Good morning, brethren. 1. Morning devotion for today. MD.i. 😀🌹🎀🎁💝🌺 MORNING TEA THE WORD FOR TODAY THURSDAY AUGUST 20, 2O26. "FREEDOM FROM SEXUAL ADDICTION" ‘…Help us for the glory of your name…’ Psalms 79:9 NLT FOR FIFTEEN years, Mike Cleveland, airline pilot and founder of ‘Setting Captives Free,’ seemed powerless as his addiction to online pornography devastated his life, his marriage and his family. The spiral of lust enslaved him ‘until there wasn’t a moment of his days free from its tortured domination.’ The cycle of prayers for deliverance, followed by repeated indulgence in porn, XXX DVDs, and sex chat-rooms, plunged him deeper into the darkness of despair and He longed to escape the slimy, secluded underworld of secret soul-destroying sin, but every pathetic attempt left him unchanged, unhinged, and uncertain that freedom was possible for him. Mike turned to self-help books, counsellors and friends without success. His repeated disappointment, when every effort failed, led to increasing guilt and self-incrimination. When his wife insisted on a last-ditch visit to see her pastor (all other remedies had been exhausted), the lights in their bleak prison cell suddenly came on. Mike learned that ‘…deliverance belong(s) to the Lord’ (Jonah 2:9 AMP), and its rules are all dictated by Him. Mike’s old motivations for getting clean—‘saving my marriage for my kids’ sake; I’m a Christian, a seminary graduate and preacher’—were full of ‘loopholes and escape clauses’ and produced one botched disaster after another. His pastor taught him that the only viable motivation for getting clean and staying clean was a commitment to glorifying God in all of his decisions, because God delivers the powerless, ‘For the glory of [His] name.’ When Mike learned, ‘…whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God’ (1Corinthians 10:31 NIV), the doors to freedom from years of sexual addiction began to open. Yours can too. Bible In A Year: Lam 1:1 – 3:39, Matt 19:15-30, Ps 119:121-128, Pro 18:13-20. Courtesy : Grace So Amazing Foundation 💝🎀 *To partner with us, kindly refer to page 9 of the hard copy edition or simply send us a WhatsApp message/call on +2348128000068.*🌹🌷🎀💝. MD.ii. [19/08, 8:10 pm] Pastor Attah: *MEDITATIONS ON DAILY ⓂANNA* THURSDAY, 20TH AUGUST, 2026. *FROM FAME TO SHAME* *TEXT:* JOSHUA 7:1-6. 7 But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against the children of Israel. 2 And Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is beside Bethaven, on the east of Bethel, and spake unto them, saying, Go up and view the country. And the men went up and viewed Ai. 3 And they returned to Joshua, and said unto him, Let not all the people go up; but let about two or three thousand men go up and smite Ai; and make not all the people to labour thither; for they are but few. 4 So there went up thither of the people about three thousand men: and they fled before the men of Ai. 5 And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty and six men: for they chased them from before the gate even unto Shebarim, and smote them in the going down: wherefore the hearts of the people melted, and became as water. 6 And Joshua rent his clothes, and fell to the earth upon his face before the ark of the LORD until the eventide, he and the elders of Israel, and put dust upon their heads. *Timeless Truth:*_"A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump"_ (1 Corinthians 5:9). *INTRODUCTION* Israel had just experienced a remarkable victory at Jericho. The intimidating walls had fallen, the people had rejoiced, and Joshua’s leadership had received great honour. *"So the LORD was with Joshua; and his fame was noise throughout all the country"* (Joshua 6:27). Yet, within a short time, that fame turned into shame. It is noteworthy that Israel never lost any battle either under Moses or under Joshua. It was natural for them to think that experience is the best teacher. The text shows clearly the danger of leaning only on experience when it comes to spiritual battles. God must continue to lead and the Word of God must remain final. The text teaches us that yesterday’s victory does not guarantee today’s success when there is hidden disobedience. Sin in the camp can turn triumph into tragedy. God desires not only victorious people, but also holy people. *1. Stealing Cursed Properties* a. *"For the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing"*. A glorious and happy journey suddenly turned sour and sorrowful because of sin. Many great men have also fallen from glory to grass just because of a single sin that became public.One man sinned and the whole nation suffered for it. The army that the whole Canaanites dreaded and could not conquer was conquered by the sin of a single rebel. Obviously, the tempter and demons had a field day. Achan was guilty of stealing what did not belong to him. That was disobedience to one of the ten commandments, *"thou shalt not steal"*. He did not just steal what belonged to his neighbours, which was equally sin, he stole classified materials that God called accursed and those that were to be reserved for God in His sanctuary. He did not feign ignorance when caught, he knew it was forbidden. He went deeper in his sin by hiding it from people until the knock of death became real. God had expressly commanded Israel concerning the devoted things of Jericho. *"And ye shall in any wise keep yourself from accursed thing, lest ye make yourself accursed..."* (Joshua 6:1). Achan secretly took what God had forbidden. He thought since nobody saw it, God could not have seen it either. His private sin produced public consequences: *“the anger of the LORD was kindled against the children of Israel.”