“In this passage of life” by Pastor Patricia Mavhandu, Wednesday Service, the 27th of February 2013.
Scripture reading: Genesis 35:16-19 “16 Then they journeyed from Bethel. And when there was but a little distance to go to Ephrath, Rachel labored in childbirth, and she had hard labor. 17 Now it came to pass, when she was in hard labor, that the midwife said to her, "Do not fear; you will have this son also." 18 And so it was, as her soul was departing (for she died), that she called his name Ben-Oni; but his father called him Benjamin. 19 So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem).” NKJV.
Ecclesiastes 3:8 “8 A time to love, And a time to hate; A time of war, And a time of peace.” NKJV.
Everything in this life has its own time. When we are living, we must know that when the times for these things to appear comes, nothing can stop them from happening because God appointed these times and these things will happen in their due time. When you and I are living what is it that we are doing which pleases God?
We hear from the book of genesis that when Rachael was in a journey to Bethlehem she didn’t know that she was going to face a hard time. There is a time in life where we will face challenges which we don’t really need. There will be challenges that will be facing us and we can survive them through prayer.
When we are in this journey we need to work in a way that pleases God because we don’t know when we are going to die so we must always be ready and live righteously.
James1:21 “21 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.” NKJV.
The bible says we need to forsake our wicked ways and sanctify our hearts forsake our wicked ways so we will be ready to get into His praises and He wants us to inherit the kingdom of heaven when we die we will. There are difficult times in this passage of life where you will even think that God is not alive; where you are even tempted to consult witchdoctors or worship idols.
What we need to know is that when we are in a desert or when we are facing difficulties, that is the time when God wants to manifest His glory into our lives. The moment we think God is not on our side that is when He wants to bless us and the devil will try by all means to ensure we fail to receive what God has prepared for us. What he does is that tries to confuse us so that we may depart from the word of God.
Let me tell that it doesn’t matter what the situation in your life is but what you need to know is that there is a solution for every situation or problem we come across. God cannot let us to face troubles that do not have solutions, for every problem there is a solution and God always make a way for us where there is no way; we just have to hold on; forsake our wicked ways and make our hearts holy so we can find favour with God.
People sometimes tend to forget that when we are living, a person who is leading us or the owner of our lives is Jesus. We sometimes forget that when we are faced with problems and bad situation there is a person who is able to shift those situations and give us solutions for every problem. He doesn’t even need our money, He just wants us to open our hearts and let Him lead us.
Rachael never knew that she would die in the middle of the journey while giving labour; do you know where you are going to die? As Christians we need to understand that we have been giving a certain time to live and proclaim the glory of God. So, every time when we are living we are minimizing that time or we are heading towards the end but what we have to ask ourselves is this: “Are we living the way God want us to? Or are we living fearing the people of this world instead of fearing and worshiping God?”
I don’t know how much time is left for you to live and you also don’t know how long you will still live or when you are going to die but today you can change your life and live a life that pleases God. We can ask God to change our worldly identity or names of this world and let God give us new names.
We have to cross over and when we are crossing over we need the help of the Lord. We cannot cross over without Jesus, if we are trying to cross over without God we will be drawn or sink inside the water and we will never reach our destiny. For us to live a holy life in this passage of life we need to invite God into our lives and let Him rule and help us so that we may not die before our time.
Ecclesiastes 3:8 “8 A time to love, And a time to hate; A time of war, And a time of peace.” NKJV.
Everything in this life has its own time. When we are living, we must know that when the times for these things to appear comes, nothing can stop them from happening because God appointed these times and these things will happen in their due time. When you and I are living what is it that we are doing which pleases God?
We hear from the book of genesis that when Rachael was in a journey to Bethlehem she didn’t know that she was going to face a hard time. There is a time in life where we will face challenges which we don’t really need. There will be challenges that will be facing us and we can survive them through prayer.
When we are in this journey we need to work in a way that pleases God because we don’t know when we are going to die so we must always be ready and live righteously.
James1:21 “21 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.” NKJV.
