2022 Universal Week of Prayer Outline – Possessing the Gate; Text: Gen 22:17; 24:60
2022 Universal Week of Prayer Outline – Possessing the Gate; Text: Gen 22:17; Gen 24: 60. 7- Days Universal Week of Prayer Outline for 2022 – Anglican Communion.
INTRODUCTION ON THE THEME: “POSSESSING THE GATE” TEXT: GEN 22:17, GEN. 24:60
We give thanks to God for the privilege of witnessing another brand new year 2022. The word of God that says “it is not of he that wills or runs, but of the Lord that shows mercy” is an absolute truth, considering the realities of what we passed through in 2021. The devil indeed came like a rushing wind in many guises, but God’s mercy prevailed and we are alive in the land of the living. May God’s name alone be praised and glorified in Jesus name Amen,
In the year 2021, we continued to contend with the pain and perils of the COVID 19 Pandemic, which devastated the world in 2020. Many families lost their dear ones, the rate of interaction and fellowship slowed down and the economy of nations was drastically affected. The confusion of conspiracy theory surrounded the vaccine and the fear associated with survival in times like these did more harm to the survival of the nations of the world.
It is also an incontestable fact, that the growing rate of terrorism in many nations of the world is unprecedented. Many people are living in the fear of tomorrow and death, High rate of kidnapping, killings, and political restiveness has affected the sustainable growth of some nations. The emergence of “unknown gunmen” and their attack on security personnel and high profile individuals, with its attendant destructions, is beyond verbal expressions. These and many other ugly trends were the experiences of the year 2021. In all these “many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord, delivered him from them all” (Ps34:19).
The church as a fellowship of brethren, operating in God’s world, was drastically affected. So many Christians were killed and church buildings burnt down in some difficult environments. Many Christians for fear of death kept away from the fellowship of brethren. These scenarios affected the growth of the church in diverse ways, and the kingdom mandate of the church suffered an untold setback. In all these things, we give sincere thanks to God for his divine protection and guidance that has kept His church until now. Our sincere commitment to the faith once for all delivered to the saints is the staying power that has held the church even in these trying times. The message of the cross which is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God (1 Cor 1:18) that has helped to revive the faith of brethren to face the realities of these evil times. Our faith was deepened and anchored on the finished work of salvation, because “I know whom 1 have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me” (2 Tim 1:12). The church boldly faced these events of 2021 and responded by committing ourselves more to the gospel as an imperative in following Jesus Christ. The evidence and testimony are that by His grace we are not consumed, and that grace has brought us into this year 2022.
Our response, therefore, is not to take the grace of God for granted, rather we must show more truly the greatness of His salvation by leaving no _ stone unturned in expanding the kingdom project. This can be done by investing our time, talent, and treasure in this sacred assignment so that the kingdom of darkness will be depopulated. As members of God’s kingdom, we must show by living example the love of Christ to those who are perishing. Through this way, we will become the salt of the earth and the light of the world (Matthew 5:13-16).
As we rejoice and thank God for giving us another privilege to live and serve His purpose in 2022, let us build up our spiritual muscle so as to face the challenges of the new year. Let us deploy ourselves sacrificially to doing the needful and strategically position ourselves to fulfill the purpose of God in 2022. In this years’ week of prayer, we shall focus on the theme – Possessing the Gate (Gen. 22:17). It is our earnest expectation that God will renew our strength to stand in the gap as watchmen. As we engage in these end-time kingdom battles, may God grant us victory on every side.
Let us begin this year focusing again on the promises of God, and what He alone can do. Remember, that no iota of His promises has failed, because He who promised is faithful (Heb 10:23). It is also our prayer and hopes that we shall see God’s goodness in the land of the living as we “Possess the Gate” (Gen. 22:17) to the glory of God. MARANATHA
⇒ See the 2022 Anglican Bible Study – Theme: The Lord God and the Reign of Peace
2022 Universal Week of Prayer Outline – Possessing the Gate; Text: Gen 22:17; 24:60
7- Days Universal Week of Prayer Outline for 2022 – Anglican Communion
SPECIAL HYMN FOR THE WORKÂ CH-317
- When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost
Count your many blessings; name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
Count your blessings, name them one by one:
Count your blessings; see what god ath done;
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
- Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear/
Count your many blessings, ev’ry doubt will fly,
And you will be singing as the days go by. - When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings, money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.
