As I listened to the voice note for the hundredth time, I couldn’t help feel that somehow God has forgotten me.

She had invited me for her traditional wedding shopping, but I had scheduled and paid for a 3 day retreat. Every month, I go on personal retreat and my close friends knows that. Although the date differs. I had calmly told her in won’t be able to make it on Thursday but Friday to Sunday I will definitely be there to help.

But Efua took it the other way.

As she recorded the voice note, I could hear voices at the background telling her to calm down that that was not nice.

“Allow me Janet, let me tell Chika what you people have been dragging your feet to tell her. True, she’s the most educated among all of us yet, she has little to show for it. As a medical doctor, even cleaners make more money than her. Yet, every month she’ll carry her bag off to one secluded place for retreat”.

“Marry is problem. But is it inside retreat she will see the husband to marry? Is it not by mingling with young people”?

“I’ve told her to relocate to the Akoka branch of the church with us, but babe no gree.
She kept saying God told her to stay and help grow the teens church in Ogbe. Even the sound of the branch name sef eh,  the thing dey off me.

Someone laughed in the background and I thought it sounded like Timinu’s voice.

“When we tell her the price of the asoebi now, she will be doing like olden days turn table”.

The voice note went on and on.
I tried to hit off but my phone froze at that moment, leaving me with no option than to listen to the whole banter.

As tears dropped down my cheeks I began to go over my life again.

So it for my case they gathered?

Yes, at 30 years I was still single even as an experienced medical doctor.

I worked with a government hospital and our salary were not been paid regularly. When they do pay, it was never complete.

Last week I did the calculation, 550 thousand naira . Yes, the government was owing me that huge amount.
Now, with the pandemic I can’t even imagine if we will get even a small stipend this time around.

Efua knew my story. I cannot collect from home when I should be the one giving to my family. How come she’s treating me this badly?

Oh, how I’ve wanted so badly to join the Akoka or Lekki branch of the church.
Juliet joined the Lekki branch and within 8 months she was married. Do I really want to remember that I am the oldest among them all?.

But each time I go to God in prayers about relocating, I hear Him say

“ Stay, Stay till you’re refined”.

My passion to see the teenagers at church know more of God kept me at Ogbe. After watching Miriam get pregnant at 17, and Dele behaving like a Yahoo yahoo tout. I knew more has to be done, so when Pastor Modele approached me to head the teens church, I went back to God in prayers and God asked me what do I want.

I simply read his word back to him from Psalms 144 vs 12 ” Then our sons in their youth will be like well-nutured plants and our daughters will be like pillars carved to adorn a palace”

I wanted the teens to flourish and grow .

That night I heard this in the place of prayer

” when your will aligns with God’s will, He gives you grace for the journey and opens way for greater exploits. “.

So I stayed, once again in obedience to God.

Three brothers have approached me for marriage and no, I wasn’t choosy.
Should I recount the case of Brother Tayo? He was keeping me as an alternative to his American lover-sister. No wonder, I kept having frightening dreams about him.

Or is it Brother Jude, who though he is rich beyond statement, told me to be thanking God for brothers like him. Brothers with salvation and riches, very few of us are found these days. He stated. I saw I had no future with him.

Brother Kanayo, very jovial brother but he wanted an igbo lady like him. One who will submit. He told me he doesn’t take advices from mere women. It took me biting my tongue that day, I knew what would have come out wouldn’t be pleasant.

God are you there?

Just yesterday, I was sick and tired of my job. I had typed my resignation letter. I was done being used as a puppet.

The 50 year old politician that came for colonoscopy was one of the worst patients I’ve ever attended too. He kept reminding me that if not for the lockdown how would a man of his caliber be found in a government hospital?

As I wrote down the things he would need, he started again, I was exhausted and I shut him  up instantly by saying
” Sir, if men of caliber like you would put your own hospitals and country in order things would be better. Imagine us working without being paid for months, can you work under such conditions sir? He eyed me as he sat still.

