Sunday, 28th December, 2025
Bible Reading: Genesis 32:22-28
Memory Verse: “For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not.” Isaiah 30:15 (KJV)
God’s servant, Dr. D.K. Olukoya said: The secret of strength lies in quietness. The state of quietness is greatly praised in the Bible. Noise does not indicate strength. It has been well said that an empty barrel makes the loudest noise. Quiet forces are the most powerful. The force of light is quiet. The force of gravitation is also quiet. If we must learn to be strong, we must learn quietness. The reason for our shallowness is lack of quiet time. Solitude is being alone by choice.
There is power in being alone with God. The greatest men who have made impact are people who have been quiet. In Genesis 32:24, the Bible says that Jacob was left alone. Being alone with God has a therapeutic, renewing, re-energising and strengthening power. It is when you separate yourself to pray that He is able to mould you to what He can use.
Another name for being alone with God is ‘retreat’. It is a time God can use to transform you to another man. In a retreat, you will gain strength, get refreshed and renewed.
Many don’t like to go on retreat. Those that stay quiet hear from God. Jacob was in a mess until when he was alone with God. God remoulded him. Enoch walked with God successfully because he knew how to be alone with God and to commune with Him. Moses spent quality time with God in fasting and praying and was an outstanding prophet.
Spending time with God can help us hear the inner most voice of the Spirit of God. Retreat is staying away from people, computers, phones, newspapers, games, music, tablets etc. Retreat may be getting to work earlier than everybody and placing your head on the desk and having a quiet time. It may be going to a peaceful corner during break in your place of work. The question is: Have you ever heard the Lord’s still small voice? When last did you have a good quiet time for 30 minutes? Are you able to just sit down without the noise of the radio, television, or internet and meditate?
Beloved, God comes to us in our quiet moments to speak to us and teach us. You need to have regular retreats if you want to be a champion for God in this generation.
Quote: You retreat to refire.
Prophetic Decree: Every clog in the wheel of your spiritual progress is consumed by fire, in Jesus name.
Prayer Focus
1. Thank you Father for the grace to retreat.
2. My soul, receive grace to withdraw from distraction and focus on God, in Jesus name.
3. As the hart pant after the water brooks, O Lord, help my heart to pant after you, in Jesus name.
4. I receive grace for clarity and specific direction as I retreat, in Jesus name.
5. Wisdom for the next level shall come into my heart as I retreat, in Jesus name.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Revelations 1-5
Hymn: NEARER, MY GOD, TO THEE, NEARER TO THEE!
1. Nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!
E’en though it be a cross that raiseth me,
still all my song shall be,
nearer, my God, to thee;
nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!
2. Though like the wanderer, the sun gone down,
darkness be over me, my rest a stone;
yet in my dreams I’d be
nearer, my God, to thee;
nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!
3. There let the way appear, steps unto heaven;
all that thou sendest me, in mercy given;
angels to beckon me
nearer, my God, to thee;
nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!
4. Then, with my waking thoughts bright with thy praise,
out of my stony griefs Bethel I’ll raise;
so by my woes to be
nearer, my God, to thee;
nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!
5. Or if, on joyful wing cleaving the sky,
sun, moon, and stars forgot, upward I fly,
still all my song shall be,
nearer, my God, to thee;
nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!