- Â So, amid the conflict, whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend.
Help and comfort give you o your journey’s end.
DAY 1 – SUNDAY 2ND JANUARY, 2022
TOPIC: POSSESSING THE GATE
OPENING HYMN:Â CH- 473
- Through the love of God our Saviour
All will be well;
Free and changeless is His favour,
All, all is well.
Precious is the blood that healed us,
Perfect is the grace that sealed s,
Strong the hand stretched out to shield us,
All must be well.
- though we pass through tribulation,
All will be well;
Ours is such a full salvation,
All, all is well
Happy, still in god confiding;
Fruitful, if in Christ abiding;
Holy, through the spirit’s guiding;
All must be well
-  We expected a bright tomorrow,
All will be well;
Faith can sing through days of sorrow
“All, all is well”
On our Father’s love relying,
Jesus every need supplying,
Or in living or in dying.
All must be well.
TOPIC: POSSESSING THE GATE
(Understanding the spiritual gates and their Implication)
TEXT: GENESIS 22:17, Genesis 24:60
Gate is an entryway into an unknown place or a place of great significance. They are normally guided by symbolic animals. The purpose of the gate is to prevent or control the entry or exit of individuals, or they may be merely decorative. Apart from being part of a city’s protection against invaders, “city gates were places of central activity in biblical times, it was at the city gates that important business transactions were made, the court convened and public announcements were heralded”.
Accordingly, there are two types of gates, the physical and the spiritual gates. “Every physical gate has a corresponding spiritual gate. This implies that before you conquer a physical gate, it is imperative that you conquer the spiritual gate”. This is because at every gate you have strong men positioned. It is possible that a gate may be opened for you, but the strong men at the gate will prevent your entering. Is this not the reality we face today in our lives journey? This is why in this 2022 God’s heart’s desire is to equip us to ‘conquer the strong men at the gate so as to possess our possession. The focus of our week of prayer is one of the blessings of God to Abraham “Possessing the Gate”. The text Genesis 22:17 says “I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky, and as the sand on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies” (NIV).
God saw the willingness of Abraham to obey Him absolutely without questions, having passed the test of sacrificing his only son (Gen 22:1-2). This obedience to God was anchored on his previous experiences and encounter with God. God because of this obedience has already sworn to bless him, but the emphasis this time with the word “surely” underlines the fact that there can be no doubt about God’s promise to bless him. The promise to “Possess the Gate” involves reclaiming what was originally ours. It is an undertaking that requires a made-up mind with a clear focus without wavering.
In Genesis 24:60 – this same promise was made to Rebeka saying “May your descendant possess the gates of those who hate them”. It is also our own blessing in 2022. There is a need to understand, that the overall purpose of God is for us to overcome all our enemies. It is for this reason that Jesus came, so as to destroy all the works of darkness (John 3:8). It is also for this reason that the Holy Spirit came upon the believers (Acts 1:8), so as to quicken our mortal bodies and empower us unto victory. |> is obvious that we are on a battlefield. This battle is not physical but spiritual.
1 Cor. 10:3-6 says “for though we walk in flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and everything that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is • complete”. It is clear that believers like Paul are merely humans, with limitations. These human powers are not effective in our battle to “Possessing the Gate” of our enemies in 2022. This is why we don’t need human plans and methods to win our battles of possessing in keeping with God’s promises, God’s mighty weapons are available to us as we fight Satans “stronghold”, and have an all-around victory against the “strong men” at the gate.
