7 Days of Prayer & Fasting 2022
Monday, January 10, 2022 – January 16, 2022
It is imperative that we pray at least (3) times daily throughout this week of Prayer & Fasting (Daniel 6:10). It’s not just about abstaining from foods; it’s about developing a “listening ear” through prayer unto God.
We will be praying for our world, our nation, the Church (Body of Christ), lost souls, families and then our own personal relationship with Christ .
Fasting
Fasting is one of the most powerful weapons God has ever given us for our daily lives.
We all go through times when we feel like we are not living up to our full potential. Sometimes we lose our energy and our spiritual sharpness . . . this causes us to lose our edge.
What does it really mean to lose your edge?
When a lumberjack keeps swinging away at the tree without sharpening his ax, the ax will soon become dull and ineffective. In much the same way, that can happen to us.
Going through our daily routines in our own strength wears us down. Little by little, we lose our closeness to God. Without that closeness, we become ineffective for the purposes His has for us.
Fasting can help you get back your passion! It can recharge you!
Although fasting lasts for a short season, it brings long-term results, which sharpens us, enabling us to face the challenges of life in His strength. Through fasting, you can experience spiritual renewal and direction for your life . . . restoration of relationship . . . healing . . . release from bondages . . . and so much more!
We begin year 2022 with 7 days of fasting. Fasting in January is much like praying in the morning to establish the will of God for your entire day. I believe that if we will pray and seek God and give Him our first and best at the beginning of the year, He will honor that sacrifice and bless our ENTIRE year! “But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Mathew 6:33).
But when you make fasting a way of life, you get even closer to God and grow in your spiritual walk like never before. Making fasting a lifestyle is like a lumberjack who takes time to rest and sharpen his ax periodically to be able to effectively finish the job set before him.
Fasting can help you Recover Your Passion, Recapture Your Dream and Restore Your Joy!
Fasting is a principle that God intended for everyone to practice. It is not a punishment; it is a privilege!
Make fasting a “lifestyle”! Join us, and thousands from around the world, in the Fasting Movement .
What Is Fasting?
Biblical fasting is refraining from food for a spiritual purpose.
Prayer and fasting is defined as voluntarily going without food in order to focus on prayer and fellowship with God. Prayer and fasting often go hand in hand,You can pray without fasting. When Prayer and fasting are combined and dedicated to God’s glory they reach their full effectiveness. Having a dedicated time of prayer and fasting is not a way of manipulating God into doing what you desire. Rather, it is simply forcing yourself to focus and rely on God for the strength, provision, wisdom you need and gain a deeper fellowship with God. By taking our eyes off the things of this world through prayer and biblical fasting, we can focus better on Christ.
Fasting has always been practiced by true believers.
Fasting helps subject our bodies to our spirits. (I Cor 9:27)
Fasting is disciplining the body, mind, and spirit. (Prov. 25:28)
Fasting is subordinating our flesh-desires to our spirit-desires. (Gal 5:17)
Fasting helps set the priorities in our lives. (Mt 6:33)
Fasting is longing after God. (Ps 63:1-2)
Why Should We Fast?
1.Honor God – Mt 6:16-18, Luke 2:37, Acts 13:2, Mt 5:6
2.Humble Yourself – 2 Chron 7:14-15, Ps 35:13
3.Discerning Healing – I Cor 11:30, James 5:13-18, Isaiah 59:1-2
4.Deliverance from Bondage – Mt 17:21, Is 58:6-9 (loose bands of wickedness)
5.Revelation – God’s vision and will – Dan 9:3, 20-21, Dan 10:2-10, 12-13
6.Revival – personal and corporate – Acts 1:4, 14 / 2:16-21, Joel 2:12-18
7.Repentance – personal failures – Psalm 51: Jer. 29:11-14, James 4:8-10
8.Jesus fasted 40 days before He started His ministry. (Matt 4:12; Lk 4:14)
9.Fasting helps us become sensitive to the Holy Spirit. (Acts 13:2)
10.Helping us to deny our own flesh and crucify the carnal mind.
11.Fasting brings spiritual revival. (Dan 9:2,3)
12.Helping us to prevail in prayer and intercession.
13.Fasting is God’s Providence to give us a healthy lifestyle and it cannot be substituted by any other way. It is the privilege of the children of God.
14.To fellowship with God, have intimacy with Him and knowing Him.
15.To be made whole, healed and restored spiritually, physically, emotionally and psychologically. (Hos 6:1-2)
There are several types of Fasting. The one you chose is between you and God. He will honor your best sacrifice.
Full Fast
Drink only liquids (you establish the number of days).
The Daniel Fast
Eat no meat, no sweets and no bread. Drink water and juice. Eat fruits and vegetables.
3-Day Fast
This fast can be a Full Fast, Daniel Fast or give up at least one item of food.
Partial Fast
A partial fast is from 6:00 am to 3:00 pm or from sun up to sundown. You can select from three types of fasting —a Full Fast, Daniel Fast or give up at least one item of food.
