ICGC-Rome

*LIVING WORD DEVOTIONAL*
_By Pastor Mensa Otabil​_

Saturday 27th June 2026

*Scripture Reading:* Joel 2:18-20

*THE LORD WILL ANSWER*

_The Lord will answer and say to His people, “Behold, I will send you grain and new wine and oil, And you will be satisfied by them; I will no longer make you a reproach among the nations. *Joel 2:19*_

Even before the people begun their fast, the prophet Joel assured them of what the Lord would do for them if they obeyed Him.

Waiting on the Lord comes with its rewards. When we set aside time to seek God’s face, consecrate ourselves and wait on Him, God steps into our condition and brings us into His favour and blessings!

God knows our needs before we pray. We are not the first to know of our needs. God is the first. He knows us better than we know ourselves. We do not pray to tell God what He does not know. We pray to acknowledge our need before the Lord so that when things change we will not see our miracle as coincidental.

God assures us before we see the reality. Because the Lord knows of our needs before we pray, He sets out the answers to our prayers ahead of our asking. That is why sometimes when we pray, the answers seem to overlap our request.

I will send you grain. That is the promise that the Lord gave to His people. Their land had suffered a severe draught and an attack of locusts. The food crops were devastated and people were famished in the land. The Lord assured them of how their land would be like after they had sought His face.

Today, the Lord also assures us of grain. He will restore that which was lost to us. Our barns will be filled with new grain. We will triumph and testify in this season.

_*Prayer*: Heavenly Father, thank you for the assurance of your provision. I receive fresh supplies from you. In Jesus’ name, Amen._

*40 DAYS OF POWER Day 2*
Friday June 26

*SEEK FORGIVENESS AND CLEANSING*

*Scripture Reading:* 1 John 1:9
> _If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness._

*Morning Reflection*
*1 John 1:8-10*
> _8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us._
> _9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness._
> _10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us._

*Consecration*
- Thank God for His grace that provides forgiveness and cleansing through the blood of Jesus Christ.

- Humbly confess every known sin before the Lord and ask Him to cleanse you from all unrighteousness.

- Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and reveal anything that hinders your fellowship with God.

- Pray for grace to walk in holiness and obedience before the Lord throughout this season of consecration.
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*Guidance*
- Ask the Holy Spirit to help you recognize areas of your life that require repentance and surrender to God.

- Pray for wisdom to walk in God's ways and avoid every path that leads to compromise.

- Ask God to guide you into a deeper understanding of His grace and transforming power.

- Pray that the Holy Spirit will continually lead you into truth and strengthen your desire to please God.

*Protection*
- Ask the Lord to expose every deception and temptation the enemy may use against you.

- Pray that the blood of Jesus will preserve your heart and mind from defilement.

- Ask God to strengthen every member of your family to resist temptation and walk in righteousness.

- Declare that every accusation and scheme of the enemy against your life is cancelled through the finished work of Christ.

*Declaration*
I come before the Lord with a humble and repentant heart. Through the blood of Jesus, I receive forgiveness and cleansing. My heart is purified and my life is aligned with God's will. I will walk in holiness and enjoy fellowship with my Heavenly Father in Jesus' name. Amen.

*Global Missions*
• Pray for a fresh spiritual awakening in Antigua and Barbuda; ask God to revive the Church and raise believers who will boldly proclaim Christ throughout the nation.

- Pray that believers in Argentina will be filled with fresh passion for evangelism and boldly proclaim the Gospel throughout the nation.

- Ask God to bring healing, peace, and reconciliation to Armenia and strengthen the witness of the Church during times of uncertainty.

- Cry out for spiritual renewal in Australia; pray that believers will return to wholehearted devotion and love for Jesus Christ.

- Ask God to raise courageous and holy believers in Austria who will faithfully represent Christ and impact society with the Gospel.

*Work and Career*
- Ask God to cleanse your motives and help you serve with integrity in your workplace.

- Pray for wisdom to make righteous decisions that honour God in your career.

- Ask the Lord to remove every barrier caused by compromise and establish the work of your hands.

- Pray that your conduct and character at work will reflect Christ and draw others to seek Him.

*Kingdom*
- Ask God to increase your hunger for righteousness and your desire to live a life that pleases Him.

- Pray that the Church will walk in purity, holiness, and faithfulness as the Bride of Christ.

- Ask God to bring repentance and restoration to those who have wandered away from Him.

- Pray that the Word of God will produce lasting transformation in the lives of believers.

*Declaration*
The Gospel of Jesus Christ will continue to transform lives across the nations. The Church will walk in holiness. God will prosper the work of my hands as I serve Him with integrity, and His righteousness will be established in my life in Jesus' name. Amen.