There is a need to understand that the implications of controlling the gates of our enemies were to conquer their city. In Matthew 16:18 -Jesus promised to build his church that the “Gates of Hades will not overcome it”. An understanding of the biblical implication of gate helps us to interpret this word of Jesus Christ. It is important to note that “the gate was a place where rulers met and counsel was given”. Jesus was saying that all the evil plans of Satan himself would never defeat the church. This is the confidence we have to trust God as we face the realities of the time. It is important to have this assurance so as to trust Him with our lives, believing that He is able to keep his own even in these trying times because he has already made adequate provisions for our all-around victory.
HOW CAN THIS BE POSSIBLE? – WAY FORWARD
There is a need to employ these God’s mighty weapons according to Paul in Ephesians 6:13-18 if we must “Possess the Gate” in 2022.
- Prayer – Bending our will to the will of God, and trusting only what God can do. (1 Thes 5:17, Luke 8:1, Acts 12:5-6).
- Faith – Believe without doubts, for doubts corrupts faith. (Heb 11:1-6, Matthew21:22, Luke 1:37,1 Cor 16:13).
- Hope – Life must be filled with endless hope. I do not know the details of tomorrow, but I have hope for a better tomorrow. (Lam 3:22-26, Isaiah 41:10. Jer. 17:7, Romans 15:4,2Thess2:16).
- Love – Obedience to God is evidence of our love for Him (John 14:15, Jeremiah 31:3, Heb 13:5. John 3:16, 1 John 2:15-17).
- God’s word – The word of God is the compass that directs our lives (Col 3:16, Ps 119:11 & 105, Jos 1:8, Ps 119:165).
- Holy Spirit – The Holy Spirit is given to enable and help the believers fulfill God’s purpose in the world (Acts  1:8, Acts 2:21, Acts 10:38).
These weapons are powerful and effective for our victory. They can break down the proud human arguments against God and the walls that Satan builds to keep people from finding God. Nothing can break the barriers of the enemy like God’s weapon. In this year 2022, we must change our strategy, so that the promises •and the blessings of God will be real in our lives. It is indeed our season to “Possess the Gate of our enemies”.
7- Days Universal Week of Prayer Outline for 2022 – Anglican Communion
Let us pray
WE THANK GOD
- For the deepness of his love upon us
- For divine security and protection
- For provisions and healing
- For the work of redemption and grace of crossing in the year 2022
WE CONFESS
- Our fears and lack of faith in His promises
- Seeking salvation outside Christ
- Naming His name and not departing from iniquity
WE PRAY
- Declare that you will possess the gate of your enemies
- Pray for grace and divine weapons to defeat the strong men at the gate in 2022
- Pray for overall victory in the midst of the dangers of the time
- Commit this year 2022 into the hand of God, your plans and prospects
- Pray for God to give us peace in 2022 and heal our land
CLOSING HYMN: CNH 772
- Father who on man dose shower
Gift of plenty from your dower
To Your people give the power
All Your gifts to use aright - Be with us, Your strength supplying
That with energy supplying
Every foe on man defying We may rally to the fight.
- Give pure happiness in leisure
Temperance in every pleasure
Holy use of earthly treasure
Bodies dear and spirit bright.
- You, who are our Captain ever
Lead us on to great endeavor
May You Church the world deliver
Give us wisdom, courage, might.
- Lift from this and every nation
      All that brings us degradation
     Quell the forces of temptation
      Put Your enemies to flight.
- Father, who have sought and found us
       Son of God, whose love has bought us
        Blessed Spirit, in us, round us,
       Hear us, Godhead infinite. Amen
2022 Universal Week of Prayer Outline – Possessing the Gate; Text: Gen 22:17; 24:60
DAY 2 – MONDAY 3rd JANUARY 2022 – Universal Week of Prayer
Opening Hymns – A & M 199
TOPIC: LIFT UP YOUR HEADS OH YE GATES
TEXT: PS 24: 7-10 (READ PS 24: 1 – END).
Psalm 24 is one of the very interesting Psalms, penned by King David. It is one of the people’s favorite. It is like a special chorale presentation by a choir that goes vesicles and responses. When the word of the Psalm is read and reread, pondered and prayed about, it turns out a soul-refreshing blessing to those who are truly seeking the Lord.