Relation to Prayer and Reading of the Word:
1 Samuel 1:6-8, 17-18, Nehemiah 1:4, Daniel 9:3, 20, Joel 2:12, Luke 2:37, Acts 10:30, Acts 13:2
Corporate Fasting:
Examples of Corporate Prayer & Fasting
1 Samuel 7:5-6, Ezra 8:21-23, Nehemiah 9:1-3, Joel 2:15-16, Jonah 3:5-10, Acts 27:33-37
1 Samuel 7:5-6 5 Then Samuel said, “Assemble all Israel at Mizpah, and I will intercede with the Lord for you.” 6 When they had assembled at Mizpah, they drew water and poured it out before the Lord. On that day they fasted and there they confessed, “We have sinned against the Lord.” Now Samuel was serving as leader[a] of Israel at Mizpah.
Ezra 8:21-23 21 There, by the Ahava Canal, I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions. 22 I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to protect us from enemies on the road, because we had told the king, “The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him.” 23 So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer.
Nehemiah 9:1-3 The Israelites Confess Their Sins
9 On the twenty-fourth day of the same month, the Israelites gathered together, fasting and wearing sackcloth and putting dust on their heads. 2 Those of Israelite descent had separated themselves from all foreigners. They stood in their places and confessed their sins and the sins of their ancestors. 3 They stood where they were and read from the Book of the Law of the Lord their God for a quarter of the day, and spent another quarter in confession and in worshiping the Lord their God.
Joel 2:15-16
15 Blow the trumpet in Zion, declare a holy fast,call a sacred assembly.16 Gather the people,consecrate the assembly;bring together the elders,gather the children,
those nursing at the breast.Let the bridegroom leave his room and the bride her chamber.
Jonah 3:5-10 5 The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth.
6 When Jonah’s warning reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust. 7 This is the proclamation he issued in Nineveh:
“By the decree of the king and his nobles:
Do not let people or animals, herds or flocks, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink. 8 But let people and animals be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence. 9 Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish.”
10 When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened.
Acts 27:33-37 33 Just before dawn Paul urged them all to eat. “For the last fourteen days,” he said, “you have been in constant suspense and have gone without food—you haven’t eaten anything. 34 Now I urge you to take some food. You need it to survive. Not one of you will lose a single hair from his head.” 35 After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat. 36 They were all encouraged and ate some food themselves. 37 Altogether there were 276 of us on board.
Remember that it is the attitude of a heart sincerely seeking Him to which God responds with a blessing (Isaiah 58, Jeremiah 14:12, 1 Corinthians 8:8). May God greatly bless you as you fast!
When you eliminate food from your diet for a number of days, your spirit becomes uncluttered by the things of this world and amazingly sensitive to the things of God. As David stated, “Deep calls unto deep” (Ps. 42:7). David was fasting. His hunger and thirst for God were greater than his natural desire for food. As a result, he reached a place where he could cry out from the depths of his spirit to the depths of God, even in the midst of his trial. Once you’ve experienced even a glimpse of that kind of intimacy with our God—our Father, the holy Creator of the universe—and the countless rewards and blessings that follow, your whole perspective will change. You will soon realize that fasting is a secret source of power this is overlooked by many.
A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher. —Luke 6:40
During the years that Jesus walked this earth, He devoted time to teaching His disciples the principles of the kingdom of God, principles that conflict with those of this world. In the Beatitudes, specifically in Matthew 6, Jesus provided the pattern by which each of us is to live as a child of God. That pattern addressed three specific duties of a Christian: giving, praying, and fasting. Jesus said, “When you give…” and “When you pray…” and “When you fast.” He made it clear that fasting, like giving and praying, was a normal part of Christian life. As much attention should be given to fasting as is given to giving and to praying.
Solomon, when writing the books of wisdom for Israel, made the point that a cord, or rope, braided with three strands is not easily broken (Eccles. 4:12). Likewise, when giving, praying, and fasting are practiced together in the life of a believer, it creates a type of threefold cord that is not easily broken. In fact, as I’ll show you in a moment, Jesus took it even further by saying, “Nothing will be impossible” (Matt. 17:20).
Could we be missing our greatest breakthroughs because we fail to fast? Remember the thirtyfold, sixtyfold, and hundredfold return Jesus spoke of (Mark 4:8, 20)? Look at it this way: when you pray, you can release that thirtyfold return, but when both prayer and giving are part of your life, I believe that releases the sixtyfold blessing. But when all three—giving, praying, and fasting—are part of your life, that hundredfold return can be released!
If that’s the case, you have to wonder what blessings are not being released. What answers to prayer are not getting through? What bondages are not being broken because we fail to fast?
Matthew tells the story of a father who had a demon-possessed son. For years he watched helplessly as his son suffered severe convulsions. As he grew older, the attacks became so severe that the boy would often throw himself into an open fire or a trench of water. A suicidal spirit tormented him constantly; the situation became life-threatening.
