Topic: UPLIFTING LIBERTY
Text: Obadiah 1:17, Isaiah 61:1-7, 2Corinthians 3:17-18.
EXHORTATION
Praise ye the LORD! Alleluiyah! It is another glorious month of grace and unpredictable blessings, a month predestined for wonderful testimonies in the lives of God's children. For us, every month is spectacular and perfected by the unfailing grace of God Almighty. We know that in all things the LORD demands our appreciation and as we do this, all things work together for our good. Amen! (1Thessa.5:16-18, Romans 8:28)
Our prayer theme last month was quite a personal, prophetic profession: "The Gates of Hell Shall Not Prevail Over Me" (Matthew 16:16-19). It is a confession based on the finished work of Christ on the cross of Calvary. The enemy is always warring against our lives in different areas and dimensions. But we have a settled case borne on the justification we have through the precious blood of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. As usual, that theme, as well as the effect of our prayers, was not time-bound. It spans through times and seasons. Alleluiyah! Amen!
This month, the LORD has spoken once again and our prayer theme is "Uplifting Liberty". This has a direct bearing with our yearly theme, which centralizes on divine upliftment. Biblically, the word "Liberty" means freedom from sin, bondage, slavery, condemnation and satanic oppressions, through the operation of the Spirit of Christ, the Holy Spirit. -John 8:36. It is not freedom to do whatever we want but freedom to live rightly before God, through the righteousness of Christ imparted on us. It is not liberty to hide under certain excuses to commit sin. -Galatians 5:13. It is freedom from condemnation into justification. Romans 6:18.
Liberty also speaks of deliverance from all the repercussions of sin such as self inflicted problems, generational errors/bondages, evil covenants, different kinds of curses and satanically orchestrated sicknesses, etc. This was the import of Christ's reflexive declaration in the Book of Isaiah (Isaiah 61:1, Luke 4:17-21). True Liberty in Christ is the gracious work of the Holy Spirit to deliver us from the power of darkness into the marvelous light of our God. Alleluiyah! -2Corinthians 3:17, 1Peter 2:9. The term "Uplifting" means, to be inspired with a great desire to do much better or press for higher grounds. It is being filled with hope, energy, optimistic courage and confidence.
In our days, individuals, ethnic and pressure groups, Countries and nations of the world always seek one form of liberty or the other. Some call it freedom, some call it national independence, while others call it emancipation. These terms describe the propensity and struggles of a people for liberty or liberation from certain oppressions -from some higher powers, collective and individual enemies. In definite terms, those who seek liberty do so to attain certain (higher) levels of freedom. However, for certain nations, it is noticed that this motive has been defeated often times. This has been predominant especially in Africa; some other continents suffer the same. Rather than all-round growth and development that impart the lives of the people, their liberty or emancipation has led to myriads of ethnic and national problems, vis-a-vis insecurity, socio-economic and socio-political problems and much more. This is why everyone needs the God-factor; we need to turn fully to God for Him to heal our land and uplift us (2Chronicles 7:13-14). Individuals, businesses, corporations, nations and countries of the world, all need divine intervention in one way or the other.
In God's definition, Uplifting Liberty is the true, sure and lasting deliverance and freedom of God's people from every oppression of the enemy, leading to greater heights. It leads to all-round promotion and upliftment from lower levels of achievement to higher ground -spiritually, physically, financially, maritally and in all ramifications. It is consequent upon breaking away every chain, bars, and spiritual roadblocks, crossing barriers and walking over destroying mountains, through to greater heights (Zechariah 4:6-10, Jeremiah 51:25). This was what Prophet Obadiah declared through the vision of God, when he said "upon mount Zion shall be deliverance, AND THE HOUSE OF JACOB SHALL POSSESS THEIR POSSESSION" -Obadiah 1:17-18. This deliverance (Liberty) becomes an open-door to possessing their possession. In like manner, Isaiah says, through the liberty ordained by God for His people, they shall have "Beauty for Ashes", and double restoration with everlasting joy. (Isaiah 61:1, 4, 7).
Ideally, the liberty we now have in Christ should bring good things of life and the spirit; it should be an uplifting testimony that attracts others to Him for their salvation. -2Corinthians 5:17. The children of Israel did not only gain their deliverance from slavery in Egypt, they were also launched into their Promised Land thereafter, in fulfillment of God's covenant. Genesis 17:1-8, Exodus 6:6-8, Joshua 21:43-45. In like manner, the deliverance of the captives of Israel from Babylonian captivity came with spectacular restoration [Read Psalm 137:1, Jeremiah.29:1-4]. This is emphasized in Psalms 126:1-6 "When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them. The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad". Indeed, it was an uplifting liberty they had.
Finally, we are adminished to stand fast in the liberty we have in Christ, so we don't enter again into the bondage of the devil. This we can achieve through watchfulness, through spiritual diet of the Word with prayer and supplication. - 1Peter 2:2, 9-11, Galatians 5:1, Ephesians 6:10-14.
As we pray in unity of faith this month, the LORD, by His Spirit, shall grant us Uplifting Liberty in every area of our lives, Jesus' Name. Amen.
Remember, with Jesus Christ by our side, Victory is Sure.
Shalom!
