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
As a parent I can surely tell you that when your kids don’t show you respect, it is really hard not to want to ground them until they’re 30—at least. We all try to instill the importance of honoring authority into our kids. Yet, we all have more than a little trouble honoring the authority that’s over our own lives.
Remember the old saying, “Do what I say, not what I do?”
We all want it. We all expect it. Yet, we want others to earn it from us. How is that supposed to work?
God’s View of Authority
The truth is, God has placed an entire network of people in this world into positions of authority. I’m not just referring to our government leaders, but also to the leaders in our workplaces and in our families. Perhaps it’s time to take a look at just how God views authority and our lack of respect thereof.
It’s not right. It’s not fair. It’s not good for me.
In our country we’ve taken our right to free speech to an unbelievable level. We openly criticize our leaders, our country, our values, and pretty much anything else that doesn’t line up with what we want. We don’t see anything wrong with complaining, whining, and showing disgust to anybody who will listen.
An open dialogue about how to solve issues is always a good thing. But some have even categorized their poor behavior as an attempt at “open dialogue.” There is much to learn about how God views these kinds of situations.
Protection and Favor
When you are in relationship with God, he provides you with protection and favor. But as you belittle and criticize those people he has placed in authority over you, that protection and favor is lifted from you. The bottom line is that God expects you to respect him and his choices. He expects that you will respect the people he’s placed in authority over you. That doesn’t mean you have to agree with every one of their decisions, but it does mean you still need to show respect for the position, and by extension, the person who is in the position.
Practical Steps for Respecting Authority
- Start by reading and learning what God says about respecting authority. Find out just what he thinks and how much importance he places on your willingness and your attitude about it. When you discover that God will only give you authority over others when you show that you can come under authority yourself, perhaps things will look a little different to you.
- Pray for those in authority over you. Ask God to guide them as they fulfill their tasks. Pray that their hearts would seek God as they make decisions. As God to show you how you can be a blessing to those in authority over you.
- Set the example for the people around you. Show them what submitting to authority for the right reasons is supposed to look like. Don’t participate in back-biting, gossiping, or criticizing your bosses or others in authority. There is nothing wrong with having constructive conversations, but there is a fine line between offering your opinion and becoming disrespectful.
- Understand and know ahead of time that you are not going to like every decision. If you look at the responsibility and accountability that exists within the role of your leaders, it should become clear that the scope of their authority affects more than just you and your circumstances. There are times when decisions will negatively impact you. But just remember that how you react to these times will determine how quickly God puts you in a position of authority over others.
There is no magic pill that can make you feel good about having to submit to authority—any authority. But know when you make the conscious effort to do what God says, regardless of how it feels, you are planting a wonderful seed that will produce a harvest in your life.
You can’t expect a harvest of blessings from people who will respect and honor you, if you haven’t first planted the seeds. So as hard as it is, start planting!
Word of the day
Submission to Authority
Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men…
1 Peter 2:13
The word “submit” comes from the Greek word hupeiko, meaning
“to yield.” The culture in which we live suggests to us that we must be in control of our own destiny. Leading submitted, humble lives seems to be synonymous with being weak in character. However, yielding to the Lord and to those in authority actually strengthens us to live successful lives.
When we yield ourselves completely to Christ, we love others and have their best interest at heart. We become people who are God-centered and not self-centered. Yielding to the authority of God allows us to live in peaceful surrender to a loving God who knows what is best for us and for others.
The verses in this section of I Peter challenge us as we seek to understand the meaning of submission in our lives.
Where are you struggling with submission to authority? Yielding requires us to slow down or perhaps stop and allow others to go ahead of us. The Lord has given us people in authority such as parents, government officials and our bosses, to whom we must be willing to submit. God is our ultimate authority, and as we learn to yield and surrender ourselves to Him, we will likewise learn to submit to others. We are actually strengthened as we learn to humbly do so.
Scripture of the day
Hebrews 13:17 (KJV)
17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
Word of the Day
We are the Light Of the World
1. Are you a Smokey Lamp with a Cloudy Globe?
When a lamp’s globe is clouded up it doesn’t shine to it’s fullest potential. Maybe the blackness of unconfessed sin has crept in and started smoking up your life. It just takes a little smoke to cloud up a lamp globe.