The bible says we need to forsake our wicked ways and sanctify our hearts forsake our wicked ways so we will be ready to get into His praises and He wants us to inherit the kingdom of heaven when we die we will. There are difficult times in this passage of life where you will even think that God is not alive; where you are even tempted to consult witchdoctors or worship idols.
What we need to know is that when we are in a desert or when we are facing difficulties, that is the time when God wants to manifest His glory into our lives. The moment we think God is not on our side that is when He wants to bless us and the devil will try by all means to ensure we fail to receive what God has prepared for us. What he does is that tries to confuse us so that we may depart from the word of God.
Let me tell that it doesn’t matter what the situation in your life is but what you need to know is that there is a solution for every situation or problem we come across. God cannot let us to face troubles that do not have solutions, for every problem there is a solution and God always make a way for us where there is no way; we just have to hold on; forsake our wicked ways and make our hearts holy so we can find favour with God.
People sometimes tend to forget that when we are living, a person who is leading us or the owner of our lives is Jesus. We sometimes forget that when we are faced with problems and bad situation there is a person who is able to shift those situations and give us solutions for every problem. He doesn’t even need our money, He just wants us to open our hearts and let Him lead us.
Rachael never knew that she would die in the middle of the journey while giving labour; do you know where you are going to die? As Christians we need to understand that we have been giving a certain time to live and proclaim the glory of God. So, every time when we are living we are minimizing that time or we are heading towards the end but what we have to ask ourselves is this: “Are we living the way God want us to? Or are we living fearing the people of this world instead of fearing and worshiping God?”
I don’t know how much time is left for you to live and you also don’t know how long you will still live or when you are going to die but today you can change your life and live a life that pleases God. We can ask God to change our worldly identity or names of this world and let God give us new names.
We have to cross over and when we are crossing over we need the help of the Lord. We cannot cross over without Jesus, if we are trying to cross over without God we will be drawn or sink inside the water and we will never reach our destiny. For us to live a holy life in this passage of life we need to invite God into our lives and let Him rule and help us so that we may not die before our time.
Prayer Points: Pastor MJ Lishivha
Rev 3:15-16 “15 "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.” NKJV.
1. Consuming Fire
Call upon the consuming fire to come against anything that is working against these prayers.
2. Let’s ask for forgiveness
Ex 32:14 “14 So the Lord relented from the harm which He said He would do to His people.” NKJV.
He is a forgiving God that relents from the judgment and punishment that He has decided against us. Moses pleaded for the Israelites and said “The people know that you have taken these people out of Egypt to save them, if you can devour them all then the world will say you took them out of Egypt so you could kill them” and then God relented.
There are things that we have committed maybe in the dark, which is still consuming us inside. Go before God and ask for forgiveness and ask God for peace.
3. Against Doubt
Isa 7:9 “…if you will not believe, Surely you shall not be established."'"” NKJV.
If we don’t believe what we want will not come to pass. We can’t afford to be doubting Thomas’s. God help give us the grace to establish our faith in Jesus’ name.
4. Grace to love one another
Jer 31:3 “3 The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying: "Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.” NKJV.
He is taking care of us. Jeremiah 1: 5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations." NKJV.
God help us to love each other, without conditions. This love that you have loved us with let it be in us.
5. Covenant of Love
John 13:34 “34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” NKJV.
The new covenant is a covenant of love. He left us with a covenant of love and we need to love. We must cry before God so that this covenant of love can be realised in and through us.
6 Stir up the Holy Spirit in us
Rom 5:5 “5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” NKJV.
The Holy Spirit has been poured onto us. When Jesus Christ left said, stay in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit has come.
If the Holy Spirit is quite in our lives because of our doings, then let’s ask God to stir up the Holy Spirit in us.
7. Love gives strength
1 Cor 8:1 “ Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.” NKJV.
If we lack love, then we won't be strong. Then we won't be calm in the spirit. Let’s ask God for His power to abide in us, so we can serve God through His love and power in us. Empower us.
8. Failing to do good is a sin
James 4:17 “17 Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.” NKJV.
If we fail to do what He says then we are sinning. Paul says the good I wish to do I don’t do but the evil thing I hate I do.
God give us the grace to do your will and not to do those things that don’t please you in Jesus’ name.