PROPHETIC PRAYER GUIDES
1. Praise the name of the LORD for who He is, and for all He has been doing in your life and family. -Jerem.32:17, 27, Exodus 3:13-14, Isaiah 42:8.
2 Glorify God for His faithfulness and enduring mercies over your entire family. -Lamentation 3:22-25.
3. Appreciate God for His mighty presence with you, His protection and help. -Psalm 46:1, 7, 10-11, 121:1-8.
4. Give thanks to God for fighting your seen and unseen battles, with glorious victories. -Exodus 14:14, 15:3, 2Corinth.2:14.
5. Give thanks to God for all He has prepared for you this month, this year, and years ahead. -1Corinth.2:9-10, Romans 8:28.
6. Give glory to God for His redemption, protection, provision, mercy, healing and deliverance. -Psalm 103:1-5.
7. Pray for forgiveness of your sins, known and unknown. -Psalm 66:18-20.
8. Pray that the Holy Spirit helps you, that sin shall not have dominion over you. -Romans 6:1-2, 14.
9. Pray that the words of your mouth, and the meditation of your heart shall align with God's purpose for your life. -Psalm 19:12-14.
10. Pray that God's mercy shall continue to speak for you in all ramifications and in all your pursuits. -Romans 9:15-16.
11. Holy Spirit of God, through Your help and guidance, my thought and my words shall not put me into bondage, in Jesus' Name. -Prov.23:7, Psalm 19:12-14.
12. By the grace of God, Sin shall not have dominion over me in Jesus' Name. -Romans 6:1-2, 14, Zechariah 4:6-7.
13. By the grace of God, I shall not backslide into perdition, in Jesus' Name. -John 17:12, Hebrews 10:39.
14. Almighty God, I enter and stand firm in the liberty provided for me in Christ, in Jesus' Name. -Galatians 5:1.
15. Wherever I have fallen, I rise up again from glory to glory, in Jesus' Name. -2Corinthians 3:18, Revelation 2:5, Isaiah 40:29-31.
16. Every chain preventing me from moving in the direction of God's purpose for my life, lose your grip over me, in Jesus' Name. -Isaiah 61:1, 2Corinthians 3:17.
17. Holy Spirit of God, deliver me from every trap of delay, limitation and affliction, in Jesus' Name. -2Corinthians 3:17,
18. Holy Spirit of God, deliver me from every bondage of sin, sickness and satanic oppression, in Jesus' Name. -2Corinthians 3:17.
19. Every chain of fear, confusion and oppression is broken in my life, in Jesus' Name. -Isaiah 61:1, 2Corinthians 3:17.
20. Every chain of stagnation and limitation, be broken in my life, in Jesus' Name. -2Corinthians 3:17, Isaiah 61:1.
21. Heavenly Father, heal every wounded area of my life; restore health, peace and joy, in Jesus' Name. -Isaiah 61:1.
22. Holy Spirit of God, strengthen me against every manipulation of the enemy, in Jesus' Name. -Romans 8:26
23. Holy Spirit of God, uplift me beyond human strength, to overcome every challenge on my way, in Jesus' Name. -Zechariah 4:6-7.
24. Through the liberty I have in Christ, I am uplifted in my spiritual life, in Jesus' Name. -Romans 8:26.
25. Through the liberty that I have in Christ, I am uplifted financially, in Jesus' Name. -Philip. 4:19.
26. Through the liberty that I have in Christ, I am uplifted in my business/work, in Jesus' Name. -Psalm 35:27, 75:6-7.
27. Through my liberty in Christ, I am uplifted from poverty to prosperity, in Jesus' Name. -2Corinthians 8:9, Psalm 35:27.
28. Through my liberty in Christ, I am lifted above shame and reproach, in Jesus' Name. -2Corinthians 8:9, Psalm 35:27.
29. Every treasure the enemy has stolen from me, I recover all, in Jesus' Name. -1Samuel 30:17-19.
30. Holy Spirit of God, grant me deliverance where I need deliverance, liberty where I need freedom, restoration where I have suffered loss, healing where I have been wounded, in Jesus' Name. -Obadiah 1:17, Isaiah 61:1–7, 2 Corinthians 3:17–18
31. Holy Spirit of God, wherever I have suffered closed doors, let the door of favour open unto me, in Jesus' Name. -Revelation 3:7-8.
32. Through my liberty in Christ, Spirit of excellence from the Lord, come upon me, in Jesus' Name. -Isaiah 61:1-7.
33. Through my liberty in Christ, I possess my inheritance and receive beauty for ashes, in Jesus' Name. -Isaiah 61:1-3
34. Through my liberty in Christ, I receive Oil of joy and garment of praise, in Jesus' Name. -Isaiah 61:1-3.
35. I proclaim Uplifting Liberty upon every member of my family that is under the oppression of the enemy, in Jesus' Name. -Leviticus 25:10, Jeremiah 34:15, Isaiah 61:1-3.
36 Through my liberty in Christ, my reproach is translated into glory, my failure into success, my losses into profit, and my sickness into sound health, in Jesus' Name. -2Corinthians 3:17-18,
37. I receive grace to walk in the liberty of Christ, now and forever, in Jesus' Name. -Psalms 119:45, Galatians 5:1.