The same is true with our lives. It just takes a little sin to make our light dull. We are always going to be prone to sin because it’s our nature but we have to work on it one day at a time. We have to confess our sin to Christ. Having unconfessed sin breaks our fellowship with Christ and causes our lives not to shine our brightest for Him.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
2. Are You a Dim and Slow Burning Candle?
As a candle burns out it gets dim and burns slow. Are you this type of light? Remember when you first received Christ? The Christian life was exciting and new! Are you getting slow about having a devotional life? Is your prayer life getting dim?
It’s easy to become complacent in our Christian life but when we do our light for Christ begins to dim and others can’t see Him in us. Take a step back, and get things into perspective, and remember what Christ did for you.
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
3. Are you a Flickering and Hazy Light Bulb?
Maybe you get discouraged about something and you start flickering. Then you get fired up again and begin really serving the Lord only to be bogged down again and you find yourself not attending church, not reading your Bible, slacking off in your prayer life and fellowship with the Lord.
The Christian life wasn’t designed to be lived on and off again. It has to be a daily continual thing.
And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. Luke 9:23
Word of the day
We are the Light of the World
How Bright is our Light?
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:16
As Christians we know we are to shine as beacons of light in this sinful world but how bright do we shine? Our verse says, “Let your light so shine before men…”, but do we really look any different to our co-workers and neighbors than anyone else they come in contact with?
Is our speech different? Is our attitude different? When things go wrong in our lives do others see that we have something or Someone to lean on? Do people see that we as Christians have something they don’t have?
Many of us learned the little song when we were small about not hiding our light under a bushel, but as adults that’s exactly what we do sometimes. We get so caught up in living in this world that we forget that we are not of this world. We have something better in Christ but our sinful nature rears its ugly head, and we forget we are children of the King.
We need to realize that this world is dark with sin and people need us as Christians to shine. As we look around at the school shootings, drugs, crime, and the diluting of the family we are reminded of how there are hurting people all around.
Word of the day
You cannot make yourself the light of the world. Jesus says you are the light of the world because of your relationship with him. “The God who said, ‘Out of darkness the light shall shine!’ is the same God who made his light shine in our hearts, to bring us the knowledge of God’s glory shining in the face of Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6 TEV).
God speaks the light of Jesus into our hearts, and his light shines so powerfully through us that we are like stars in the universe that point the whole human race toward real life (Philippians 2:15-16).
We are light, not because of anything in ourselves, but because we are in a supernatural union with the light of the world. He calls us to follow after him, and he says, “Whoever follows me will have the light of life and will never walk in darkness” (John 8:12 ).
Prayerfully remember —
- Our influence and visibility is a result of who lives in us, not because of what we do. It is God who puts us in a place of influence and visibility.
- We are merely a steward of our influence and visibility, so it is important we get out of the way and let Jesus work through us.
- Only God can measure the significance of our influence and visibility. We may influence one person who will then influence the world. Our focus is on following Jesus wherever he leads.
Word of the day
Things God is able to do
God is able to create something out of nothing
God is able from these stones to raise up children.. Matthew 3:9
God is able to make all grace abound to you
God is able to make all grace abound to you… having all-sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8
God is able to deliver
God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand… Daniel 3:17
God is able to give you strength to rise above trials
God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it… 1 Corinthians 10:13
God is able to save
He is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them… Hebrews 7:25
God is able to build you up in Grace
I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified… Acts 20:32
God is able to exceed your expectation… He is able to do exceedingly above all you can ask of imagine
The Lord is able to give you much more than this… 2 Chronicles 25:9
God is able to keep you from falling
Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy… Jude 1:24
God is able to Guard the good word in you, good deposit in you… to keep you from error
I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me. Follow the pattern of he sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who dwells within… 2 Timothy 1:12-14
God is able to fulfill His promises
fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised… Romans 4:21
God is able to comfort those who are afflicted
Who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God… 2 Corinthians 1:4
Word of the day
“God Is Able”
Don’t Run From your trials
