TOPIC:
PRAYER PROVOKES BLESSINGS

RCCG IOPEN HEAVENS AND FDTEB MSG JULY 10th 2015 MEMORISE

For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Matthew 7:8

Read

Luke 1:5-14

5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.
6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
7 And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.
8 And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course,
9 According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.
10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.
11 And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.
13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
14 And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.


Message

One great lesson from Jacob's Peniel experience, documented in Genesis 32:24-32, is that prayer provokes blessings. A key part of this experience in Genesis 32:28-29 thus read:
"And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed. And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there."
After changing Jacob's name to Israel, the Lord further

blessed him. This tells us that having a new name is desirable, but securing a blessing that will empower the new name to achieve its prophetic meaning in the life of its recipient is even more preferable. Some people who once had negative names have changed them; this is good but don't stop there. Ask that God will bless your new identity, so that your new name will speedily work for you and finally take you to your place of destiny.

Similarly, you will notice that a blessing was pronounced on Israel in the place of prayer, not at some other place. Blessings are attracted to you while you are praying. The blessings that manifest after your moments of concerted prayers were first delivered to you in the place of prayer. In Acts 12:1-17, it was while the children of God were taking turns to pray that freedom was delivered to Peter who had been incarcerated by the authorities. In addition, the gift of a baby boy, in the person of John the Baptist, was delivered to Zacharias while he and the people were praying in the temple. This gift manifested nine months later (Luke 1:65-66).

Effective prayer is like a collection basket for blessings. If you can pray, you will have a place where your required blessings will be dropped for you, but if you cannot pray, you can be certain that even when God decides to give you a particular blessing out of mercy, you will not have a receptacle to receive it. This is one reason why some blessings that are brought to people are returned to Heaven. Effective and sustained praying over an issue tells the heavenly hosts that you are truly prepared to receive what you are asking for. Prayer provides the landing platform for your miracles and blessings. You desire God to bless you; have you prepared the platform on which the answer to your request will be laid?

Action Point:

Prayer is a platform for collection, and only those who engage in it will reap its dividends.


3 REASONS WHY YOU MUST NEED JESUS
Jesus loves you! he desires to have a relationship with you,and to give you a life full of joy and purpose.

why do you need need him in your life?

1. Because you have a past.
you cant go back,but he can.The Bible says,"Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever"
(Hebrews 13:. He can walk into those places of sin and failure, wipe the state clean and give you a new beginning.

2. Because you need a friend.
Jesus knows the worst about you, yet he believes the best. why? Because he sees you not as you are, but as you
will be when he gets through with you. what a friend?

3. Because he holds the future.
Who else are you going to trust? in his hands you are safe and secure today,
tomorrow,and for eternity. his word says," for i know the plans i have for you...plans for good
and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. in those days when you pray i will listen"
(Jeremiah 29:11-13)

If you'd like to begin a personal relationship with Jesus today,please pray
this prayer.

"Lord Jesus, I invite you into my life,I believe you died for me,and that your blood
pays for my sins and provides me with the gift of eternal life, by faith i receive
that gift and i acknowledge you as my Lord and Saviour Amen".

Dear Lord Jesus, i give my life to you as my Lord and Saviour so that my joy will be full. Lord Jesus, i dedicate my soul, spirit and body to you,i know you have delivered and saved me. Amen."