*Scripture for Reflection*
*Psalm 51:1-4*
> _1 Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions._
> _2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin._
> _3 For I acknowledge my transgressions,And my sin is always before me._
> _4 Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight—That You may be found just when You speak,And blameless when You judge._

*Declaration*
I receive the mercy of God through Jesus Christ. My sins are forgiven, my heart is cleansed, and my fellowship with God is restored. The Holy Spirit strengthens me to walk in righteousness and obedience. I will grow in grace and bring glory to God in all that I do in Jesus' name. Amen.

*LIVING WORD DEVOTIONAL*
_By Pastor Mensa Otabil​_

Friday 26th June 2026

*Scripture Reading:* Joel 2:15-18

*SET YOURSELF APART*

_Gather the people, Sanctify the congregation, Assemble the elders, Gather the children and nursing babes; Let the bridegroom go out from his chamber, And the bride from her dressing room. *Joel 2:16*_

In a consecrated public fast, God calls all the community to participate. In a private fast, what we do is only related to us as individuals.

Fasting is both a personal and collective activity. There are moments when individuals chose to set aside time to fast and seek God’s face either as an act of repentance or to deepen one’s relationship with God by setting time to wait on Him or a varied other reason. However, in the scriptures we also see that fasting is a corporate spiritual discipline that is undertaken by a group of people for a specific purpose.

The Lord instructed the leaders of Israel to sanctify the congregation: The word sanctify means to “set apart.”

• *The first thing we must set apart is our hearts.* That means we turn our hearts to the Lord and make Him our priority.

• *Secondly, we must set time apart for the Lord.* That means we must monitor how we use our time. We must make a concerted effort to block a period of time in the day for the Lord. At that time, we must give Him our full attention.

• *Thirdly, we must set our appetites apart.* That means we set our focus and affection on the Lord and this is done by avoiding everything that will serve as a distraction to us. It could be social media, sports, and other interests.

Fasting is for all. The Lord charged His people to “Gather the children and nursing babes; Let the bridegroom go out from his chamber, And the bride from her dressing room.” The call was so intense and compelling. The Lord required everyone to commit to what He wanted them to do.

Let us maximize every moment during these forty days of prayer and fasting. Let us use this moment to reorder our priorities, sharpen our passion for God, renew our devotion to the Lord and develop new spiritual habits that will draw us closer to the Lord.

_*Prayer*: Heavenly Father, you are my heart’s desire. I set myself apart to do your will as I seek your face. In Jesus’ name, Amen._

40 Days of Power start today! 🔥🙏🏾
Join us as we wait upon the Almighty God! 🙏🏾

*LIVING WORD DEVOTIONAL*
_By Pastor Mensa Otabil_

Thursday 25th June 2026

*A TIME OF CONSECRATION*

*Scripture Reading:* Joel 2:1-16

> _Blow the trumpet in Zion, Consecrate a fast, Call a sacred assembly; Gather the people, Sanctify the congregation, Assemble the elders, Gather the children and nursing babes; Let the bridegroom go out from his chamber, And the bride from her dressing room. *Joel 2:15–16*_

Welcome to the First Day of our 40 Days of Power

Joel was one of the Prophets who prophesied in the period after Israel had been sent into Exile. At a time of natural stress, the Lord instructed Joel to call for a fast among Judah.

- *Blow the trumpet:* The fast was announced by a trumpet. That means it's a public fast; not a private one. In ancient Israel, the trumpet played a role similar to that of the talking drums in some African communities. The various sounds of the trumpet were used to make public announcements. Today, we use other means of public announcement to call for a public fast.

- *Consecrate a fast:* To consecrate means to sanctify and dedicate oneself to something. In these forty days, we are dedicating ourselves to the Lord. We have had the freedom to eat since the beginning of the year; now, let us set aside these forty days to wait on the Lord.

- *Call a sacred assembly:* A sacred assembly is a gathering of believers to dedicate themselves to God. That means it was a corporate fast not a personal one. It included the elders, children, babies, bridegrooms, brides and priests.

Today, we also consecrate a fast of 40 days to the Lord. Like the fast in the book of Joel, it is a consecrated fast. Today is the first day of our spiritual journey. We commit ourselves to seeking the face of the Lord and being conscious of His presence.

As we seek the Lord, He will hear us. The Lord will turn His face towards us. He will pay attention to our prayers.

The Lord will renew us by His Spirit. He will guide us. If you are lost, He will show you the way.

The Lord will open doors for us. He will bring us into an enlarged place.

The Lord will fight for us. He is your Man of War. He will give us victory and cause us to triumph.

