1 Peter 5:6 NIV
”Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.“
INSIGHT
–Self has a tendency of eliciting characteristics of pride. Self exultation comes at the wake of gaining wealth, positions, fame and popularity, special skills etc. as one views himself/herself as a better, superior and more important person than others. Herod Agrippa habored pride in his heart. When he moved from Judea to Caesarea, wore his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address, and the people exulted him saying, “this is the voice of a god, not of a man.” Herod received all the praise and failed to exult God. An angel struck him down immediately, he died and he was eaten by worms(Acts 12:21-23). It is such a catastrophe to have pride within oneself. Proverbs 18:12 reminds us that humility comes before honor, and when we humble ourselves before the Lord He lifts us up at His appointed time.
PRAYER
Almighty Heavenly Father, we come before Your throne of mercy and grace this day. We come to seek Your grace and ask for Your forgiveness for every pride that we have harbored in our hearts. May You forgive us for all the times we have exulted ourselves and have sinned against You dear Lord Jesus. We pray that You may cleanse us by Your precious blood dear Jesus Christ and purify us afresh. May You sanctify each one of us through and through the body, soul and spirit. May You take away every pride in us and teach us to be humble before You. May we be like You dear Jesus Christ for You are humble even willing to take the form of a man and come down from Your throne in obedience to die for our sins and became the ultimate sacrifice for us. We pray that we shall obey You and honor You with all that we are and all You have given us. We thank You Lord and bless Your holy name. We pray this in Jesus Mighty Name, Amen.
Further reading: Proverbs 15:33, James 4:10
Psalms 91:1 NKJV
”He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.“
INSIGHT
–Our humble submissions in prayer yield victory. We are reminded in 2 Chronicles 7:14 that, “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.“ Humble adoration of a people to the Lord in repentance releases preservation and healing. Further, those who humble themselves and submit their lives, cares and burdens unto the Lord, He gives them rest. For our God is gentle and humble at heart, and He grants us rest for our souls (Matthew 11:28-29).
PRAYER
As the deer pants for streams of water, so our souls pant for You, our God. Our souls thirst for You our Lord and God day and night as we meditate on Your word. We bless You Lord Almighty with our soul and forget not all Your benefits. We thank You for only You forgive all our iniquities, heal all our diseases, heal our land, redeem our lives from destruction, crown us with lovingkindness and tender mercies, and satisfy our mouths with good things, so that our youth is renewed like that of an eagle. May You cleanse us from all unrighteousness and heal our land dear Lord Jesus. May You hide us in the canopy of Your arms, save us from the fowler’s snare and deadly pestilence for You are our refuge and fortress. May You grant us rest from every temptation, burden and storm in our lives, families, churches, ministries, communities, nation and world. We thank You for everything You have done unto us as a people and as a nation. We exult Your name and adore You Lord Jesus, and it is in Jesus mighty name we pray believing and trusting. Amen
Further reading: Psalms 91:1-16
Matthew 18:1-5 NKJV
”At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.“
INSIGHT
–Children are unique beings who have special characteristics. During infancy, they are submissive and dependent on their parents or guardians. They trust and have faith in them for provision, protection and are unconcern about their social status. They are innocence, pure at heart and humble. Jesus teaches His disciples exhorting them to be humble like little children so as to be great in the kingdom of heaven. This calls for submission to God who is the potter of clay and is able to mold every hardened heart and give men hearts of flesh. In Matthew 23:11-12, Jesus reminds us that he who wants to be greatest must be a servant, for he who humbles himself will be exulted but he who exults himself will be humbled.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus Your grace is sufficient for us for Your strength is made perfect in weakness. We therefore boast in our infirmities, reproach, needs, persecution and distress so that Your power may rest upon us, for when we are weak, then we are strong. We boast in You dear Lord Jesus the hope of our salvation. Thank You for Your strength that You continue to perfect in us that we may humble ourselves like little children willing always to abide in You and Your word as You abide in us. May You mold us and form us in the way that You wish Abba Father. May Your will be done on earth as it in heaven. May You hear our prayers and grant us our hearts desires precious Holy Spirit. May You deliver us from accidents and incidences, poor governance and corruption, colonialism and oppression, and guide us in the path of prosperity and eternal life. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us now and forever more. Amen
Further reading: 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, John 15:7
2 Kings 5:9-14 NKJV
”Then Naaman went with his horses and chariot, and he stood at the door of Elisha’s house. And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored to you, and you shall be clean.” But Naaman became furious, and went away and said, “Indeed, I said to myself, ‘He will surely come out to me, and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, and wave his hand over the place, and heal the leprosy.’ Are not the Abanah and the Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?” So he turned and went away in a rage. And his servants came near and spoke to him, and said, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do something great, would you not have done it? How much more then, when he says to you, ‘Wash, and be clean’?” So he went down and dipped seven times in the Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God; and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.“
INSIGHT
–Naaman the commander of the army of the king of Syria was a great and honorable man before the king for he had obtained victory in war even-though he was a leper. When the Syrians had a conquest in Samaria, they captured a young Israelite girl and brought her home. The girl noticed that Naaman was leprous and informed his wife of the prophet Elisha who was able to heal him by God’s power. Later when Elisha informed Naaman to go and wash at river Jordan seven times, at first he though it was a joke and a ridiculous proposal for the waters of Damascus were all better than the rivers of Israel. Upon persuasion by his servants, Naaman humbled himself and washed seven times as per the prophets decree. He received his healing and restoration, and his skin became like that of a little child. Imagine if Naaman would have been proud and refused to submit and wash? Often times have we heard and experienced God working in mysterious ways in our lives and loved ones when we humble ourselves before Him. God our Master healer and deliverer and can use anyone, anything or any situation to heal and restore us and those who are lost and suffering among us. We are called to submit ourselves to God in humility and we will receive our healing and requests. Further, God will use us to cause transformation just like He used prophet Elisha for the glory of His name.
