The Benefits of Prayer
Once when Jesus was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say I am?”
19 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life.”
20 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “God’s Messiah.”
– Luke 9:18-20
Prayer is a discipline of the flesh, not a fruit of the spirit
– BeulahToks Johnson
Tuesday, January 10, 2023
The theme of this January’s word and prayer retreat is Discovering and Living within God’s plan. In order to do this effectively, identity is fundamental. If you don’t know who you are, you will wander, run amiss and live out someone else’s plan and purpose.
Thou must know thy Identity! Who are you?
The world will define you wrongly, it will define you by your looks, financial status, family history, residency, etc. People will often define you through their personal opinion and perspective. You must be careful not to derive your identity from the world or people’s opinions.
We see Jesus in Luke 9:18-20 asking who do men say that I am? In order to reveal his identity to his disciples. When Peter got it right, Jesus indeed said flesh and blood did not reveal this to you but the spirit of God (Matthew 16:17)
Understanding your identity is not by flesh and blood. Rather it is from the place of God’s presence. This is why you must prioritize prayer as a child of God.
In this season, God is expounding the counsel of His will to those who will seek Him. Are you a seeker?
In order to understand your identity and fulfill your purpose, you also need to answer the questions of what, where, when, who and how. Jesus by His lifestyle answered all the questions, you and I also have to do the same.
Jesus Prayed publicly and privately, you too must make prayer a habit.
Fear reigns when we do not spend time in prayer publicly and privately.
The glory coming is mighty, if you don’t invest in prayer, you might run away from what you are supposed to embrace. You might miss the timing and the season.
The spirit realm controls everything. Jesus prayed, he did not just write out goals and plans.
A consistent prayer will move you from carnality to the spirit. A consistent prayer life will transform you.
May the Lord raise your faith and consciousness to be bold, and stand strong and assured in your identity and purpose in Jesus’ Name.
LET US PRAY:
Read Daniel 2:19-3, Luke 9:18-36, 51-52
Father grant unto me a discerning heart to understand the times and seasons as they come upon me. Grant me the maturity to be very discerning in spirit.
Father, Grant unto me the spirit of revelation and the spirit of wisdom as stability for me in a very shifty world.
Father reveal to me what is hidden from others. Open my eyes to see, and read the sign. Make mysteries plain to me.
Father, Help and deliver me from the wrong agenda of people, wrong definition, and wrong purpose. Raise my faith, raise my consciousness to stand strong in my identity and purpose.
Lord sharpen my spirit. Cause me to be led by the spirit and moved by the Spirit. Father reconnect me with the Holy Spirit and with the divine enablements and power.
Father help me to live above human agenda and government policies. Help me to ride the human agenda not be limited by it.
Father, Grant me the strength of character to deny myself. Help me to subdue the flesh. Grant me an understanding of time and season. May I not miss my time and season.
Father relocate me to the place of my purpose.
God! Power me Lord to the finish. If Jesus finished, I will finish well. The wisdom from God will be my stability.
I’m discerning. I’m not flaky. I am stable on the will of God. I enjoy doing the will of God. I’m unlimited. I’m unstoppable.
I am the Daniel church. I’m a great steward. I’m a great economist. Whatever is a mystery to the world is a revelation to me in the name of Jesus.
I unlock every wisdom and dynamic of power in me. I unlock every grace and wisdom in me to fulfill my purpose and be a blessing to my world. I unlock every capacity in me. I’m activated. Wisdom and power are mine. I walk in wisdom. I walk in discernment.
I receive the revelation of deep and hidden things in my sector. The light of God dwells in me. I have uncommon understanding and wisdom.
Father show me the details of my finish. Show me what I need to stop and leave behind. Show the relationships to build or finish. Show the resources. Give me the boldness to leave what you are shutting down and to open up the new vistas you are opening up. Help me to transition into the new.
God grant me the boldness and strength to move forward into the new and to answer the questions of What when Where who and how. Grant me understanding to settle the purpose issues.
Father remove every bitterness from my heart. No unforgiveness will limit me. I power through sin and unrighteousness. I power through doubt. I power through in purity of heart.
In Jesus’ Name, I pray