What is your name?, he asked.

Chika, I responded in a very firm voice.

I typed the letter that evening, I was done. But as I perused through Facebook, I came across a post by ife-grace  with the title “stay where you last heard God”

The title shook me and I found myself saying   “Chika, stay where you last heard God”.

This fueled my drive for my monthly retreat again, until I listened to Efua’s voice note. She just cut down every strength I had gathered.

All I could cry was God, are you there?.

I just wanted to be left alone. In fact, I’m not going for the retreat again.
Then my phone beeped. It was Efua
” Chika, please I’m so sorry, I don’t know what really came over me, I sent that voice note by accident, please. We’re on our way to your house please. I’m so sorry”.

As soon as I read that they were coming, I gathered my bags and left. It is better I stay with God in one location like that than meet them at home.

At 7pm, I got to my lodge for the retreat, My heart was heavy, my body was tired.

” when you stand praying, forgive “.

That was the wall frame in my lodge room. I knew what it meant. I had stayed in that room for 4 months now, how come I never noticed that wall frame, did they just buy new frame?. .

I fell on the bed and wept. The words came back to me again.
As I wept, I said,
” Efua, I forgive you and the others with you, I will hold no grudge or bitterness by the Spirit of God, I receive grace to forgive, I receive strength to pray”.

I slept off with so much peace of mind.

The next two days were like open heavens to me. I read from Isaiah chapter 64.
I was mad at the devil, yes but I prayed for God to move on my behalf.

It was a beautiful retreat.

I rounded up and switched on my phone. There was so much calmness and peace within me. I looked at my journal, the past days have been filled with revelations and visitations.

God is here! He will rise up right early for me.

At 4pm I checked out of the lodge humming the tune of the newly released song ” Onememma “.

Then I heard my name.
I didn’t respond, there may be another Chika.

Chika, Chika.

I had to turn around. The face looked so familiar until recognition hit me. It was our NCCF president back at the NYSC camp. See as the guy fresh, chai money is good oh.

Brother Daniel, wow, good evening sir. I gesticulated.

My phone started to ring at that point.  I excused myself to answer it. It was Dr. Kola from my job.
Dr. Chika, he shouted

Chai, I will change your name to Miracle.
He was so excited.

What happened na, i asked, becoming impatient.

” you won’t believe this he shouted, you remember that politician that came to the hospital. The one you attended to?

Yes, yes. The annoying one.

He signed that all our arrears should be paid immediately. I just received my alert now. As he was talking my phone buzzed, my salary in arrears came in plus extra gratitude gift ( 800 thousand naira)

Chika, I want to faint. He shouted. I knew what he meant. With a wife and 2 kids, this money was just gold in paper form.
I laughed, ” biko don’t faint because if you do I will treat you and collect part of this your arrears”.

See your mouth he laughed”

Ok later na. He ended the call.

Testimony one .

As I ended the call with Dr. Kola. I apologized to Brother Daniel.

I look so happy, Brother Daniel said.

I smiled,” let’s just say God has started His seasons of endless testimonies”.

He smiled. The smiled that sent my heart in a sweet melody.

Chika oh,

We exchanged numbers and talked some more. That was the beginning of something called love.

I left for home that evening, fulfilled and blessed.

But let me call Efua first. Yes, I’ve forgiven her.

Why are you still smiling, you like love stories sha.

Yes, God is here, God is there with you child of God. Darkness, no matter how black cannot obscure the light of God when it shines.
Crying in pity will not move God’s hands. Crying in faith, even the tiniest of faith will. So child of God, come let’s stay, let’s tarry, let pray till we hear the Lord whisper Isaiah chapters 61 and 62.
Pay the price to stay in His presence.

Are you ready?