9. Grace to love with the love of God
1 John 4:20 “20 “If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?” NKJV.
God help us to love the way that you love. Help us to love people so that we can also love you God in Jesus’ name.
10. Grace to meditate on your word in Jesus’ name
Ps 27:4 “4 One thing I have desired of the Lord, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord, And to inquire in His temple.” NKJV.
The desire to love pleasing God. Cry unto God and say “I want to do that which you instructed Joshua; to meditate upon your word day and night. I need your grace, Oh Lord in Jesus’ name.”
11 Making your body a living sacrifice
John 10:17 “17 "Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again.” NKJV.
Jesus Christ gave His life for us and now He is seated and the right hand of God. He has gone to prepare a place for us. We must praise and worship Him all the time. He is our intercessor.
Romans 12: 1-2 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” NKJV.
Why can’t we sacrifice ourselves? We must not be conformed to this world.
God empower us to do this, to give our bodies, our lives as living sacrifices. Grace to be transformed in Jesus’ name.
12. Fear of the Lord
Gen 22:12 “12 And He said,"Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me."” NKJV.
Isaac asked His dad, “Where is the sacrifice?” His dad said, “God will provide.”
God give us the grace to fear You and to always do your will. Give us the fear of the Lord.
13. Praying for our children
The devil knows that they are the future and that they are the church of tomorrow, he targets them.
We have an obligation to pray for all our children as they are at school, as they are at work. Cover them with the fire of the Holy Spirit. Ask God to always guide them.
Expose to them the agents of darkness and the traps of the enemy in Jesus’ name. Give them the wisdom of how to deal with these challenges.
14. Christ strengthen us in Jesus’ name
Phil 4:13 ‘13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” NKJV
Christ empower us to do everything and to be able to pray and intercede for our children, families, church, pastor etc we need His strength.
15. Grace Suffering for the body of Christ
Col 1:24 “24 I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church,” NKJV.
We will refuse to be discouraged because of afflictions and persecutions. We will suffer for the body of Christ.
Satan will do nothing to us, no matter how hard he hits us . We choose life, God has put life and curse before us, and we choose life.
16. Grace to be worthy laborers
1 Tim 2:1-2 “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.” NKJV
God empower us in your grace. We are here through your grace. Let your grace enable us to preach the good news of Jesus Christ to the world. Let us be counted amongst the worthy laborers in Jesus’ name.
17. Praying for leadership
1 Tim 2:1-2 “2 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.” NKJV.
Let’s pray for our leaders, God take charge of their lives.
18. Against Suicide
The devil whispers to people to judge their lives. When the person is about to be born again, he whispers negative things so that they commit suicide. God no matter what, empower them to share their challenges and send them the right help so that they commit suicide.
19. Our pastor and his family
God intervene in their lives, strengthen them, and protect them in Jesus’ name. Be a hedge of protection and guidance in Jesus’ name.
20. Centenary Celebrations Trip
For the trip, all the transportation that will be used, the whole function in Jesus’ name.
21. Thanks giving
Let’s thank God for these prayers and the answers that He has released.
1. Consuming Fire
Call upon the consuming fire to come against anything that is working against these prayers.
2. Let’s ask for forgiveness
Ex 32:14 “14 So the Lord relented from the harm which He said He would do to His people.” NKJV.
He is a forgiving God that relents from the judgment and punishment that He has decided against us. Moses pleaded for the Israelites and said “The people know that you have taken these people out of Egypt to save them, if you can devour them all then the world will say you took them out of Egypt so you could kill them” and then God relented.
There are things that we have committed maybe in the dark, which is still consuming us inside. Go before God and ask for forgiveness and ask God for peace.
3. Against Doubt
Isa 7:9 “…if you will not believe, Surely you shall not be established."'"” NKJV.
If we don’t believe what we want will not come to pass. We can’t afford to be doubting Thomas’s. God help give us the grace to establish our faith in Jesus’ name.
4. Grace to love one another
Jer 31:3 “3 The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying: "Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.” NKJV.
He is taking care of us. Jeremiah 1: 5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations." NKJV.
