EVANGELIST JOSHUA OREKHIE MINISTRIES

EJOM DAILY DEVOTIONAL:

September 24, 2026

WHEN AFFLICTION REFUSES TO GO

OPENING SCRIPTURES

Nahum 1:9: “What do ye imagine against the LORD? he will make an utter end: affliction shall not rise up the second time.”

Psalm 34:19: “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.”

Luke 13:11–12: “And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself. And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity.”

MEMORY VERSE

Psalm 107:20: “He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.”

PRAISE AND WORSHIP

Sing any of your favourite songs.

When Affliction Refuses to Go – EJOM DAILY DEVOTIONAL: September 24, 2026

Affliction can be anything that brings prolonged pain, suffering, distress, limitation or hardship into a person’s life.

It may involve sickness, financial hardship, family problems, emotional pain, repeated disappointment, oppression, difficult circumstances or another persistent challenge.

One of the hardest experiences in life is not simply facing a problem, but facing a problem that seems to refuse to go.

It is one thing to encounter a challenge and overcome it within a short period; it is another thing to wake up repeatedly and discover that the same battle is still waiting for you.

You pray today and the problem remains. You fast and believe God, yet the situation continues. You receive temporary relief, but after some time the problem returns.

When an affliction refuses to go, discouragement can enter your heart and you may begin asking, Why is this still happening? Has God forgotten me? Will I ever be free from this problem?

When an affliction continues for a long time, the battle can move beyond the original problem and begin to affect your mind, emotions and expectations. At first, you may pray confidently and expect the situation to change quickly.

Sometimes you see other people overcoming similar problems while your own situation appears the same. Someone who started looking for a job after you gets employed before you.

Someone who started a business after you begins making progress while you are still struggling. Someone who began seeking medical treatment after you recovers quickly while you are still undergoing treatment.

Someone who started praying for marriage after you gets married while you still continue waiting. If you are not careful, comparison can add another layer of pain to an already difficult situation.

Beloved, the fact that another person’s situation changed before yours does not mean God has forgotten you. Your journey should not be measured entirely by another person’s timetable.

Comparison can make you overlook the progress that is already taking place in your own life and can cause you to interpret delay as rejection. There are also afflictions that appear to leave but later return.

You experience relief and rejoice that the battle is over, only for the same problem to appear again. You receive good news, but after some time another difficulty arises. Your health improves, but after some time the symptoms return.

The woman in Luke 13 had suffered for eighteen years. Her condition had lasted so long that it could easily have appeared permanent. Yet when Jesus encountered her, He declared, “Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity.”

Eighteen years of suffering did not make her condition greater than the authority of Christ. Beloved, the longevity of an affliction does not make it eternal. Only God is eternal.

Imagine waking up with the same problem for twelve years. Imagine spending your resources without obtaining relief. She could have concluded that healing was no longer possible.

Nevertheless, when she heard about Jesus, hope rose within her. She said, “If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.” Her affliction had lasted for twelve years, but one encounter with Jesus changed her story.

The length of your battle does not determine the power of God. A condition may be old, but God’s power has not grown weak. A problem may have resisted previous efforts, but it cannot resist the authority of Jesus forever.

Beloved, people may have become familiar with your affliction, but heaven has not accepted it as your identity. You are not the sickness, failure, addiction or limitation confronting you. Your condition may describe your present battle, but it cannot define your final destination.

When an affliction refuses to go, one of the first things you need is discernment. You must understand what you are confronting. Every affliction does not have the same cause, and every problem cannot be handled in exactly the same way.

Some afflictions may have physical or medical causes. Others may result from stress, trauma, unhealthy habits, poor decisions, harmful environments or unresolved conflicts. Some may involve spiritual oppression.

There are also trials God permits for a season to develop endurance and reveal His grace. Wisdom seeks the true cause instead of forcing every problem into one explanation.

In John 9, the disciples saw a man who had been blind from birth and asked Jesus whose sin had caused the condition. Jesus answered that neither the man nor his parents had sinned in the way they assumed.