Photo Credits. ( Head shot- Naijassador), In post pic ( Canva)

Why someone could be this obstinate is what I don’t understand. Covering Maxwell for the hundredth time, Faith hissed and his eyes flew open.
She looked at him, pity and anger mixing with her breath and the tenderness she once felt at every gaze was gradually being replaced with disgust for him.

Oh, she had prayed, but the victory lay in their hands; his hands as the head of the family.
She was determined to go against whatever rule he has set. If that would free her, free them all. She could smell the danger looming and knew what she had seen that morning was going to happen. They had wronged an innocent man and if they didn’t rectify it soon enough they would pay dearly for it. Unfortunately, she would too. That was part of the marriage covenant.

“I wish I don’t have to suffer any of these with you”, Faith barked, then waited as the cough that racked his body rocked him for some minutes.

“Look at you; you have turned to a shadow of your self.

Let me work, you say no, let me just give the go ahead to sign it the contract you say no.

“Now, right before your eyes the company you thought would keep you forever has given you 2 months recuperation without pay.

How do we feed? The two months is finished next week. Yet you held on to some stupid story of many years ago.

Don’t be surprised if you wake up one day and not find me. I will go with my children too. ”

Hissing loudly she left his bedside. If she stays any longer, she might just choke him to death.

“How did I get here?” Faith cried as she got into her childrens’ room. Her 8 months old son had been having nonstop diarrhea for one week. Her mom had to take complete care of him so that she could relieve Faith of the burden. After continuously crying in-front of her 3 year old daughter and 5 year old son, she finally agreed to allow her elder sister take them. She couldn’t bear another round of questions from them. How could she cope with the care of her sick child and husband at the same time?

After visiting her mom yesterday she couldn’t bear to look at her son. The once lively and happy boy was so emaciated. Receiving venous rehydration, his eyes just bulged out of their sockets. He stared at her unable to move. The Gala (beef pastry) she had bought to eat fell out of her hands the moment she saw her son.

“Mom, I can’t take this anymore, I can’t. Look at my baby. No, I can’t.”

“Faith my dear, be strong. Please eat even if it’s a little.”

“I can’t, I don’t have appetite to eat.”

Grabbing the gala and orange juice her mom fed her, practically shoving the food down her throat. You need some strength for the journey ahead.

Her phone rang, bringing her back to the present, she looked at the screen, and it was Jade.

She hissed and tossed her phone to the nearest settee. All her friends were settled and happy in their homes – all but her. She knew what Jade wanted to say. They wanted to come pray with her.
How many times had she turned down their offer? She had prayed too. What difference will it do when they pray for her? Besides, she didn’t want outsiders in her business.

She let the phone ring for the sixth time. With every ring, she cried, “Lord please have mercy on me”.

“Faith, is this not pride, she heard the gentle but firm rebuke. You cannot carry this burden alone and I have put people in your path to help you, yet you refuse.
Look at the apostles, one of the reasons they were fruitful and prospered was because they had oneness in prayer. In their persecution they bonded. In their pain they were united, in their blessing they praised together.”
“Who is united with you in this battle?
My mom and dad, Maxwell’s father, my pastor… she went on to list.”
“True, they are praying for you but you’re not united with them. Gradually bitterness has taken a hold of you, you’re carrying this load alone, let Me help you. Let them help you.They’re here to bear your burdens. Let go of your pride.”

Faith went on her knees.

“Lord, I’m sorry, I’m sorry for carrying my burdens on my shoulder instead of bringing them to You and leaving them. I’m sorry for barricading myself with prideful thoughts. As the prayer coordinator, I felt I could handle this alone and even when prayers were offered I rebuffed the request. Please forgive me “.
Take control of me, my thoughts, my actions, my life, my home.

Please Lord….

For 2 hours she was on her knees praying and asking for forgiveness and grace.

Lord let your mercy speak o,
Let your mercy speak o,
Let your mercy speak for me,
Let your mercy speak for me.

