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.

  1. The king’s food was against dietary laws.

  2. Daniel and his friends had vowed against wine.

  3. 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:

  1. Your food choices.

  2. The level of your spiritual commitment as reflected in constant prayer during the fast.

  3. 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.

  4. 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:

  • Sin is something related to the cause of sickness.

  • Lack of health/healing may be the result of spiritual rebellion.

  • Lack of health/healing may be due to sin of wrong intake, i.e. drugs, pornography.

  • Repentance is linked to health according to James.

  • Elders have a role in healing both spiritual and physical health.

  • Sick people must desire to be well

  • The anointing oil could mean

  1. Medicine for healing,

  2. Symbolic of the Holy Spirit, or

  3. It could be baptism

  • Prayer alone may not gain healing, faith is the major factor.

  • In Greek there are several words for “sick”. James uses “Kanino”, which not only includes disease, but also means weak or weary.

  • 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)

  1. a) Get your heart and mind ready, set your mind clearly on the objective of fasting, and maintain a thankful heart.

  2. b) Write down the clear objectives for fasting; add a clause of flexibility, so that God may speak His objective.

  3. c) Pray and commit to a type of fast, asking God for grace to remain determined.

  4. d) Plan your calendar

Conserve your energy and devote more time to prayer and reading God’s Word.

  1. 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.

  1. f) Prepare physically

  2. 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)

  1. 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

  1. Avoid medical and even natural herbal drugs

  2. Limit your physical activity and exercise

  3. Rest as much as you can

  4. Maintain an attitude of prayer throughout the day

  5. 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:

  • People who are pregnant or breast-feeding,

  • Children and teenagers since they are still growing and developing (in the bible only adults are known to have been permitted to fast),

  • People in their senior or elderly years since their body organs need a consistent flow of body fluids and nutrients,

  • People who are recovering from illness, injury or surgery (operation),

  • People who are highly underweight,

  • 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)

  1. One hour before- pray harder and thank God for such grace of the opportunity to have intimacy with God through fasting.

  2. Reintroduce solid food gradually in small portions throughout the day. Start with fruits, juices and salad.

  3. Continue praying-Let the momentum you gained during the past transform your prayer and devotional life.

  4. 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

  • 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

 

  • 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

 

  • 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

 

  • 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

 

  • 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

  • Proclaimed by Ezra – Prior to a very perilous journey to Jerusalem. Ezra 8

 

  • Nehemiah – For restoration of the city he loved (Jerusalem). Nehemiah 1:4

 

  • 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

 

  • Daniel‘s partial fast of 21 days – He received a vision and revelation of end times. Daniel 9

 

  • Proclaimed by the King of Nineveh– With national repentance to avert disaster through God’s wrath. Jonah 3

 

  • Jesus for 40 days. If God in human flesh fasted, how much more ought we? Matthew 4:2

 

  • John the Baptist – He and his disciples fasted often, as did the Pharisees. Matthew 9:14,15

 

  • Anna – A widow who dedicated herself to prayer and fasting and is honored in the eternal Word of God. Luke 2:37

 

  • 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.

 

  • Isaiah 58 is the fasting chapter. Read and study it to discover the many benefits of fasting when done God’s way.

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Scriptural Teachings& Examples of Prayer

  • using it to overcome temptation. Genesis 3:1-6;Matthew 26:40-41

  • does it change God’s mind? Genesis 18:20-33

  • ask God anything but expect anything. Genesis18:33

  • don’t be afraid to ask. Genesis 25:21

  • why God may withhold an answer. Genesis 25:21

  • turn your worries into. Genesis 32:9-12;Philippians 4:6-7

  • balancing prayer with action. Exodus 14:15

  • instead of complaining. Exodus 17:2

  • changes attitudes and events. Exodus 32:9-14;Acts 12:5

  • make sure you really want what you ask for. Numbers 11:4-9

  • helps us remember God’s goodness. Deuteronomy 8:10

  • of Joshua. Joshua 7:7-9

  • why God may not be answering yours. Judges 13:18; 1 Samuel 28:15; 2 Samuel 7:8-16

  • don’t let guilt feelings keep you from praying. Judges 16:28-30

  • when discouraged. 1 Samuel 1:10

  • be careful what you promise God in prayer. 1Samuel 1:11

  • is failing to pray for others a sin? 1 Samuel 12:23

  • how David responded to God’s “no” answer. 1Chronicles 17:16-20; 1 Chronicles 22:7-10

