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Prayer of Jehoshaphat

O our God, won’t you stop them?

By Gabriel Agbo

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Copyright – Gabriel Agbo (2014)

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All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or otherwise, or by any information storage and retrieval system without permission in writing from the author.

Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations in this book are taken from the New Living Translation (NLT) version of the Holy Bible.

Publisher: Gabriel Agbo

www.authorsden.com/pastorgabrielnagbo

E-mail: gabrielagbo@yahoo.com

Tel: +234-8037113283

From the author of the bestselling book Power of Midnight Prayer

Please, kindly leave a review at the review section if this book has actually blessed you and also tell others about it. Thanks!

Introduction

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Every battle in this life is winnable! All battles that we face whether as individuals or groups are represented in three categories – wars, diseases and famine. Wars represent both physical and spiritual oppositions, battles and conflicts we face daily. Diseases include all sicknesses, infections; curable and incurable diseases. Then, famine or drought involves all economic, financial lack and other challenges. And in this book, we effectively show that it is possible to always go through these challenges and come out victorious.

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Here, you will find established and tested principles that will permanently put you on the victorious side. They are indeed tested, divine, universal and eternal. They cannot fail!  Here you will find ten well-loaded and powerful chapters:  Prayer of Jehoshaphat, God of Heaven and Earth, It is Our Inheritance, War, Diseases and Famine, See How They Reward Us, Won’t You Stop Them? Don’t be Afraid or Discouraged; It is Not Your Battle, March out and Take Your Positions, and Power of Praise. We also have set of powerful prayer points that will bring immediate results at the end of each chapter. Happy reading!

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Gabriel Agbo

www.authorsden.com/pastorgabrielnagbo

DEDICATION

I dedicate this book to Tinuola Afilaka for her love for God and His people. Your acts of total dedication, faithfulness, uncommon humility and benevolence will continue to speak for you and yours before God for many generations to come. Like Dorcas, it shall continue to attract the resurrection power over you. And like Jesus told that woman, your actions shall continue to be remembered as long as this message spreads. God bless you – Amen!

“Don’t be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s”

–  God

Chapter One
The Prayer of Jehoshaphat

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Every battle in this life is winnable! You can come out of every life challenge victorious if you understand and follow the divine principles we are about to discuss here. Life is war and like in all wars, you will expect many battles. In this life there will be battles, troubles, challenges, trials, and temptations. They come in deferent shapes and times; some expected and others unexpected. Some of them will come from expected quarters and others from unimaginable sources. Some of these battles will be spiritual, some economical and others physical. As long as you’re alive they must come. Jesus was indeed right when He said that in this world you will have oppositions, troubles and tribulations. And Job also agreed with Him by saying that life is full of trouble. True!

Yes, all the above are correct, but God also gave us the principles to guide us into victory and fortunately, you find them in the encounter between Judah and the three nations that came against them. The Ammonites, Moabites and Edomites suddenly declared war against Jehoshaphat and his people, and before the king knew what was happening, this vast army had already started marching closely to Judah. The challenge was real, sudden, huge and imminent. In this desperation, Jehoshaphat summoned the people, declared a fast and went to the house of God to seek His face:

“After this, the armies of the Moabites, Ammonites, and some of the Meunites declared war on Jehoshaphat. Messengers came and told Jehoshaphat,  ‘A vast army from Edom is marching against you from beyond the Dead Sea. They are already at Hazazon-tamar’. (This was another name for En-gedi.) Jehoshaphat was alarmed by this news and sought the LORD for guidance. He also gave orders that everyone throughout Judah should observe a fast. So people from all the towns of Judah came to Jerusalem to seek the LORD.”

2 Chronicles 20:1-4

Your victory at the time of trial is determined by your relationship with God before the challenge and your attitude during the period. Jehoshaphat had always maintained a good relationship with God and now that he had a great challenge in his hands, naturally, his first reaction was also to seek the face of that his God for intervention. What is your relationship with God? Where do you go first at the time of trial? In other words, where are your heart and your trust? Jehoshaphat’s were in the God of Israel and that was why, without thinking about it, he ran to Him immediately for help. Personally, I have learnt to always run to God to seek His help any time I have challenges. And I always come out victorious.

As I write, I remember some years ago when as a young man I was working with a publishing company. I was barely 20 years old and had just given my life to Christ. My boss in the office kept on threatening to sack me from the job.

So one day he sent me a note that the next day was going be my last day on the job. I really didn’t know what to do anymore because he had told everybody his decision. Even my dad who had told me he once helped the man got the message.

On that faithful day, as I knelt down to pray, I opened my bible, spread the letter of summon, and placed my hands on a portion of the scriptures that demonstrated how God miraculously delivered the people of Israel from an imminent threat of defeat and destruction from a heathen king; who had boasted that even the God of Israel would not be able to deliver them from his hand.

