Open Heavens Devotional 22nd May, 2019
Theme For Open Heavens Devotional 22nd May – THE PRAYER ANSWERING GOD.
MEMORISE:
And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. Psalm 50:15
READ: 1 Chronicles 4:9-10
9 And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow.
10 And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.
MESSAGE
Here’s some good news for children of God today: The Almighty God, the creator of the universe, still answers prayers of those who call on Him. There is someone using this devotional who thinks that God no longer answers prayers, because it seems you have never received an answer to your prayers before. Those testimonies you have been hearing of God’s awesome acts now look like make-up stories. The Lord asked me to declare to you these words of Jesus Christ today:
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.”
John 16:23b-24
God’s promise in today’s memory verse is as valid as ever, and we must keep believing it. We should not allow the devil cheat us by convincing us to seek other alternatives instead of praying to God. When the Almighty declared the words in Psalm 50:15, He was not making a political statement; rather, He was telling us not only what He is capable of doing but also what He is eager to do if only we believe. In John 11:40, Jesus said to Martha:
“……. Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?”
One man who experienced this prayer-answering God was Jabez. Reacting to the painful circumstances surrounding his birth, his mother gave him a name meaning “child of sorrow”. However, Jabez was determined to defy the negative influence of this bad name. he therefore called upon God and the Lord and granted his request. Are you under a similar burden? I decree over you today that like Jabez, every negative influence affecting you will be wiped away as you pray in faith in Jesus Name. you can learn a lot from the prayer of Jabez, particularly the way he rejected poverty by a simple prayer of faith. Jabez did not shy away from prosperity like some Christians do. I have tasted poverty, so much so that I had no shoe on my feet until I was eighteen years old. I have also tasted of divine prosperity. I can therefore tell you that one is far better than the other. Moreover, Jabez prayed that riches should come into his life without bringing calamity along. He believed that the God who blessed can equally protect him from the evil that can be associated with wealth. People who fear being wealthy should learn from the prayer of Jabez and begin to call on the prayer answering God, who alone can protect as well as bless (Proverbs 10:22). Go ahead and pray for your heart desires; today is your day of answered prayer.
ACTION POINT:
Following the pattern of Jabez’s prayer, ask the Lord to bless you indeed.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Exodus 37-38
Jeremiah 40:1-12
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
HYMN 8: MY FAITH LOOKS UP TO THEE
My faith looks up to Thee,
Thou Lamb of Calvary,
Savior divine!
Now hear me while I pray,
Take all my guilt away,
Oh, let me from this day
Be wholly Thine!
May Thy rich grace impart
Strength to my fainting heart,
My zeal inspire!
As Thou hast died for me,
Oh, may my love to Thee
Pure, warm, and changeless be,
A living fire!
While life’s dark maze I tread,
And griefs around me spread,
Be Thou my guide;
Bid darkness turn to day,
Wipe sorrow’s tears away,
Nor let me ever stray
From Thee aside.
When ends life’s transient dream,
When death’s cold, sullen stream
Shall o’er me roll;
Blest Savior, then in love,
Fear and distrust remove;
Oh, bear me safe above,
A ransomed soul!
Credit – Pastor E Adeboye