Having exhausted every attempt to cure the boy—even talking him to the disciples with no avail—the father’s plight seemed impossible. Then he heard that Jesus was near. Going to the Master, he cried, “Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for often times he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water. And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him” (Matt. 17:15, KJV).
When the boy was brought to Jesus, the Bible ways He “rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour” (v. 18, KJV). But what made the difference? After all, Matthew 10:1 records that Jesus had already given the disciples power to cast out evil spirits and to heal every disease. So why couldn’t the disciples cast out the demon and cure the boy?
That’s what they wanted to know, too, so later that night, when they were alone with Jesus, they asked Him. Jesus replied, “Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting” (Matt. 17:20–21, KJV).
Long before this incident, the Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness, where He spent forty days and forty nights, taking no food. “Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.” For Jesus, casting out that stubborn demon wasn’t impossible.
If Jesus could have accomplished all He came to do without fasting, why would He fast? The Son of God fasted because He knew there were supernatural things that could only be released that way. How much more should fasting be a common practice in our lives?
Fasting Is for Everyone
Perhaps you’re thinking, “I still don’t know how fasting can really be for me.” According to the words of Jesus, it is the duty of every disciple and every believer to fast. When addressing the Pharisees as to why His disciples did not fast, Jesus replied, “Can you make the friends of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them; then they will fast in those days” (Luke 5:34–35).
Then they will fast. Jesus didn’t expect His disciples to do something He hadn’t doen as well. Jesus fasted, and according to the words of Peter, Jesus is our example in all things (1 Pet. 2:21).
-Fasting brings rewards.
There’s another vital point that I want you to see in Matthew 6: God delights in giving rewards. Not only that, but He says that when giving, praying and fasting are practiced in your life, He will “reward you openly.”
A good example of such open reward can be found in Daniel. While in Babylonian captivity, his fasting—even partial fasting of certain foods—brought about the open reward of God, who blessed Daniel with wisdom beyond that of anyone else in that empire.
Later, in chapter 10, Daniel was grieved and burdened with the revelation he had received for Israel. He ate no choice breads or meats and drank no wine for three weeks. Then he describes the angel that was sent to him—which had been delayed by the prince of Persia for twenty-one days—with the answers Daniel sought. His fast broke the power of the delayer and released the angels of God so that God’s purpose could be revealed and served.
This is just the tip of the iceberg. Do you desire to know God’s will for your life, whom you should marry, or what you should do in a critical situation? Fasting brings you to a place of being able to clearly hear God’s will.
Fasting demonstrates repentance.
Joel prophesy of judgment upon unfaithful Israel was followed by a divine call to ward off judgment through a fast of repentance. The Lord beckoned, “Even now,?declares the LORD, Return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning. Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.? Quote; (See Joel 2:12-13.) Similarly, James exhorts New Testament believers with these words: “Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” (See James 4:8-10.) Fasting demonstrates the brokenness of a heart that is truly repentant for sin.
The Daniel Fast
Step 1: Be Specific
Daniel was not vague in his objection to the Babylonian diet. He defined the problem immediately.
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The king’s food was against dietary laws.
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Daniel and his friends had vowed against wine.
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The king’s food had been offered up to idols/demons.
Step 2: Fast as a Spiritual Commitment
The Daniel Fast involves a spiritual commitment to God. “Daniel proposed in his heart that he would not defile himself” (Daniel 1:8).
Step 3: Reflect Inner Desire by Outer Discipline
Many people have an inner desire for better health, but they can’t discipline themselves to avoid junk food, and other foods that are not good for their health. The physical health you seek from God may be more than an answer to prayer. Your physical health can be linked to any of the following factors:
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Your food choices.
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The level of your spiritual commitment as reflected in constant prayer during the fast.
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Your time commitment. If you determine to fast for a certain time, keep it. For example, if you determine to fast 10 days, don’t stop on Day 9.
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Your testimony commitment. Your fast is a statement of faith to God that you want Him to heal your body, and faith is foundational to the Daniel Fast.
Step 4: Pray to Perceive Sin’s Role in Poor Health
Notice James 5:13-16:
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Sin is something related to the cause of sickness.
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Lack of health/healing may be the result of spiritual rebellion.
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Lack of health/healing may be due to sin of wrong intake, i.e. drugs, pornography.
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Repentance is linked to health according to James.
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Elders have a role in healing both spiritual and physical health.
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Sick people must desire to be well
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The anointing oil could mean
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Medicine for healing,
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Symbolic of the Holy Spirit, or
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It could be baptism
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Prayer alone may not gain healing, faith is the major factor.
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In Greek there are several words for “sick”. James uses “Kanino”, which not only includes disease, but also means weak or weary.
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Attitude is important. James said, “are there any among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.”
Step 5: Fast as a Statement of Faith to Others
Daniel was making a statement of faith when he asked for only vegetables to eat and water to drink, then dared the overseer to compare the appearance of the four sons of Israel with the young men who ate the king’s food.
Step 6: Learn the Effects of the Food You Eat
Why are some foods good for us, and other foods not? What does certain food do to your body? If we really knew, there would likely be some things we would never eat again.