After the prayer, I left to the office. Now, I didn’t know what will happen, all I did was just to ask God to intervene and save me from that man’s threat. But I was in for the shock of my life. As I approached the entrance of the company, the security men asked me if I heard what happened that morning and I said no. Then, they broke the news that my boss was dead. My God! I asked them what happened to him because he personally summoned me to report to his office that morning. And they told me he came to work the previous night and after finishing his assignment through the night, went home to dress up and did not come back. He died that morning in his house!

My dear, I have not seen that kind of thing before. I quietly went away with that shock. When I met my daddy on the way and broke the news to him, he also couldn’t believe it. I went back to my station and continued my work. God is ever ready to intervene in our situations, but we must also learn to remain, trust and take our matters to Him. No matter how desperate it might look, God can still do something about it. And please note, I did not pray that he should die, but God also refused that his plans against me would be carried out. Imagine what would have happened to my young faith and career if the man had succeeded in carrying out his threat.

Now I understand why the bible said that as the Israelites left Egypt, God did not lead them on the road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest route to the Promised Land. He took them through the wilderness towards the Red Sea, because He didn’t want them to face battles at that stage and change their mind on the journey. There are battles that God will not allow you to face as a new believer and even as a matured Christian, He also said that He will not allow you to face challenges that a bigger that you!

I practice this often. When I receive a threat or face a serious battle, I go to God, spread the threat (especially if it is written) before Him, and ask Him to intervene. It has been working perfectly for me and others. I learnt this also from King Hezekiah. The Assyrian king Sennacherib had written to the king of Judah; harassing, insulting them and deriding their God, comparing Jehovah with the other gods he had defeated with their nations. When Hezekiah got the letter, read it, he took it to the Temple and spread it before God. Please, do you permit me to just read this powerful prayer then we will return to our main discussion – Jehoshaphat and Judah? Thank you! Listen carefully and learn from this immutable principle:

“After Hezekiah received the letter and read it, he went up to the LORD’s Temple and spread it out before the LORD. And Hezekiah prayed this prayer before the LORD: ‘O LORD, God of Israel, you are enthroned between the mighty cherubim! You alone are God of all the kingdoms of the earth. You alone created the heavens and the earth. Listen to me, O LORD, and hear! Open your eyes, O LORD and see! Listen to Sennacherib’s words of defiance against the living God.

It is true, LORD, that the kings of Assyrian have destroyed all these nations; just as the message says. And they have thrown the gods of these nations into fire and burned them. But of course the Assyrians could destroy them! They were not gods at all – only idols of wood and stone shaped by human hands. Now, O LORD our God, rescue us from this power; then all the kingdoms of the earth will know that you alone, O LORD, are God.”

2 Kings 19:14-19

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Immediately, after this powerfully, skillfully crafted prayer, God sent a message to Hezekiah that He would not allow the boastful king of Assyria to step into Jerusalem, not to talk of shooting an arrow. And that same night an angel of the LORD went to the Assyrian camp and killed 185,000 Assyrian soldiers. Those that survived just woke up and saw dead bodies everywhere. And nobody told them and their King Sennacherib to run away! But why didn’t he stay? Royal fool! Yes, it’s only a fool that will challenge God. Even as he ran home, the unseen hand still pursued him. His own children killed him right where he was worshiping his god – Nisroch. My friend, there is power in taking your case to God in prayer – spreading it before Him. This is a standing spiritual principle. You know the bible said that two or three witnesses shall establish a truth (principle).  Please, let’s go back to our main discussion. Like Hezekiah, like Jehoshaphat.

Now the same thing Jehoshaphat is doing here. He took this imminent threat of these three enemy nations to the house of God and prayed:

“O LORD, God of our ancestors, you alone are the God who is in heaven. You are ruler of all the kingdoms of the earth. You are powerful and mighty; no one can stand against you! O our God, did you not drive out those who lived in this land when your people arrived? And did you not give this land forever to the descendants of your friend Abraham? Your people settled here and built this Temple for you. They said, ‘whenever we are faced with any calamity such as war, disease, or famine, we can come to stand in your presence before this Temple where your name is honored. We can cry out to you to save us, and you will hear us and rescue us.’

And now see what the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir are doing. You would not let our ancestors invade those nations when Israel left Egypt, so they went around them and did not destroy them. Now see how they reward us! For they have come to throw us out of your land, which you gave us as an inheritance. O our God, won’t you stop them? We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us. We do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help.”