* b. Achan’s action reminds us that what is obtained through disobedience cannot produce lasting blessings. Hidden sin may remain concealed from people, but nothing is hidden from God. The desire for material gain can lead a person from honour to disgrace, from victory to defeat and from fame to shame. Sin will turn fame to shame overnight no matter how long it can be hidden. There are some shame that can never be taken away. Some people's sins are revealed after death and they bring a lot of shame on themselves and their families. The sin of a single person can bring a whole family, church and nation into unlimited ridicule and defeat. *"A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump"*. There must be care and watchfulness against all forms of sins so as to avoid community, church or societal judgment. Partnership and marriage with accursed and demonized people have deadly consequences and should be avoided. *Question* Is there anything in my life that I have acquired or retained contrary to God’s command? *2. Self-Confidence and Pride* a. Israel had so far won all their battles. Jericho had a population of between 1,200 and 3,000 and yet they had to allow God to guide and lead them. As few as they were, the whole army of Israel was involved. The population of Ai was about 12,000. Shouldn't they ask for guidance as usual? They resorted to recommendations of experience without checking up from God. Unconsciously, pride of past successes results in self confidence. The spies returned with confidence, suggesting that only a small force was needed for such a large city. They thought it was their wisdom and might that had earned them a former victory. Their assessment overlooked the most important factor—the presence and favour of God. They trusted their own strength rather than seeking God's direction. Consequently, about three thousand men went to battle and were defeated. b. Success can sometimes produce overconfidence, making us forget that every victory comes from God. *"Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we will trust the name of the LORD"*. Pride as a result of past victory or success are natural reactions that must be deliberately avoided. Human strength, experience, position, wealth and reputation cannot substitute for dependence upon the Lord. *Question* Am I depending more on my past achievements and personal ability than on God? *3. Supplication with Crying after Defeat* a. The shame and defeat brought Joshua to his knees to do what he should have done before sending 3000 for the battle. If he had prayed, remained spiritually sensitive and heard from God, God would have told him not to proceed on the battle, but to settle the issue on ground first. On the other hand, we must commend Joshua for not being touchy. He could have blamed the spies for underestimating the population of Ai. He could have blamed the defeated soldiers for being careless and not smart enough. Joshua did not do that. He could see abnormality and spiritual implications in the unusual and unexpected defeat. When strange things happen to us contrary to the Word and promise of God, we should learn to see the face of God and hear His Word on the matter. b. Israel’s defeat brought fear, discouragement and deep sorrow. Joshua tore his clothes and fell before the Ark of the LORD with the elders, putting dust upon their heads. His response shows that when God's people experience defeat, they must turn to God in humility and supplication. Prayer should not merely be our response after failure; it should be our posture before every major undertaking. Nevertheless, even in defeat, God can reveal the cause of the problem and lead His people back to restoration. The place of brokenness can become the beginning of renewed obedience. *Question* When I experience failure or defeat, do I genuinely seek God for correction and restoration? *Prayer Points* 1.Lord, give me grace to reject every form of disobedience and to flee from every forbidden thing. Keep me from falling into shame and ridicule 🙏. 2.Father, deliver me from pride, self-confidence and dependence on human strength 🙏. 3.Lord, give me a humble and prayerful heart that seeks Your direction before every decision 🙏. 4.Father, wherever Your children have suffered defeat because of disobedience, expose the root cause, forgive, restore and lead them back to victory 🙏. *HYMN:* Yield Not To Temptation *BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:* JOB 38-42. [19/08, 8:10 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DAILY Ⓜ️ANNA - (A DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE FOR ADULTS) THURSDAY 20TH AUGUST, 2026``` *UNDERESTIMATING SIN'S DEADLINESS* 📓📖🎚️🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️🖤⚠️‼️🛑❌⚖️🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🙏🏽 📜📜```TEXT:JOSHUA 7:1-6```📜📜 🔑📖```KEY VERSE:``` _*"And Joshua rent his clothes, and fell to the earth upon his face before the ark of the LORD until the eventide, he and the elders of Israel, and put dust upon their heads" (JOSHUA 7:6).*_ *When COVID-19 ran rampant early in 2020, no one could imagine that it would, under twenty-four months, send more than 7.5 million souls to an unprepared eternity while casualties from related causes would be close to 15 million. In its trail were socioeconomic disasters, unemployment, poverty, depression and pervasive suicide. The root cause of the high mortality was the earlier attempts to cover its tracks. An even more dangerous disease - sin - is on the sprawl in our world. It, too, is impossible to keep under wraps because many people do not recognise its deadliness.* *Our text unfolds the folly and tragic story of Achan, his sin and the consequences. Against God's command, he had taken some of the spoils from Jericho. And worse was his attempt to cover up the sin by hiding the stolen spoil under the earth in his tent. The consequence of this was the humiliating, ignominious defeat of Israel at Ai, the death of thirty-six valiant men, and the sombre, ominous shadow of failure cast over the camp of God's chosen people. This disaster in battle, on the path of Joshua, led to humiliation, self-examination, prayer and faith, and finally to victory.* *Joshua embarked on an awfully painful search and recovery. This is the gist of our text. The magnified leader is now mortified, but he refrained from maligning God. Self-emptied, self-humiliated and broken, Joshua's primary concerns were twofold: loss of innocent Israelites and the tender regard for the honour of God's name. He wailed: "O Lord, what will thou do unto thy great name?" He conceded both justice and wisdom to God. Neither did he blame the spies he sent out for furnishing the nation with supposedly inaccurate security reports. Nor did he castigate the soldiers who were defeated in battle for cowardice. Joshua did not underestimate the deadliness of sin. He wisely resorted to the only window left, namely, mercy, as a solution to the present crisis.* *The only option you have when ensnared in sin is a broken and contrite heart. Confession of sins, self-examination, and genuine repentance void of any excuse or alibi, coupled with a commitment to do restitution wherever it is needful, are the indispensable steps to be saved or restored to fellowship and favour with the Lord.