  • lessons from Solomon’s dedication prayer. 2 Chronicles 6:19-42

  • what to request of God. 1 Kings 8:56-60

  • don’t always expect immediate answers. 2 Chronicles 7:12

  • Hezekiah saved a nation. 2 Kings 19:1-7

  • how Hezekiah approached God. 2 Kings 19:15-19

  • Jabez remembered. 1 Chronicles 4:9-10

  • serious prayer. Ezra 8:23

  • what it clarifies for us. Nehemiah 1:5

  • spontaneous prayer. Nehemiah 2:4

  • combining prayer with preparation. Nehemiah 4:9

  • for your children. Job 1:5

  • assurance of answered prayer brings peace. Psalm3:5

  • God hears every one. Psalm 4:3

  • the secret to a close relationship with God. Psalm5:1-3

  • pray even when God seems far away. Psalm 10:1

  • moving from prayer to praise. Psalm 54:3-4

  • a weapon against evil. Psalm 55:17

  • can release tensions of emotional stress. Psalm62:3-6

  • places our focus on God. Psalm 77:1-12

  • Psalm 122:6-9

  • Why many are afraid to talk with god. Isaiah 7:12

  • Can change events. Isaiah 38:1-5

  • In the midst of panic. Daniel 2:16-18

  • How do you react to answered prayer? Daniel2:19-23

  • Daniel’s disciplined prayer life. Daniel 6:10

  • We can pray anywhere anytime. Jonah 2:1

  • Using it to look holy. Matthew 6:5-6

  • Shallow repetition. Matthew 6:7-8

  • Matthew 6:7-8; Colossians 4:2

  • The lord’s prayer. Matthew 6:9

  • Discernment to ask for the right things. Matthew7:9-10

  • God’s attitude toward ours. Matthew 7:11

  • Importance of praying alone. Matthew 14:23

  • Relying on the holy spirit. Matthew 18:19-20

  • Can we ask for anything? Matthew 21:22; mark10:38-40

  • Finding time to pray. Mark 1:35

  • Keys to effective prayer. Mark 9:29

  • Mark 11:22-23

  • Jesus’ prayer in the garden. Mark 14:35-36

  • How and when god answers. Luke 1:13

  • Should precede important decisions. Luke 6:12;james 5:16-18

  • Puts us under god’s control. Luke 6:19

  • Important to evangelism. Luke 10:2

  • What “constant” prayer means. Luke 18:1

  • Lessons from Jesus’ longest prayer. John 17:1

  • Jesus prayed for us too. John 17:20

  • Using it to make decisions. Acts 1:12-13

  • Early believers’ prayers are a model for us. Acts4:24-30

  • Don’t be surprised when god answers. Acts12:13-15; Romans 1:9-10

  • God responds at the right time. Galatians 4:4

  • How to pray for others. Colossians 1:9-14

  • 1 timothy 2:1-4

  • Pray for government leaders. 1 timothy 2:2

  • What hinders prayer. 1 timothy 2:8

  • With reverence yet bold assurance. Hebrews 4:16

  • Christian leaders need our prayers. Hebrews13:18-19

  • Most common problems. James 4:2-3

  • Part of god’s healing process. James 5:15

  • Rather than revenge. 1 peter 3:9

  • Praying in god’s will. 1 john 5:14-15

Word of the Day

Do you have any signs of life?
 
In Soldier Township, Kansas firefighters responded to a 911 call from a woman who
had attempted suicide. Upon arrival the emergency responders took one look at the
woman’s head wound and thought she was dead. However, while the firefighters were
still outside the residence the woman regained consciousness and again called 911.
She was hospitalized and is in fair condition.
 
Obviously you cannot always tell by looking at someone whether they are dead or
alive. To determine life we would do what? Most likely we would check to see if the
person is breathing and if they have a pulse. Even if those signs are absent we might
still perform CPR if the skin was warm or if we knew from witnesses that they had
been alive a short time before.
Spiritually there are some signs of life as well. Just looking at a person it is difficult to
know whether they are alive spiritually or not. Sometimes people do not even know
themselves whether or not they are alive spiritually. Apparently that was part of the
reason the Holy Spirit moved the apostle John to write the little letter of 1 John. How
do we know whether or not we have been born again spiritually and have the Holy
Spirit living within us? There are some outward things which might lead a person to
believe they are alive spiritually. Praying to receive Christ as our Savior, following the
Lord in baptism, and church membership are some physical signs which we
sometimes depend upon for identifying spiritual life. However, some who pray to
receive Christ, are baptized, and become church members have later said that they
were not really alive spiritually.
 
Here are some signs of life from the apostle John:
1 John 2:3-5: We have a desire to keep God’s commandments.
1 John 2:9-10: We have a love for our brothers and sisters in Christ.
1 John 2:15-16: We love God more than we love the things of this world.
1 John 2:6: We walk as He walked. Act as He would act.
1 John 2:19: We continue assembling with other believers.
1 John 3:20-21; 4:13; 5:10: We have the witness of His Spirit within us that we belong
to Him and our hearts do not condemn us.
 
What about you? Do you have any signs of life?


Word of the day

When you are committed, anything is possible.
 

Commitment to one’s goals is, for me, the most important rule for success. Without it, we fall prey to procrastination, bad habits, laziness, rationalization and a host of goal-defeating problems.

 

Commitment is a strong word-much stronger than “agreement.” If I agree to meet you for a lunch, I have three options-keeping my agreement, cancelling, or changing it. If I commit myself to meeting you, I will meet you no matter what.

