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
Giving is the only antidote to greed.
Jesus says, in Matthew 6:24, No one can serve two masters. Either
he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and
Jesus is making the point that our heart’s highest loyalty will be for only one thing. We can’t be equally devoted to two things; ultimately one will win out over the other.
If money is the most important thing to you (i.e., if you’re greedy),
then you will serve your money more than you serve God. And you will find it
very difficult to follow God’s instructions to give to others: If there is a poor
man among your brothers … do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your
poor brother. Rather be openhanded and freely lend him whatever he
needs (Deuteronomy 15:7-8). If it’s true that no one can serve two
masters, then the best way to fight against greed is to make sure that
your master (your highest loyalty) is God—not money. Follow God above all else; that way your money will follow God, too.
John writes, If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in
need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? (1 John
3:17). That sounds rather harsh at first, but it’s really no different than what
Jesus said in Matthew 6:24. If you love your money more than God, then
you’ll keep your money for yourself rather than giving it away to help others.
The only way you’ll give generously to others is if you love God more than
you love your money. So, how do you know if you love God more than
money?
By examining what you do with your money: Do you keep most of it,
or give most of it?
If you want to fight against greed (that is, if you want to love God more than
your money), then you’ll follow God’s instructions to give—give to the poor,
give generously, give joyfully, give liberally, and give regularly. Giving is the
best weapon against greed.
Word Of the Day
We must embrace the Process into Greatness
Life is a process. It has its high and lows; victories and defeats; gains and losses. but if we stay on course, we will become what the Lord meant us to be. We must expect the falling and death of self to produce the fruit.
Most of the trees that we now harvest from were once SEEDS. The have gone through a process of growth.
John 12:24
24 Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.
Word of the Day
The 7 benefits of serving others
What’s the big deal with getting everyone to serve others?
The fact of the matter is this: God works this way (He serves others), and He wants us to do the same. He’s set it up so serving others accomplishes almost everything He wants for us.
1. Serving creates meaningful thankfulness
Serving is a way to give back that’s actually meaningful and shows we’re really thankful.
Jesus died so we could hang out with God. We say we’re thankful for that. We say it’s the best thing that’s ever happened to us. But if that’s the case, shouldn’t our live be totally different? I mean, what would happen if someone gave you a new house or a million dollars? Wouldn’t your life change?
Serving others is the result of truly realizing what Jesus did for us. We actually want to tell everyone in the world about it, not just through what we say but also through what we do.
Serving others is the result of our insane thankfulness. That’s the motivation behind serving. That’s why we serve. Because serving gives us a way to live thankfulness.
2. Serving blesses the person you’re serving
Perhaps the most obvious of obvious benefits, serving others actually serves others. Who knew!
Serving makes the world a better place.
It’s the same reason so many world changers try to serve others too, or at least look like that’s what they’re doing. They know that pulling it off is world changing. Problem is, they don’t have the support to actually do it completely selflessly.
But we do. Or should.
3. Serving encourages other Christians
When other believers see you serving others, they get fired up. Don’t discount the power of peer pressure, or peer motivation.
“And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ…” -Ephesians 4:11-12
4. Serving non-Christians opens them to Christ
As far as practical benefits go, this is probably the biggest. Serving others includes sharing the gospel, but that’s not what it’s all about. Serving others, as you might have noticed from the articles around here, includes mundane stuff like taking pictures, playing cards, or baking cookies.
All those mundane things add up. And someday someone somewhere will notice and ask about it. And you’ll have opened someone to the gospel. How much is that worth?
5. Serving glorifies God for other non-Christians
We can’t serve everyone. But almost everyone can see the example in the few people we can serve.
See, when Jesus came to earth, He taught that we’re supposed to build our reputation around serving others, caring for people, and loving them.
“By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” -John 13:35
When we serve others, people notice. When they see us serving, they see part of God’s nature. They can still reject it, but it’s much harder to reject when they can see it at work, even if we’re not serving them directly.
6. Serving honors God
Even if no one else sees you, even if no one else cares, God sees and God cares. Yep, it’s cheesy and cliche, but that’s because we repeat it over and over again without really doing much about it.
“If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever…” -1 Peter 4:11
Serving is success whether anyone else cares or not.
7. Serving encourages yourself
Encouragement is amazing like this. When you encourage someone else, the encouragement comes back around to you. It’s a side effect, and it works two ways.
First, serving others often means learning amazing things and reminding others of these amazing things. But guess what? In the process, you remind yourself, which builds you up too.
For example, if you share the Bible to encourage someone else, you’ll find you’re building yourself up because you’re in the Bible also.
