Acts 16:23-26, “And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: [24] Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. [25] And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. [26] And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.”
7 Things that happen when we pray right
1. There is divine intervention. When we pray God does extraordinary things to turn things around in our favour. He divided the red sea, sank the walls of Jericho; here we see Him responding with an earthquake. We live in exciting times and God will be responding to our prayers in strange ways the world will not be able to explain.
2. Foundations are restructured. As we said before, the problem was not with the chains, the problem was with the foundation. Cutting off branches doesn’t kill a tree, you have to address the roots. There are problems rooted in your ancestral background. There are covenants and curses that need to be dealt with. God will be dealing with the roots of your problems to give you a permanent and glorious solution, in Jesus name!
3. We secure complete liberty. Chains fall off. If you don’t pray your chains will remain. God wants you freed and restored. He wants your dream to be fulfilled.
Joseph was brought to Egypt in chains as a slave. He was brought bound but he ended up free and at the top. Slavery was the route by which he arrived. He came in chains and in pain. He came forsaken and alone. He came hungry and deprived. He came broke with no hope in sight. He came with a heavy heart.
He must have been confused wondering what had happened to the dream and vision God showed him. But Habakkuk 2:3 says, “But the vision is for an appointed time…it shall surely come to pass.” It does not matter in what state you came to this land, you will end up at the very top. Just don’t give up your dream!
One event changed the course of his life but not forever. God had His plans. No matter what you are going through right now, it is not the end of your story; God has His plans for you. You will not end up in the pit; you will not end up in slavery; you will not end up in prison; you will not end up in pains and in chain!
You will end up in Glory and Greatness!!
Every experience you have had will work together for your good! Never lose your hope. Even if you do, God will not change his plan concerning you. Those who left you will soon regret it. Those who sold you will soon need you to survive. Those who planned to kill you will soon be begging you to keep them alive! Those who conspired against you will soon be blaming one another!
I see you rising out of the ashes of defeat to an enviable position!
Kings will soon be seeking your favour!
4. Doors open. One of the benefits of prayer and divine intervention is open doors. Prayer creates fresh opportunities. Profitable fresh connections are made. Prison doors, doors of breakthrough, etc. will open for you, in Jesus name!
5. People get converted. Often we focus on the deliverance of Paul and Silas but we pay little attention to the conversion of the jailor and his entire household (Acts 16:29-34). Our miracles or breakthrough often leads to the liberation of others. A single miracle can preach more than a thousand sermons. A miracle is an incontrovertible evidence of God’s love, compassion, and power. It draws people to Christ like a magnet. God will give you extraordinary breakthrough that will lead to the conversion of your family, friends and neighbours, in Jesus name.
6. The atmosphere changes. Prisoners became principals. Prisoners now assumed command. Power changed hands. Paul and Silas took charge. Have you ever felt obstructed by the devil in your life? What did you do about it?
3 Things change your level of command
a) You Faith. How much you trust God. Intimacy with the Word of God and living by it.
b) Your giving. Giving, working with passion and consistency increase your financial power.
c) Your Intimacy with God. It comes through Praise and prayer. Gratitude is the key that opens the gates of heaven for you while praise brings you face to face with the Almighty God. Many are labouring outside of the gate and are wondering why nothing is happening in their lives.
It is praise that makes God to tabernacle with you. It is praise that gives you access to the throne room. It is praise that places the sceptre of leadership in your hand so you can rule and reign. Genesis 49:10, “The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.” Dominion is given to one who is addicted to praise. Praise is what you and I are made for. As you give thanks to God, heaven’s gate open for you. As you praise God, you are admitted into His presence to fellowship with Him. And when this happens, you receive all the help that you need. Hebrew 4:16. You also receive the sceptre of authority!! When Kings are sworn in, they are usually given a staff of office; and that confers authority and dominion on them. Apostles Paul and Silas changed their atmosphere to prayer and praise.
Everything that dominated you before will surrender and bow to you soon! Those who oppressed you will submit to you. God will take what was meant to embarrass you and use it to honour you. The atmosphere around you is changing: from poverty to prosperity; from frustration to celebration. From today, you will rule and reign in your world! God will be working with you to make things happen, in Jesus name!
7. God’s name is glorified through answered prayers. God is not honoured in your failure. He is not honoured in your chains or poverty. He is not honoured in your shame. He is honoured in you freedom, success and dignity.
Your freedom is coming. Your solution is coming! Your promotion is coming! The atmosphere around you is changing! You are moving from lack to surplus, from littleness to greatness, from failure to success, in Jesus name! Get ready for sudden divine intervention!
Bishop Dr. Charles Olowojoba is the General Overseer of Dayspring Bible Church Worldwide with HQ in Abuja, Nigeria
& President, Dayspring Christian Ministries Int’l.
Website: www.dayspringcmi.org
e-mail: [email protected]
Help line: 08035150515
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