PREAMBLE
16TH...16TH...16TH...
WE SHOULD MAKE THE MOST OF IT
** Nigeria is in its 16th cycle of 7 years, counting from 1914 when Nigeria effectively came into being
** This is the 16th week of Nigeria's year, counting from Oct 1, 2021
** The next President of Nigeria would be the nation's 16th leader
Above highlights came from a message on Jan 15 morning, plus the C-R-U-C-I-A-L need to pray & some prayer points. Audio and scripted version of the message are below. The Church is one Body. We can all dwell on this this week and add whatever else we are stirred or burdened to pray on same or other issues. It seems better also not to dilute the message by summarizing.
* *Strikingly, Sunday is Jan 16, 2022; the 16th day of this C-R-U-C-I-A-L year.
The Lord grant you grace for prayers that are fruitful and impactful for you, yours, the Church and the nation, in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
PRAYING OVER THE WEEK OF JANUARY 15-21 (THE THIRD WEEK OF THE YEAR AND THE 16TH WEEK OF NIGERIA'S YEAR)
The week of January 15-21 us the third week of the year and the 16th week of Nigerias year from October 1. We shall be prayer the week from the third week gate and the 16th week gate.
THE THIRD WEEK
The third season is a game-changing season. The third book and chapters of the Bible indicate that the third season is for a change of course. The third season is a turning point. The third is for the beginning of the business of the season. It is for change of narrative.
It is the season of God’s Voice and divine recruitment for service. The third book and third chapters of the Bible indicate that God calls men in the third season. The third season is the time to set the direction of the future (Genesis 3; Exodus 3; Joshua 3; First Samuel 3; Second Samuel 3; First Kings 3; Second Kings 3; Esther 3; Daniel 3; Jonah 3; Matthew 3; Luke 3; Acts 3). It is a season to shut the gate against hindrances to hearing God and obstacles to change and progress.
Deadly enemies rise in the third season. It is time to shut the gate against the deadly enemies of God that appear in this season through deception, distractions, intimidation, and wickedness. In the evil calendar, this is the season for the Serpent to go to work. It is the season for Haman to be promoted. It is the season for Nebuchadnezzar to set up his provocative golden image It is a season to stir up anger leading to persecution.
PRAYER POINTS FOR THE 3RD WEEK OF THE YEAR
1. Pray that God’s people in Nigeria will hear the voice that will set the course of the current year and respond appropriately. Pray against confusing, deceiving, and distracting voices that may rise in our nation this week.
2. Pray for boldness and courage against spirits and agents of intimidation that may be working in Nigeria this week (Pharaoh in Exodus 3, Haman in Esther 3, Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel)
3. Prophesy and declare a positive change of direction in Nigeria beginning from this third week.
THE MYSTERY OF THE 16TH SEVEN YEARS AND THE 16TH NATIONAL LEADER
The 16th book and 16th chapters of the Bible indicate the following nine things that are applicable to th16th leader and the sixteenth seven years of Nigeria.
1. SEASON OF PRESSURE AND IMPULSIVE ACTIONS
From the perspective of the kingdom of darkness, the 16th season is a season to put men under pressure and set them up desperately search for answers independent of God and possibly hurt themselves by it. From the perspective ofHeaven, the 16th season is a time when God delights to show off His power in favor and on behalf of those who trust Him. The pressures of the make people who are not spiritually sensitive to respond or react in different negative ways; but it wakes up faith in the hearts of those who love and trust God.
