Toluwani - God's own

We’re moving in God’s name
Happy New Year
Let’s start this new year with praises unto the Rock of our salvation, Hallelujah 💃💃💃💃

Good morning 🌄 😍❤

SAFE HAVEN (EP 16)

"What is it with the loss of my wallet and phone again?" As Dele said then, I was careless.
I sat on the sofa in the living room and was literally "numbering the ceiling", when mum brought her phone that I had a call. Debby, Ella, Balqees and Dele we're the only ones who had her number, so who among them could be calling?
"It's a call from your phone!" Her voice broke into my thoughts.
"What?" I asked and hurriedly collected the phone.
"Hello, I am Paul. I found this phone with your wallet in the bus I boarded from..." The voice said.
"Thank you. Where are you now, please?" I asked.
He told me where to meet him. It was an open place, so I knew he wasn't a kidnapper.

We met and I collected my phone and wallet. "My cards we're in the wallet you know. Thank you so much. I am much grateful" I said.

Paul and I became friends and at that time he was a young lecturer in Kogi state and had come to visit his family. He was so intelligent, no wonder he had his PhD earlier in life.

In the course of our friendship, he asked me to be his wife after two months. It was kind of amazing. But wait, my phone brought Dele and my phone brought Paul too. It is well!

Along the line, I met his parents. His father happens to be one of my lecturers. Yes, the very one that made me resign as the student's spokesperson.
I thought I was finished already, but he explained how he loved the way I reacted that day. He said he tried to get in touch but to no avail. I was glad it was a good report.

Anyways, Paul and I got married- It was just divine. I got a lucrative job two weeks before my wedding too.

Who says God doesn't help?
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EPILOGUE
I am living today, not only for my husband and children, but inspiring lives and even telling others about my journey.
Through thick and thin, he was there.
When I decided to stay fat away from him, he was there for me.
When I didn't ask for his help, he still stood there for me.
In times of brokenness and confusion, he was there to help.
In the good times, it was him all the way.
When I went back to the cross, he still received me.
He allowed Dele to bring me back to him, and helped Paul to bring the best out of me.
He was there, he is there and he will always be there for me.
I found rest in Jesus because I cast all my cares upon him.
I call him my SAFE HAVEN. ..................

THE END...

©OLUWATOYIN PEACE

Thank you for reading SAFE HAVEN... God will also take you to a place of rest. Just trust him with all of your heart. He is too faithful to fail. He haven't called you in vain, he will surely help. Only that you will trust him- SAFE HAVEN

SAFE HAVEN (EP 9)

“I was raised in an orphanage, even though it was only my mum I lost at age seven. My dad dropped me with his sister who owned an orphanage. So, she raised me with other kids. I was always angry because I was aware that dad remarried and that was why I had to stay with Aunty.

As soon as I clocked 18, I left her place and went back to my dad. He was not pleased to see me at all, but I didn’t care. All I wanted was my own share of fatherly love. I got the love because my step mother didn’t bear him another son, just two beautiful princesses. Dad gave me everything I needed; I became so reckless with life. I was even forced by my step mother to take UTME. It was hard to pass, but anyhow, I made it in here. I met with Christ in this school in less than a month of being admitted. I had this peace since then. Do you know why I’ve said all these?” Dele asked me. “No, tell me” I replied.

“I am a living proof of a change that can only be caused by God. I joined boys on the street to cause troubles and I even lost about three of them to fights. I did drugs too. As you can see now, I am a new being.” He answered confidently.
I was glad I talked with him. I told him about myself too.

By the time we finished talking, everyone had left. We were the only ones remaining. I checked my time and it was 4pm already. We prayed together and departed and didn’t lose contact!

© OLUWATOYIN PEACE

SAFE HAVEN (EP 10)

Debby could not leave the room till I come back that evening. She had seen me talking with Dele.

On getting to the room, she jumped at me excitedly, "Mama the mama- Mama Tirzah. Welcome". I ignored her and quietly went to my bed to pray. By the time I opened my eyes, both Ella and Debby were standing by my bedside and staring as if I we're a stranger.

