Author: Pastor Ray Patrick

Evangelism. Outreach. Ministry. Pastor Ray Patrick is a R.E Teacher at The Eden School
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Praise Him Always

Praise Him Always

Scripture reminds us that we were created to praise God. When you wake up in the morning, do you expect the goodness of God in your life? Do you set the tone of the day for success, favour and blessing with your words and your worship? Scripture tells us that life and death are in the power of the tongue. That’s why it’s so important to declare praises to God all throughout the day. 

Things may be going wrong all around you, people may be negative, complaining and discouraging, but don’t let that spirit rub off on you. The worse it gets, the brighter you’re going to shine. The good news is that no matter how you feel, no matter what’s going on around you, you can choose what you think, and you can choose your words. There’s nothing that can stop you from constantly speaking His Word of praise!

Today, be determined to set the tone for your life by praising God, and speaking words of faith over your future. Remember, when you put God first, He promises to honour you. He will pour out His favour on you, and lead you into life, health, strength and blessings all the days of your life!

“I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak His praises.”

(Psalm 34:1, NLT)?

Pray With Me
Yahweh, I choose to bless You at all times. Father, I will set the tone to receive Your favour, grace and mercy by my constant praise to You. Thank You for Your faithfulness at all times, which is greater than my sin and my praise. God, thank You for giving me a reason to praise and lift You up, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

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Victory, Not Just Today, But Always

Victory, Not Just Today, But Always

While pastoring in the USA  one of my favorite songs was “victory is mine, victory is mine, victory today is mine.” Isn’t it wonderful to know that God promises to always lead us into victory? So no matter what’s going on in your life today, no matter what’s happening in the world, no matter what anybody says, you should always be thanking God, because victory is always present, or on the way!

Faith says, you don’t have to wait for everything to be perfect before you decide to celebrate what God is going to do in your life. Praise is putting action behind your faith. In the middle of adversity or a tough time, start planning your victory party. That means if you’re in the hospital, start planning what you’re going to do when you get out. If you lost some money when the stock market went down, start planning your coming-out-of-debt party.

Today, when things don’t look good in the natural, remember, we serve a supernatural God. With God leading you into victory, you can always plan for increase and favour. You can plan for restoration. You can plan for a comeback. And you can plan for victory. So get excited, because God has promised you victory, not just now, but always, in Jesus’ Name!

“Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ”¦”

(2 Corinthians 2:14, NKJV)

Pray With Me
cYahweh, I give You thanks and praise today for the promise of victory. In the midst of my adversity I celebrate my victory. Father, thank You for giving me Your vision for my future, so that I can move confidently into the abundant life of victory You have for me, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

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Quit Spiritual Procrastination

Last night, while in Lille, I was talking about spiritual procrastination, and the danger of not taking God-given opportunities, and not using our spiritual gifts. God will never ask you to do something without giving you the ability to do it. You may get passive or complacent and think, “yes, I know I need to do that. Maybe next week.” Well, before you know it next week turns into next month. Next month turns into next year.

Remember, when you put off what God has told us to do, you miss that season of grace. But if you’ll deal with things as soon as God brings them to light, you’ll have a special grace, a special empowerment. You’ll feel God’s enabling power helping you to do it, and you will avoid many trials and pitfalls.

Today, is there something you’re putting off? Something you know in your heart that you are supposed to do? Don’t let the season pass. Don’t let complacency destroy you. Your destiny stands before you. God has something amazing for your future. Be bold; be strong. Step out in faith, be obedient, and embrace the good things God has in store for you!

“For the turning away of the simple will slay them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them.”

(Proverbs 1:32, NKJV)

Pray With Me

Yahweh, thank You for the grace to do and enjoy exactly what You’ve called me to do. Father, I will step out in faith and not procrastinate and miss out on my God-given opportunity. God, I will follow Your commands. Help me to be faithful like You are faithful. I love You and bless You today and always, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

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Armed With Strength For Every Battle

You have the ideas, the creativity and talent to be successful. You can overcome any obstacle through Christ. God has equipped you with everything you need to fulfil your destiny through His Word. That means you are well able to do what He has called you to do. You can accomplish your goals. You can fulfil your dreams! You’ve been armed with strength for every battle.

Friend, God is also working on your behalf. He has already gone ahead of you and lined up the right relationships and the right opportunities. You have everything you need to live the miraculous, victorious life God created you to live!

Today, if you’ll stay in faith, it’s just a matter of time; victory is on its way. Don’t settle where you are. Don’t have a weak, defeated mentality. Have the attitude, “I am anointed. I can accomplish my dreams. I can overcome any obstacle. I am empowered by the Creator, and I am thoroughly equipped for every good work that God has called me to do!”