She sang with so much gusto and then she heard this;

...”I will give unto you the sure mercies of David”.

She heard it clearly. That is a bible verse, picking up her bible she frantically searched for the verse. Her phone rang again. It was Jade. This time she connected the call.

“You know I wanted to be angry at you for not picking my calls all these days, sometimes you would disconnect and switch off your phone, but the Holy Spirit has been telling me to help you through this period, that you will see the sure mercies of David. So, I have with me here Joy, Osagie and Dele. Together we’re headed to your house. I don’t need your opinion anymore. We’re 10 minutes away. Just sha come and open the door”.

That was Jade; she’s always straight to the point. But her heart is all covered in gold. I know she’s on her way, once she sets her mind to do something she accomplishes it to the letter.

“But what about your kids, I mean all of you?” I asked, feeling better but somewhat sad for dragging them out of their houses.

They’re fine. They’ll be with our spouses while we take turns. Faith, we cannot forget how God used you for us and as friends, we won’t leave you alone to fight this battle”.

“Jade, where can I find the verse that talks about the sure mercies of David in the bible?” Faith asked.
“It’s Isaiah 55 vs 3, Why do you ask?” Jade was inquisitive. Hmm, I will tell you when I get here.
“Ok darling, see you in a few minutes.”

Faith looked around her house, the place was an eyesore. She could not possibly host visitors in this environment. The kitchen was a mess too. Thankfully, her sink was clean. She never liked dirty dishes anyway.
Still deciding where to start her cleaning the bell chimed. It was not the door bell or the gate bell. It was the bell she gave Maxwell to press on anytime he needed her. She ran all the way to the bedroom. The whole room reeked of urine, she had to change him again, all by herself.
Tears, were in his eyes. Faith, he called, please is today August 19? Yes, why do you ask?
He suddenly had his coughing spell again. One would think he had whopping cough with the way he coughed.
She sat him up and gave him some water.

Meanwhile…
Few minutes to Faith’s house, Jade’s phone rang, It was her sister Lara.

“Sister mi, where are you? It’s Mimi, (referring to Jade’s 2 year old daughter). She started vomiting like 15 minutes ago and her temperature is rising, I just checked it and it is 104.8 F, . What should I do?”
Jade was alarmed, that is 40.4 degrees Celsius, she knew what it meant for a young child to have such high fever it could cause brain damage. As a pediatrician it was not a good sign. Here she was, almost at Faith’s home. She had already promised Faith.

What will she do now?
“I’ll call you back Lara.” Jade turned to the others in the car explaining what Lara just told her.
“Wait,” Jade suddenly stopped,
Jade, Dele called, “what do you have to do with the date August 19”?
“Oh no, don’t tell me today is August 19,”
“Yes, it is” Joy answered. “Today is August 19.”
“Oh no…”

To be continued.

Photo Credit: Binti M (Pexels)

If you are new here or haven’t heard of this movie, look on Damilola-Mike Bamiloye’s YouTube channel to watch the entire season 1.

This movie ticked all the boxes for me. Suspense, style, clear video, action and the most important a breath of fire. I mean it is inspired and you can see the Holy Spirit at work in the movie. The movie highlights the believers walk and the plot of Satan against every child of God. The bible verse “walk out your salvation with fear and trembling became very evident in it”. That we are saved is not enough, but as Colossians 2 vs 6 puts it, “seeing then that you have received Jesus Christ, continue to live your lives in him”. With the carefulness that the devil is seeking for every opportunity to bring us down. Watch out for those things that drew you to the Cross, for therein can lie the loophole to take you far from the cross. As I look at the characters in the movie, I’ll share six lessons;