Step 7: Yield All Results to God
Daniel said, “as you see fit, deal with your servants” (Dan. 1:13).
FOOD GUIDELINES FOR A DANIEL FAST
Daniel 1:12
“Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink.”
Daniel 10:3 KJV
“I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.”
When going on a Daniel fast, or any type of fast, if you have questions outside of what Scripture says, prayerfully seek the Lord and be led by the Spirit for the specifics for your personal fast.
Whether you are beginning a Private Fast or Fasting Corporately as we do here at Gospel Outreach Center every year, I believe you will find these tips helpful.
FASTING TIPS
1) Preparing to Fast (Esther 4:16)
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a) Get your heart and mind ready, set your mind clearly on the objective of fasting, and maintain a thankful heart.
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b) Write down the clear objectives for fasting; add a clause of flexibility, so that God may speak His objective.
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c) Pray and commit to a type of fast, asking God for grace to remain determined.
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d) Plan your calendar
Conserve your energy and devote more time to prayer and reading God’s Word.
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e) Prepare spiritually
Fine tune your mindset, make known to God that you desire to weaken the flesh so as to be close to the Lord spiritually. Allow the Spirit of God to direct the mind, to direct the body for renewal action, meaning: getting ready to change.
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f) Prepare physically
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h) Pray daily and read the Bible.
Don’t overeat before fasting. On the contrary, reduce food intake gradually until the day of fasting. Avoid food that is high in calories. Eat only salad and fruits three days before fasting.
Preparing Spiritually
Confess your sins to God. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal areas of weakness.
Forgive all who have offended you and ask forgiveness from those you may have offended (Mark 11:25; Luke 11:4;17:3-4).
Surrender your life fully to Jesus Christ and reject the worldly desires that try to hinder you (Romans 12:1-2).
Deciding What to Fast
The type of fasting you choose is up to you. You could go on a full fast in which you only drink liquids, or you may desire to fast like Daniel, who abstained from sweets and meats, and the only liquid he drank was water. Remember to replace that time with prayer and Bible study.
Deciding How Long
You may fast as long as you like. Most can easily fast from one to three days, but you may feel the grace to go longer, even as much as 21 to 40 days. Use wisdom and pray for guidance.
Beginners are advised to start slow.
What to Expect
When you fast your body detoxifies, eliminating toxins from your system. This can cause mild discomfort such as headaches and irritability during withdrawal from caffeine and sugars. And naturally, you will have hunger pains. Limit your activity and exercise moderately. Take time to rest. Fasting brings about miraculous results. You are following Jesus’ example when you fast.
Spend time listening to praise and worship. Pray as often as you can throughout the day. Get away from the normal distractions as much as possible and keep your heart and mind set on seeking God’s face.
During the Fast (Mat 6:16-18)
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a) Read the Word of God and fellowship with God
b)Talk with and listen to God; try to hear the voice of God, once
you hear, verify with the Holy Bible. Then wait for a season to confirm. Once confirmed, put it into action and let no one stop you.
c)Seek the Lord
Pray and read God’s Word during meal times. Join at least one prayer meeting.
Be ready to respond when you hear from God.
Whatever God makes known to you, make restitution immediately. Change any habits immediately. Be accountable to someone for your renewal.
Practical tips
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Avoid medical and even natural herbal drugs
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Limit your physical activity and exercise
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Rest as much as you can
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Maintain an attitude of prayer throughout the day
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Allow for temporary bouts of physical weakness, impatience, irritability and anxiety as your body adjusts.
Fasting is not recommended:
The following are among groups fasting is generally not recommended:
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People who are pregnant or breast-feeding,
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Children and teenagers since they are still growing and developing (in the bible only adults are known to have been permitted to fast),
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People in their senior or elderly years since their body organs need a consistent flow of body fluids and nutrients,
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People who are recovering from illness, injury or surgery (operation),
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People who are highly underweight,
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People who have diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease, heart disease, and other chronic health problems.
The rest of us with healthy bodies it’s merely a choice we make – to fast or not to fast. As far as God is concerned health limitations are the only worthy excuse, not busy careers, family obligations or environmental factors.
How to End-Breaking the Fast (Acts 14:23)
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One hour before- pray harder and thank God for such grace of the opportunity to have intimacy with God through fasting.
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Reintroduce solid food gradually in small portions throughout the day. Start with fruits, juices and salad.
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Continue praying-Let the momentum you gained during the past transform your prayer and devotional life.
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Expect Results
Persevere in prayer. Keep a copy of your prayer points, giving thanks to God as you see how He answers your prayers at the end of the year.
