Mensa Otabil - Be Bold to Place a Demand (09/27/2025)
Welcome to day number 16 of our 40 days of power. Today, we are talking about placing a demand on the power of God. Acts chapter 3, verses 6 and 7 says, «Then Peter said, 'Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.'» And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.
Peter and John had no idea what would happen if they used the name of Jesus. Jesus had ascended to heaven, and they had been filled with the Holy Spirit and spoken in tongues. However, as yet no spectacular miracle had happened to them. They had been in the upper room since Jesus ascended to heaven.
Now, at about three o’clock in the afternoon, they were going to the temple and met a man who was lame in his feet, sitting at one of the temple gates. The man, as was his custom, asked them for money for survival, and for some reason, Peter and John felt, «Why don’t we test this promise that Jesus gave us? He said in His name we would work miracles; why don’t we try it?»
So they said to the man, «We do not have silver and gold, but what we have, we give you in the name of Jesus Christ. Rise up and walk.» Amazingly, the man rose up and walked, walking and leaping and praising God in the temple that day. A spectacular miracle was observed by onlookers, and the disciples discovered that Jesus was still with them.
They did this because, at one moment, they decided to put this into practice. You know, it’s okay to learn so much about the power of God, to hear sermon after sermon and pray and pray, but at some point, you have to exercise your faith. You have to place a demand on what you know; you have to let what you have learned do something to you. You can never know the power of God until you make a demand on it, just as the woman with the issue of blood made a demand on the power in Jesus. The disciples also made a demand on the name of Jesus. They had been told it would work, so they put it to the test.
Christianity is not just about being cautious. Yes, we have to apply wisdom and be sensible, but there comes a time when we put our faith on the line, when we trust God, when we supernaturally say, «Lord, you promised it. I believe it. I’m putting it to the test.»
So during these 40 days of power, as you have received so much power, why not put the name of Jesus to the test? Why not pray for somebody? Why not command something into existence? Someone may ask, «What if it doesn’t work?» You lose nothing; you weren’t doing it before, and if nothing happens, you’re still in the same place. So nothing is lost. But what if you place a demand and witness the supernatural power of God? I genuinely believe that is what will happen: when you place a demand on the name of Jesus, power will accomplish the work of God in your life.
So today, let’s place a demand on the name of Jesus. And if you’re ready to do that, why don’t we share a word of prayer together? Stay with me. Heavenly Father, thank you for the authority you have given me through the name of Jesus. Today, I step out in faith, trusting that Your name is still powerful and still works miracles. I thank you, Father, in Jesus' name. Amen.
Well, my friend, go out and place a demand on the name of Jesus. I am Pastor Mensa Otabil. Shalom, peace, and life to you.