God help us to love each other, without conditions. This love that you have loved us with let it be in us.
5. Covenant of Love
John 13:34 “34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” NKJV.
The new covenant is a covenant of love. He left us with a covenant of love and we need to love. We must cry before God so that this covenant of love can be realised in and through us.
6 Stir up the Holy Spirit in us
Rom 5:5 “5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” NKJV.
The Holy Spirit has been poured onto us. When Jesus Christ left said, stay in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit has come.
If the Holy Spirit is quite in our lives because of our doings, then let’s ask God to stir up the Holy Spirit in us.
7. Love gives strength
1 Cor 8:1 “ Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.” NKJV.
If we lack love, then we won't be strong. Then we won't be calm in the spirit. Let’s ask God for His power to abide in us, so we can serve God through His love and power in us. Empower us.
8. Failing to do good is a sin
James 4:17 “17 Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.” NKJV.
If we fail to do what He says then we are sinning. Paul says the good I wish to do I don’t do but the evil thing I hate I do.
God give us the grace to do your will and not to do those things that don’t please you in Jesus’ name.
9. Grace to love with the love of God
1 John 4:20 “20 “If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?” NKJV.
God help us to love the way that you love. Help us to love people so that we can also love you God in Jesus’ name.
10. Grace to meditate on your word in Jesus’ name
Ps 27:4 “4 One thing I have desired of the Lord, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord, And to inquire in His temple.” NKJV.
The desire to love pleasing God. Cry unto God and say “I want to do that which you instructed Joshua; to meditate upon your word day and night. I need your grace, Oh Lord in Jesus’ name.”
11 Making your body a living sacrifice
John 10:17 “17 "Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again.” NKJV.
Jesus Christ gave His life for us and now He is seated and the right hand of God. He has gone to prepare a place for us. We must praise and worship Him all the time. He is our intercessor.
Romans 12: 1-2 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” NKJV.
Why can’t we sacrifice ourselves? We must not be conformed to this world.
God empower us to do this, to give our bodies, our lives as living sacrifices. Grace to be transformed in Jesus’ name.
12. Fear of the Lord
Gen 22:12 “12 And He said,"Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me."” NKJV.
Isaac asked His dad, “Where is the sacrifice?” His dad said, “God will provide.”
God give us the grace to fear You and to always do your will. Give us the fear of the Lord.
13. Praying for our children
The devil knows that they are the future and that they are the church of tomorrow, he targets them.
We have an obligation to pray for all our children as they are at school, as they are at work. Cover them with the fire of the Holy Spirit. Ask God to always guide them.
Expose to them the agents of darkness and the traps of the enemy in Jesus’ name. Give them the wisdom of how to deal with these challenges.
14. Christ strengthen us in Jesus’ name
Phil 4:13 ‘13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” NKJV
Christ empower us to do everything and to be able to pray and intercede for our children, families, church, pastor etc we need His strength.
15. Grace Suffering for the body of Christ
Col 1:24 “24 I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church,” NKJV.
We will refuse to be discouraged because of afflictions and persecutions. We will suffer for the body of Christ.
Satan will do nothing to us, no matter how hard he hits us . We choose life, God has put life and curse before us, and we choose life.
16. Grace to be worthy laborers
1 Tim 2:1-2 “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.” NKJV
God empower us in your grace. We are here through your grace. Let your grace enable us to preach the good news of Jesus Christ to the world. Let us be counted amongst the worthy laborers in Jesus’ name.
17. Praying for leadership
1 Tim 2:1-2 “2 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.” NKJV.
Let’s pray for our leaders, God take charge of their lives.
18. Against Suicide
The devil whispers to people to judge their lives. When the person is about to be born again, he whispers negative things so that they commit suicide. God no matter what, empower them to share their challenges and send them the right help so that they commit suicide.
19. Our pastor and his family
God intervene in their lives, strengthen them, and protect them in Jesus’ name. Be a hedge of protection and guidance in Jesus’ name.
20. Centenary Celebrations Trip
For the trip, all the transportation that will be used, the whole function in Jesus’ name.
21. Thanks giving
Let’s thank God for these prayers and the answers that He has released.