“Every Scripture is God-breathed”¦so that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

 (2 Timothy 3:16-17, AMPC)?

Pray With Me
Yahweh, thank You for equipping me for success. Father, I thank You for empowering me by faith. I know that through You I can overcome every obstacle. Help me to stay focused on Your Word and Your plan for my life. God, please help me to walk in Your anointing, so that I can do all You’ve called me to do. I bless You today, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

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Evil People – Pay Them No Mind

Evil People - Pay Them No Mind

Have you had folk come against you, make fun of you and rip your name to shreds? King Saul in the Bible had people come against him. They were making fun of him. He could have easily become distracted and lost his focus. He could have defended himself saying, “I’m the leader. I have what it takes.” But what did he do? He kept silent. One translation says, “He paid them no mind.”

In my life I have had to deal with those naysayers in and out of the church, but I had to stay focused and pay them no mind. Sometimes that’s what you have to do when people are coming against you. You have to realise that some people are just jealous or driven by the enemy. Not everyone is going to have your best interests at heart. But don’t let them control your destiny. Don’t let them distract you from God’s best.

Today, instead of playing up to people or trying to win over all your critics, gossipers and evil surmises, keep your eyes focused on what God has for you. Spend time with people who see what God is doing in you. Focus on those who will celebrate you. Ignore those critics so you can be all that God has called you to be. Hallelujah!

“But some scoundrels said, ‘how can this fellow save us?’ They despised him and brought him no gifts. But Saul kept silent.”

(1 Samuel 10:27, NIV)?

Pray With Me
Yahweh, today I keep my heart and mind focused on You no matter what is said about me. Father, I will ignore the naysayers, gossipers and evil surmises and turn away from negative voices. God, I declare by faith that I will accomplish the plan You have for me, as I daily put Your voice and will first in everything that I do, in Jesus’ Name! Amen

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People Pleasing – A Dangerous Lifestyle

Your Hurt For His Healing

While talking to some youth yesterday, I realised an important truth – people pleasing is alive and well. From fashion, to language and everything in between, there will always be people who try to squeeze you into their mould; people who try to pressure you into being who they want you to be. They may be good people. They may mean well. But the problem is that they aren’t your creator. They didn’t breathe life into you. They didn’t equip you, empower you or anoint you; Almighty God did!

If you’re going to be all that God created you to be, you can’t focus on what everybody else thinks. If you change with every criticism, trying to win the favour of others, then you’ll go through life being manipulated, and letting people squeeze you into their box. You have to realise that you can’t keep every person happy. You can’t make everyone like you. You’ll never win over all of your critics.

Today, instead of trying to please people, when you get up in the morning, ask the Lord to search your heart. Ask Him if your ways are pleasing to Him. Stay focused on your goals. If people don’t understand you, that’s okay. If you lose some friends because you wouldn’t let them control you, they weren’t true friends anyway. You don’t need others’ approval; you only need Almighty God’s approval. Keep your heart and mind submitted to Him, and you will be free from people pleasing!

“Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the LORD means safety.”

(Proverbs 29:25, NLT)

Pray With Me
Yahweh, I come humbly to You today. I invite You to search my heart and mind. Let my ways be pleasing to You. Father, take away my need for people’s approval. Let my thoughts be Your thoughts and not the thoughts of a corrupt man. God, thank You for setting me free from people pleasing, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

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Heavy And Dripping

In this graduation season, many across the world can’t help but focus on the African American billionaire who paid off the entire graduating class of 2019 student loans. Millions of dollars. Oh how we forget to give God at least the same praise or more, because He gives favour to millions daily. Today’s verse doesn’t say that the glory or favour of the Lord is going to come on you at graduation, or when the economy gets better. No, it says God’s glory is already on you! Hallelujah!

In context the word “glory” in the original language indicates that God’s favour, blessing and splendour is on you in a heavy way. It’s something that is tangible and has weight. Think about it this way: you are not weak; you are heavy with God’s favour. Furthermore You are dripping with God’s goodness. Your attitude should be, “there’s no telling what’s in my future! I am weighted down, not with burdens, not with problems. I am weighted down with the favour of God.” That’s the good news.

Today, when you really understand that you are heavy and dripping with God’s favour, then it’s easy to be heavy and dripping with expectation. It’s easy to believe for big things when you know God has favoured you in a big way. It’s time for you to arise. It’s time for you to shine. Let that sink down into your spirit today, because it’s time for you to arise and shine because His glory, His favour is heavy and dripping upon you!

“Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you.” (Isaiah 60:1, NKJV)

Pray With Me
Yahweh, I come to You today with an open and humble heart. I know that Your glory is upon me. I receive Your enormous never ending favour. Father, I thank You for all You have done and will do in my life. God, I thank You for Your anointing power which breaks every yoke, and moves me into freedom and blessing, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

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God Doesn’t Make No Junk

God Doesn’t Make No Junk

Fred Hammond the great gospel singer once wrote a song saying he will dance like David danced, but for me I don’t want to necessarily dance like David danced. I want to say what David said in Psalm 139:

“I’m God’s masterpiece. I’m wonderfully made. I’m talented. I’m original. God has given me everything that I need.”

David praised God for making him in an amazing way, and declared that what God had done was awesome. Is that how you start your day?

I’ve met many people who think they are being humble by putting themselves down. They say, “oh, I’m not that talented. It was no big deal.” But really, we should be bold like David and say, “I’m amazing. I’m a masterpiece. God made me, and He doesn’t make junk! I am equipped, I am empowered, and I am talented!”

Today, please make the decision to stop putting yourself down; stop focusing on your flaws and comparing yourself to others. Your Creator says “you are a masterpiece.” It’s time to get in agreement with God and realise how much He loves you. It’s time to realise how special you are. Make the shift by changing your words and daily say what David said!

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” (Psalm 139:14, NIV)

(Psalm 139:14, NIV)

Pray With Me
Yahweh, I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Thank You for equipping me for every good work. Thank You for showing me Your love in a new way, as I keep my heart and mind focused on You. Please give me the boldness and spiritual confidence so I wont put myself and others down. Father, teach me how to love myself, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

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Vision of The Mountain of Victory and The Turning of the Tide

Vision of The Mountain of Victory and The Turning of the Tide

Do things feel hard? Are you facing a massive situation that seems impossible? Does it seem like you will never get what God has promised you? Joshua 6 tells the story about how the odds were stacked against Joshua and the people of Israel. They were standing at the massive unbreachable wall of Jericho that many thought was not penetrable. 

As he was standing before the walls and gates of the city, many around him didn’t think his future was too bright. But Joshua had something others overlooked; he had the promise of Almighty God. Joshua had faith because He knew God was on His side, and God had already promised the victory. Sure enough, just as God promised, the people marched around the city for six days, and on the seventh day, they shouted the victory and the walls came tumbling down!

Today, don’t look at the walls in your life; look at the promises of God. He is for you, and if God is for you, nothing can stand against you. Get a vision of victory and don’t let it go. Keep moving forward in faith and obedience knowing that when you do, the Most High God is on your side! Hallelujah!

“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31, NIV)

Pray With Me
Yahweh, thank You for Your favour, grace and victory in my life. Father, I choose to trust You. I choose to follow Your leading. I choose to be faithful. I choose to believe in Your promises, because You are faithful to me. God, please tear down the walls and the trials that seem impossible in my life. I love You and bless You, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

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Are You Waiting for God to Bless You?

I hate waiting. Nowadays there seems to be queues everywhere. What are you waiting for God to do in your life? One thing I’ve learned is that waiting should not be a passive thing. When we’re waiting, we’re on the lookout, we have expectation. We speak what we are expecting from God. We act like it’s going to happen. We spend time making preparations.

When you’re expecting someone special for dinner; you don’t wait till they show up before you decide to start cooking. Most likely you start early in the day. You make sure the house is clean, you go to the grocery store, and maybe you buy some flowers for the table. You make preparations because you’re expecting someone. Staying focused as you wait with excited expectation.

Today, the attitude we need to have while we’re waiting for God’s promises to come to pass, and our prayers to be answered, is one of excited expectation and preparation. Put your faith to work as you prepare for God’s answer to come. Keep standing, keep believing, and keep hoping because your answer is on the way!

“”¦faith without works is dead.”

(James 2:20, NKJV)?

Pray With Me
Yahweh, I choose to put actions behind my faith today. Father, I trust that You are working in my life as I wait for Your promises to come to pass. God, I will wait the right way – with expectancy and without complaining and worrying, knowing that my faith in You opens the door for Your hand to move in my life, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.  

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Speak Greatness Into Our Youth

Speak Greatness Into Our Youth

As the Chaplain of a Christian School, often I see more potential in the students than they see in themselves. When you speak vision into your youth, when you tell them what they can become, you can help set the direction for their life. Your words have the power to push people into their divine destiny.

I believe that the reason some youth are not living at their full potential, is because no one has ever spoken faith into them. No one has taken the time to say, “hey, you’re great at this. You’ve got a gift here. You’re going to do something amazing.” I believe that one of our assignments in life is to call out the seeds of greatness in our youth.