*Prayer:* _Heavenly Father, I consecrate myself to wait on you. Let your Holy Spirit lead me as I seek your face. In Jesus’ name, *Amen.*_

*LIVING WORD DEVOTIONAL*
_By Pastor Mensa Otabil_

Wednesday 24th June 2026

*PRACTICAL STEPS FOR FASTING*

Scripture Reading: *Matthew 6:1-18*

> _But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. *Matthew 6:17–18*_

As we prepare for the beginning of our 40 Days of Power, I want to share some practical thoughts on how to approach a fast.

1. *Fast in faith.* A fast must be done as an expression of faith in God. Though, abstaining from food is a physical act, it helps us achieve a spiritual end.

2. *Start slowly.* If you've never fasted before, start slow. You can start by missing one regular meal for the first week. Then skip two meals in the second week. In the third week skip all regular meals and end each day with some fruits or plain soup. This can continue from the fourth through to the sixth week.

3. *Drink lots of water.* The Bible does reference a total fast (i.e. no food, no water) but those are rare exceptions. When you fast, you need to drink as much water as you need to. Water helps you keep your internal organs functioning while on a fast.

4. *Don't be legalistic.* Don't be legalistic about the "fine print" of your fast, and don't look for loopholes. If you put some food in your mouth accidentally, don't give up. Just eat the morsel in your mouth and continue with the fast. God knows your heart.

5. *Break your fast carefully.* At the end of the day, when you break your daily fast, don’t be eager to wolf down your food. Eat something light and eat slowly. Take small morsels and chew slowly. I wouldn't recommend breaking a fast with a heavy meal.

6. *Keep your mind on the Lord.* Fasting puts us in a spiritual mode. Pray, read the bible and follow online with our intercessory prayers.

7. *Expect results.* Fasting is a way to connect with God on a deeper level. Expect Him to show up in your life. God will move in your life as a result of a fast, but you need to be patient. You may not see it immediately. Jesus said this about fasting, "Your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you"

*Prayer:* _Heavenly Father, help me to stay on course as I draw close to you. Let each day be a spiritual journey with you. In Jesus’ name, *Amen.*_

*LIVING WORD DEVOTIONAL*
_By Pastor Mensa Otabil_

Monday 22nd June 2026

*THE PURPOSE OF FASTING*

*Scripture Reading:* Matthew 4

> _Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry._ *Matthew 4:1–2*

The New Testament word for a fast can be seen in two ways. First it means, “to abstain from food.” It also means “to be made empty.”

A vessel that is already full cannot be filled. Similarly, a heart that is already full cannot be filled by God. Those who need to be filled by the Lord must come to Him with hunger and thirst.

We fast…

*• To develop hunger for God.* When we fast, we turn away from food so that we can turn towards God. We empty ourselves of everything that is a hindrance to our relationship with the Lord. The physical hunger feel must create in us a greater hunger – a hunger for God.

*• To show God what is in our hearts.* You cannot say that God is more important to you than everything else and yet not be able to put aside food for His sake. Jesus resisted all the temptations of Satan during and after His fast to show that His heart was all for the Father.

*• To learn to live by God’s word* – When we fast, we stop depending on food for sustenance and rather allow the word of God to sustain us. It is important to spend time in the word of God during fasting. Let us draw our strength from God’s Word and Spirit.

*• To yield to God’s leading.* When we fast, our spirits become more open and sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. When our hearts are set on the Lord, it is easier for us to hear from Him.

*Prayer:* _Heavenly Father, I empty myself of everything that displeases you. Fill me with that which pleases you. In Jesus’ name, Amen._

*LIVING WORD DEVOTIONAL*
_By Pastor Mensa Otabil_

Sunday 21st June 2026

*THE GOD OF OUR SALVATION*

*Scripture Reading:* Psalm 3

> _Salvation belongs to the Lord. Your blessing is upon Your people. Selah_ *Psalm 3:8*

We know how Absalom’s rebellion against David ended. It ended in victory for David. As a father, David was so heartbroken for his son’s actions. He did everything to keep Absalom away from a violent end. However, when the Lord arises to fight on behalf of His people, anyone in enemy position suffers. Not only was Absalom defeated, all those who joined his cause ended up very badly.

David experienced God’s victory in the end. He declared God’s control over the situation and received the result of his faith. Although people were saying that God had forsaken him, David ended up the winner.

The Psalm ends with two affirmations.

1. Salvation belongs to the Lord. God determines the outcomes. In the end, it was not about who was better armed or who had more people. Those were not the final determinants of how David’s battle with Absalom turned out. God was the final determinant. No matter what people may say about you or what they come against you with, hold your peace. Be rest assured that God is the final determinant of the outcomes of your life.