This teaches us to avoid concluding that every prolonged affliction is punishment for sin. Job also suffered terribly, yet his friends wrongly insisted that secret wickedness must be responsible. Their explanations sounded religious, but they misrepresented both Job and God.

Beloved, never allow people to condemn you merely because your battle has lasted for a long time. The duration of an affliction is not proof that God has rejected you.

At the same time, sincere self-examination is necessary. Psalm 139:23–24 says, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts.”

If sin, disobedience, addiction, bitterness or carelessness has opened a destructive door, repentance is required. God’s mercy is available when we confess and forsake what dishonours Him.

However, repentance is not the same as blaming yourself for everything. Confess what God reveals, make the necessary corrections and receive His forgiveness.

Once you have genuinely repented, refuse to remain under condemnation. Romans 8:1 says, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.”

Your words should acknowledge the reality of the battle without surrendering to it. David did not deny the presence of Goliath, but he refused to accept Goliath’s conclusion.

He declared that the battle belonged to the Lord. In the same way, you may admit that the condition is painful while still declaring that God remains greater than it.

Stand upon the Word of God. Isaiah 53:5 says, “With his stripes we are healed.” Psalm 107:20 says, “He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.”

Jeremiah 30:17 declares, “For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the Lord.” The Word of God strengthens your faith when circumstances attempt to weaken it.

Read Scriptures pointing to healing, deliverance and restoration regularly. Meditate upon them. Confess them over your life. Let the promises of God become louder in your heart than the report of the affliction.

Persistent prayer is also essential. Jesus taught that people “ought always to pray, and not to faint.” Persistence does not mean God is unwilling to answer you. It means your faith refuses to surrender to discouragement. Some answers come immediately, while others unfold through a process.

Blind Bartimaeus cried out to Jesus, but the crowd attempted to silence him. Instead of becoming quiet, “he cried the more a great deal.” His persistence attracted the attention of Jesus.

When affliction tells you to stop praying, pray again. When disappointment says nothing will change, return to God. Let every delay deepen your dependence upon Him rather than drive you away.

Beloved, spiritual warfare must be directed against spiritual operations rather than human beings. Ephesians 6:12 says, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood.”

Avoid accusing relatives, neighbours, colleagues or friends without evidence. Pray against every power of darkness, seek discernment and address any practical threat lawfully and wisely.

James 5:14 says, “Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him.” There are times when you need mature believers to stand with you. Their prayers, counsel and encouragement can strengthen you when your own strength feels small. Refuse isolation.

Forgiveness may also be necessary. Bitterness does not cause every affliction, but carrying unresolved anger can disturb your peace and affect your well-being. Release vengeance to God.

Forgiveness does not excuse wrongdoing or remove necessary boundaries; it prevents the offence from continuing to control your heart.

Beloved, avoid moving desperately from one place to another in search of an instant solution. Prolonged affliction can make people vulnerable to manipulation.

Some may demand unreasonable payments, strange sacrifices or actions that contradict Scripture. Test every instruction. Jesus has already paid the price for your redemption.

No genuine servant of God should exploit your pain, threaten you or make you dependent upon them. Christ must remain the centre of your faith. Seek ministers who uphold Scripture, demonstrate integrity and encourage responsible action.

Desperation should never push you into practices that dishonour God. Praise is another weapon during affliction. Paul and Silas worshipped God while imprisoned, and their chains were broken.

Praise redirects your attention from the size of the problem to the greatness of God. You are not praising because the pain feels pleasant; you are praising because the affliction has not changed who God is.

Thank God for every evidence of His faithfulness. Celebrate small improvements. If you slept better, thank Him. If the pain reduced, thank Him. If you found a helpful doctor, counsellor or treatment, thank Him.

If God gave you strength to continue, thank Him. Gratitude keeps your heart sensitive to progress that discouragement may attempt to hide.

