BASIC SCRIPTURE 22nd April 2026 BIBLE READING PRAYER POINTS AND DECLARATIONS

BASIC SCRIPTURE 22nd April 2026 BIBLE READING PRAYER POINTS AND DECLARATIONS

BASIC SCRIPTURE:

• Acts 8:1–8 (KJV)

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ACTS 8:1–8 (KJV)

1 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.

2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.

3 As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.

4 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.

6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.

7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.

8 And there was great joy in that city.

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DEVOTIONAL REFLECTION

This passage marks a major turning point in the early church. Following the martyrdom of Stephen, a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem. Saul (later the Apostle Paul) led the assault, dragging men and women to prison. At first glance, this seems like a total disaster for the gospel. The believers were scattered—but verse 4 reveals the divine strategy: “Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.”

What the enemy meant for evil, God used for good. Persecution became the engine of evangelism. The scattered believers did not hide in fear; they preached the Word wherever they went. Philip went to Samaria—a place Jews normally avoided—and preached Christ. The result was a massive outpouring of God’s power: unclean spirits were cast out, the palsied and lame were healed, and great joy filled the city.

This passage teaches us that God can turn any trial into a triumph. Persecution, scattering, and hardship become opportunities for the gospel to advance. It also reminds us that joy follows the proclamation of Christ and the demonstration of His power. When the church is persecuted, it does not die—it multiplies.

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PRAYER POINTS

1. Father, I thank You that no weapon formed against Your church shall prosper. Even when the enemy attacks, You turn it for good. (Acts 8:1, 4)

2. Lord, in every persecution, trial, or scattering I face, give me the grace to preach Your word boldly and not to hide in fear. (Acts 8:4)

3. Father, just as Philip went to Samaria, send me to the difficult places—to people who are different from me, to those who have rejected the gospel, and to the broken. (Acts 8:5)

4. Lord, let my preaching be accompanied by signs and wonders. Let the people give heed to my words because they see Your power at work. (Acts 8:6)

5. Father, by the authority of Jesus Christ, I command every unclean spirit to come out of my life, my family, and my environment. Let them cry out and leave. (Acts 8:7)

6. Lord, heal every palsy—every paralysis in my body, my finances, my marriage, and my ministry. Restore movement, strength, and life. (Acts 8:7)

7. Father, heal every lame situation—every area that has been unable to walk forward. Let Your healing power straighten what has been bent and broken. (Acts 8:7)

8. Lord, I pray for my city, my nation, and my community: let there be great joy as the gospel is preached and miracles are done. (Acts 8:8)

9. Father, turn every scattering in my life into a scattering of seed that produces a harvest. Let me not waste my suffering; let it advance Your kingdom. (Acts 8:4)

10. Lord, make me like the early believers—unstoppable, bold, and full of the Holy Spirit. Let me go everywhere preaching the Word, regardless of the cost.

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DECLARATIONS

(Speak these aloud in faith)

1. I declare that no persecution, trial, or enemy attack can stop the gospel in my life. What the enemy means for evil, God turns for good.

2. I declare that when I am scattered, I do not scatter in fear—I scatter the seed of God’s Word everywhere I go.

3. I declare that I will go to the Samaritans of my world—to the rejected, despised, and forgotten—and I will preach Christ to them.

4. I declare that my preaching is not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but with the demonstration of the Spirit and of power.

5. I declare that unclean spirits have no hold on me. They hear the name of Jesus and they must leave. I am free.

6. I declare that every paralysis in my life is healed. I receive strength to walk, to move, and to fulfill my destiny.

7. I declare that every lame situation is made whole. What has been unable to progress shall now move forward by the power of God.

8. I declare that great joy shall fill my home, my church, and my city because the Lord is doing miracles among us.

9. I declare that I am not afraid of Saul—of any enemy who seeks to harm me. I fear God alone, and I will obey Him rather than men.

10. I declare that the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church. Every sacrifice I make for the gospel shall produce a harvest of souls.

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CLOSING VERSE (KJV)

Acts 8:4 – Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

Amen.