Today, look at the young people God has placed in your life. They’re not there by accident. Take time to study them. See what they’re good at. What are their gifts? What do they excel at? Don’t just think about it, speak into their lives vision and greatness. Tell them what they can become. Let your encouragement ignite greatness on the inside of them. Help them rise up in confidence, so they can be all God has called them to be!

“”¦God”¦calls those things which do not exist as though they did.”

(Romans 4:17, NKJV)?

Pray With Me
Yahweh, thank You for the young people You’ve placed in my life. Father, I want  to be faithful to our youth, give me the power, despite their behaviour, to speak life and call forth greatness in them. God, thank You for putting them on my mind today, and for bringing them to new levels by faith, as we help them rise higher. Please divorce them from the enemy, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

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Waiting for the door to open

When baby birds are ready to eat, they open their mouths wide, believing they will be fed. They expect it. They look for it. They are ready for it. It should be the same way with us. We need to keep our spiritual mouths wide open, expecting God to fill it and satisfy us.

Do you have your mouth open wide? Are you expecting God to fill you and increase you beyond measure? Are you ready for Him to satisfy your needs and desires with good things? Are you ready for new dreams and a divine breakthrough? Pray hard, trust God’s Word, open wide and position yourself for your blessing.

Some of us have spiritually closed mouths. Negative thinking is like closing your mouth. A closed mouth can’t be filled. But Jesus is saying today, “why don’t you take the limits off?” Why don’t you trust and believe Him for supernatural opportunities, and allow Him to fill you?

Today, be like that little bird waiting for food. It isn’t concerned about where the mother is going to get it from. It isn’t concerned about how she’s going to dig it up. No, that bird just opens its mouth wide, trusting and waiting. Why don’t you do the same today? Trust God, open your mouth wide. You won’t be disappointed. God is faithful to His Word, and He will fill you and satisfy you when you put your total trust in Him!

“”¦Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it”¦”

(Psalm 81:10, NLT)?

Pray With Me
Yahweh, I come to You today thanking You for sustaining me, and asking You to continue to fill me. Father, I choose to open my mouth wide like a bird, trusting that You Father, will fill me with blessings and opportunities. Even when I don’t understand how everything is going to work out God, I know that You are a good God with a good plan for my life. Fill me with Your peace and patience, as I humbly wait on You, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

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Don’t Put A Period Where God Put A Comma

Don't put fullstop where God has placed a comma in your life

Over my years in church and having been the subject of much gossip, I have concluded that one of the tactics the devil employs is the negativity of other dream killers. 

Question: have the negative opinions of others caused you to water down your dreams?

I had to learn that there will always be critics and naysayers in life. It’s not what’s said about you that affects your life, but what God has said, and what you say and believe about yourself.

The greatest thing I believe we must learn, is that other people don’t have to believe in you in order for your dreams to come to pass. Other people don’t set the limits for your life–you do. In  the book of Romans, the apostle Paul is saying, “it doesn’t matter if other people don’t believe. Their unbelief is not going to keep me from believing in my dreams.” Remember, when God puts a promise in your heart, it’s not up to other people to bring it to pass; it’s up to you! You don’t need everyone to validate you. You have to believe and follow the voice of God for yourself, and allow Him to order your steps.

Today, God sees the hidden treasures that He has buried on the inside of you. He wants to bring those treasures out and make your dreams reality! As you get rid of negative people, defeated thoughts and dream killers, and replace them with what God says about you, you will remove the limitations off your dreams and goals, and live the abundant life God has in store for you!

“What if some were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness?”

(Romans 3:3, NIV)?

Pray With Me
Yahweh, thank You for another day to see Your goodness in my life. Father, thank You for the dreams and successes You have buried in me from the day I was conceived. I refuse to listen to the naysayers, critics and dream killers that the enemy has placed in my life. God, today I choose take off the limits in my mind and of the people around me, and embrace the dreams You’ve placed in my heart. I beg you God, to empower me by Your Spirit to fulfill Your plans for me, in Jesus’ Name! Amen

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The Miracle On The Hudson

Whilst on a plane a few years ago, I watched the movie called “The Miracle on the Hudson,”  about how a pilot successfully landed a plane on the Hudson River in New York. All the passengers survived. A news reporter asked one of the passengers what was going through his mind. He was wet, cold and shaking, but he also appeared excited, when he said, “I was alive before, but now I’m really alive.” This made me ask myself the question, “am I really alive?”

 What about you? Are you excited about your life? Do you get up every morning with enthusiasm, are you pursuing dreams and desires? God doesn’t want you to just “be alive” or just exist or endure. He wants you to be really alive.

