Text: Matthew 14:22-33
Memory verse:
“And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now, when evening came, He was alone there.” Matthew‬ ‭14‬:‭23‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
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No erudition, no clarity of diction, or any unusual eloquence, yet Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola was a fire brand and an angel in human flesh. He had only primary education and no theological training, yet great men and women sought after him. It was recorded that, sometimes, while preaching, the power of God would lift him from the ground and suspend him in the air. On one of such occasions, a team member held his legs in the air and forcefully pulled him down, crying “Baba (father), please, don’t leave us now!”….. Baba, please don’t leave us now!’ Also, on many occasions when there was no vehicle to convey him, he was supernaturally transported via the wings of the Spirit from one crusade venue to the other, just like Philip! (Acts 8:39).
Apostle Babalola’s power ministry didn’t start on the pulpit but in the closet. Victory was won ever before his foot stepped on the pulpit. He was well known for his fervency in prayer than his signs and wonders. On many occasions, his team members, having gotten tired of his endless praying, left him alone on the praying ground. On a particular day, as he ended his prayer with his usual loud phrase, “in Jesus’ name we have prayed”, he found himself alone. Though not new to him, he was, however, surprised when he asked his team members what the time was, and they said, “You have been praying standing on your feet for three days nonstop!” He was so lost in the prayer that he lost the count of time!
Jesus was also left alone in prayer according to our memory text. His disciples slept off even when He called them to watch with Him. So, it’s not surprising that Apostle Babalola was always left alone. Prayer men are lonely men, yet they are well sought after because they possess the solutions to men’s problems. The altar of prayer is the place of renewal of power. In Acts 4:31, as the apostles prayed, the place was not only shaken, but “they were all filled with the Holy Spirit..” We talk so much about Jesus walking on the water, but we forget that He spent the night alone in prayer before that miracle.
Friends, do you desire to be used by God? Build your closet life in prayer more than your public life. Seek daily to be filled with the Holy Spirit. May the Lord anoint and use you for His glory, in Jesus’ name.

Prayer points
1. Father, I desire to be used by You, please daily pour out Your Spirit on me, in Jesus’ name.
2. Father, help me to build my prayer closet more than my public ministry, in Jesus’ name.

Today’s declarations
1. The fruit of the public ministry is a reflection of the prayer closet.
2. The Holy Spirit empowers me to pray fervently and refills me with power during prayer for the public ministry.

Contact: pastor@thf.org.ng