NATIONAL PRAYER ALTAR
MARATHON PRAYERS
Monday 22nd – Sunday 28th September 2025
NOBODY KNOWS THE DAY OR THE HOUR? (Part 5 of 5)
PREPARING FOR THE BRIDEGROOM
In Matthew 25:1-13, Jesus gave the famous Parable of the Ten Virgins, five of whom were wise, and five of whom were foolish. In the conclusion to that parable, He warned, “Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh” (v.13). In other words, that parable was a caring Master’s earnest caution against the possibility of tragic carelessness, on His return, by a worrisome percentage of followers otherwise considered to be saints.
As watchers across the world continue to draw attention to dates that loom with unusual significance during the Jewish Feast of Trumpets this week, the worry is not only the adulterous multitude outside to whom the Bridegroom has extended no invitation, but the worrisome percentage of the virgins who seem to be preparing for the Night but will be sadly disappointed for how they had managed the days until the midnight cry. Virgins, yes; invited, yes; apparently headed for the Groom, yes; but not practically prepared for what is coming. They all had a name that they were virgins, but only a few were deserving of that name (Revelation 3:1).
The conclusion to the parable, where Jesus said, “ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh,” is one of the Bible passages often deployed by a section of Christians to insist that it is more or less an abomination for anyone to claim that they received a divine pointer to any calendar days of the Master’s return. Each one speaks according to the level of their revelation or opinion, according to their conviction or their doubts. The important message is, please, be prepared.
Jesus said, “But of that day and that hour KNOWETH no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father” (Mark 13:32). Unfortunately, that is interpreted by many to mean, “no one can know; no one should know,” or that the Father who knows would not tell anyone, and the Holy Spirit does not show us “things to come” (John 16:13).
The five virgins against whom the door was shut, and to whom it was said, “I know you not” (v.12), suffered for foolishness, not for any iniquity. So, sin will not be the only reason why some will miss the moment. Presumption will; tragic, prideful self-confidence that ignores planning and preparation. Those virgins were not sinners. They were part of the undefiled company that doubly called the Master “Lord, Lord”; very familiar and specially chosen virgins who were confident enough to demand that the door be opened to them even when it had been shut (v.11).
All ten virgins received the same privileged information, but what some did with that information made the difference between the wise and the foolish, between who went in and who was shut out. Sadly, when the foolish were ready, it was late; tragically too late, “and the door was shut.”
PRAYER POINTS
1. Ps. 18:28 Give me oil in my lamp, I pray.
2. Acts 16:31 Grant me grace and speed to reach out to family and friends before the door is shut.
3. Ps. 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and see if there be any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.
4. Isaiah 6:5-8 Like Isaiah, I beseech You, Lord, brush my lips and life from all iniquity.
5. Gen. 7:13-16 As in the days of Noah, may your mercy grant that even the snail and the tortoise may enter quickly into the Ark, with the horse and the hare.
6. Col. 1:12-14 Thank you for saving my soul.
7. Matt. 6:10 Heavenly Father, Thy kingdom come, in the name of Jesus.
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DAILY INTERDENOMINATIONAL PRAYERS FOR NIGERIA
Started since 18th April, 2022
TIME: 9:00pm – 10:00pm daily (Nigeria time)
VENUE: ZOOM
ZOOM link:
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