Some Prayer Points From The Book of Obadiah
Writer’s Word
The book is a singular chapter that comprises of twenty-one verses. To write the prayer points, I use two verses for each section except the last one which I used the last three verses to write the prayer points from.
General explanations about the book are given at the beginning to avoid interruptions in the prayer outline. These explanations are related to other verses that make up the chapter and the entire books that make up the bible for lines must be upon lines and precepts upon precepts, here a little, there a little.
“For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little” (Isa. 28:10)
Each person praying to the Most High God needs to know that it is God’s prerogative to answer prayers, it is however our duties to pray unto the Lord. Therefore, do not relent in praying to your heavenly father, Jesus.
“But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.” (Matt. 6:6)
“The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.” (Psa. 34:15)
“And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.” (Isa. 65:24)
It would be of interest to you knowing that this write up does not talk about the means of prayer, methods of prayer, types of prayer etc. it just lists out some prayer points which expectedly the reader could add to as he or she uses this to commune with his heavenly father, who has called for his children to pray unto him.
The name which should be used in talking to our heavenly father has been stated in unmistaken terms by Jesus Christ in the Holy Writ, and the name is Jesus Christ. He has not asked for some modifications to the name as we used to hear people say and talk about today in some parts of the world as if we belong to some heathens’ religions. What some base their words on for saying people should add some modifications to is that God calls himself the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. But how many of those people today have we heard that God himself calls himself their God? Outside that, we need know that we are in a new dispensation and generation, and new generation, new testament is singularly based on Jesus Christ, new testament revolves round Jesus and Jesus alone.
The modifications which we are adding today that bring divisions and hatred amongst the brethren, it is the disciples, Apostles Peter, John, Paul and so on who ought to be fighting for such recognitions, they are those who ought to be wanting their names to be used to access the throne of God but they never did that, because they didn’t lose focus, neither did their followers did that too, because they know the world passes away and the lusts thereof.
If you will be using this article or the wordings there for prayer as well as your praying wherever you are you should be using the name above all names as your only name to pray unto your father and my father, and the name is Jesus Christ, not his titles neither any of the “god of some people’s names”.
“And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
“If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.” (Joh. 14:13-14)
“And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.
“Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.” (Joh. 16:23-24)
It is imperative that we pray with understanding as well as pray correctly so that our prayers be expressly answered by God.
He has promised to answer our prayers as a father (parents) answers his (their) children requests, therefore, have confidence in him that he will answer your prayers in Jesus name. Amen.
Introduction
There are about thirteen Obadiah named in the Old Testament, it is the book written by one of them who was also one of the minor prophets, the fourth of the minor prophets, that the underlisted prayer points have been culled from. I sincerely trust that we shall be spiritually and physically enriched by some of the prayers drawn out from the book as we pray those prayers and adding some others that God has laid in our hearts to those few prayer points listed in this write up.
Meaning of the Name
Obadiah is written in Hebrew as “עבדיהוּ עבדיה”, called ‛ôbadyâh ‛ôbadyâhû the phonetic spelling however is o-bad-yaw', o-bad-yaw'-hoo which means serving Jah.
This name in Hebrew however is said to be an active participle of these words (עבד), ‛âbad (pronounced as aw-bad') which means to work, to serve, dress, husbandman, worshipper and (יהּ), yâhh (pronounced as yaw) which means Jah, the Lord.
Other places where the name Obadiah could be found in the Old Testaments are 1 Chronicles 7:3; 12:9; 27:19; 8:39; 9:44; 1 Kings 18:3-4 (& 5-16); 2 Chronicles 17:7; 34:12; 1 Chronicles 3:21; Ezra 8:9; Neh. 10:5; 12:25; 1 Chronicles 9:16 and Obadiah 1. It is a probable that the Levite called Obadiah in Nehemiah 12:25 is the one called Abda in Nehemiah 11:17.
His Prophesy
Prophet Obadiah’s prophesies do not deal with Judah and Jerusalem, his prophesies are centered on Edom which some other prophets also denounced. The prophets who condemned Edom’s act are Jeremiah and Ezekiel in their documentations. (Ezek. 25:12-14; 35; Jer. 49:7-22)
On close observation of Jeremiah chapter 49:7-22 it has been discovered that the sayings there are synonymous with what is in the book of Obadiah.
It should however be stated that the similarities between the two books do not show that Obadiah borrowed from Jeremiah neither did Jeremiah borrowed from Obadiah. They could have received the messages differently and independently.