"Ella, I thought you we're sleeping when I came in. And you madam Debby, I was not expecting you inside, you were supposed to go for your group discussion. What was that welcome for by the way?" I asked.
"Tirzah!!! You stayed with Papa for about four hours after you haven't been in church for about one month. No wonder you were rushing out to church today! " Debby protested. Ella who has been laughing then joined "Debby, I said it. I knew something was up". "Yes babe, you said it".

At that time, Gbemi and Chinelo had graduated. "Please ladies, at this junction let us be guided. I never knew Dele attends that same church. I webt to church early in reverence to God. Secondly, I met Dele on Tuesday when I forgot my phone at the cafe, he found it and gave me. So stop rationalizing what happened today" I replied angrily

They were not convinced and even more because I called him by his name. I stood up to excuse myself from the room, then my phone rang and it was actually a calm from Dele. "Gbam!!!" Debby said.
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SAFE HAVEN (EP 11)
"I am a graduate Mama Tee!" I exclaimed over the phone after my final paper. Mum was happy. After that, his call came in. I was super excited "Babe, God has done it!" He congratulated me and we talked for a while before hanging up. Yes, it was Dele.

Somehow before he graduated, we became close friends and after he graduated, we started courting. Thank you!

Ella and I graduated at the same time but Debby was after us- she was taking a five year course.
Six months after that, I went yo serve my father's land. Meanwhile, Dele went to the US for his master's degree.

One day, while at the orientation camp, I had dislocation in my right elbow. About that time, mum called and informed me that she fell inside the house but she wasn't injured. I was happy and angry at the same time. I just hut my hand on hard wood o and I had dislocation, so it was because of her!

I didn't bother her about my arm, I had another person to bother, you know.

©OLUWATOYIN PEACE

❤️

SAFE HAVEN (EP 12)

I heard a resounding bang at the door. I was so afraid. I checked my watch and it was 1:23 am. A thick masculine voice threatened from outside to break the door if I refused to open the door. I started praying for God's help.
I crawled into the bathroom and hid myself. After about five minutes, I heard a loud thud. The thief had broken the door made of iron!
He made away with all the cash I had including my phones and laptop. He even carried my foodstuffs.

After about thirty minutes, I was sure he had left the room, I left where I was hiding and went into my room. When I saw that the door was broken already, I ran back into the bathroom and hid myself again till day break.
I don't really know when the thief left, but I was wide awake till day break. My fellow corp members came in the following morning and were shocked to see the mess that was made of my room. They even thought I was kidnapped when they didn't see me at first. I came out of my hiding with my eyes swollen, red.

"Eiii, God! Tee, hope the bastard didn't touch you?" Balqees asked, crying already. "He didn't, he made away with my phone, laptop, foodstuffs and even the money I withdrew yesterday. Balky, I withdrew almost everything yesterday. It is finished!" I replied and sat on the floor, looking confused. I collected her phone and contacted my mum. I tried as much as possible to sound calm so that she wouldn't be so worried. I didn't call Dele because of the cost of the international call.

If I knew it would lead to a disaster, I wouldn't have mind the cost and called him that day.
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SAFE HAVEN (EP 13)

After donations from friends and colleagues, I was able to repair my door that very day and about a week after that, I got a new phone and retrieved my line. I put a call through to Dele. Before I could complete my first sentence, he cut in. "Hang it sister. Even if you wanted to leave me, you should have done it more decently and discreetly, not with a drunkard! Don't bother calling again. It is over!" He hung up without listening to my own side of the story.

Drunkard? That thief should have broken my sim in peace!
I tried calling him back but he didn't pick up. I sent several texts but no reply from him.

Was it really over? Is that how I will loose Dele? The Dele I knew used to be a good listener and was always calm to make decisions. Even if that robber picked the call, he had mum's number and also my friends from school.

Just one week and that was all. I tried calling him over and over until he blocked me. I even told Debby to help me talk to him and explain what happened, but he wouldn't listen.

I was so depressed that it reflected so much on me. My supervisor noticed and told me not to handle ant test to avoid mistakes. But in all that, even though it was so tough, I never forgot my father.

©OLUWATOYIN PEACE

SAFE HAVEN (EP 14)

Six months passed and there was no reply from Dele. My mum and friends kept on checking on me and even urged me to forget about him. I did as people advised and I moved on with my life.