Bible Characters Who Fasted
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Moses fasted twice for 40 days-Following his first fast, Moses received the Law. The second was to turn God’s wrath away from God’s sinful people. Deuteronomy 9:9,18,19
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Hannah, for a child. She was barren and deeply distraught. God gave her release from inner turmoil. Then He gave her a baby boy, Samuel, who grew into a mighty man of God. I Samuel 1:7,8
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Elijah fasted for 40 days while fleeing in fear from wicked Jezebel, who threatened to have him killed. God gave him comfort, boldness and instructions to go back the way he came and anoint new prophets. 1 Kings 19
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King David for seven days that God might heal his dying, infant child, conceived illegitimately with Bathsheba. The baby died, yet David experienced God’s wonderful peace through this incredible trauma. 2 Samuel 12:16-23
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Proclaimed by King Jehoshaphat – When he and his army were surrounded by enemies and destruction seemed imminent. After proclaiming the fast, they rejoiced with praises and God destroyed their enemies. 2 Chronicles 20
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Proclaimed by Ezra – Prior to a very perilous journey to Jerusalem. Ezra 8
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Nehemiah – For restoration of the city he loved (Jerusalem). Nehemiah 1:4
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Proclaimed by Queen Esther – For the entire nation to fast for three days without food or water. They were on the brink of annihilation. Esther 4
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Daniel‘s partial fast of 21 days – He received a vision and revelation of end times. Daniel 9
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Proclaimed by the King of Nineveh– With national repentance to avert disaster through God’s wrath. Jonah 3
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Jesus for 40 days. If God in human flesh fasted, how much more ought we? Matthew 4:2
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John the Baptist – He and his disciples fasted often, as did the Pharisees. Matthew 9:14,15
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Anna – A widow who dedicated herself to prayer and fasting and is honored in the eternal Word of God. Luke 2:37
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Paul the Apostle– He fasted for three days after meeting Jesus on the road to Damascus (while still known as Saul of Tarsus). Acts 9:9 He later wrote in 2 Corinthians 11 that he fasted often.
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Isaiah 58 is the fasting chapter. Read and study it to discover the many benefits of fasting when done God’s way.
Scriptural Teachings& Examples of Prayer
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using it to overcome temptation. Genesis 3:1-6;Matthew 26:40-41
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does it change God’s mind? Genesis 18:20-33
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ask God anything but expect anything. Genesis18:33
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don’t be afraid to ask. Genesis 25:21
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why God may withhold an answer. Genesis 25:21
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turn your worries into. Genesis 32:9-12;Philippians 4:6-7
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balancing prayer with action. Exodus 14:15
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instead of complaining. Exodus 17:2
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changes attitudes and events. Exodus 32:9-14;Acts 12:5
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make sure you really want what you ask for. Numbers 11:4-9
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helps us remember God’s goodness. Deuteronomy 8:10
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of Joshua. Joshua 7:7-9
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why God may not be answering yours. Judges 13:18; 1 Samuel 28:15; 2 Samuel 7:8-16
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don’t let guilt feelings keep you from praying. Judges 16:28-30
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when discouraged. 1 Samuel 1:10
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be careful what you promise God in prayer. 1Samuel 1:11
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is failing to pray for others a sin? 1 Samuel 12:23
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how David responded to God’s “no” answer. 1Chronicles 17:16-20; 1 Chronicles 22:7-10
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lessons from Solomon’s dedication prayer. 2 Chronicles 6:19-42
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what to request of God. 1 Kings 8:56-60
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don’t always expect immediate answers. 2 Chronicles 7:12
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Hezekiah saved a nation. 2 Kings 19:1-7
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how Hezekiah approached God. 2 Kings 19:15-19
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Jabez remembered. 1 Chronicles 4:9-10
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serious prayer. Ezra 8:23
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what it clarifies for us. Nehemiah 1:5
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spontaneous prayer. Nehemiah 2:4
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combining prayer with preparation. Nehemiah 4:9
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for your children. Job 1:5
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assurance of answered prayer brings peace. Psalm3:5
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God hears every one. Psalm 4:3
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the secret to a close relationship with God. Psalm5:1-3
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pray even when God seems far away. Psalm 10:1
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moving from prayer to praise. Psalm 54:3-4
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a weapon against evil. Psalm 55:17
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can release tensions of emotional stress. Psalm62:3-6
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places our focus on God. Psalm 77:1-12
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Psalm 122:6-9
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Why many are afraid to talk with god. Isaiah 7:12
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Can change events. Isaiah 38:1-5
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In the midst of panic. Daniel 2:16-18
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How do you react to answered prayer? Daniel2:19-23
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Daniel’s disciplined prayer life. Daniel 6:10
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We can pray anywhere anytime. Jonah 2:1
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Using it to look holy. Matthew 6:5-6
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Shallow repetition. Matthew 6:7-8
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Matthew 6:7-8; Colossians 4:2
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The lord’s prayer. Matthew 6:9
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Discernment to ask for the right things. Matthew7:9-10
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God’s attitude toward ours. Matthew 7:11
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Importance of praying alone. Matthew 14:23
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Relying on the holy spirit. Matthew 18:19-20
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Can we ask for anything? Matthew 21:22; mark10:38-40
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Finding time to pray. Mark 1:35
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Keys to effective prayer. Mark 9:29
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Mark 11:22-23
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Jesus’ prayer in the garden. Mark 14:35-36
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How and when god answers. Luke 1:13
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Should precede important decisions. Luke 6:12;james 5:16-18
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Puts us under god’s control. Luke 6:19
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Important to evangelism. Luke 10:2
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What “constant” prayer means. Luke 18:1
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Lessons from Jesus’ longest prayer. John 17:1
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Jesus prayed for us too. John 17:20
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Using it to make decisions. Acts 1:12-13
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Early believers’ prayers are a model for us. Acts4:24-30
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Don’t be surprised when god answers. Acts12:13-15; Romans 1:9-10
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God responds at the right time. Galatians 4:4
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How to pray for others. Colossians 1:9-14
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1 timothy 2:1-4
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Pray for government leaders. 1 timothy 2:2
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What hinders prayer. 1 timothy 2:8
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With reverence yet bold assurance. Hebrews 4:16
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Christian leaders need our prayers. Hebrews13:18-19
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Most common problems. James 4:2-3
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Part of god’s healing process. James 5:15
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Rather than revenge. 1 peter 3:9
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Praying in god’s will. 1 john 5:14-15
Word of the Day
HOW TO BEAR FRUIT IN EVERY SEASON
They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season without fail. Their leaves never wither, and in all they do, they prosper. Psalm 1:3-4 NLT
Whether you are a gardener or not, today’s scripture holds a valuable lesson for you. Well-watered hearts bear fruit in every season, just like well-watered plants.