* ✍🏽```THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:``` _*Confessing sin is good, but forsaking sin is much better.*_ 📜📜```THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:``` *DANIEL 1-2*📜📜 Underestimating Sin's Deadliness https://dailymanna.app// *RECOMMENDED GOSPEL HYMNS AND SONGS - GHS 6: YIELD NOT TO TEMPTATION; GHS 246: O BROTHER, LIFE'S JOURNEY BEGINNING; AND GHS 133: OUT OF MY BONDAGE* *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#DailyManna20thAugust2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS] [19/08, 8:10 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DEEPER CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRY``` _*HIGHER EVERYD🅰️Y: (A DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE FOR YOUTHS)*_ ✍🏽👩🏻‍💼🌻 🍇🙏🏽🛰🚀🔬📚 ```THURSDAY 20TH AUGUST, 2026``` *CHRISTIAN CLEANSING* 🎚️📓📖🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️🖤🩸🤍🥼🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🙏🏽 📜📜```TEXT:ISAIAH 52:1-3```📜📜 📖``` MEMORY VERSE:``` _*"Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean" (ISAIAH 52:1).*_ *Spiritual check-up should be a routine practice for Christians to maintain sanctity. It is your responsibility to cleanse yourself from all the filthiness that is flying all over your community. It starts by watching physically over what you allow into your life, beginning from the books you read, the movies you watch, the friends you keep, and so on.* *Unclean instruments will make you dirty and unacceptable in the sight of God. God wants His children to cleanse themselves and remain pure because He does not want to lose any of them to the devil and to hell, a place of eternal perdition.* *Beloved, you are the holy city of God and "henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean" (Isaiah 52:1). Consciously pray to God for heart cleansing or sanctification experience where your adamic nature would be uprooted.* *Remember that heaven is for only those who are holy. Trust in God because He "is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy" (Jude 1:24).* 💬 ```QUOTE:``` _*It starts by watching.*_ 🏆 ```CHALLENGE:``` _*Be clean in an unclean generation.*_ 🙏🏽🙏🏽 ```PRAYER:``` _*Lord, help me to live a clean life.*_ Christian Cleansing https://dailymanna.app// *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#HigherEveryday20thAugust2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS] [19/08, 8:10 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DEEPER CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRY``` _*(SINCERE MILK: Children Daily Devotional Guide 2⃣0⃣2⃣6️⃣)*_ 🙇🏼🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇‍♀️🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇🏼‍♂️ ```THURSDAY 20TH AUGUST, 2026``` *REASONABLE SERVICE* 📓📖🎚️🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🙏🏽 📜📜```ROMANS 12:1-3```📜📜 🕔📚🖋️🚻😁🎼🏆🍉🪴🌈💻 🔑📖 ```Key Verse:``` _*"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service" (Romans 12:1).*_ 📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖 A child who desires to serve God acceptably must offer unto Him a service that is reasonable. This means something that is of highest quality and standard. A reasonable service involves: *(i) Offering your body as a living sacrifice, free of blemish or stain of sin.* *(ii) Living a holy life.* During the Olympic Games, a lot of athletes represented their countries and won various medals. However, some of them were disqualified for various reasons, such as doping (the unlawful use of drugs to enhance performance). They failed because they did not present their bodies for the competition in the natural form. Our Bible passage encouraged believers to present their bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God, and be not conformed to this world in their way of life. Just like the athletes who were disqualified for falling short of the standard expected of them, any child who falls short of God's expectation will surely be disqualified from entering the kingdom of God. *For your service to become reasonable and acceptable to God, you need to genuinely repent of your sins and promise Jesus never to go back to sin anymore. Then you can be assured of eternal life. A service becomes reasonable when it is offered with clean hands and a pure heart.* 🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥 ```🅿️rayer:``` _*Lord, make my service acceptable in your sight.*_ 🙏🏽 ```📖 Further Reading:``` *Romans 12:4-8* Reasonable Service https://dailymanna.app// *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#SincereMilk20thAugust2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS]. 2. Morning Prayer for today. MP.i. Morning Prayer My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct [my prayer] unto thee, and will look up. ⏤ Psalm 5:3 The greatest tragedy of life is not unanswered prayer, but unoffered prayer. ⏤ F.B. Meyer O God, we come to You with nothing but our needs and a meager return of gratitude from our flawed hearts. But we are glad to know that You welcome us even with our needs and sins. Reveal Your love to us so clearly that it kindles our love for You, teaching us to love You more. This morning calls us to praise and thanksgiving. We’ve slept and awakened, preserved and refreshed by Your care. Our lives have been renewed through sleep, and now the sun shines on us again, bringing us joy. Give us a Father’s morning blessing as we step into the duties of this new day. Purify our hearts so that our thoughts and feelings may be pure. Grant us diligence, honesty, truthfulness, and a spirit of service so that we may carry out our tasks in a way that honors Your name. May we learn more and more how to walk with Jesus in the ordinary days, the week-days, so that they too may be brightened by Your grace. Preserve us from foolishness, idle words, and anything that would profane our lives or damage the impression we leave on others. May our daily walk be a living gospel. May we be a blessing to everyone we meet. Keep us from discouraging others. Help us to live in such a way that everyone who knows us will find it easier to be true, holy, and happy. Grant us now a Father’s morning blessing. Then we will be stronger throughout the day, safe amid temptation, and able to live sweetly and for You, through Jesus Christ. Amen. https://www.youdevotion.com/daily-prayer/miller/46/morning #taptapstudio #youdevotion.