I was about to finish my service year, so I started writing out applications in order to get a job and at least support Mum.

During the last three months in Abia state, my relationship with God became stronger and sweeter. Even though the marital issue and my fate in the outside world were contributing factors. Although I never forgot my God, that time made a difference.

Most times, if a thing is about to happen to anyone close to me, I'll have the knowing. When that happened for about three times, I knew that I was permitted to have a knowing in order to help those people out in prayers.

I even asked why He had permitted an illness with serious complications in mum's body. I then realized how much of a burden I would have been on her.

In that process, I made so much inquiry, and I got answers. Ranging from work life, destiny and even Dele!
I received my answers, but because of my own self will, I couldn't believe my realization about him.

The knowing always comes to me that "Dele has done his part". I thought it was the devil's mind until I saw the news myself.
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SAFE HAVEN (EP 15)
Ella was the first to call me and asked me to check Dele's profile on Facebook. Meanwhile, I stopped checking his profile until about a month before that time.

I checked it and what I saw made me laugh, seriously. The lady standing beside him in the picture, was one of my friends back in school. She was one of the course representatives in Nursing department. "How did they meet?" "When did she travel out?" "How long have they been together?" "What even attracted Dele to her?". Those were the questions running through my head as I viewed Dele's pre-wedding

SAFE HAVEN (EP 8)

The following Sunday, I left for service early. Ella and Debby were so surprised. They noticed the change throughout the previous week. I didn’t know how long the energy and eagerness would last, but I promised God and myself that no going back.

After the worship and praises and all other activities, it was finally time for sermon. I saw Bamidele mounting the pulpit. Wait, same one who found my phone? Yes, it was him.

I concentrated on the sermon o. I took my mind off the Bamidele I knew during that moment, even though it was a little bit difficult in the beginning. He talked about The mystery of success.

For a while there, I thought about my success so far. It had been without any reverence to God, bitterness and occasional sadness. He turned to a scripture which stated that the blessings of the Lord makes rich and adds no sorrow. Then it became clearer. I was so blessed by the message.

The service ended and I accidentally bumped into Bamidele. He almost did not recognize me “Sister…” He tried to recall my name, so I helped him to save time, “Tirzah”.
“I am glad you are here” He said. I explained to him that I had been a member right from my first year, but he might not know because of my inactiveness.

We talked at length and during that time I realized he was the Bible Study Coordinator for the fellowship. I told him about my experience after that day and he was so glad.
“I can’t even remember I said something like that, I knew we had a little talk, but I didn’t really remember” He said. We discussed about school and how he had been able to balance it all.
“Tirzah, let me tell you about myself” He said suddenly. I was eager too!
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SAFE HAVEN (EP 9)

“I was raised in an orphanage, even though it was only my mum I lost at age seven. My dad dropped me with his sister who owned an orphanage. So, she raised me with other kids. I was always angry because I was aware that dad remarried and that was why I had to stay with Aunty.

As soon as I clocked 18, I left her place and went back to my dad. He was not pleased to see me at all, but I didn’t care. All I wanted was my own share of fatherly love. I got the love because my step mother didn’t bear him another son, just two beautiful princesses. Dad gave me everything I needed; I became so reckless with life. I was even forced by my step mother to take UTME. It was hard to pass, but anyhow, I made it in here. I met with Christ in this school in less than a month of being admitted. I had this peace since then. Do you know why I’ve said all these?” Dele asked me. “No, tell me” I replied.

“I am a living proof of a change that can only be caused by God. I joined boys on the street to cause troubles and I even lost about three of them to fights. I did drugs too. As you can see now, I am a new being.” He answered confidently.
I was glad I talked with him. I told him about myself too.

By the time we finished talking, everyone had left. We were the only ones remaining. I checked my time and it was 4pm already. We prayed together and departed and didn’t lose contact!

© OLUWATOYIN PEACE

SAFE HAVEN (EP 6)

The phone i forgot at the cafeteria still amaze me. I was chatting online and i dropped the phone I'm order to go and pay for what i had eaten. Then, off i went!

On getting back to the table, i couldn't find my phone again. I almost screamed when someone came running to me. All he did was stretched out his hand and handed me my phone. He was breathing like someone who just ran a 20 kilometer race.