Today, God has something more for you to accomplish. It doesn’t matter how miserable and gloomy life may seem, pinch yourself and say – I’m really alive. Now get excited about what God is doing! Lift up your eyes of faith to Him. Keep hoping, keep believing, keep trusting and keep living, because God has a wonderful plan in store for you!

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

(John 10:10, NIV)?

Pray With Me
Yahweh, thank You for making me alive in Christ! Father, the enemy tried everything to destroy me, but this morning I’m not just living, I’m really alive in Jesus’ Name. I declare that Jesus is my Lord and Saviour, and because He died for me, I can be excited about the abundant life He has for me. God, please help me stay focused, and live with the enthusiasm that comes from knowing You, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

US Airways Flight 1549
US Airways Flight 1549 was an Airbus A320 which, in the climbout after takeoff from New York City’s LaGuardia Airport on January 15, 2009, struck a flock of Canada geese just northeast of the George Washington Bridge and consequently lost all engine power. Unable to reach any airport, pilots Chesley Sullenberger and Jeffrey Skiles glided the plane to a ditching in the Hudson River off Midtown Manhattan.[ All 155 people aboard were rescued by nearby boats and there were few serious injuries. The accident came to be known as the “Miracle on the Hudson“,[ and a National Transportation Safety Board official described it as “the most successful ditching in aviation history”. The Board rejected the notion that the pilot could have avoided ditching by returning to LaGuardia or diverting to nearby Teterboro Airport. The pilots and flight attendants were awarded the Master’s Medal of the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators in recognition of their “heroic and unique aviation achievement”.[

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You Should Never Give up on Your Dreams

You Should Never Give up on Your Dreams

Have you ever been passionate about a dream or vision, only to have it never come to pass? Scripture tells us that God has an appointed time to fulfil the visions, dreams and desires He has placed in our heart. Just because it has taken a long time, or you’ve tried and not succeeded, doesn’t mean it’s not going to happen.

Don’t give up on those dreams! Don’t be complacent about pursuing what God has placed in your heart. God is a faithful God. No matter how long it’s been, no matter how impossible things seem, if you’ll stay in faith, your God appointed time is coming. Hallelujah! Remember, every dream that’s in your heart, every promise that has taken root, God put it in there. And not only that, but He has every intention of bringing it to pass. 

Today, hold on to your vision or dream by declaring, “my time is coming. God is working things out on my behalf. I will fulfill my destiny!” As you continue to hold on to that vision and daily speak life over your dreams, you’ll see them begin to take shape. You’ll see your faith grow, you’ll see your hope strengthen, and you’ll see yourself step into the destiny God has prepared for you at the appointed time!

“For the vision is yet for an appointed time”¦though it tarry, wait for it”¦”

(Habakkuk 2:3, KJV)

Pray With Me 
Yahweh, I receive Your truth today. I receive Your promises. Father, ignite my visions and dreams with Your holy fire, so that I can pursue Your perfect plan for my life. Make my thoughts and words agreeable to Your will. God, give me the faith I need to hold on when life’s failures seem to get me down and rob me of purpose, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

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As A Mother Comforts Her Child, So God Will Comfort You

“As a mother comforts her child, so God will comfort us, who live on in our mother’s absence on this earth; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem,” says the Lord our God. (Adaptation of Isaiah 66:13 for those whose mothers will be with us in spirit but not physically present this Mother’s Day). Amen!

With murders in the UK hitting an all time high, prisons are bursting at the seams, divorce is still over 50% and mental health is growing at an alarming rate. Oftentimes when life has challenges, the natural tendency is to seek comfort in things that are familiar. It may be drugs, work, an activity or relationships; and of course, we all know about “comfort eating.” But those things only bring temporary comfort.

I believe true comfort is only found in a relationship with Jesus. According to Webster’s dictionary, comfort means to give strength and hope; to ease grief or trouble. No matter what difficulty you may be facing today, God wants to bring you comfort. Like a mother cares for her child, He longs to give you strength, hope and confidence.

Today, turn to Him. Receive His love. Let go of things that would hold you back. Let God heal your heart and mind, let Him give you strength and comfort for the road ahead. Let Him empower you to rise up and overcome every obstacle in Jesus’ Name! 

“As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you”¦”

(Isaiah 66:13, NIV)

Pray With Me
Yahweh, I come to You today and invite You to fill my whole being. Father, please  heal my community. Give me and those that are mourning Your comfort and strength. Empower me by Your Holy Spirit during these challenging times, so that I can live in the victory You have planned for me, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

 

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