Matthew 16:13-18
Peter Confesses Jesus
as the Christ
13 When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea
Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of
Man, am?” 14 So they said, “Some say John
the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He
said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon
Peter answered and said, “You
are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to
you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 And I also say to
you that you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build My church, and the gates
of Hades shall not prevail against it.
Thank God that Nigeria
as a nation is not without God. As Jesus came into the region of Caesarea
Philippi during His earthly ministry, so He has entered the coast of Nigeria
through His Gospel.
Many have received Him
and some know about Him. Some have received the revelation of Jesus is the Son
of God and have continued knowing Him.
Prayers
- We want to thank God for the
Peters that God has given the revelation of Christ in Nigeria. Ask God to
multiply them and use them to transform the nation through the
Cross-Centred Gospel.
- We are going to pray for those
who know about Christ but have no connection with Him. Ask for a personal
encounter and for God to put an end to their increasing numbers, because
nothing good can come out of a doctrine that only know about Him. The
condition of the hearts of the inhabitants of the land determines the
growth and the peace of the land.
- Church Leaders: God raised Saul who became Apostle Paul among the
religious leaders. Let us pray for God to raise Pauls, who do not love
their lives unto death, who will deliver the message of God that changes
lives to the people of Nigeria and surrounding areas.
- Government Leaders: We saw how Matthew, the tax collector, was raised
among government workers. Matthew was a dishonest tax collector under the
Roman Empire’s system. He was driven by greed until he encountered Jesus
Christ. He showed a radical change of life in his response to invitation
of Christ. He did not hesitate or look back. He left behind a life of
wealth and security for poverty and uncertainty. He abandoned the
pleasures of this world for the promise of eternal life in Christ Jesus.
Let us pray for the baptism of the same grace to come upon our government
leaders and workers.
- Youths: Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were raised
among the youths to stand for truth; and they refused to give in to the
delicacies of the king which would have paralysed the will of God in their
lives. They stood for every word that come out of God; They stood to
declare the God of their land that saves. Let us pray for the Daniels of
Nigeria to arise and defend the cause of the truth in Nigeria, Daniels
that render prayers that move the hand of God.
- Royal Family: Nehemiah, who was the cup-bearer to the king,
learned that the remnants in Judah were in distress and that the walls of
Jerusalem were broken down while He found himself in a conducive place,
under the roof of a king. However, he was unhappy with the condition of
his people and the land. He had a great burden for his Father’s land,
which caused him to pray and ask the king to allowed him to rebuild the
walls.
- Let us pray for God to raise
generals that carry the burden of Nigeria like Nehemiah. Lord, where are
the Nehemiahs of Nigeria that will mobilise the building of the walls of
Nigeria that have broken down. Help us, O Lord.
Deborah the Prophetess
(Mother in Isreal):
Judge 5:6-8
In the days of Shamgar,
son of Anath,
In the days of Jael,
The highways were
deserted,
And the travelers walked
along the byways.
7 Village life ceased, it ceased in Israel,
Until I, Deborah, arose,
Arose a mother in
Israel.
8 They chose new gods;
Then there was war in
the gates;
Not a shield or spear
was seen among forty thousand in Israel.
- Deborah arose for the righteous
justice of the land, for deliverance from sins and for deliverance from
their enemies. When the men were afraid and silent, Deborah arose. O God,
let the great burden and love of God for the land of Nigeria come into the
Deborahs of the land, including me. Help us, Lord.