I helped him to sit down. I thanked him for helping me with my phone and i also checked him occasionally to be sure he didn't faint.
After resting for about 5 minutes, he was calm and he spoke "You're such a careless person". I didn't know whether to slap him or just walk away. Fine, i left my phone, does that make me careless?
Imagine, he came in panting like a dog in need of water and the only thing he could say was that i was careless. Not his fault at all. I just kept quiet to see what his reaction would be.
He narrated how he had followed me from the Cafeteria, to the bus stop, from there to the library, then the lecture theatre and back to the cafeteria. He should have just called out even though he didn't know my name.

That's his problem anyway. "Thank you once again" i said. "I am Dele, a final year student of political science, and you?". I tried to comport myself so i answered. "I should not answer you, but for my phone's sake, i will. I am Tirzah, a 300 level student from MLS department. Thank you! ". As i turned to leave he said something that took me aback.
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SAFE HAVEN (EP 7)
"You seem to have forgotten the one who has brought you this far". I felt a sense of guilt as he said those words. He stood up and left. Who was he to tell me such?
But to be realistic, i had left something out of my life. After dad's demise, someone had been there for mum and i -"God!!!" i had thought aloud in my room. I knelt down for the first time in many months and earnestly sought the face of the Lord that moment -I haven't stopped till now-

I let out every of my bitterness and pain. All those things that i couldn't tell Mama Tee because of her health, i told God everything that day and he listened. I spent over three hours that day, crying and praying. It was an awesome and refreshing experience.

All those months, i was carefree and lived normally, to the extent that Sunday services became boring and optional. My personal prayer altar was zero. Whenever my roommates, Ella and Debby, tried to invite me for programmes, it was one excuse or the other.
Whenever i was home, i always complained too and gave excuses too in order to avoid fellowship.

Those three hours made me realize how far I've drifted from the source. "There was a time i couldn't take a step without you, but ever since i decided to try out things on my own, it's been sadness. What is success without you? I'm back Lord" I had cried that day. That was a turnaround encounter for me.

Thanks for reading
I love you all 😘

© OLUWATOYIN PEACE

SAFE HAVEN (EP 4)

“She has been hospitalized since yesterday night and she haven’t opened her eye since then. I don’t even know if she’s still breathing” Ada, mum’s house help, told me over the phone. The last thing I remembered was that Ada called me and the next moment I opened my eyes, I was on the clinic bed with a strong headache. Ella and Chinelo were with me and it was obvious they’ve really cried.

“You’re awake. Thank God!” They both said. I was afraid on seeing their faces. I asked after mum, and they said they did not call her. That was when I knew that I blacked out for 8 hours already and I missed the exam for that day.

I requested for my phone immediately and turned it on. I dialed my mummy’s number and she picked up at once. “My dear, I’m sorry that Ada called you. Hope you were able to write well?” She said. I was glad that she was stable and I gave her the excuse that my phone went off. She was diagnosed with hypertension. Then I knew that I would not be able to bother her with my problems again.

After completing my exams, I was elected as the students’ spokesperson for my faculty. I was quite popular though and I was in my second year. So I was given an assignment as the spokesperson.
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SAFE HAVEN (EP 5).

I was given the task to advocate for reduction in our faculty and departmental dues. At the board meeting, when it was my time to speak, I spoke boldly and fearlessly.

Suddenly, one of the board members, who was also my lecturer -that I resented-, asked me about the result of my previous semester. I was well aware that I had carried a course!
“You have no right to come in here and tell us what or what not to do with the students, when you cannot pass a course successfully. Do you know how many hurdles I have jumped to be here?” He asked sternly.

I stood up from my seat, made a bow and left the meeting ashamedly. “People can be so wicked. He didn’t talk about the seven A’s and two B’s that I had in other courses.” I had thought while going back to my department. That very day, I resigned as the students’ spokesperson.

That experience made me realize that “Not all that glitters is gold. Some glitters might be death traps!”

I sat for the course and passed it. My records revealed that if I should continue to pass normally that way, I would graduate with a first class. I decided to study harder and avoid any distraction.

I moved into my third year with excellent results. My hard work had paid!
Around that time, I met Bamidele.
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Thanks for reading!!!