Our Prayer for the Nations Tonight Heavenly Father, As we go to bed tonight, we lift before You the nations and peoples who are suffering under oppression, political injustice, poverty, unemployment, conflict, and bad governance. Remember those whose voices have been silenced, those who struggle to feed their families, young people whose opportunities have been taken away, and communities that have lived too long without peace and dignity. Your Word says: “He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy and shall break in pieces the oppressor.” Psalm 72:4 (KJV) Lord, we ask You to rise for the poor, the oppressed, the displaced, and the forgotten. Give wisdom and conscience to those who govern nations. Turn the hearts of leaders toward justice, accountability, compassion, and peace. Restrain those who use political power to oppress their people and raise up leaders who will serve rather than exploit. We also remember the teaching of the Book of Mormon: “And now, my brethren, I would that ye should impart of your substance to the poor, every man according to that which he hath.” Mosiah 4:21 Teach us, Lord, not to look away from the suffering of others. Give us generous hearts and willing hands to help those in need. Open doors of honest employment and opportunity for the unemployed. Provide food for the hungry, shelter for the homeless, education for children, and hope for families struggling under poverty. Where there is war, bring peace. Where there is oppression, bring freedom. Where there is injustice, establish righteousness. Where there is poverty, provide provision. Where there is unemployment, open doors. Where there is corruption, raise voices of integrity. Where there is despair, restore hope. Father, make us instruments of Your peace. Give us courage to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves and wisdom to pursue justice without hatred or violence. As we sleep tonight, watch over the nations. Protect the innocent, strengthen the suffering, comfort those who mourn, and prepare a better tomorrow for those who have almost lost hope. May Your justice prevail, your peace reign, and Your mercy reach every oppressed people and every struggling family. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

"THE DOOR CLOSED" *Lagos, 2024* Adaora was 27. Smart, diligent, and the top performer on her team at _BrightWave Tech_. For 3 years she showed up early, stayed late, and covered for people. Everyone said she was "next in line for manager." Then one Friday, HR called her in. "We’re downsizing. Today is your last day." No warning. No performance issues. Just a box, an email deactivation, and 24 other people walking out with her. The reason they gave? "Budget cuts." The real reason her colleagues whispered? The new COO wanted "his own people." Adaora went home and broke. Rent was due in 2 weeks. Her younger brother’s school fees were unpaid. She had sent 87 applications in 6 months before this job. *Weeks 1-4: The silence* She applied everywhere. Interviews ghosted her. One recruiter said, "We love you but you’re 'overqualified'." She prayed. Fasted. Her pastor laid hands on her and said _“God is not done.”_ She believed it… until month 3 hit. *Week 12: All doors closed* She got a final email from BrightWave’s HR: "Appeal denied. Position filled." Her landlord gave her a 7-day notice. Her phone was about to be cut off. That night she sat on her mat in her small apartment in Yaba, Bible open to _Isaiah 43:19_ — _“Behold, I am doing a new thing. Now it springs forth.”_ She whispered, "God, if You’re doing a new thing, I can’t see it." That same week, she saw on LinkedIn that her old role was reposted. Same title. Same salary. But the requirement now said "3-5 years experience + must have worked at BrightWave." It felt cruel. Like God was teasing her. She closed the app and cried, "It’s over." Sunday morning. Her pastor called her out during service. "Someone here lost a job unfairly. God says: ‘I saw what was done in secret, and I will answer in public.’" Adaora didn’t know what to think. Monday 9:03am. Unknown number. "Hello, is this Adaora? This is the CEO of BrightWave. We just finished an audit. We found out the downsizing was targeted and illegal. The COO has been let go. We’d like to offer you your job back. With 4 months back pay. And a promotion to Team Lead. Can you resume Wednesday?" She dropped her phone. Later she found out: One of the board members had watched her mentor interns for free on YouTube during her unemployment. He told the CEO, "That’s the kind of person we need leading." *6 months later* Adaora now runs the department. The first thing she did was rehire 2 people who were let go with her. She keeps a sticky note on her desk: _“Man said no. God said watch.”_ *The truth she tells young people now:* "There was a moment I thought God forgot me. But He was working behind closed boardroom doors I couldn’t access. When man shuts the last door, God builds a new hallway." _“With God all things are possible.” — Matthew 19:26_ _“No weapon formed against

TUESDAY MORNING PRAYER FOR OUR FAMILY! “As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” — Joshua 24:15 (KJV) Heavenly Father, we come before You this Tuesday morning with grateful hearts, thanking You for the gift of another day. Thank You for watching over our family through the night, for waking us up this morning, and for giving us another opportunity to experience Your grace, mercy, and love. Your Word declares, “This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24). So regardless of what yesterday looked like or what today may bring, we choose to rejoice because You are still God, You are still faithful, and our family is still in Your hands. Lord, we place every member of our family before You today—the young and the old, parents and children, husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, grandparents, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family, and loved ones near and far. Cover every household connected to our family. Father, go before us today. Your Word