1. Forgiveness is a choice but also a necessary commandment. –

Martins is a great man, conversant with the Word of God, but the loophole of unforgiveness was strong enough to keep him traceable and penetrable. I am not here to tell you that sometimes forgiveness is easy. Infact, if you have not struggled to forgive, I bless God for your life. Because one way or the other you will face situations that demands forgiveness. Forgiveness frees us. Seals us and heals us. One bible verse that I love is this “ that the wicked one comes and finds nothing in me”. And for many forgiveness has left them vulnerable to the attacks of the enemy. One funny thing about unforgiveness is that you may be the one carrying that load, the other party may not care, not be sensitive enough to care, might have already asked for forgiveness and moved on or have not realized they owe you anything. So, let go, free yourself and receive freedom today

2. Bitterness blindfolds –

When Martins, drove Baba Gbenro out of his house that dark night I shuddered. I shuddered at the covering of darkness that has overcome Martins, to send out the one man who would risk his convenience to come look for him, the one man who still showed him true love. You see that matter that you have said in your heart “ it is death that will separate me and this person”, may be the reason the enemy is having constant access to you. It may be the reason why light has not shone in the darkness that seems to be gaining grounds on you. When the matter is still fresh in your heart each time you think and you ruminate over the possible ways you could have made the other person feel the pain you are feeling, you have created a darkness of bitterness. Let it go.

3. Neglecting God’s word is dangerous-

If you have not realized already, the word of God is the bread that every believer needs to eat, digest and get powered on daily. If you neglect the power inside the word of God, you end up getting drained by the problems of life. Let me borrow a line from Baba Gbenro “ a lot of Christians have been stranded because they have not been charged by the power from the word of God. They have light but no oil, very soon their light is out and they’ve got no oil to relight their lamps”. Let me ask you, how important is the word of God to you. Do you sit down with it or you breeze through it like a deserted drive through. Let me tell you, the devil is not seeking to just drive through any one’s life. So why should we drive through the weapon that we have against him?
4. If discernment is lacking, then there is fire on the mountain.- I cannot imagine how many times, I have been frustrated at Martins, “ how can he not just see, how can he not just understand that they are after him? Why would he just swallow every line hook, line and sinker?, then it dawned on me. Martins lacked discernment. Oh, the dangers we put our selves through because of the lack of discernment. We are not aware of the collaborations of hell against us, so subtly the enemy creeps up and mingles with others and because we cannot sense it, he strikes before we can realize it. That you are running your masters program and you need someone to watch your kids doesn’t mean that you accept every help you can get. That you have the offer is not a good enough reason to accept it. Not all open doors are meant for you to walk in. discernment will help you when you badly need advice, who do you go to? You cannot afford to let down your guard, the enemy is not letting his down. He is taking meticulous steps, so why won’t you?

5. If your prayer life is gone, fan it back to blazing hot –

There are no defeated man than a man whose prayer altar is cool and breezing. Prayers will keep you covered, get you victory, expose the agenda of the devil and draw heaven’s attention. “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers against rulers of darkness, against spiritual wickedness in high places”. The devil is not afraid of your money in the bank or your PHD or your affluence. He is only afraid of a righteous, word-abiding, prayerful man. Infact, your entire world and assets are in trouble if you don’t know how to command things and attention on your knees. Prayer will fan your discernment, study of God’s word will keep it, obedience to God will secure it. We live in a fallen world so we just cannot but pray

6. This is more like a prayer than a lesson –

We need mentors like Baba Gbenro. – that a man will be looked in the face and told “ get out of my house, don’t call me, don’t text me, don’t visit “ and sent out into the dark night in a city he knows no one, yet he is still filled with compassion and prayed for Martins. he saw the devil at work and knew I cannot let the enemy win over Martins. Dear mentors, are you saying “ if they need help they know where to come”? what if the devil gets them before they come to you. Maybe the reason you’re not seeing any revelation about your mentees is because you still have terms and conditions, with less compassion. Dear mentee, you too don’t wait to be babied, seek for mentors through prayers, mentors who will lead you well and keep you in the narrow path, they may not be tush or polished as you are but they know their place in the realms of the Spirit, so set your pride aside and pray with me “ Lord I need a mentor like Baba Gbenro”.