© Oluwatoyin Peace

SAFE HAVENS (EP 2)
You should know the joy and excitement I had when I saw my name on the list. So all those while that I was not admitted, I decided to learn a trade and when the admission failure persisted, I started working.

About dad, I lost him to a car accident 2 years before that time. He was a driver who had three buses with which he transported people from Ibadan to Lagos, Ibadan to Ilorin and Ibadan to Abuja. You know where I reside now. Even after his death, the buses were still operating because my mum managed them and the returns were enough to sustain mum and i.

“Mom, thank God for he has done it!” I screamed on getting home. She was full of joy when she heard the news. I was to resume the following week. Meanwhile, the university was at Ogun state.
My registration went on smoothly and was very easy for me. I met friendly people as my roomates- Gbemi, Ella, Debby and Chinelo. By the way, my name is TIRZAH

One thing is that, whenever I open my mouth to tell people my name, the next thing, would be “from which country?”, with my fair complexion and about 1.5metres height. Then, I’ll have to begin to narrate to them that it was a name from the Bible.
In fact, one of my lecturers who was from Kwara state calls me “Teaser”.
I was almost carried away with the excitement of being a student when something happened.
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SAFE HAVENS (3)

One night, during my second semester in my year one, I had a terrible dream.
In that dream, it happened that we were on a voyage. All of a sudden, a storm started when we got to middle of the sea. It really shook the ship that one of my friends on the ship fell and another almost fell but was rescued. The storm stopped for a little while and started again.

At that point, my friend had to wake me up. When I woke up, I was shaking and sweating despite the fact that the fan was working. “We’ve been trying to wake you up from sleep because you’ve been in sleep distress. Is everything alright, Tee?” Gbemi asked with teary eyes.

As I still couldn’t understand the dream and my heart was pounding fast, I busted out into crying. They all consoled me as the four of them were confused.
I could not attend class that very day even though it was few weeks to her examinations. Few days after that, she had forgotten totally about the dream. Until the day she was to write her seventh out of ten papers, she received another shocker.

Thank for reading!
Episodes 4 and 5 tomorrow

© OLUWATOYIN PEACE

Good Morning

Good things are coming our way this month💃💃.
Happy New Month! 😁🤗

SAFE HAVENS (Ep 1)

The first day I stepped my feet into the school,I was rest assured that "Yes, this is my final and last trial, positively". I was so confident in myself that I will be given my course of choice. That was because of my excellent grades.

Well, I have been an admission seeker for six years before I was finally selected for screening in that University. "Thank God I made it this far" I had thought.

Few weeks after that, the admission list was released and my name was not on the list. In fact, the course I wanted to study was suspended for that year. I was left with two options, it was either I change the course or I wait for another year.
I decided to change my course which made me go through another screening. That went well too. The second list was released too, with my name equally absent!

I couldn't even inform my mum. "What's happening to me?" I had questioned myself. At the point of giving up, a supplementary list was released. I didn't check the list online, I ignored it. Three days later, I decided to check.

Finally, out of the additional ten students in the Medical Laboratory Science department, my name was the tenth. I was happy and sad at the same time. But all the same, I was admitted at 22, going in for a 4-year course.

Thanks for reading!
Ep 2 comes up tomorrow

© OLUWATOYIN PEACE

A year older today. Pray for me 🙇

Happy Last Sunday of the month.
God will surprise us with pleasant packages in this coming year.
Happy new year in advance💃💃.

Friday, August 21, 2020.

* Thank God for another beautiful day.
*Thank God for your life, the life of people around you, your business or work, your family at large.
*Thank God for your Nation.
*Ask God for the forgiveness of sin, promise him you always do your best to remember always that you are His child and sin should not be part of you.
*Ask for Grace to sin no more
*Ask for the holy Spirit to always guide and protect you and family
*Ask God for divine intervention in that situation that needs God's touch.
*Ask for divine favour, sufficient Grace, unending mercy and greater goodness of God
*Ask God show you mercy in places where things seems hard.
--> Pray with Lamentations 5.
Pray as the spirit of God directs you to do.

God bless you.