There may also be practical changes you need to make. If the affliction is connected to an unhealthy environment, seek a safer one. If financial pressure is increasing your distress, prepare a realistic plan.

If a relationship is abusive, establish boundaries and seek appropriate help. If your habits are damaging your health, begin correcting them gradually and consistently.

Prayer should produce wisdom. It should not become a substitute for responsible action. Naaman prayed for healing, but he also obeyed the instruction to wash in the Jordan. The man born blind received Jesus’ touch, yet he still went to the pool of Siloam as instructed. Faith listens, obeys and acts.

Beloved, your healing process may not resemble another person’s testimony. Someone else may testify of instant deliverance while your recovery is gradual. Refuse comparison. God knows your body, history and complete situation. Continue following Him one day at a time.

Paul prayed three times for his thorn to depart, but God answered, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” This passage does not teach us to surrender automatically to affliction. It teaches us that even while waiting for a change, God’s grace can sustain us.

I speak over your life today: every affliction that has refused to go shall encounter the power of Jesus Christ. Every chain of prolonged sickness, recurring oppression, emotional torment, repeated loss and spiritual bondage shall be broken.

The Lord shall expose the root, guide you to the right help and restore what the affliction has consumed. Your tears shall not continue forever. Your strength shall return.

Your peace shall be restored. Whether God’s answer comes instantly or through a process, He will sustain you, direct you and cause your life to testify of His faithfulness.

Personal Challenge

Identify one affliction you have been carrying in silence, and bring it honestly before God today, not demanding removal on your own timetable, but asking specifically for His sustaining grace and for insight into what He is producing in you through it.

Evangelism Challenge

Reach out to someone you know who is walking through a long, unresolved affliction, and share Psalm 34:19 and 2 Corinthians 12:9 with them, reminding them that grace, not just deliverance, is available to carry them through.

Further Study

Psalm 34:19; 2 Corinthians 12:7-10; Job 23:10; Psalm 30:5; James 1:2-4; Romans 5:3-5; 1 Peter 1:6-7; Psalm 30:5; Hebrews 12:11

PRAYER ASSIGNMENT – MORNING

Instruction: Confess and repent your sin today.

Praise and Worship: Sing any of your favourite songs.

1. Father, I thank You for the gift of life and for Your mercy that has preserved me until this morning, in Jesus’ name.

2. O Lord, have mercy upon me and forgive every sin that may hinder my prayers today, in Jesus’ name.

3. Every stubborn affliction that has refused to leave my life, your time is over; lose your hold, in Jesus’ name.

4. Every long-standing battle troubling my life and family, come to an end, in Jesus’ name.

5. Every affliction assigned to wear me out through repeated attacks, scatter, in Jesus’ name.

6. Every recurring problem that disappears and returns again, be broken at the root, in Jesus’ name.

7. Every power strengthening affliction against my life, lose your hold, in Jesus’ name.

8. Every spiritual opposition prolonging unnecessary battles in my life, scatter, in Jesus’ name.

9. Every affliction attacking my health, receive divine intervention, in Jesus’ name.

10. O Lord, reveal every underlying cause of any persistent problem in my life and give me wisdom to address it, in Jesus’ name.

11. Every affliction that has followed me for many years, I declare that you will not determine my future, in Jesus’ name.

12. Every power saying that my condition will never change, be silenced, in Jesus’ name.

13. Every arrow of sickness and infirmity troubling my body, come out, in Jesus’ name.

14. Father, strengthen my body and guide me toward the appropriate care and treatment I need, in Jesus’ name.

15. Every affliction assigned to drain my finances continually, lose your hold, in Jesus’ name.

16. Every repeated setback frustrating the work of my hands, scatter, in Jesus’ name.

17. Every cycle of rising and falling operating in my life, be broken, in Jesus’ name.

18. Every affliction assigned to attack my marriage, family and relationships continually, be frustrated, in Jesus’ name.