says, “The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore” (Psalm 121:8). Protect those traveling to work, school, appointments, and wherever this day may take them. Surround our vehicles, homes, workplaces, schools, and communities with Your protection. Lord, strengthen every family member who is tired, discouraged, overwhelmed, worried, or carrying burdens they have not told anyone about. Remind them that “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1). Give strength to the weary, peace to the troubled, and hope to those who feel like giving up. Father, we lift up every family member dealing with sickness, pain, disease, medical concerns, procedures, treatments, or recovery. You declared, “I am the LORD that healeth thee” (Exodus 15:26). Touch bodies from the crowns of their heads to the soles of their feet. Give wisdom to doctors, nurses, caregivers, and medical professionals. Where there is pain, bring relief. Where there is weakness, bring strength. Where there is uncertainty, bring peace. We stand on Your Word: “With his stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). Lord, touch the minds of our family members. Break the grip of fear, anxiety, depression, confusion, stress, and constant worry. Your Word tells us, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God” (Philippians 4:6). Let “the peace of God, which passeth all understanding” (Philippians 4:7) guard our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Father, we pray for anyone in our family struggling with addiction, alcohol, drugs, destructive habits, or anything that has taken control of their life. Break every chain and destroy every stronghold. Your Word declares, “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed” (John 8:36). Lord, set them free and restore what addiction has tried to steal. We pray for our marriages and relationships. Strengthen husbands and wives. Restore communication, trust, affection, patience, forgiveness, and commitment. Guard marriages against temptation, infidelity, division, bitterness, and outside interference. Let every home remember, “What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder” (Mark 10:9). Bless our children, grandchildren, and young people. Protect their minds, their bodies, their futures, their friendships, and their decisions. Keep them from dangerous influences and wrong relationships. Your Word says, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6). Draw our young people closer to You and give them courage to stand for righteousness. Father, we pray for every family member facing financial difficulties, unemployment, underemployment, debt, or uncertainty concerning their future. Open doors that no one can shut. Provide jobs, promotions, raises, opportunities, resources, and financial wisdom. Teach us to be good stewards of everything You place into our hands. We trust Your promise: “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). Lord, bring unity into our family. Heal old wounds. Remove grudges, jealousy, unforgiveness, misunderstandings, gossip, and division. Give us the humility to apologize when we are wrong and the grace to forgive when we have been hurt. Your Word says, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1). Comfort every family member who is grieving or missing someone they love. When memories bring tears, wrap Your loving arms around them. Remind them that “The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart” (Psalm 34:18). Give them strength for the difficult moments and peace when the emptiness feels overwhelming. Father, we pray especially for those who are caregivers. Strengthen those caring for aging parents, sick spouses, children, relatives, and loved ones. When they become physically and emotionally exhausted, renew their strength. Your Word declares, “They that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength” (Isaiah 40:31). Give caregivers patience, wisdom, rest, compassion, and help when they need it. Lord, protect our family from attacks we can see and attacks we cannot see. We declare, “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper” (Isaiah 54:17). Cancel every plan designed to bring destruction, confusion, division, or discouragement into our homes. And Father, above everything else, draw our entire family closer to Jesus. For those who know You, strengthen their relationship with You. For those who have wandered away, bring them home. For those who have never surrendered their lives to Christ, soften their hearts and save them. We declare over our household, “As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD” (Joshua 24:15). As we step into this Tuesday, help us walk by faith and not by sight. Help us speak life instead of death, encouragement instead of criticism, faith instead of fear, and love instead of anger. We declare that our family is covered. Our family is protected. Our family is being healed. Our family is being restored. Our family is being strengthened. Our family is being provided for. Our family is walking in unity. Our children are covered. Our marriages are covered. Our homes are covered. And our future is in God's hands! For Your Word declares, “If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31). Thank You, Lord, for hearing our prayer. Thank You for what You have already done, what You are doing right now, and what You are preparing to do in our family. We give You all the glory, honor, and praise. In the mighty, matchless, powerful name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen, Amen, and Amen! TUESDAY DECLARATION... Today, we declare that our family belongs to God! We will not walk in fear because the Lord goes before us. We will not be defeated because greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world. Our homes will have peace, our bodies will experience strength, our minds will be guarded, our needs will be supplied, and our family will walk in God's purpose. No weapon formed against our family shall prosper. As for us and our house, WE WILL SERVE THE LORD! In Jesus' name, Amen!