Today is Thursday, and people do tag Thursday as a day for throwbacks. did you know that there are also throwback problems 😀.
It sounds funny right, it's not funny.
These are strongholds that has existed from many years ago, which have affected the early generations of your family and now, they are reflecting in your life.
E.g, a lady complains of serious back ache often which could seize her movement for hours to her father and the father said, that's how it do happen to us in our family. Imagine.
There some things that would happen to you and when you tell them to your relatives, they make references to how that thing happened to a fore father, it might even lead to the death of some people.
If you know that, you have this same challenges, talk to God, He will surely deliver you from the throwback problems.
God Bless You.
.

Thursday, August 20, 2020.

* Thank God for the light of another day you've seen.
*Thank God for your life, the life of people around you, your business or work, your family at large.
*Thank God for your Nation.
*Ask God for the forgiveness of sin, promise him you always do your best to remember always that you are His child and sin should not be part of you.
*Ask for Grace to sin no more
*Ask for the holy Spirit to alwayscguide and protect you and family
*Ask God for divine intervention in that situation that needs God's touch.
*Ask for divine favour, sufficient Grace, unending mercy and greater goodness of God
*Ask God show you mercy in places where things seems hard.
--> Pray with Psalms 55
*Say Father, Deliver me from the threats of the enemies.
*In any area you need God's help, talk to Him and trust in Him.
God bless you.

Wednesday, August 19, 2020.

* Thank God for the light of another day you've seen.
*Thank God for your life, the life of people around you, your business or work, your family at large.
*Thank God for your Nation.
*Ask God for the forgiveness of sin, promise him you always do your best to remember always that you are His child and sin should not be part of you.
*Ask for Grace to sin no more
*Ask for the holy Spirit to alwayscguide and protect you and family
*Ask God for divine intervention in that situation that needs God's touch.
*Ask for divine favour, sufficient Grace, unending mercy and greater goodness of God
*Ask God to provide all your needs in this week
--> Pray with Psalms 118
*Ask God to always give you reason to be happy and reason to always praise him.
*Ask God to save you. From whatever troubles or problems you are facing.
*Ask God for success on every good thing you lay your hands upon.

God bless you.

Tuesday, August 18, 2020.

* Thank God for another awesome day you've seen, also thank God for yesterday.
*Thank God for your life, the life of people around you, your business or work, your family at large.
*Thank God for provision in everyway.
*Thank God for your going out and coming in, thank Him for His protection.
*Thank God for your Nation.
*Ask God for the forgiveness of sin, promise him you always do your best to remember always that you are His child and sin should not be part of you.
*Ask for Grace to sin no more
*Ask for the holy Spirit to guide and protect you today, so that you shall walk and not stumble.
*Ask God for divine intervention in that situation that needs God's touch.
*Ask for divine favour, sufficient Grace, unending mercy and greater goodness of God
--> Read Proverbs 24.
* Ask God for wisdom
* Ask God to help you in doing His will and to walk in His path.
*Ask God to return every evil plotted against to the sender.
* Ask God to make your life as sweet as honey
* Ask God for divine strength even in times of trouble, confusion or temptation
*Rebuke every Spirit of poverty hovering around you.

God bless you.

Monday, August 17, 2020.

* Thank God for seeing another beautiful day.
*Thank God for the previous week.
*Thank God for your life, the life of people around you, your business or work, your family at large.
*Thank God for your Nation, Nigeria, thank God for your state, local govt and towns.
*Thank God for the surprising provisions.
*Thank God for your going out and coming in.
*Ask God for the forgiveness of sin, promise him you always do your best to remember always that you are His child and sin should not be part of you.
*Ask for Grace to sin no more
*Ask for the holy Spirit to guide and protect you this new week
*Ask God for divine intervention in that situation that needs God's touch.
*Ask for divine favour, sufficient Grace, unending mercy and greater goodness of God
*Ask God to provide all your needs in this week.
*Ask God to touch the heart of your helper. Your helper will locate you with loads of blessings this week.
*Ask God to deal with every enemies hiding in the dark to confusion in the light, all enemies pretending to be friends, ask God to expose them.
--> Psalm 100, Isaiah 42: 8-13
Praise God after taking these prayer points, when you praise God, he arises and settle everything that needs settlement in your life.

Have a great week ahead.