Second, the response from others is infectious. Of course, it won’t always be outstanding – sometimes, people won’t care. But when they do, you’ll know you contributed, through God’s grace, to their growth. And that is totally encouraging.
For example, when you help someone overcome a temptation, you also end up with even more motivation to flee that temptation because you see the amazing results in your friend, to say nothing of the accountability that’s built in.
It’s a big cycle.
- You’re encouraged, which means…
- You’ll want to serve even more, which means…
- You’ll get even more encouraged, which means…
- You’ll want to serve even more, which means…
Well, you get the idea. The process repeats over and over again. Like a body healing itself, it’s just the way it’s designed.
We serve because of what God’s done, and the more we serve, the more God does. That’s why serving others is so, so amazing.
Serving Suggestion:
Serve others. Get caught in the serving cycle where serving leads to more serving and more serving.
Word of the Day
10 REASONS TO BE MORE INVOLVED IN LOCAL CHURCH MINISTRY
1. Glorifying God by serving in my local church ministry is the purpose of my salvation.
byworks, we fail to fully appreciate that we have been saved unto
2. I have been uniquely gifted to serve.
Several Bible passages help us to understand the concept of spiritual gifts. Among them are Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, and Ephesians 4. In these chapters we learn how God graciously and supernaturally favors each believer with his own distinct ministry gift! What a privilege is ours!
At our home we open Christmas presents on Christmas Eve. Don’t ask—it’s an old Norwegian tradition. No matter what size our tree is, it seems that it’s never big enough to shelter the number of presents beneath it. How bare that tree looks on Christmas morning after all of the presents have been removed and unwrapped! The gifts begin their life of usefulness only after they’ve been unwrapped.
unmoved and still wrapped
3. Ministry service will demonstrate the reality of my faith.
Nobody said it more poignantly than James when he taught us that faith is not primarily about what we know (or have heard), and it’s not primarily about what we say. Quite simply, faith without works is dead.
no more effect
Sometimes our faith has zero—or minimal—effect because it is not the real, actionable, demonstrable faith of the Bible. Fake Christianity may temporarily move people, but upon close scrutiny, will have no long lasting influence.
4. The laborers are few.
You’ve heard it before: The Gospels only record one prayer request from our Lord Jesus. “Pray for laborers!” If you are not already involved, somebody somewhere is praying for you to become involved in the ministry. The need is greater than ever. The fields are whiter than ever. Laborers are as relatively few as ever.
A popular business principle is one called the 80/20 principle. Basically it goes like this: typically 20% of the people do 80% of the work. Myriad are the applications to this in the local church: 20% do 80% of the giving, 20% of the people do 80% of the outreach. You get the idea.
do know
5. Children tend to emulate what they see, not what they hear.
Teaching is most effective when doing
preached
What are your children learning about positive, heart-motivated ministry by watching you? Someday soon you’ll be riding shotgun.
6. The commission is great.
Remember, what Jesus commissioned us to do is what He demonstrated Himself time and again in His personal ministry. Jesus always saw people. In the desperation of their need and in the fragility of their faith, He saw them. Social status, ethnic background, sullied reputation, gender, race, or age—nothing precluded Jesus’ involvement in the lives of others.
Until we contextualize what we do (including the places we go and the jobs we perform) in terms of the gospel, we are missing out on a big part of the reason we’re even here on this planet.
The woman at the well, blind Bartimaeus, and the man by the Pool of Bethesda—they all occupy places on our journey too. Oh, they may have different names and different problems, but they all need Jesus. And we have been commissioned to tell them.
every creature with the gospel, then we need every Christian
7. Ministry involvement enhances biblical understanding.
Hermeneutics is the science of Bible interpretation. Obviously the Bible is an important book, and we ought to interpret it in its literal, grammatical, and historical context. Careful attention should be given to the words employed and to the themes surrounding them.
“If any man will do his [God’s] will, he shall know of the doctrine…”
“But the servants which drew the water knew”
Loosely stated, the Chinese proverb says, “Tell me and I’ll forget. Show me and I may remember. Involve me and I’ll understand.”
Basketball point guards with “game intelligence” and “good court sense” didn’t gain that body of knowledge by memorizing countless schematics of x’s and o’s on some locker room dry-erase board. They developed it over time and in countless game situations on the practice court.
For better understanding of God and His Word, lace up your sneakers and step on to the court.
8. Doing anonymous or little-noticed things for the Lord is like whispering, “I love You” in His ear.
do in order to measure up. We do because
Contextualize everything you do by the God whom you love.