David started by making it clear who it was who built and established the planet and put the people on it, who is thereby the undisputed owner of all that is in it. The heaven, earth and sea are the Lord’s and all who dwell therein (Rev 10:6, RSV). He is to be completely honored and worshipped by all men irrespective of the chances, changes and challenges that are in the world around us.
LIFT UP YOUR HEADS…
The questions, answers and clarifications in w. 3-6 are quite crucial, bringing out the fact that as long as “lift up your heads…” is concerned, God is in a high and holy place that any and everybody cannot just assume at will. It is rather specified in v. 4 that he who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not sworn deceitfully (lied) is most qualified to approach and access His throne of mercy.
At the throne of mercy, the king of glory “comes in” with hope and
encouragement making it available to whoever draws near with
faith(James4:8). He responds to our A. C.T. S:
A – Adoration,                                      T – Thanksgiving
C – Confession,                                      S – Supplications
(See Ps 27:4; Matt 7:7; 11:28; etc.).
If one continues to wash his/her hands and purify our hearts that will be the One to “come in” irrespective of the situations. An individual won’t have to practically ascend to His holy place, instead, He will kindly “come in” by Himself, descending from His holy place to meet such a person in his/her different needs (Phil 2:6-8). He actually says “lift up your heads Oh ye gates” twice to make sure that we get the seriousness of the point.
…OHÂ YEÂ GATES
Gates are very important. Just as in the natural realm gates are used for security and protection, God uses spiritual gates which you can’t see with your physical eyes like you can see the gate of your house, church, or office, to secure, protect and fortify people’s lives.- The devil too has spiritual gates that are in operation. You can’t see them but they are there quite alright. These evil spiritual gates existed in the time of Abraham and other Bible characters. (Genesis 22:17). Evil spiritual gates still exist today.
Gates also serve as entry points; entry points to a house (Luke 16:20), city (1 Kings 17:10), palace (Esther 5:13), church (Acts 3:2), or a person’s life (Isaiah 60:11). While God has gates He uses to pass or release blessings and good things into our lives, the devil uses his own evil gates to pass or introduce sin, problems, afflictions and all manner of evil into people’s lives.
DAY 2 – MONDAY 3rd JANUARY 2022 – Universal Week of Prayer
MEN LIKE DAVID
King David was practically a man whose heart was wholly surrendered to God. He enjoyed lifting God up in all situations and insisted that every “gate” must be likewise lifted up so that the King of glory, the King of kings would come. Hence, he adopted the following seven steps in lifting up any gate that was on his ways for the King of glory to come in:
- Ps 27:4 – He cherished and coveted God’s presence, i.e. divine aura, atmosphere, accompaniment, attendance, etc. – (Ps23:4)
- 2Sam 6:14-23 – He was a praise-warrior; a psalmist; a composer, dancer, instrumentalist, etc. – remember Paul & Silas – (Acts 16:16ff)
- Ps 2 0 – He was a prayer warrior
- 29:14 – He was a wonderful giver
- 16:22 – He was a man of the word of God (Jos 1:8)
6.   2Sam 12/Ps 51:17 – He was a man of brokenness and contriteness; a man of healthy emotions; penitent and         repentant
- Matt 1:1-17 – The genealogy of Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord is traced to him; he was identified with Jesus Christ (Act 4:12).
With these seven steps and more as highlighted in the Holy Scriptures, the Lord could be lifted up and gates shall irresistibly lift up their heads for the king of glory to come in.
Prayer
WE THANK GOD
- Give thanks to God for who He is and for what He does
WE Â PRAY
- Command every head and gate to be lifted up for the King of glory to come in particularly in this 2022
- Declare divine judgment against satanic heads and gates that are lifted up against us especially as it concerns 2022
- According to John 12:32 prophesy that more souls will identify and be drawn to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in 2022.
- Pray for grace to adopt these seven steps just as David did this 2022 and beyond