WHY WATER MATTERS
I’ve enjoyed gardening since I was a teenager. For almost three decades, I’ve experimented with many different plants in various settings.
The more sun a plant receives, the more drought-resistant it must be. Even though I live in the Midwest, I plant tropical-based lantana in my deck pots, because it loves the 12+ hours of sizzling sunlight that shines there.
My lantana plants flower freely all summer, attracting butterflies and hummingbirds with their colorful blooms. Even though these plants can take the heat, I must water them every day so the flowers can grow.
All my plants perform best when I water them every morning before 10:00 a.m. when the sun’s rays are strongest. Their roots need nourishment to face the long, hot day ahead, so their leaves and flowers won’t wither.
When your faith is deeply rooted in God’s Word, you will be steady and secure no matter how hot your trials may be. You will be able to bear fruit even in periods of storms or drought, because your roots draw sustenance from a constant source of strength.
WATERING YOUR HEART WITH BIBLE STUDY
For the past 17 years, I’ve read the Bible every morning. Nothing has transformed my faith more than interacting directly with His Word. In those years, I’ve faced severe marriage trials, extended family conflict, job stresses and financial issues. Yet my faith held firm because meeting with God was at the top of my to-do list.
Just as my lantana plants do best with morning waterings, you and I will bear fruit when we start our days with God. His Word is living and powerful, and the Holy Spirit will use it to speak powerfully into whatever situation you may be facing.
To meet with God each day, you can use several different methods.
1) A printed Bible. I enjoy using the One Year Bible.
2) A Bible app.
3) A devotional app, such as Devotable.
4) A printed devotional.
5) Search for a topic with a concordance (online or printed).
Set aside 10 minutes. Pray that God will open your mind and teach you before you begin. After you read the scripture, ask God to help you apply what you’ve learned.
Choose one verse from the day’s passage for meditation. I focus on it throughout the day for greater peace. You can choose one verse and record it in your planner or write it on a sticky note to keep it fresh in your mind.
HOW TO KEEP THE WATER FLOWING
Adjust your Bible study time depending on your life season. For example, when I was nursing my babies, my Bible study time was held in tandem with their naps. From years of experience, I believe that first thing in the morning is best, but anytime at all will water your heart.
The main goal is to do study God’s Word every day. Trees by a riverbank have a constant supply of water. You need to set yourself up to be constantly supplied. Enhance your personal study time to bear fruit with helps like these throughout the day:
• A scripture-based screensaver
• Faith-focused Facebook groups
• Emails from devotional sites
• Scripture-based plaques for your desk
• A bracelet that displays a verse or encouraging phrase
No matter what season of life you’re in, God’s Word will water your heart and give you the strength to make it through. What storm or drought are you facing now? Whether it’s stress at home, at work, with relationships, with your health, with your church, or with your finances, God wants to help you through it.
BEARING FRUIT IN EVERY SEASON
God will provide strength and sustenance for you in His Word. You will be refreshed and able to bear fruit for His glory.
The Holy Spirit will help you bear the fruits of the Spirit for God’s glory (see Galatians 5:22-23). Whether your life season is positive or negative, you can bear spiritual fruit year-round as you draw close to Him through regular Bible study.
Word of the Day
Bearing Fruit Matters
It is not those who hear the law . . . but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. — Romans 2:13
“Merely hearing God’s law is a waste of your time if you don’t do what he commands. Doing, not hearing, is what makes the difference with God”
Trying to be righteous in what I do is not the same as trying to earn salvation by aiming to be righteous. We are saved only by God’s grace. But once we realize we are saved and declared righteous through Christ, we want to live in gratitude by trying to be righteous. Both the Old and New Testaments teach that the way I live says something about who I am and how I really understand the faith journey. Jesus taught that you can tell something about a tree by the fruit it bears (Matthew 7:16-20).