In Genesis 16, Sarah reacted to the pressure of barrenness by giving her maid to her husband as wife. Hagar reacted to pain from Sarah by running away from Abraham's house. In Exodus 16, Israel complained for lack of food. In Numbers 16, Korah, Dathan, and Abiram revolted against Moses for things they didn't like and couldn't stomach. In Judges 16, the Philistines did all they could (including paying a harlot) to arrest Samson and they succeeded. Samson yielded to pressure from Delilah and gave her the secret of his strength. In Second Samuel 16, David fled Jerusalem for Absalom. He refused to fight Shimei when he cursed him. When he heard that Ahitophel had joined Absalom, he prayed rather than worry. In the 16th book of the Bible, Nehemiah "wept, and mourned for many days...fasting and praying before the God of heaven" because of the problems in the homeland. In Luke 16, a steward falsified records and cheated his to survive an impending hard time. In John 16, Jesus told his disciples, "They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service". He also told them "...In the world you will d have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”. Acts 16, Paul and Silas chose to pray and sing God. In Revelation 16, men suffered so much because of the bowls of judgment poured out to the earth; but instead of turning to God, they turned against God. There's so much pressure in Nigeria at this time but we must choose our responses. Banditry is a response. IPOB's sit-at-home initiative is a response to pressure. Protest is a response. Prayer is a equally a response.
2. SEASON TO SOLVE PROBLEMS BY SUPERNATURAL MEANS
The 16th season is a time to tackle problems by a supernatural means. It is a time to solve problems by dependence on the Eternal Power. It is a season to pray to God and praise His name. It is a season of supernatural operations. Manna began to fall for the children Israel in Exodus 16. In Numbers 16, the ground opened supernaturally and swallowed up those revolting against Moses and Aaron. In Nehemiah, the 16th book of the Bible, Nehemiah prayed to God several times; and even the adversaries of Judah acknowledged that the work of rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem was done by God. God opened the prison for Paul and Silas, and loosed their chains by an earthquake in Acts 16. In Matthew 16, Jesus said to Peter, "Flesh and blood has not revealed this to you".
Mark 16:19-20 says, "So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen". Jesus went up to heaven without frantic human efforts and God also worked with those he left behind to confirm their words.
The 16th seven years of Nigeria is a time to press for divine intervention in the land. The greatest error of the 16th season is fighting for yourself without consulting God or letting Him fight for you.
3. SEASON TO DISCERN AND ARREST DEMONIC MANIPULATION
Demons put up their worst and last attacks in the 16th season. Jesus said in Matthew 16 that the gates of hell will not prevail against His Church. In Revelation 16, three frog-like demons went out to deceive kings and nations to fight against the Lord. In Acts 16, Paul cast out a spirit of divination working through a slave girl. In Mark 16, Jesus said that those believe in Him will cast out demons. In First Samuel 16, and evil spirit oppressed king Saul to the point that David was found to play the harp and bring relief to the king. There is a lot of demonic activity going on in the country. The menace of banditry across the country is the work of demons operating through people.
4. SEASON TO WATCH AND WAR AGAINST DECEPTION
It is a season to be wary of deception. Deceiving spirits find the 16th season conducive for their operations. Without the grace to discern, In Genesis 16, Sarah was deceived to deceive Abraham to take Hagar as wife. The frog-like demons in Revelation 16 are deceiving spirits. In Matthew 16, shortly after had confessed the Christ, he was deceived to take a stand against the crucifixion. In First Samuel 16, Samuel the Prophet would have been deceived to anoint David's brothers as king. In Second Samuel 16, Ziba deceived king David and betrayed Mephibosheth. It is important to pray that Nigerian king-makers are not deceived in decisions about the 16th National Leader. We need to also pray that the 16th National Leader does not become victim of deception. Pray the 16th National Leader will not be like deceived Absalom in Second Samuel 16.
5. ANTI-REVOLUTION SEASON
It is a season of doomed-to-fail revolutions and protests. In Genesis 16, Hagar rebelled against Sarah and fled the house but was sent back to go and submit to Sarah. There was a revolution in Numbers 16. It failed. Absalom's misguided revolution continued in Second Samuel 16. The United States of America experienced Civil War under the 16th President, Abraham Lincoln. The January 15 (1966) coup that ended Nigeria's first republic happened in the 16th week of Nigeria's sixth year. Dimka's coup of 1976 that saw the death of the 4th National Leader took place in Nigeria's 16th year. Agitations for Biafra and Yoruba country has worsened in the 16th seven years of our Amalgamation.
In the 16th season the earth eats the flesh of men, drinks their blood, and even swallows them.