2. God’s blessing is on His people. God is committed to his people. He upholds their cause and blesses them with victory in battle. When people plot evil against His people, they can’t win. They may seem to succeed in their crooked agendas, but it’s only for a moment. It eventually comes to naught. If you’re God’s child and are walking with Him in righteousness, know that His blessing rests on you. He will fight for you and deliver you from every evil plot.

The Psalm concludes with the final ‘selah’. It shows that when God gives us victory at the end, we also experience His peace and rest. When people set themselves against you, selah, be at peace; when you call out to God and He hears your cry, hold your peace. And when God manifests His work of deliverance, heave a sigh of relief and thanksgiving, and enjoy His peace.

May the Lord satisfy you with His peace; may He strengthen you through your battles and give you rest. May the Lord fight for you.

*Prayer:* _Heavenly Father, you are the one who decides how my battles will end. I trust you for total victory. In Jesus’ name, Amen._

*LIVING WORD DEVOTIONAL*
_By Pastor Mensa Otabil_

Saturday 20th June 2026

*LET GOD ARISE*

*Scripture Reading:* Psalm 3

_Arise, O Lord; Save me, O my God! For You have struck all my enemies on the cheekbone; You have broken the teeth of the ungodly. *Psalm 3:7*_

David did not see himself alone in this fight. Although the opponent had a larger army, David believed that God was on his side. He did not believe that God had abandoned him. He believed that God was involved in this battle.

Arise, O Lord. David was confident that the Lord who had fought for him in the past would fight for him again. He remembered all his past battles. When David battled a lion and a bear through to the epic battle with Goliath and many after, the Lord had been his help. Now, he called on the Lord to arise to his cause.

David recounted how the Lord had fought his enemies in two ways. The Lord had struck his enemies on the cheek and broken the teeth of the ungodly. Using the words ‘cheekbone’ and ‘teeth’, he figuratively sees his enemies like wild animals. Perhaps he saw all his enemies as the wild bear and lion who attacked his lambs in the field. David remembered how the Lord enabled him to strike those animals on the cheekbone and teeth to deliver his lambs from their jaws.

In the current battle David was in, he saw himself as the lamb in the jaws of the ‘beasts’ who had risen against him. Since he was now the lamb caught in the enemy’s jaws, David needed a deliverer. He saw God breaking the teeth of his enemies. The picture is that of a wild lion or bear whose teeth have been broken.

The teeth and jawbone of a lion and bear are what they use to crush their prey. The implication is that God would disarm his enemies. God would break their weapons and render them powerless. David believed that the Lord who gave him victory in his youth would make him victorious in the battles of his old age.

May the Lord arise on our behalf once again. He did it in the past. He will do it again today.

_*Prayer*: Heavenly Father, thank you for the victories you gave me in the past. I trust you for new victories today. In Jesus’ name, Amen._

*LIVING WORD DEVOTIONAL*
_By Pastor Mensa Otabil_

Friday 19th June 2026

*NO NEED TO FEAR*

*Scripture Reading:* Psalm 3

_I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people Who have set themselves against me all around. *Psalm 3:6*_

What was David’s mindset during this national and personal crisis? What did he say to himself when his enemies multiplied all around him?

In our passage for today, we hear the kind of things that David said to himself when he was going through this dark period of his life. You can tell what is in a person’s heart by the words that they speak. There are those who affirm the frightful situations facing them and those who defy the crisis facing them.

David cancelled out his fear. He declared that he would not be afraid of tens of thousands of people who have set themselves against him. Fear seems natural when powerful enemies surround us on every side, but David boldly confessed, I will not fear!
That is a powerful declaration. David made a choice not to be overwhelmed by fear. He decided not to allow fear to be his language.

Elsewhere, David stated that he would not fear in the valley of the shadow death because the Lord was with him. That was David’s secret. He never lost his awareness of God’s presence no matter what he was facing. Like David, we must never lose our sense of God’s presence. The Holy Spirit in us is our firm assurance and strength.

Do you see enemies all around you? Look again, and you will see that the Lord has not left you outnumbered by the enemy. The Lord with you is the majority. He is the Lord of hosts – the Lord who leads the heavenly hosts. In every spiritual warfare we are engaged in, God deploys heavenly armies to fight on our behalf. Though we do not see them physically, we can sense God’s angelic hosts in our spirits. That is why we can have so much going against us yet have an inner confidence of divine victory.

Never allow the enemy to swallow you up in a spirit of self-defeat. If you are God’s child, living in His will, He will arise to your cause and get involved in your case. Today, we can say with David, ‘I will not be afraid’. Yes, you will not be afraid of all those who have gathered against you. The Lord is your strength.

_*Prayer*: Heavenly Father, though an army of enemies surrounds me, I will not fear. I know you are with me. In Jesus’ name, Amen._