With this mindset, mundane duties became majestic acts of service. Anonymous gifts become yours and God’s little secret. Serving becomes its own reward.
Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;—Ephesians 6:6
One of my jobs as a teenager was to work at a local hospital. While there I met many different types of people and many different types of workers. One young man named Vince was a particularly hard worker in that he worked hard to avoid work! On one particular afternoon, I ran into Vince “hiding” by the loading dock. In his hand was a broom. Now, mind you, he wasn’t using the broom, he was just holding it. Curious, I asked him, “Vince, why did you bring the broom with you to the loading dock?” To which he replied, “Oh, this? Just in case the boss shows up!”
Maybe Vince has changed since those days, but at that point in his life Vince focused on avoiding responsibility, only feigning work when the boss happened to be looking. His thinking betrayed his wrong view of the nature of work itself (that it was somehow a bad thing) and of the motivation to work (the taskmaster might show up).
For us believers, the boss is always watching. But our motivation is not one of duty or fear. He loves us, and we love Him! What we do is of inestimable value because He orders us to it, energizes us in it, and rewards us for it!
9. I will forge long-lasting and valuable friendships.
One of the major fringe benefits of working for the Lord is the culturing of genuine friendships. Those to whom we feel the closest in life are typically those with whom we work. Adam and Eve began their marriage side by side, working together—he the garden worker and she his helper. The close connection we have with our coworkers often surpasses even that which we share with our own neighbors.
Some chapters of the Bible are more difficult to read than others. One of them is Romans 16, mainly because some of the names are impossible to pronounce! But what a tender passage it is. Paul takes time to assign value to his coworkers in ministry. Read it. Sense his heart.
Paul and Barnabas, Paul and Silas, Aquila and Priscilla, Peter and John—and the partnerships go on. With fondness I remember those with whom I conducted ministry way back in college, and then as a young man in Connecticut, and now for these many years in western Pennsylvania.
Ministry partners are the best lifetime friends and great sources of encouragement.
10. I will stand before the Lord.
He loves me. He died for me. He has given me purpose. Only what’s done for Him matters. I will meet Him face to face. Someday. Maybe today.
Involvement in ministry is a life of service for Jesus, like Jesus, and with Jesus. In fact, it’s all about Jesus. Now if that doesn’t incentivize service, I don’t know what will!
Word of the Day
Failure?
And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. And when they had done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes and their net brake. – Luke 5:5-6.
Peters fishing attempt had failed and they had caught nothing. But through the Lords miraculous intervention they tried again and had the catch of their lives. It is possible to come back from failure even when it seems impossible. Peter and his fellow fisherman knew that after trying all night to catch fish in the best fishing spots it would be impossible to catch anything on that day. But what man calls impossible God calls possible. It is possible for us to come back from failure through the power of God.
No one today thinks of Thomas Edison as a failure even though he failed 10,000 times before finally inventing the light bulb. Failure is not when we have been knocked down. Failure is when we stay down. Through failure we can gain an education. There is a country song that talks about a working mans Ph.D.. And as I
was growing up I heard it mentioned from time to time about the school of lifes hard knocks. Proverbs 26:11 tells us, As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly. In other words we ought to learn from our mistakes.
Whatever the problems we face, problems force us to examine our lives. Peter and the other fishermen had caught nothing after fishing all night. Jesus doesnt tell them it is time to put up the nets. No! instead Jesus tells them in Luke 5:4, …Launch out into the deep… When we experience failure thats what we need to do. Instead of giving up and refusing to try again we need to boldly launch out into the deep.
Let us launch out into the deep and go boldly where no man or woman has ever gone before.
Word of the Day
You can rise again.
become angry with God or even to turn away from Him. Many, many have chosen that response. But the
just person rises up again. When things are falling apart around us we must remember Gods love never fails and Jesus continued on even to and through the cross. Jesus rose from the dead, triumphant!
Word of the Day
trouble. There was a false teacher (Philippians 3:1-3) and a division in the church (Philippians 4:1-3). Paul
could have joy because he followed the example of Jesus (2:5). Paul said to have an humble spirit (2:3),
think about the other persons situation (Walk a mile in their shoes – 2:4), dont murmur and complain (2:14).
robbing Paul of true joy. Jesus says in Luke 12:15, … for a mans life consisteth not in the abundance
of the things which he possesseth.
how to cope with worry. We cope with worry by praying right (4:6-7). We cope with worry by thinking right
(4:8). We not only need to pray right and think right but we also need to live right to be free of worry (4:9).
