude, so let me just venerate You, God.
The Able God
The Stronghold of my life
Ancient of Days
Unlimited God
Deathless God
My Avenger
The God of Solutions
Oniduro mi
Chikadibia
Olowogbogboro
My Rock
Uncontestable God
Unchallengeable God
Ebube Dike
Ajagun Segun ni Baba mi
The God who is Incomparable
Unfailing God
The Change Technician
IGWE!!!!!
My Fortress
The Breaker of Walls
He who swears upon His own very name
The King of nations
Wonderful Counselor
Everlasting Father
My unflinching God
The Jealous God
My Master
God of everlasting kindness
El Gibbor
Father of Glory
Holy One of Israel
Jehovah Olugbeja
Agunechemba!!!
There are neither enough words, nor enough languages to adequately honor You as I need to. But, this is my worship Lord, I deposit it at Your feet as it is my duty to do so.
Osuba re ma re!
Mighty Deliverer, who is there like You?
Most High God, who is there like You?
Jehovah Jireh, my ultimate and only Provider, who is there like You?
Thou art worthy my God. Thou alone are worthy to be praised not and always!!!!
From BI - Thank You Lord for not letting it end the way the enemy planned it. Thank You it has ended in praise. Thank You for daily protection and provisions. Everything I have is because You let me have it. May gratitude to my God never cease from my mouth and heart. Thank You Abba for yesterday, today and forever IJMN Amen.
Father, I KNOW I serve a mighty God!!!
Lord, the answered prayers I have been so blessed to experience in the last few weeks are ... Lord, I just give You all the glory!
Indeed, my help is in the name of the Lord. Indeed, You are the God who will never disappoint those who wait on You.
Father, You are great and greatly to be praised. I thank You so very much. I am very grateful to You for being the prayer-answering God.
Hallelujah!
Lord, I thank You for Your word in Isaiah 121:5-8 - The Lord watches over you—the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
Thank You so very much for watching over my family and I. Thank You for keeping my loved ones and my friends from harm.
I praise You for being the God who watches over us forevermore!
From BI - Lord, I thank You for Your word in Isaiah 121:5-8 - The Lord watches over you—the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
Thank You so very much for watching over my family and I. Thank You for keeping my loved ones and my friends from harm.
I praise You for being the God who watches over us forevermore!