This Week's Prayer Guide August 9 - This week, pray for the needs of the people of Suzhou. Pray for the church to be a Christlike witness to their friends, neighbors, coworkers, and family members. August 10 - In recent years, many foreign and even domestic manufacturers have left Suzhou and its nearby development areas, leaving behind an economic void. Please pray that God will help revive Suzhou’s economy and provide for the economic needs of its people. August 11 - The departure of these companies and factories have led to a rise in unemployment, particularly among the young people. Many of them are steeped in a sense of hopelessness and feel like giving up. Please pray that the young people in the city can find a hope that is not based on career success, but in Christ. August 12 - Like many other cities in China, the economic downturn inevitably leads to population loss. Many young people have migrated to other cities or other parts of Suzhou to seek employment, making some less developed neighborhoods feeling empty. Please pray that God will bring revival to these neighborhoods, both economically and spiritually. August 13 - Population loss is also leading to shepherding challenges. People come and go according to their economic and employment needs, leaving pastors and church leaders feeling destabilized. Please pray that God will provide local churches with a stable core group of people, and that church leaders can know their sheep deeply. August 14 - One silver lining of the economic downturn is that young professionals are working less and thus have weekends open, and they are able to participate in Sunday worship more regularly. May the Lord refresh the souls of these young professionals through worship and church community, and alleviate their anxiety about their future. August 15 - One of the local churches in Suzhou recognized the opportunity to reach out to the elderly in the city. Volunteers divide into teams to cut hair, trim nails, visit and pray with the elderly. Please pray that they will encounter more opportunities to share the gospel, and that God will bring many elderly to faith through their work. 8月9日——本周，请为苏州人民的需要祷告。请祷告，愿教会能像基督一样，在他们的朋友、邻居、同事和家人面前作见证。 8月10日——近年来，许多外资甚至中资企业相继撤离苏州及其周边开发区，留下了经济上的空虚。请祷告，求神帮助振兴苏州的经济，并满足当地民众的经济需求。 8月11日——这些公司和工厂的撤离导致失业率上升，尤其是年轻人中的失业率。他们中许多人深陷绝望之中，甚至在家里躺平。请为这座城市的年轻人祷告，愿他们能将未来的希望建立在基督之上，而不在事业当中。 8月12日——与中国许多其他城市一样，经济低迷不可避免地导致人口流失。许多年轻人为了谋生，迁移到了其他城市或苏州的其他地区，使得一些社区显得冷清。请为这些社区祷告，求神在经济和属灵两方面都赐下复兴。 8月13日——会众流失也给牧养工作带来了挑战。人们根据经济和就业需求来来去去，使牧师和教会领袖感到不安。请祷告，求神为当地教会预备一个稳定的核心群体，并让教会领袖能深入地认识他们的羊群。 8月14日——经济低迷带来的一线希望是，年轻职场人士的工作时间减少了，因此周末有空闲能够更规律地参加周日礼拜。愿主通过敬拜和教会团契，使这些年轻职场人士的灵魂得到更新，并缓解他们对未来的焦虑。 8月15日——苏州当地的一间教会意识到向市老年人传福音的机会。志愿者们分成小组，为老年人理发、修剪指甲，探访他们、与他们一同祷告。请为他们祷告，愿他们能遇到更多分享福音的机会，也愿神通过他们的工作带领许多老年人信主。 Join us on Zoom this Thursday from 10:30am-11:00am EST for our weekly prayer call as we pray for Chinese churches in Suzhou. Click here to open the Zoom link. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86248059041 Meeting ID: 862 4805 9041

TODAY'S KINGDOM INSIGHTS SERMON TOPIC: HOPE FOR THE YOUTHS. There Is Still Hope! We are in a period where many young people are battling fear, unemployment, addiction, depression, immorality, broken homes, and uncertainty about the future. Many have lost hope because of repeated disappointments. Some believe they have no future, while others are searching for meaning in the wrong places. But God's message to every young person today is this: "There is hope for you!" Your present situation does not determine your final destination. God has not forgotten you. The God who raised Joseph from prison, David from the wilderness, Esther from obscurity, and Daniel from captivity is still raising young men and women today. No matter how dark your night may be, dawn is coming. Key Bible Texts Jeremiah 29:11 > "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." This promise was given to people living in difficult circumstances. God assured them that captivity was not the end of their story. Likewise, today's struggles are not the end of your journey. Joel 2:28 > "Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy... your young men shall see visions." God has a divine assignment for the youth. Young people are not merely the future of the Church—they are part of God's work today. 1 Timothy 4:12 > "Let no one despise your youth..." Paul encouraged Timothy to become an example in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity. Youth is not a limitation; it is an opportunity to glorify God. 1. Hope Begins When You Know God Has a Purpose for Your Life Many young people compare themselves with others and feel like failures. But God never created anyone without purpose. David was forgotten by his family, yet God had already chosen him to become king. Your background cannot cancel God's purpose. Lesson: Never measure your future by your present condition. 2. Hope Grows Through Right Choices Many destinies are destroyed not because God failed, but because wrong decisions were made. Choose: God over sin. Wisdom over foolishness. Discipline over laziness. Character over popularity. Purpose over pleasure. Every decision you make today shapes your tomorrow. Proverbs 3:5–6 teaches us to trust the Lord rather than our own understanding. 3. Hope Survives Every Delay Joseph waited. David waited. Abraham waited. Jesus Himself waited until the appointed time before beginning His ministry. Delay does not mean denial. God's timing is always perfect. Never give up because your miracle seems slow. 4. Hope Becomes Reality Through Faith and Hard Work Faith is not laziness. Prayer is not an excuse for idleness. God blesses diligent hands. Develop your gifts. Learn valuable skills. Study the Scriptures. Remain faithful. Keep improving yourself while waiting for God's open doors. 