By: Phil Adams/Vitalis Ugoh Calabar
Being a believer doesn’t preclude us from discouraging thoughts. In fact, we experience situations such as broken down, terrifying encounter, violence, fear and confusion the more on daily basis.
Some of them are in form of testing our faith in Jesus Christ or to reshape and remodel our Christian life.
Lord by the mention of the Name Jesus, every discouragement disarm – Alleluia!
Joshua 1:9: God told the children of Israel “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Our faith is tested whenever there is discouragement. The simple way to overcome the power of despair is not to ignore it, but to tackle it aggressively with the truth.
The truth here refers to the Word which is God/Jesus.
John 14:6: “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
Today’s theme is very apt and self realizing,. You must preach to your own soul – 42:5. King David is a good example, take thoughts captive and recognize God’s presence.
The song writer says “Call Him Jesus, call Him Emmanuel, He will answer you”. As many that put their trust in Him shall be saved – Amen!
The Name of Jesus disarmed every discouragement in the lives of believers during the service.
Intercessory prayer points were anchored by Pst. David Ibeh as the Holy Spirit directed.
He prayed Against Discouragement (Ps 42:11) “Father, in the Name of Jesus, I reject every spirit of discouragement, disappointment, and hopelessness working against my life. Let every weight on my heart be lifted today, renew my strength (Isa. 40:31), “Lord, renew my strength whenever I feel weak, tired, or overwhelmed. Give me the grace to keep moving forward even when the journey becomes difficult, Destroy the Voice of Negativity (Rm. 8:31), and Every voice telling me that I cannot succeed, I cannot rise, or my situation will never change—I silence that voice in Jesus’ name. Let Your Word become louder than every negative report”.
Also, he Prayed against Fear (Gal. 6:9) – “Every fear concerning my future, family, finances, career, ministry, and destiny, I surrender it to You. Fill my heart with faith instead of fear, Restore Lost Hope (Jer. 29:11) and “Lord, restore every hope, dream, vision, and expectation that discouragement has taken away from me. Give me fresh courage to believe again in Jesus Name Amen”.
It was a powerful prayer session and the angels were on guard throughout the service.
Earlier Prophet Sunday Enu Obi had observed his usual way of appreciating His Master Jesus Christ as he danced round the choir stand and the Altar in thanksgiving. This is noted as his joyful moment. He communes with God during this session.
Another serious moment is the thirty minutes worship where worshippers bore their minds to God as they present their discouragement to Him relationally with high expectations. It was a moment of reflection.
The testimonies were glorifying and pleasing to God. The ARENA Echo International choir rendered her Special No as usual and it was entertaining.
Thereafter, God’s Servant Prophet Sunday Enu Obi, with humility ushered the guest speaker Pst Breakthrough Lambe to the Pulpit to present the Word with the theme “Discourage your Discouragement” taking from 1 Samuel 30;3-6.
“Discouragement is like a heavyweight that presses down on your spirit, making you feel hopeless, defeated, or disheartened. It’s when challenges or setbacks make you want to give up or lose motivation.
Exodus 14;11Then they said to Moses, “Because there were no graves in Egypt, have you taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you so dealt with us, to bring us up out of Egypt?”
He enumerated common causes which includes: Unmet Expectations, Negative Thoughts and Spiritual Attacks.
According to him, discouragement can lead to: Emotional drain, Loss of motivation, and Isolation.
Victims, he said can break by identifying the source, Seek Support, Focus on Truth and Take Small Steps – breaking tasks into manageable actions to rebuild momentum.
Keys to break free can be found by
praying for Strength. Ask God for help and guidance (Psalm 61:1-2), Renew Your Mind: Focus on God’s promises and truths (Romans 12:2, Philippians 4:8 Declare Scriptures: Speak God’s Word over your situation (Psalm 119:49-50) and Seek Support: Connect with fellow believers for encouragement (Galatians 6:2).
Furthermore, he said, you must reflect on God’s Faithfulness: Recall past victories and God’s goodness (Psalm 77:11-12).
Key Scriptures for further studies:
Psalm 42:5-6/1 Samuel 30:6/Philippians 4:13.
Lambe noted practical steps to succeed. Journal God’s Promises: Write down verses that speak to your situation, Worship and Praise: Focus on God’s goodness, even in tough times and Take Action: Step out in faith, doing what you can despite feelings.
Today the Lord will strengthen you to overcome your discouragement in Jesus Name – Amen!
Emphasizing on the Word Prophet Sunday Enu Obi based on the theme, “Discourage Your Discouragement”, recalled his attempts to encourage those who left admits their discouragement on different occasions, but they didn’t listen.
He said, “I tell people, don’t mock me, teach me as I am ready to learn. You are free to mock me because of my mistakes, but learn from my mistakes so that you don’t get mocked by others.”
Referencing King David’s self encouragement and how Queen Esther encouraged herself and was favoured by the king, Obi declared that all things that discouraged you will turn around for your good. The battle is the Lord’s and no one can say a thing that will come to pass when the Lord has not said so.
Sources of discouragement could be inferiority complex, temptations, trials, frustration, sickness, loss of a loved one, failed marriage, loss of career etc. When faced with any of these, be determined not to be discouraged.
All hope is not lost. Trust in God who begins new things when all else seem to have failed. Some men are actually the genesis of their problems. They stand with their families against their wives forgetting that man should leave his family and be joined to his wife. What an error.
He led the congregation to praying against the spirit that holds people back from continuing to attend service after every tarry night.
He immediately switched on to ministration and touched few that were caged and got them loosed.
Thereafter, there was an Altar Call for those who wish to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior.
Prophet Obi also took the Corporate Prayers as the spirit led him. O Lord God: “today I surrender myself to you, for without thee I can do nothing, therefore hold me by my right hand because I know you are the only one that can change my condition, give me wisdom to know my unfriendly friends and grace to understand and withstand them, and let every challenge that will make me forsake you and discourage me from following after you be discouraged.”
He continued, “let every gang up against me and my family be scattered now, let every power holding me and my family hostage and has made people to mock us be scattered by the power of God, let every demonic handwriting on the wall meant to discourage me be blotted out by the blood of Jesus, I am what God says I am, I will be what God says I will be, therefore no power can stop me and I believe that my tomorrow will be great, I will be announced by my tomorrow therefore I will be what God wants me to be by tomorrow,” in Jesus Name, we pray – Amen!
Announcement:
Communion Service: Friday 9th October 2026, 11 Otu Ansa Street, Atimbo while 1st Sunday of the Month Service/Child Dedication plus adults who wish to be dedicated comes up on Sunday 4th October, 2026, 11 Otu Ansa Street, Atimbo.
First timers were duly welcomed and prayed for.
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The Lord of Host stood by them to disarm every discouragement – Amen!
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