6. SEASON OF THE DESPISED
It is a season to cast light on the downtrodden for promotion. In Genesis 16, Abraham's slave girl became her master's second wife. She didn't ask for it and couldn't have. In First Samuel 16, an obscure shepherd-boy was who busy in the bush was called back and anointed king of Israel. He was also spotted as the best harpist in the country and taken to the palace. In the 16th book of the Bible, Nehemiah moved from being the King's butler to becoming the governor of Judah. The Lord Jesus, the crucified Messiah, was honored with resurrection in Mark 16. In Acts 16, Paul and Silas were honored after humiliation when the jailhouse opened mysteriously. The story ended well for them and the jailer became their convert.
7. SEASON OF WALLS
It is time to both build walls for protection, privacy, and pride; and a time to break down walls of oppression and huniliation. In Judges 16, Samson brought down the walls of a theater killing himself and many Philistines. Prison walls collapsed in Acts 16 in favor of Paul and Silas. Nehemiah travelled to Jerusalem to rebuild the ruined walls. Repressive cages will fall apart and walls of respect and dignity will go up in the sixteenth seven years
8. SEASON TO BE LED BY THE SPIRIT
It is a season to be led by God's Spirit - not physical senses or circumstances. In First Samuel 16, Samuel would have missed out if he did not submit to the leadership of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit guided Paul and Silas to Macedonia instead of the other places they wanted to go. Pray that Nigeria will listen to the counsel of people who are led by the Spirit in this season.
9. SEASON OF SONGS AND SINGERS
It is a season of Songs and Singers. It is a season to activate power through singing and making music to God. After Samuel anointed David and the Spirit began to move mightily in Him, his ability to play harp and sing songs came to the fore. In the same First Samuel 16, he was taken to the king to play music and soothe the king's mind in his depression. In the sixteenth book of the Bible, Nehemiah featured singers prominently. This is a season of open doors to singers and music makers - especially those who honor God with their songs. Music creates an atmosphere that makes things happen. Ahaz was king in Second Kings 16. He served and praised idols instead of the Most High. The chapter ends with Hezekiah, a true worshipper, ascending the throne to succeed his father, Ahaz. Hezekiah gave attention to the ministry of singers (2 Chronicles 29: 25-30). In First Chronicles 16, David brought the Ark to Jerusalem. He appointed singers to lead the way and he also sang in that chapter. God seeks singing-worshippers in the 16th season. It made a difference when Paul and Silas sang praises to God in the prison in Acts 16. God wants singing worshippers in Nigeria in this season - instead of complainers.
THE 16TH NATIONAL LEADER
The 16th National Leader will be the fifth President in the 4th Republic. The SNL will come in the spirit and power of David to do the will of God in Nigeria. David became king in the 10th book of the Bible and Nigeria's 16th Leader shouls be in office in the 10th seven years of our independence. The 16th National Leader will be like Nehemiah in the 16th book of the Bible.
PRAYER POINTS FOR THE 16TH SEASON
1. Pray that his presence does not attract demons or host demons as King Saul did.
2. Pray that he is not a friend or lover of the enemies of Nigeria as Ahaz was in Second Kings 16 or
3. Pray that He is not a product of pressures and fleshly desperation. Pray that Nigerians will net be misled by the pressures of the season. We cannot afford Ishmael on the throne on Nigeria.
4. Pray that the blood of atonement will speak for Nigerians against the spirit of death in the 16th season.
5. Pray that the Lord will show Himself mighty in the land and on behalf of those who love and trust Him. 2nd Chronicles 16: 9.
6. Pray against wasteful revolutions in this season. May we protest more on our knees as we do on the streets.
7. Pray for the release of Help from Above. This is a season of great answers from heaven. Nehemiah prayed in the 16th book of the Bible. Paul and Silas prayed in Acts 16.
THE PROMISE:
Mark 16:17-18:
And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; [18] they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."
Contributed to the
COALITION OF INTERCESSORS IN NIGERIA (COIN) by
Revd Nkem Okemiri
Gate of Time Awakening
+234 805 790 0364 (WhatsApp).
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