There are many things I have learned but this six will suffice for now. Have you watched the movie? What have you learned from it? Please let me know your thoughts and lessons in the comment box.

Photo Credit – DMB Youtube

WHEN GOD SEEMS DISTANT OR SILENT

Is God really distant from his children? Or do circumstances make us believe that He is?

Even David in Psalms 83 experienced a moment he felt God was actually silent. He could no longer contain himself, he had to cry out to God for help asking why he was silent and distant from him.

First of all the word ‘seems’ means to appear like. That means it looks like but it is not what it actually is.

Let’s take Elijah as a case study.
I Kings chapter 19.

Right after chapter 18 with major victories. We see chapter 19. It’s in chapter 18 that the drought of 3 and a half years ended. Elijah put into action the word of God” I give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 16:19.
He proceeded to put the prophets of Baal in their place, fire came down.

But in chapter 19 God seems far away. So far that Elijah ad to run away, yet God was silent.

He had to run for his dear life at the threat of Jezebel. Then in verse 3, he prayed a distraught prayer.
1 Kings 19:3 KJV- he was asking God to take his life.
It was a discouraging prayer, God was nowhere near Elijah and he could feel it or so he thought.

Are there times we feel God is nowhere near us?

Yes!
In fact in this journey called life, we will experience storms, delays, over and over again. But there is a way out. Hallelujah !

Verse 4 caught my attention. With all that was going on, Elijah went to sleep.
How can one be sleeping at that point?

The bible didn’t state if the sleep was due to sheer exhaustion or God induced it. But we do know that he slept.

Recently, Mommy Bamiloye answered a question as someone wanted to know what to do when God is silent. She gave a simple, yet profound answer.
“Go to sleep”
Child of God, you’ve prayed and prayed yet God seems far, you’ve called and called, yet He’s ‘not’ answering, Could you do well to just sleep?

It’s easier said than done, I know. But things happen when godly people sleep under the Savior’s watch.
Notice I said ‘ sleep under the Savior’s watch‘.
It means that you are telling him, all of the storms, the unanswered prayers, the questions, and the confusion, HE knows all of them and you trust him to bring you the right answer. You are leaving Him to do the work alone while you relax and see the answers manifest.

But what happens when we sleep and nothing is showing forth?
I hear you ask?

Then you’re not really sleeping. Because in sleeping you become only conscious to the Savior’s touch

Before we go ahead let’s look at things that could make God seem distant.
1. Sin – Isaiah 59 vs 1–
Nothing withholds God’s hands and cause Him not to act for us than sin. If sin is the cause then deal with it, ask God for forgiveness and disentangle your self from such sin.

2. Unforgiveness
And the devil knows so he brings the hurt subtly afresh again to you and you begin to replay it.
One of the subtle issues that have robbed us today of divine help is unforgiveness. I mean that kind that says ” I’ve forgiven you” but as you walk away you mutter in your heart. ” I’ll never have anything to do with you again lai lai”. Yet each time you hear a similar situation or sees the person, the scenario comes back afresh. Let it go.

3. Worry- worry is just a mixture of faithlessness and fear.
It is putting your burdens down at the Savior’s feet then going back to check and check, after a while you pick it up and walk around with it. When you feel its weight again you bring it back to the Savior’s feet. But you never really take your eyes off it. Worry.

During my undergrad years, I experienced what I felt a silent period from God.
Here was I a teenage girl from Nigeria, far away in another land. I knew God brought me here ( testimony for another day). I was one of the best students in my secondary school days. But when I started college here I cannot seem to understand.
The first and second year was great but the third year was hard, I mean really hard. After failing my core classes, I lost my Gov’t aid. I feared that I would be kicked out. During this time, I was near depression. I would check my life over and over but everywhere was closed. Just locked. My friend stood by me, praying for me and with me, yet God was silent and very distant.
The shocking part was that I would teach my colleagues, they will pass and I will fail

As one of the praise and worship leader at church, I started to feel sad each time I climbed the pulpit to minister.
But surprisingly God always takes the glory.
But I began to worry.