Location in The Old Testament
It is the view of some bible scholars that the book of Obadiah is located after Amos in the bible because at the close of prophet Amos’ messages he talked about Edom (Amos 9:12).
Dates From The Book
Because there has not been proper documentations and record keeping during the times of this prophets and many others in the bible, scholars have used the known to get the unknowns in so many instances and the same thing is applied here.
It has been said that the time of writing this book could be during the Neo-Babylonian and Chaldean periods when Jerusalem was alternately under the control of King of Egypt and Kings of Babylon before being captured in 586 BC by Nebuchadnezzar and carried the people away captive.
To arrive at the date of writing this book or these words of prophesies, the book is broadly divided into two sections by some scholars, which are:
(a) Destruction of Edom (Obad. 1:1-14 and 15b) and
(b) The Blessings of Judah (Obad. 1: 15a, 16-21)
From this general divisions it is said that the first section which talks about the destruction of Edom would be written in between 586 and 460 BC while the second section which talks about the blessings of the people of Judah would be written around 400 BC.
History has it that in 848-841 BC the philistines and Arabians (2 Chronicles 21:16-17) were persistently attacking the city of Jerusalem. Although they were unable to annihilate the city as did the Babylonians in 586 BC (2 Kings 24-25; Obad. 1:10-14).
If this would be put into considerations, it thence means that Prophet Obadiah was a contemporary of Prophet Elisha. This essentially would make him one of the earliest prophets and would probably be ahead of prophet Joel by few years. From this it has been assumed that he may the Prophet that was mentioned in 2 Chronicles 17:7.
Who Are The Edomites?
Edomites are descendants of Esau the twin brother of Jacob (also known as Israel (Gen. 25:19-34)). Edom means red, this meaning is probably gotten from the complexion of the man, Esau for he had red hair.
After Esau and Jacob have resolved their differences, Esau moved to mount Seir where the Horites were living and would later conquer them. (Gen. 36:8-43) For the many cities and towns under this mountain, they started using dukes as the titles of their leaders and rulers.
Their History In Relation To Israel In Brief
Despite the history that existed between the duo, Jacob and Esau, as siblings, which the Edomites would have heard through their fore-parents, they did what was not expected of them by preventing Israelis to pass through their land when they were going to Canaan land (Num. 20:14-21)
They opposed King Saul when he was ruling the country of Israel but were subdued during the days of King David and King Solomon (1 Sam. 14:47; 2 Sam. 8:14; 1 Ki. 9:26)
When king Jehoshaphat was on throne, the Edomites joined forces with Moab and Ammon to attack Judah, but they failed because God fought for his people (2 Chro. 20:1-27). They rebelled and broke off under the reign of King Jehoram of Judah. (2 Ki. 8:16-22), but they were conquered by King Ahaziah (2 Ki. 14:9-11). In the days of King Ahaz, however, they attacked Judah (2 Chro. 28:17).
After Jesus death and resurrection, they formed ally with Jews to rebel against Rome one of the world powers then, in 66-70 AD, but they were dealt with, crushed and annihilated never to be heard of again as a people (nation) and this confirms (or establishes) the prophesy of prophet Obadiah as stated in Obadiah 1:10 and 1:18 that they won’t be heard of again. The remnants have been integrated into the neighboring towns surrounding their country.
Lessons And Summary of The Book
Edomites though occupy small place, living in a valley like place because they were surrounded by mountains (rocks) and because of this and others their hearts were lifted, they became proud because of their secure location.
Apart from having a secure location, they were people who have been blessed with wisdom, they perhaps have learnt from the failures of their ancestor, Esau, and have ensured that they grow in wisdom, sought out wisdom and they embraced it. Most often, the people of Edom are those being referred to as men of the east in the Old Testament days, because they have been blessed with wisdom and acquire some through trainings too. (1 Ki. 4:30; Jer. 49:7)
Because of this, the neighboring towns and leaders usually wish to partner with them, to drink from the cup of their wisdom. These made them proud and God had to bring them down.
Trapp says, “sin proceeds by degrees; neither is any man at his worst at first”.
This book shows that pride comes before fall and that anyone or nation that proudly seeks its own advantage and becomes nonchalant to the cries and sufferings of her neighbors, glorying I their calamities will suffer divine punishment soon or later.