Though I may do good things, that’s not really Paul’s point here. The question is whether or not the good things I do come from a heart that belongs to Jesus. Do all the things I do reflect that my heart belongs to him?
I also do bad things, because I am still a sinner. But God wants me to have integrity; God wants my faith connected with all I think, do, and say. And God’s Spirit helps me to live that way.
God wants to shape me from the inside out. When I belong to him, that’s what I want God to do too.
Word of the day
FRUITOLOGY
May we experience a complete heavenly transformation.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.Romans 12:2 (KJV)
WORD OF THE DAY
Schemes laid to confuse & waste our lives.
Let’s Evaluate how we are spending our time.
It Matters because time is limited.
23 DAYS A YEAR SPENT ON YOUR PHONE .
A recent study by mobileinsurance.com has revealed that the average person spends 90 mins a day on their phone.
That figue may not sound like a lot but that amounts up to 23 days a year and 3.9 years of the average person’s life is spent staring at their phone screen.
So what do we spend all that time doing?
Considering its called a mobile ‘Phone’, using our mobile device to call people was actually the sixth most used function after other activities such as checking social media and gaming. Web browsing came top of the list with people spending 24% of their mobile usage time browsing the web, closely followed by time spent on apps.
With smart phones now offering alternatives for everyday household products from recipes books to flashlights, they are making other traditional devices obsolete. With 57% of people now saying they have no need for an alarm clock and 50% of people no longer wearing watches as their mobile phone is their first choice for knowing what time it is.
Psalm 90:12 Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
John 9:4 As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.
Word of the day
Demonstrating Love
God’s Word must move from the Bibles, Books, Seminars, Bible Studies, Prayer meetings & Pulpits into our hearts and from our hearts into being lived out daily. We must demonstrate what we know not just retelling it but touching other lives with it.
May the Lord help us to move from just knowing & bragging how much we know to demonstrating the Truth to those around us. How can we talk about going for Missions to Asia & Africa yet our coworkers, Church members or neighbors down the street are hurting and yet we do thing.
31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. 34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
Word of the day
Jesus said, “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone” (Matthew 18:15). But Proverb 19:11 says it’s to our glory to overlook an offense. How do I know when to speak up and when to just overlook something?
Indeed, Jesus plainly tells us to speak to those who’ve sinned against us, and we should definitely speak up when a Christian sins against us in a way that hurts our relationship. However, here are six offenses we might want to overlook rather than address.
Overlook What the Bible Doesn’t Call Sin
One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him.Romans 14:2-3
Overlook Most Non-believers’ Issues
While we should talk to our unbelieving friends and relatives about things that hurt our relationship, for the most part, telling people to obey a God they don’t believe in isn’t helpful. Likewise, when people become Christians, don’t call them to account for all the things that went on before they considered Jesus to be Lord.
For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? 1 Corinthians 5:12
Overlook Previous Occurrences of the Same Sin
Once someone’s apologized for something, never bring it up again: “I know you already apologized, but I’m still bugged.” If you’re still bringing it up, you haven’t forgiven, and Jesus said we must forgive someone even seventy-seven times (Matthew 18:21-34). Likewise, if someone repeats a sin, address the new issue without bringing up the past: “This is the third time you’ve done that” repeats the matter that you said you forgave.
Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends. Proverbs 17:9
Overlook What’s Merely Meddling
Maybe your heart is breaking over your sisters who aren’t getting along. Stay out of it. Maybe you know one friend is peeved at another friend, but hasn’t told him and now she wants you to talk to him for her. Refuse and encourage her to talk lovingly to him herself. Triangular communications are often gossip and an attempt to get others to choose sides.
Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears. Proverbs 26:17
Overlook Motives
Address actions, not motives. People who think they’re skilled at “reading between the lines” or discerning hidden motives damage their relationships. “Did you start the carrots?” shouldn’t be heard as, “You think I’m a terrible cook!” Assume motives are innocent until proven otherwise.
Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.1 Corinthians 4:5
Overlook Small Issues that Don’t Matter
If your usually kind friend snaps at you after having a hard day, it’s a good time to just overlook it.
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. Colossians 3:12-14
Word of the day
Smooth Ways To Overlook An Insult
Don’t Take Offense
When you take offense, it builds “a fence” around your heart and blocks the power of God from freely flowing. Even if someone dishes it to you, the choice is yours whether or not to take it.
Trade Places
Put yourself in their shoes. Maybe they are dealing with family stress or work pressure. Try to consider their unique situation and know that the perception is not always reality.
Benefit Of Doubt
Show mercy by not letting the insult diminish how you feel about the person. Besides, one day we will all need someone to show us the same kindness.
Humor Yourself
Love Again
Word of the day
Wisdom: Overlooking Offense
Proverbs 19:11 —Good sense makes one slow to angerand it is his glory to overlook an offense.