I remembered one of the days, I had to lie after failing my exams, I just couldn’t bring myself to tell my classmate I had failed. Again!. I got on the bus to go back home and as I spoke with my mom, I told her what I did and I cried.
People on the bus were teary-eyed too. What could make this young girl cry so loud
And I was never a cry cry baby fa!

My family was praying, the church was praying and I was praying. I had told God I wanted to graduate with honors. But after failing so many times. I just wanted to finish and be done.
I opted to change my major to something else. Until my pastor stopped me.

He said ‘ Fortune, anything that God starts he finishes’
That hit me hard. I went back to pray and God said
” If you will learn to trust me, without alternatives, then I will show up”. I’m just paraphrasing here.

At that point, I wept and hands up. I was done worrying. I was done with depression.
This brings me to my next point.

4. No alternatives.
God will be distant when we have alternatives
Child of God hear this ”
*The Lord chooses when and how to reveal his glory,* but until then, no alternatives ”
This is you saying to God, I know there are options, I know there are alternatives but as for me, it is only You or You.
Ahhh, God honors such prayers and He moves heaven and earth to come through for you.

Back to my testimony

The weekend before our major exam we had a program at church ( I’m active with the campus ministry too). From Thursday till Sunday I was busy with the program and the exam was on Monday fa.
I read only on Sunday evening and GOD SHOWED UP’.
When the result came I not only got one of the best grades in the class, that was the beginning of my breakthroughs.
I graduated with my RN ( cum laude). BSN, out of a 4.0 CGPA. I had 3.95 CGPA.
I graduated with Summa cum laude ( Highest honors). That is first class in Nigeria

Psalm 145: 18 and 19 show us that God is not distant. No, he is not. Here’s what it says;
The Lord is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.
19 He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;
he hears their cry and saves them.

So what do I do when God is distant?
1. Check your life. – let sin not reign over your mortal bodies as becometh saints.

2. Know your rights in Christ. – sometimes the promises are not activated coz we don’t know who we are as children of God.

3. Rest in Faith ( Sleep)

4. Let your worship soar. There’s power in worship.

5. Keep your prayer altar burning

6. Know the Word, Speak the word, encourage your self in the word as David did.
” the words that I speak to you, they are Spirit and they are life”

7. Words of affirmation
SHUT THE DEVIL UP.!

8. Remain in His promise

9. Pray, Pray , Pray – the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Pray till your joy is full.

10. Don’t stay alone. Have a godly friend who can keep you accountable and you can knock on heaven’s door together. My friend was one of my strongest support. Sometimes she would just hold me and bring food for me to eat. But she was always praying.

Lastly,
When God is silent or seems distant,
He wants you to grow.
I king 19 vs 7,8.
God wanted to teach Elijah some things. After that encounter, Elijah went for 40 days till he came to Horeb. God was waiting for him there to school him, to help him grow.
So till God comes through. Grow in grace.
I’ll leave you with these verses
Psalms 16 vs 8
2 Tim. 4 vs 17.
Psalms 5 vs 12.
Don’t forget to sleep under the Savior’s watch. You are loved!

Heavenly Father we thank you. I’m excited to have a Father like You and knowledge of this swells my heart. Thank you for the Cross.
Thank you for your love.
I’ve been thinking you are distant but now I know you want me to grow You. You want me to sleep and you want me to rest in you. Today I come to you, put me in that unconscious sleep that I am only aware of your touch and power. ( tear your request) Today I tear my requests and I promise not to allow worry make me go back to pick them again. I rest in you.
I sleep, Lord, I’m sleeping in You. Thank you for hearing and answering me. In Jesus name Amen.

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