PRAYER
How Great are You Lord in all the heavens and the earth. There is none like You Lord, Your greatness transcends all things. How Great is Your name, You are feared among all other gods. Like You healed Naaman, may You heal us, our families, communities and nation. May You restore all those who are sick and suffering among us even as the doctors are on strike. May You cause calm in the health sector dear Jesus. May You comfort all those who are broken hearted. May You deliver all the street children from the oppression of the devil and grant them breakthroughs in their lives. May You deliver us from all the chains of the enemy and lead us to a victorious life in all spheres for the glory and honor of Your name. May You use us in our ministries and vocations to cause transformation by Your power in Your name of Jesus Christ. Yours is the greatness, the power, glory, dominion, victory and the majesty dear Lord. Indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth is Yours and You exalt Yourself as head over all. We praise You and exult You now and forever. Amen
Further reading: John 5:1-16
Philippians 2:5-8
“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!”
INSIGHT
–Jesus humbled Himself and took the form of a man. He humbled Himself to the point of death on the cross for our sins. He came to save us and preach His gospel of truth so that all may believe in Him and have everlasting life. He calls us to live in harmony with one another not in pride but willing to associate with people of low positions (Romans 12:16). Further, not to regard oneself as higher than others but think of oneself with sober judgement (Romans 12:3). In humility and the mind of Christ valuing others above oneself, not looking to one’s own interests but to the interests of the others (Philippians 2:3-4). Jesus calls us to have the same mind with Him through meekness and we shall be exulted at the appointed time.
SUMMARY
Humility in Hebrew is written as anavah which also means meekness, gentleness and clemency. Humility is a gift of the Holy Spirit who gives us freely as He wills. Humility comes before honor but wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord (Proverbs 15:33). When pride comes, there is disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom (Proverbs 11:2). When we humble ourselves under God’s mighty hand, He lifts us up in due time (1 Peter 5:6). Naaman humbled himself when he was instructed by prophet Elisha to go and wash at the Jordan river seven times. He received his healing even though at first he was resistant (2 Kings 5:9-14). Those who are meek are blessed for they inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5). The humility of a little child is the greatest asset in the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 18:1-5).
PRAYER
Dear Lord Jesus we come to Your feet with humility in our hearts. We humble ourselves before You, may You have mercy on us. May You forgive us for the many times we have been proud before You and not feared You our Lord and Maker. May You forgive us for every pride in our speech, actions, emotions, actions and in every way merciful Savior. May You forgive us and wash us with Your precious blood. May Your grace overcome the pride in our hearts as You guide our steps and walk of faith. May we decrease as You increase dear Lord Jesus. May You touch the hearts of all those who have lost their loved ones including the fallen soldiers, that You may comfort them and grant them peace. May You bless all those who are suffering including the street children and be their present help in times of need. May You accelerate us from one glory to the next Heavenly Father and may Your purpose for us come to pass at Your appointed time. We shall not delay in accomplishing our divine plan in Your name dear Jesus. May You fill us with Your fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility and self control, precious Holy Spirit. We shall walk as You walk, think as You think, hear as You hear, see as You see, speak as You speak, love as You love and always be in the same mind as You are loving Jesus. May You bless us and keep us dear Lord Jesus. May You shine Your face towards us and be gracious unto us. May You show Your countenance unto us and give us peace. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us now and forevermore. Amen
Further reading: Galatians 5:18-26