2 Chronicles 20: 6-12

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My God! What is this? This is sure one of the most powerful, most comprehensive and most effective prayer you can find in the bible and I have ever heard. And this is why I will never get tired of reading or preaching from it. I love it! Moreover, Jehoshaphat is one of my heroes in the scriptures; my role model. He loved God so much, and God had in return showed much respect for him. You remember when he joined King Ahab of Israel to go and retake Ramoth-gilead; an Israelite city then occupied by the Arameans? As they were preparing for the war, Ahab summoned his four hundred prophets to ask them how the battle will go. After their prophecy of victory, which has been corrupted by the spirit of lies, Jehoshaphat further asked, “Isn’t there a prophet of the LORD around, too? I would like to ask him the same question.” Then they called in Micaiah son of Imiah.

Did you hear that? Hundreds of opinions have already been given, promising victory, by this guy was not satisfied and would not step an inch without the full assurance of divine guidance and protection. That was the extent of his trust and love for God. You already know the outcome of that war. Though cornered by the enemy forces, Jehoshaphat was divinely, miraculously spared, and the ungodly King Ahab of Israel killed. Those that honor Him will always be honored and protected!  True!

Also look at the battle against Moab. The king of Israel (Ahab’s son) mobilized Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom to go and fight against Moab for refusing to be bringing tributes after the death of Ahab. On the way, after seven days walk through the desert, there was no water for the horses and the soldiers. Everybody was dying of thirst and confused, but this same Jehoshaphat also asked a similar question “Is there no prophet of the LORD with us? If there is we can ask the LORD what to do.” And they called in Prophet Elisha. Now I want you to remark what the prophet of God said when he came. He told the king of Israel straight that if not for Jehoshaphat, he wouldn’t have bothered to attend to him (king of Israel). Then he gave them the word of the LORD, “This is what the LORD says: This dry valley will be filled with pools of water. You will have plenty for yourselves and for your cattle and your other animals. But this is only a simple thing for the LORD, for he will make you victorious over the army of Moab!”

And surely, the next morning, without any rain or wind, the water came in a great way! And not just for them to drink, it was also used to ensnare their enemies; who were well defeated. This was the extent of Jehoshaphat’s dealings with God. He loved, respected and meticulously followed the way of the God of Israel. He also did everything in his power to make Israel worship the only true God. He destroyed the idols in the land, ensured justice and sent out people to teach the laws of God throughout his kingdom. It is good we get this background so that we will know who was making these supplications that we are about to dissect and imitate.  Now, let’s go back. He prayed against the armies of Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir (Edomites).

Prayer Points:

Pray for forgiveness of sins and ask Him to come into your life.

Pray that God would increase His love in your heart.

Go to Him in prayer, spreading your request, case before Him.

You may declare a fast if you are led.

You can also do these as a people, a nation.

Chapter Two
God of Heaven and Earth

Jehoshaphat rightly began this most important prayer by acknowledging and declaring that God of his ancestors is Jehovah; the God of Israel, the creator and controller of the heaven and earth. He called Him the Almighty and all-powerful. Wow! That was a good way to start; a solid foundation. Your knowledge, faith and declaration of God and His power is very vital to your success at the time of battle. True! You can definitely not trust the person you have not known. You have to know the person, His personality, antecedents and character before you can be able to determine his ability and what he will do. What do you know of God? Do you know Him enough to trust Him always? Yes, right understanding will always bring outstanding results. Soldiers will only follow a trusted general or commander to a battle field. Let’s read directly from this great man before proceeding:

“O LORD, God of our ancestors, you alone are the God who is in heaven. You are ruler of all the kingdoms of the earth. You are powerful and mighty; no one can stand against you!”

2 Chronicles 20:6

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Did you see that? This guy was not just declaring the greatness of God, he personally owned Him. He called Him LORD and also the God of his ancestors! This is indeed a great trust. Please we will come to this later. Let’s first look at Him as the owner and controller of the heaven and earth; that is the universe.

Heaven

God is the maker of the heaven and the earth. He created them and everything in them. He made everything both the visible and the invisible. And I hope you know that the invisible world is much larger, real and powerful than the visible. Like the world of God will put it, what you don’t see is real and permanent but the things you see are temporal and ephemeral. And this is true. God made all these things. He created the heaven. He made the angels, the great cherubim and seraphim, the mighty archangels, the unnamed very powerful living creatures. One of these creatures in heaven can over run the whole earth in a split of second. And these are just the ones we were made to know through the scriptures. There could be more. He created Satan and all his fallen angels. That is your God! This is the One that is going into this battle with you.