19. Every power using prolonged battles to make me lose hope in God, scatter, in Jesus’ name.

20. Every voice telling me that my situation is hopeless, be silenced by the Word of God, in Jesus’ name.

21. Father, renew my strength where prolonged affliction has made me tired and discouraged, in Jesus’ name.

22. O Lord, give me wisdom to recognize anything I need to change, correct or stop concerning this battle, in Jesus’ name.

23. Father, connect me with the right people, professionals, counsellors and helpers where appropriate, in Jesus’ name.

24. Every spirit of fear and hopelessness produced by prolonged affliction, lose your hold over my mind, in Jesus’ name.

25. I refuse to allow my present condition to become my identity, in Jesus’ name.

26. Every evil pattern responsible for repeated affliction in my life, be broken, in Jesus’ name.

27. O Lord, send Your Word into every troubled area of my life and let healing, deliverance and restoration take place, in Jesus’ name.

PRAYER ASSIGNMENT – NIGHT

Instruction: Confess and repent your sin today.

Praise and Worship: Sing any of your favourite songs.

1. Father, I thank You for preserving me throughout this day and bringing me safely to this hour, in Jesus’ name.

2. O Lord, have mercy upon me and cleanse me from every sin, error and unrighteousness, in Jesus’ name.

3. Every stubborn affliction that has resisted my prayers, your time is over; lose your hold over my life, in Jesus’ name.

4. Every long-standing battle assigned to follow me from season to season, come to an end, in Jesus’ name.

5. Every affliction that has become comfortable in my life, be uprooted, in Jesus’ name.

6. Every power assigned to prolong my suffering unnecessarily, scatter, in Jesus’ name.

7. Every recurring affliction that disappears and returns again, be broken at the root, in Jesus’ name.

8. Every cycle of sickness, recovery and repeated sickness troubling my life, receive divine intervention, in Jesus’ name.

9. Every spiritual opposition strengthening persistent problems against me, lose your hold, in Jesus’ name.

10. Every affliction assigned to make me believe that my situation can never change, be silenced, in Jesus’ name.

11. Every battle that has continued from one year to another, O Lord, arise and intervene, in Jesus’ name.

12. Every inherited destructive pattern contributing to repeated problems in my life, be broken, in Jesus’ name.

12. Every affliction attacking my body day and night, receive the healing touch of God, in Jesus’ name.

13. Father, reveal any medical, emotional, practical or spiritual issue that genuinely needs attention in my life, in Jesus’ name.

14. O Lord, guide me toward the right treatment, counsel, professional help and responsible action where necessary, in Jesus’ name.

15. Every prolonged financial affliction draining my resources, lose your hold, in Jesus’ name.

15. Every repeated setback attacking the work of my hands, scatter, in Jesus’ name.

16. Every persistent affliction troubling my marriage, family, career, business or ministry, receive divine intervention, in Jesus’ name.

17. Every arrow of discouragement fired into my mind because of prolonged suffering, come out, in Jesus’ name.

18. Every voice of hopelessness telling me to stop praying, stop believing and stop trying, be silenced, in Jesus’ name.

19. Father, restore every strength I have lost while fighting prolonged battles, in Jesus’ name.

20. O Lord, heal every emotional wound created by years of disappointment and repeated affliction, in Jesus’ name.

21. Every fear that this problem will follow me for the rest of my life, lose your hold over my mind, in Jesus’ name.

22. I refuse to allow prolonged affliction to become my identity or determine my future, in Jesus’ name.

23. Every evil activity assigned to trouble my sleep tonight, scatter, in Jesus’ name.

24. Every nightmare, oppression and disturbing dream assigned against my peace tonight, lose your power, in Jesus’ name.

25. Father, let Your Word of healing, deliverance and restoration become louder in my heart than the report of my affliction, in Jesus’ name.

26. According to Psalm 107:20, O Lord, send Your Word into every troubled area of my life and bring healing and deliverance, in Jesus’ name.

27. I declare that this affliction will not destroy my faith, steal my hope, control my future or have the final word over my life, in Jesus’ name.