5. Hope Is Found Completely in Christ Money cannot replace hope. Fame cannot replace hope. Friends cannot replace hope. Only Jesus gives lasting hope. Without Christ, success is empty. With Christ, even difficult seasons become stepping stones to victory. Biblical Case Study: Joseph (Genesis 37–50) Joseph was young when God gave him dreams. His brothers hated him. He was thrown into a pit. He was sold into slavery. He was falsely accused. He was imprisoned. Yet Joseph refused to lose hope. At God's appointed time, he became the Prime Minister of Egypt and saved many lives. Lessons from Joseph: Dreams may be delayed but not destroyed. Integrity attracts God's favor. God can turn suffering into promotion. Your present pain can prepare you for your future purpose. Practical Action Steps Build a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Read your Bible every day. Pray consistently. Avoid destructive friendships. Learn useful skills and continue developing yourself. Honour your parents and spiritual leaders. Stay sexually pure. Refuse drugs, cultism, internet fraud, and violence. Believe that your future is in God's hands. Deep Spiritual Insights Hope is confidence in God's promises, not wishful thinking. God often prepares people privately before promoting them publicly. Your trials may be God's training ground. Every believer carries a divine purpose that no circumstance can destroy. Young people who walk with God become instruments of revival and transformation. Questions for Reflection 1. Where have I placed my hope—in God or in worldly success? 2. Am I making decisions that support God's purpose for my life? 3. What habits are delaying my progress? 4. Am I growing spiritually while waiting for God's timing? 5. If Jesus returned today, would I be ready? Powerful Prayer Points 1. Father, restore hope to every discouraged young person in Jesus' name. 2. Lord, reveal Your purpose for my life. 3. Every spirit of depression, fear, and hopelessness, leave my life in Jesus' name. 4. Father, connect me with godly mentors and faithful friends. 5. Destroy every addiction and sinful habit fighting my destiny. 6. Open doors of education, employment, ministry, and divine opportunities. 7. Grant me wisdom to make godly decisions every day. 8. Let my generation experience genuine revival. 9. Make me a vessel of honor in Your Kingdom. 10. Let my life glorify Jesus until the very end. Call to Action Young people, the future is not lost. God is still calling, preparing, and empowering a generation that will stand for righteousness in a corrupt world. Do not surrender your destiny to despair. Do not allow temporary failures to define your future. Fix your eyes on Jesus, remain faithful, and keep moving forward. Remember the promise of Romans 15:13: > "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." May the Lord raise a generation of young men and women who love Him, walk in holiness, influence society for Christ, and fulfill their divine purpose. Amen. https://selar.com/m/umoh-edem1 https://selar.com/m/umoedem https://www.amazon.com/author/umohedembooks CONTACT - WhatsApp +2349024173027, +2349055447440 Email pastor.umoedem@gmail.com https://www.facebook.com/share/1DMHU99QXF/ #UMOHEDEM

St. Cajetan St. Cajetan was born on October 1, 1480 and his baptismal name was Gaetano dei Contidi Tiene. He studied law in Padua and got a degree on civil and cannon law at age 24 years. He was working as a diplomat in the Venetian Republic for Pope Julius-II. He was ordained as a priest during the year 1516. He founded a congregation named “The Oratory of Divine Love”. The Bishop of Chieti diocese, Giovanni Pietro Carafa was the first superior of this Oratory, who later became Pope Pius-IV. The members of the Oratory are also called as “theatines” in the name of the city of Chieti, which is called as “Theate” in Latin. In the year 1533 he founded a house in Naples to fight against Lutheranism and to check its spreading. When he fell ill, he slept on a wooden board. When the doctors told him to take rest on a comfortable bed, he refused and said that his savior died on a cross and at least let him die on wood. He died on August 7, 1547. He was beatified by Pope Urban-VIII on October 8, 1629 and also canonized on April 12, 1671. He is the patron saint of workers, job seekers and un-employed people. #followchrist #workers #jobseeker #un-employed #employment #unemployment #workers #job #service #faith #followjesus #dieforchrist #leave #world

St. Cajetan St. Cajetan was born on October 1, 1480 and his baptismal name was Gaetano dei Contidi Tiene. He studied law in Padua and got a degree on civil and cannon law at age 24 years. He was working as a diplomat in the Venetian Republic for Pope Julius-II. He was ordained as a priest during the year 1516. He founded a congregation named “The Oratory of Divine Love”. The Bishop of Chieti diocese, Giovanni Pietro Carafa was the first superior of this Oratory, who later became Pope Pius-IV. The members of the Oratory are also called as “theatines” in the name of the city of Chieti, which is called as “Theate” in Latin. In the year 1533 he founded a house in Naples to fight against Lutheranism and to check its spreading. When he fell ill, he slept on a wooden board. When the doctors told him to take rest on a comfortable bed, he refused and said that his savior died on a cross and at least let him die on wood. He died on August 7, 1547. He was beatified by Pope Urban-VIII on October 8, 1629 and also canonized on April 12, 1671. He is the patron saint of workers, job seekers and un-employed people. #followchrist #workers #jobseeker #un-employed #employment #unemployment #workers #job #service #faith #followjesus #dieforchrist #leave #world

https://www.dailysignal.com/2026/07/31/how-lawsuit-seeking-silence-trumps-religious-liberty-commission-actually-proved-point/?utm_source=TDS_Email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=pandemic-unemployment-fraud-suspended-georgia-rep-sharon-henderson-pleads-guilty&ehash=590987fb3a85b61c253d1796ab1dc8070b18c3ba376e7fc1348750c1edff7164&_bhlid=639eb63f486c9ae2738e58db7828ba2dbffbc89f