A nation (or people) may be existing for centuries if not millenia like this nation but which will be wiped off later when they continued to go against the will of the Lord.
Some Prayer Points From Verses 1 and 2
“The vision of Obadiah. Thus saith the Lord GOD concerning Edom; We have heard a rumour from the LORD, and an ambassador is sent among the heathen, Arise ye, and let us rise up against her in battle.
“Behold, I have made thee small among the heathen: thou art greatly despised.” (1:1-2)
1. Scatter the enemies that gather against me,
2. Battles that enemies want to raise against me should be thwarted,
3. Increase me oh Lord in Jesus name,
4. Let your hand be on me for multiplication oh Lord in Jesus name,
5. Remove my shame oh Lord, in Jesus name,
6. Reduce my enemies to nothing oh Lord in Jesus name,
7. Let me receive good tiding reports from far and near in Jesus name,
Some Prayer Points From Verses 3 and 4
“The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground?
“Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the LORD.” (Obad. 1:3-4)
1. Reduce to nothing the proud ruling over me oh Lord in Jesus name,
2. Let my enemies pride lead to their destruction in Jesus name,
3. whatsoever height my enemies may have attained to in life almighty God pull them down
4. Expose the hiding places of my enemies oh Lord in Jesus name,
5. Etc.
Some Prayer Points From Verses 5 and 6
“If thieves came to thee, if robbers by night, (how art thou cut off!) would they not have stolen till they had enough? if the grape gatherers came to thee, would they not leave some grapes?
“How are the things of Esau searched out! how are his hidden things sought up!” (Obad. 1:5-6)
1. Let my enemies be completely wasted,
2. Enemies that would plunder my enemies without mercies send them to them now in Jesus name,
3. Stir up thieves to attack my enemies camps,
4. Let normal occurrences become abnormal occurrence to my enemies,
5. Let my enemies be forever lost oh Lord in Jesus name,
6. Etc.
Some Prayer Points From Verses 7 and 8
“All the men of thy confederacy have brought thee even to the border: the men that were at peace with thee have deceived thee, and prevailed against thee; they that eat thy bread have laid a wound under thee: there is none understanding in him.
“Shall I not in that day, saith the LORD, even destroy the wise men out of Edom, and understanding out of the mount of Esau?” (Obad. 1:7-8)
1. Let my enemies experience betrayal within and without in Jesus name,
2. Those who are at peace with my enemies before, let them start attacking them,
3. Let liars overcome my enemies in Jesus name,
4. Let my enemies’ subjects be thorn to them in Jesus name,
5. Let my enemies be bereft of understanding from thenceforth in Jesus name,
6. Disappoint my enemies counsels as from thenceforth in Jesus name,
7. Let the source of my enemies wisdom run dry in Jesus name,
8. Etc.
Some Prayer Points From Verses 9 and 10
“And thy mighty men, O Teman, shall be dismayed, to the end that every one of the mount of Esau may be cut off by slaughter.
“For thy violence against thy brother Jacob shame shall cover thee, and thou shalt be cut off for ever.” (Obad. 1:9-10)
1. Let my enemies be confused,
2. Put my enemies in a state of confusion in Jesus name,
3. Weaken my mighty enemies in Jesus name
4. Break my enemies arm of strength in Jesus name,
5. Remember the iniquities of my enemies today in Jesus name,
6. Visit my enemies with your terrible judgment in Jesus name,
7. Do not let the wickedness of my enemies on me go unanswered for in Jesus name,
8. Cover my enemies with shame in Jesus name,
9. Cut my enemies off their stands and locations in Jesus name,
10. Etc.
Some Prayer Points From Verses 11 and 12
“In the day that thou stoodest on the other side, in the day that the strangers carried away captive his forces, and foreigners entered into his gates, and cast lots upon Jerusalem, even thou wast as one of them.