This Proverb explores two interrelated themes — being slow to anger and overlooking an offense. These two lines of poetry should not be read as synonymous, but rather taken together, they paint a picture of how a wise man responds to wrong, and being wronged.
Preliminary Remarks
In the background of this Proverb, as with the whole book of Proverbs, is the concept of the fear of the Lord. The fear of the Lord can be described as a reverent-awe with reference to Yahweh, our Covenant Lord. Proverbs 1:7 begins the book by saying that the beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord. So, we should not read anything in the book of Proverbs as being disconnected from the concept of “the fear of the Lord.”
Wisdom and Anger
This proverb is very illuminating because of what it does not say. It does not say that the wise person never gets angry, rather it says it is wise, or makes good sense, to be slow to anger.
Why, you might ask, does it make good sense to be “slow to anger”? Well, we often lack facts, we often are not able to see a situation objectively, and we are often blinded by our own pride. Rather than being quick to anger, we should strive first to listen, ask clarifying questions, and try to understand why someone might be behaving the way they are.
Overlooking an Offense
But wait. How do we really overlook an offense? There’s only one way: We can “overlook” offenses only as long as we know that there is no such thing as an overlooked offense.
Paul tells us, “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord’” (Romans 12:19). Every sin — every offense against God and man — will be judged by the Lord. And we know that the judgment will happen in one of two places: either in hell or on the cross of Jesus. Our “overlooking an offense” is really our entrusting to God the role that belongs to him alone. The life of wisdom is the life of faith that yields to our sovereign and good God.
source: fighterverses.com
Word of the day
Five Happy Reasons to Overlook an Offense
Five Happy Reasons to Overlook an Offense
Joy in overlooking offenses? Yes. Joy from what? Let’s look at five things the Bible says can give us joy if we’re willing to receive them.
But first, let’s be clear: overlooking an offense must not be confused with submitting to abusive people or morally and ethically unacceptable circumstances. Jesus calls us to be foot washers, not doormats.
1. Gospel Sensibilities
When we overlook an offense, we can rejoice that we’re growing gospel sensibilities and tasting true glory. The Bible says, “Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense” (Proverbs 19:11). The shorter our anger-fuse, the quicker we’ll take offense at anything and anyone. “Good sense” is gospel sense.
The more the truth of the gospel renews our minds and shapes our perspective, the quicker and easier we’ll overlook stuff. We’ll care more about honoring Jesus by our reactions to irritating people and aggravating circumstances and give up on the illusion of having a hassle-free, painless life. There is tremendous joy in caring more about God’s glory than our own reputation, convenience, and rights. God will always be most glorified in us when we are most satisfied, joyful, at peace, and free in him.
2. Owning Our Sin
When we overlook an offense, we can rejoice that we’re starting to acknowledge our own sin. We begin to believe that the log in our eye is a bigger issue than the speck in anyone else’s eye (Matthew 5:38–42). The freest, most joyful Christians I know are the quickest repenters. It’s not that they have less to repent of; they’re just faster at owning their sin, humbling themselves, and resting in Jesus.
As the gospel moves us from Satan’s condemnation into the Spirit’s conviction, we become more aware that we need the grace of God as much as anyone who sins against us, and there’s tremendous joy associated with that kind of humility. We take less offense and extend more grace; we are more patient and less petty; we are getting better at waiting than whining. We’re more realistic about life among ordinary sinners who, like us, love poorly — and wiser about what to take seriously, and what to completely ignore.
3. God’s Spirit at Work
When we overlook an offense, we can rejoice that God’s grace and Spirit are becoming more operative, transforming powers in our lives. As Christians, we are called to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). Growth in grace results in our getting to know Jesus better, who desires that we will have the fullness of his joy in us (John 15:11).
And as we surrender to the work of the Spirit in our lives, he grows a vibrant crop of “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, [and] self-control” — the very anti-fruit of an easily offended spirit (Galatians 5:22–23). The Holy Spirit also leads us into a greater experience of our sonship (Romans 8:15–17), which gives us even greater joy in seeing our Father at work in all things for our good — even in the most off-putting, irritating, and offensive scenarios (Romans 8:28). God never promised to do all things easy but all things well.
4. Freedom from Approval Seeking
When we overlook an offense, we can rejoice that we’re gaining freedom from living as approval seekers. Christians are a people whose joy need not be connected to what others think and say about us, or how they relate and react to us. As Proverbs 29:25 says, “The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.”
To fear people isn’t so much to be afraid of them, but to esteem their approval too much. We look either to God or to people as the fountain and fuel of our joy. People always make poor saviors. We can’t freely or joyfully love anyone whom we’ve given the power to either shame us or exalt us.
5. Forgiving as the Forgiven
When we overlook an offense, we can rejoice that we’re getting better at forgiving others as we’ve been forgiven in Christ. There is no greater non sequitur in the entire universe, or the history of mankind, than for those of us who have been forgiven all our sins — every sinful thought, word, and deed — to withhold forgiveness from others (Matthew 18:21–35).