TODAYS KINGDOM INSIGHTS SERMON TOPIC: HOPE FOR THE FUTURE There Is Still Hope! Many people today are living with uncertainty. The rising cost of living, unemployment, sickness, broken relationships, insecurity, and unanswered prayers have caused many to lose hope. Some have quietly concluded, "My future is finished." But God's message today is different: Your future is not determined by your present condition—it is determined by God's promises. As long as God is alive, your story is not over. A dark night does not cancel the sunrise. Your present pain is not the final chapter of your life. Hope is the bridge between today's struggles and tomorrow's testimony. Key Bible Texts Jeremiah 29:11 > "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you... thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." Israel was in Babylonian captivity. Everything looked hopeless, yet God assured them that He had not forgotten them. Even in difficult seasons, God was preparing a better future. Your present situation is not proof that God has abandoned you. Romans 15:13 > "Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing..." God is not only a giver of hope—He is called the God of hope. When He enters your life, hope returns. Lamentations 3:21-23 > "This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope..." Jeremiah saw destruction everywhere, yet he chose to remember God's mercy instead of his misery. Sometimes hope begins with what you choose to remember. 1. Hope Begins When We Trust God's Promises Hebrews 10:23 God never makes empty promises. People may disappoint you. Friends may leave. Employers may reject you. But God has never failed anyone who trusted Him. Faith says: "I don't see it yet, but I know God is working." Spiritual Insight Hope is not denying reality. Hope is believing that God is greater than reality. 2. Your Present Situation Is Not Your Final Destination Joseph (Genesis 37–50) Joseph experienced betrayal, slavery, false accusation, and imprisonment. Everything suggested failure. But every painful season became a stepping stone to the palace. The prison was not his destiny. Likewise, your current struggle is not your permanent address. God is writing a story that you cannot yet fully understand. 3. God Specializes in Impossible Futures Abraham and Sarah (Genesis 21) Humanly speaking, their future was over. Old age had destroyed every natural expectation. Yet God fulfilled His promise. Where man sees a dead end, God sees a new beginning. Our limitations do not limit God's power. 4. Hope Gives Strength to Keep Moving Isaiah 40:31 > "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength..." People without hope give up. People with hope keep praying. Keep working. Keep believing. Keep serving. Hope is spiritual fuel. When hope dies, vision dies. Prayer dies. Joy dies. Protect your hope. 5. Jesus Christ Is Our Greatest Hope 1 Peter 1:3 Our greatest hope is not money. Not government. Not education. Not connections. Our greatest hope is Jesus Christ, who conquered sin, death, and the grave. Because Jesus lives, your tomorrow is secure. Even death cannot defeat a believer's future. Biblical Case Study. Ruth Ruth lost her husband. She became a poor widow in a foreign land. Everything suggested that her future was finished. But she remained faithful to God. God connected her to Boaz. She became part of the family line through which Jesus Christ came. What looked like the end became the beginning of divine restoration. God can rewrite hopeless stories. Practical Action Steps 1. Feed your mind daily with God's Word instead of fear. 2. Pray with expectation, not despair. 3. Surround yourself with people who strengthen your faith. 4. Refuse negative confessions about your future. 5. Continue serving God faithfully even while waiting. 6. Trust God's timing instead of rushing ahead. 7. Remember God's past faithfulness whenever discouragement comes. Deep Spiritual Insights Satan attacks hope because hopeless people stop praying. Hope is the atmosphere where faith grows. Delay is not denial. God's silence does not mean God's absence. Every believer's future is secure because Christ already secured victory. Your future is hidden in Christ, not in your circumstances. Questions for Reflection What has stolen your hope recently? Do your daily words reflect faith or fear? Are you trusting your circumstances more than God's promises? What promise of God are you holding onto today? How can you encourage someone else who is losing hope? Powerful Prayer Points 1. Father, restore every hope that has been lost in my life, in Jesus' name. 2. Every spirit of fear, despair, and discouragement, leave my life now. 3. Lord, strengthen my faith to trust You even when I cannot see the way. 4. Every delay assigned to destroy my hope shall become a testimony. 5. Father, let every prophetic promise concerning my life come to fulfillment. 6. I receive divine strength to persevere until my breakthrough appears. 7. My future shall be brighter than my past, in Jesus' name. 8. Every closed door ordained by God to open for me shall open at the right time. 9. Lord, make me a living testimony of Your faithfulness. 10. My family, ministry, career, and destiny shall not end in disappointment, in Jesus' mighty name. Call to Action Child of God, never surrender your hope. Your present season is temporary, but God's promises are eternal. The God who brought Joseph from prison to the palace, who remembered Hannah, who restored Job, and who raised Jesus from the dead is still at work today. No matter what you are facing, hold firmly to God's Word. Refuse to let disappointment define your destiny. Keep praying, keep believing, keep serving, and keep walking in faith. Your future is not in the hands of chance—it is in the hands of the Almighty. Remember this truth: "For surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off" (Proverbs 23:18). May the God of hope fill your heart with peace, renew your strength, and lead you into the glorious future He has prepared for you, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. If you have not given your life to Jesus kindly do so by joining a Bible believing Church. You can get inspirational ebooks from my selar/Amazon shops below https://selar.com/m/umoh-edem1 https://selar.com/m/umoedem https://www.amazon.com/author/umohedembooks CONTACT - WhatsApp +2349024173027, +2349055447540 Email pastor.umoedem@gmail.com