“But thou shouldest not have looked on the day of thy brother in the day that he became a stranger; neither shouldest thou have rejoiced over the children of Judah in the day of their destruction; neither shouldest thou have spoken proudly in the day of distress.” (Obad. 1:11-12)
1. Scatter strangers fighting with me oh Lord in Jesus name,
2. Those I look forward to, to help me but who distanced themselves from me, disappoint them oh Lord in Jesus name,
3. The routes which foreigners take to enter my life should be blocked in Jesus name,
4. Be enemies to my supposed friends who are my enemies without my knowing oh Lord in Jesus name
5. Those rejoicing on my fall, let evil come on them at unawares in Jesus name,
6. Silence the mouth of the proud on me in Jesus name,
7. Etc.
Some Prayer Points From Verses 13 and 14
“Thou shouldest not have entered into the gate of my people in the day of their calamity; yea, thou shouldest not have looked on their affliction in the day of their calamity, nor have laid hands on their substance in the day of their calamity;
“Neither shouldest thou have stood in the crossway, to cut off those of his that did escape; neither shouldest thou have delivered up those of his that did remain in the day of distress.” (Obad. 1:13-14)
1. Those exploiting the areas of my weaknesses should be disappointed in Jesus name,
2. Strengthen me in the areas of my weaknesses in Jesus name,
3. Let my enemies be chained to a position oh Lord in Jesus name,
4. Prevent my enemies from having access into my territories oh Lord in Jesus name,
5. The eyes monitoring me should be blindfolded in Jesus name,
6. Let the hands of my enemies dry off in Jesus name,
7. Take my goods (possessions) out of the reach of the enemies in Jesus name,
8. Remove all obstacles to my progress or success oh Lord in Jesus name,
9. Remove those blocking or obstructing my escape route in Jesus name,
10. Those planning to hand me over to destruction should be destroyed in Jesus name,
11. Keep me safe wherever I am or go in Jesus name,
12. Etc.
Some Prayer Points From Verses 15 and 16
“For the day of the LORD is near upon all the heathen: as thou hast done, it shall be done unto thee: thy reward shall return upon thine own head.
“For as ye have drunk upon my holy mountain, so shall all the heathen drink continually, yea, they shall drink, and they shall swallow down, and they shall be as though they had not been.” (Obad. 1:15-16)
1. Pay my enemies back in their own coins
2. Let it be time to ruthlessly deal with my enemies in Jesus name,
3. The evils that my enemies plan, let them come back on them in Jesus name,
4. Continue to deal with my enemies without mercy in Jesus name,
5. Do not withdraw the hands of your discipline on my enemies in Jesus name,
6. Etc.
Some Prayer Points From Verses 17 and 18
“But upon mount Zion shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions.
“And the house of Jacob shall be a fire, and the house of Joseph a flame, and the house of Esau for stubble, and they shall kindle in them, and devour them; and there shall not be any remaining of the house of Esau; for the LORD hath spoken it.” (Obad. 1:17-18)
1. I am on your mount of salvation I refuse to leave without being saved oh Lord in Jesus name,
2. Let your name be my all in all in Jesus name,
3. Let your name continually work for me in Jesus name,
4. Let your hand of deliverance search me out in Jesus name,
5. Deliver me by your right hand of righteousness oh Lord in Jesus name,
6. Oh Lord, purge me through and through in Jesus name
7. Let me be always fitting for your kingdom oh Lord in Jesus name,
8. I possess my possessions in Christ Jesus in Jesus name,
9. My lost possessions, I reacquire them back in Jesus name,
10. Make me a terror to the enemies in Jesus name,
11. I am your child make me your fire in Jesus name,
12. Let your flame destroy my enemies in Jesus name,
13. Burn to ashes my enemies in Jesus name,
14. Let your fire devour my enemies in Jesus name,
15. Let your fire devour all obstacles on my path in Jesus name,
16. Whatsoever my enemies rely on let them be turned to nothing as from now onwards in Jesus name,
17. Etc.
Some Prayer Points From Verses 19 and 21
“And they of the south shall possess the mount of Esau; and they of the plain the Philistines: and they shall possess the fields of Ephraim, and the fields of Samaria: and Benjamin shall possess Gilead.
“And the captivity of this host of the children of Israel shall possess that of the Canaanites, even unto Zarephath; and the captivity of Jerusalem, which is in Sepharad, shall possess the cities of the south.
“And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD'S.” (Obad. 1:19-21)
1. Hand over the inheritance of my enemies to other people or nations in Jesus name,
2. Let them lose what they rely on in Jesus name,
3. Let me possess the gates of my enemies,
4. The power to judge my enemies give me in Jesus name,
5. The blessings to rule and judge my enemies give me in Jesus name,
6. The blessings that will make my enemies subject unto me give me now in Jesus name,
7. Take full control of my life oh Lord in Jesus name,
8. Take control of my possessions in Jesus name,
9. Raise saviors (helpers) for me in Jesus name,
10. Etc.
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