God made the firmaments, the skies, the sun, the moon, the stars, the discovered and yet to be discovered planets. I hope you know that the firmament has no beginning and no end. The sun and the moon are each so many time larger that the earth. And the sun cannot come a bit close to our earth; otherwise everybody will just melt away in seconds. What of the starts? The smallest is also larger than the earth and you have millions of them. In fact, they are uncountable! All these were made by the One we are talking about here. Listen to how John described His throne in heaven in the book of Revelation 4: 3-11:

“The one sitting on the throne was as brilliant as gemstones – jasper and carnelian. And the glow of an emerald circled his throne like a rainbow. Twenty-four thrones surrounded him, and twenty-four elders sat on them. They were all clothed in white and had gold crowns on their heads. And from the throne came flashes of lightning and the rumble of thunder. And in front of the throne were seven lampstands with burning flames. They are the seven spirits of God. In front of the throne was a shiny sea of glass, sparkling like crystal.

In the center and around the throne were four living beings, each covered with eyes, front and back. The first of these living beings had the form of a lion; the second looked like an ox; the third had a human face; and the fourth had the form of an eagle with wings spread out as though in flight. Each of these living beings had six wings, and their wings were covered with eyes, inside and out. Day after day and night after night they keep on saying, ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty – the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come.’

Whenever the living beings give glory and honor and thanks to the on sitting on the throne, the one who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down and worship the one who lives forever. And they lay down their crowns before the throne and say, ‘You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created everything, and it is for your pleasure that they exist and were created.”

That is the majesty of your God and the glory of His throne. From here he oversees and controls all that happen in the whole universe. Nothing can ever take Him by surprise. The eyes you see all around His throne simply shows that He knows and sees everything before, during and after they have happened. In fact, He effectively controls the happenings. Now, when He sits on this throne, tell me who or what can defeat you in this life? Let’s go on.

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Earth

God made the earth and all you see on it. The mountains, the valleys, the great oceans, the lakes, springs and waterfalls, vegetations, the deserts, the birds of the air, the animals, fishes and other millions of creatures in the waters. Up till now, man is yet to discover all the creatures in the water. Every day, we hear of new ones or new species. Take a look at the great oceans of the world, where do they finally empty into?  Even, the animals and reptiles, have we discovered all?

Look at what happened at Lake Moondarra in the North-East of Australia the other day when a yet to be identified extraordinarily long snake fought with a large crocodile for more 5 hours, killed, ate it and crawled back into the lake. The world, the residents of Mount Isa and the snake experts are still studying that particular monster. Some say it’s a type of python, but that thing is almost 50 meters long. Even as it was on land digesting the very large croc, its body stretches far into the middle of the lake.  We don’t know all that God has made.

Men, nations, kingdoms, thrones, armies, weapons, empires; great and small, are all His creation. There is no throne, no power, no wisdom, no science, no discovery, no wealth and no possession without Him. He dethrones and enthrones as He wishes. Remember when powerful kings like Nebuchadnezzar dared Him; He dethroned him and sent him to the bush to go and learn common sense and loyalty from the animals for seven years. Hear the words of this hitherto proud and boastful king when he was eventually restored to his position after the ‘training’ in the wild:

“After this time had passed, I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up to heaven. My sanity returned, and I praised and worshiped the Most High and honored the one who lives forever. His rule is everlasting, and his kingdom is eternal. All the people of the earth are nothing compared to him. He has the power to do as he pleases among the angels of heaven and with those who live on earth. No one can stop him or challenge him, saying, ‘What do you mean by doing these things?’

When my sanity returned to me, so did my honor and glory and kingdom. My advisers and officers sought me out, and I was reestablished as head of my kingdom, with even greater honor than before. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and glorify and honor the king of heaven. All his acts are just and true, and he is able to humble those who are proud.”

Daniel 4:34-37

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Wow! What an experience. What a hard way to learn. God miraculously preserved this man’s throne, kingdom and staff throughout those seven years in the bush. Thank God he repented and was restored. Imagine, if he had been left permanently in the wild, maybe by today the zoologists would have been battling to explain the specie of his offspring between human, chimpanzee and other wild beasts. God rules over all! Truly, nobody can challenge Him!

God created and owns all the gold, silvers, minerals, etc. I heard the wealth in the Dead Sea alone will take hundreds of years for Israel finish. Then imagine the immense, immeasurable wealth in all the great waters of the world. But how again do you even explain that strange sea that take in water but does not give out? God made all these. Jehoshaphat was right when He called Him the God in heaven and on earth, and the ruler of all the kingdom of men! I concur!

God of Our Ancestors

Jehoshaphat’s trust in God did not come from the blues. He learnt from his ancestors and as we had earlier seen from personal experience, encounters; personal testimonies. Though Israelites have a very unique way of passing to their children and subsequent generations their history, culture, values, faith, etc. They are experts in oral history. And even God sometimes instructs them to set up monuments to remember events and victories or make sure they tell and teach the next generations the stories behind some events, feasts, ceremonies, monuments, names, etc.