2023 Retreat Preparatory Prayers - Day 21: Giving God Thanks

““Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.””

— Psalm 95:1-3

We have been waiting on the Lord all these 21 days. Today we just have to dwell in his presence, worship him, and thank him for all his faithfulness.

Hebrews 12:28-29 “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our 'God is a consuming fire.” Thank the Lord for bringing us into his unshakable kingdom where every blessing of the Lord for us is secured.

Psalm 107:8-9 “Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things." Thank the Lord for his unfailing love and all he has done for us through the years.

Psalm 28:7 “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him." Thank the Lord for being our strength and shield even during this time of prayer and fasting and even beyond.

1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18 “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Thank the Lord for every circumstances we may have encountered this year and this season of waiting on him.

Psalm 7:17 “I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord Most High.”

Thank the Lord for our righteousness which is only found in him alone.

Psalm 9:1 “I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.”

Thank the Lord for the retreat and everything related to the retreat.

Thank the Lord for safe trip.

Thank the Lord for his presence, protection, provision, visitation and the manifestation of his power during the retreat and every aspect of the trip of the Father’s house to Ghana.

2023 Retreat Preparatory Prayers - Day 20: Standing with the Intercessors

““Therefore he said he would destroy them— had not Moses, his chosen one, stood in the breach before him, to turn away his wrath from destroying them.” ”

— Psalm 106:23

An intercessor is always standing before God on behalf of people, nations, places, etc., to plead with God for spiritual intervention.

Joel 2:17 “Between the vestibule and the altar let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep and say, “Spare your people, O Lord, and make not your heritage a reproach, a byword among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?”

An intercessor is sensitive and able to perceive a problem. He/she comes before God to plea for mercy. They pray for the power of God to manifest in a situation, thereby bringing the glory of God and blessings to the people.

1 Samuel 12:23 “Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way. “ It takes the heart of LOVE to make such a statement and stand by it. The Bible makes us to understand that God is Love. Therefore an intercessor must walk in love with God and his creation. Pray that the Love of and for God will grow in the heart of intercessors.

Luke 23:34 “And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.”

Acts 7:60 “And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.” An intercessor cannot walk in unforgiveness at any time, irrespective of the situation. The intercessor must ask God for the grace to forgive and let go so that prayers will be effective. Pray that this grace to forgive, even in circumstances that look impossible, will rest upon them.

Philippians 1:9-11 “And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” Pray this for every intercessor.

Isaiah 62:6-7 “On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have set watchmen; all the day and all the night they shall never be silent. You who put the Lord in remembrance, take no rest, and give him no rest until he establishes Jerusalem and makes it a praise in the earth,”. An intercessor stands before God for a situation until the mercy of God comes down. Therefore the intercessor is a consistent, steady, and effective prayer warrior who does not stop or give up until the solution of the problem is manifested. Pray for this kind of grace to stand without falling.

Jeremiah 27:18 “If they are prophets, and if the word of the Lord is with them, then let them intercede with the Lord of hosts, that the vessels that are left in the house of the Lord, in the house of the king of Judah, and in Jerusalem may not go to Babylon.”

John 14:23 “Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.”

An intercessor must walk in Love, knowledge, wisdom, and understanding of the word of God. Therefore he/she must be a student of the Holy Spirit, who is the greatest teacher and revealer of God’s Word. Pray that this will be the portion of intercessors.

Psalm 91:1 “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty”.

Daniel 2:22 “He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him.” An intercessor must be a dweller in the presence of God. This the Lord is pleased to reveal deep and hidden things. Pray for this grace and ability upon the intercessor.

Job 42:10 “And the Lord restored the fortunes of Job when he had prayed for his friends. And the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.” Pray that God will remember every intercessor and reward them as he did to Job.