 

Commitments often require sacrifice in order to achieve a particular goal. If your goal is to be self-employed, you will probably have to sacrifice an active social life for awhile.

When you are committed to your goals, attaining them is easier. Your choices are clearer. If your goal is to become the top salesperson in the company, then the choice between going home when everyone else does or staying an extra hour and to make ten cold calls may not be easy, but you know what you have to do, and you do it. If your goal is to lose 15 pounds, your choice between having a carrot or a piece of carrot cake becomes clearer. When you are not committed to your goals, your choices become hazy.

 

Being committed means doing whatever it takes.

Being committed to our goals often isn’t easy, and it takes considerable time and effort. That’s why we make so few commitments and often have such trouble keeping them. Americans in general are impatient; we don’t like to stand on line or wait; we want what we want right now. If everyone in America were promised a million dollars, tax free, for meditating one hour every day, from 5-6 a.m. for two years, I believe a high percentage would never collect the money. “Too much trouble,” we’d say. That’s the trouble with commitment-it’s too much trouble.

 

Commitment requires strong self-discipline, and a persistent inner voice to urge us on. Like a soldier facing the enemy, we face our own inner enemies- “I’ll do it tomorrow,” “I can’t do it.” When we accept a commitment, it should be with “do or die” determination, otherwise it’s only a weak agreement. Real commitment takes courage, sacrifice, and perseverance.

 

In war, in sports, in life, those without commitment to victory and success often create their own defeat. If we could see the meaning of “do or die” as does a soldier in battle, we would be victorious more often.

 

When you are committed, anything is possible.



Word of the day

The Power of Commitment

If we are really committed to God, It will show. Others will see the fruits of your commitment.
 
And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. Mk. 12:3
 
1.Be Committed to God
A. Real commitment does not have an on and off switch. Real commitment is not a Sunday thing, its 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, with no vacations or off days. You are the same person on Monday through Saturday as you are on Sunday. If we are really committed to God, It will show. Others will see the fruits of your commitment.
 
II. Be Committed to family
 
50% of all marriages end in divorce.
The Children see no commitment to family from their parents.

E. The Bible defines the way a family should be. (Col. 3:18-20), 18) Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.
(a) A husband has no problem loving a submissive wife.
(b) A wife has no problem being submissive to a loving husband.
(c) Children will love and honor parents who love them and teach them

according to the bible.
 
III. Be Committed to your Church. 

This consists of 4 Things.

A. Committed to Church Attendance. (Heb.10: 25), “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”
1. Does your family need to ask ” are we going to church today?”
2. Sundayitus epidemic: (a) 1 sneeze and back to bed you go, but On Monday grab a hanky and go to work. Just to tired on Saturday night. Wednesday night too many things to do. God can take some things away, so you won’t have an excuse. 

B. Committed to Church Growth. How many people did you talk to this week? How many did you talk to about Christ? How many friends did you invite this week? Didn’t have the Time – Not committed to Church growth!

C. Committed to Church needs. (Mal. 3: 8-10), 8)“Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. 9) Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. 10) Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” uh oh, there’s that TITHING word. We need to be committed, to giving to the church. It’s more than tithing, it’s supporting the Church, with our love, our prayers, our time, our availability, and our finances! The ministries or programs don’t just happen by themselves. We need to be committed.
 
D.Committed to Soul winning. (Pr. 11:30), “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.” (Matt. 28:19), “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:” Some may say: I can’t talk to people about the Lord…but they have no problem talking about any thing else. Some may say: I don’t know enough about the Bible.
 


Word of the day

God made a COMMITTMENT TO Abram. He has not Changed even though times have changed.

The Lord of Lords has COMMITTED to never leave us nor forsake us. We must commit to walk with Him till the very end of the age.

 
 


Word of the day

Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness.
 
 
Jesus was COMMITTED God’s purpose.
 


Word of the day

 
Our culture is one that does not see commitment as something of importance any more. Here are just a few statistics to prove my point.
 

Signs of Reduced Commitments in Life (America 1990)

1. The divorce rate is climbing: half of all new marriages end in divorce

2. Adults feel that they have fewer close friends than did adults in past decades

3. Brand loyalty in consumer purchasing studies has dropped in most product categories, and by as much as 60% in some categories.

4. The proportion of people willing to join an organization is declining in relation to churches, labor unions, political parties, clubs and community associations.

5. Book clubs and record clubs are less likely to attract new members when multiple year or multi-product commitments were required.

6. The percentage of adults who sense a duty to fight for their country, regardless of the cause, has dropped.

7. The percentage of people who commit to attend events but fail to show is on the rise

8. Today’s parents are less likely to believe that it is important to remain in an unhappy marriage for the sake of the children than they were 20 years ago.

Cited from The Frog in the Kettle by George Barna
 
Jesus is on a great search for people who will make an unswerving commitment to follow Him
 
Luke 9:57-62.
57 As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” 58 Jesus replied, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” 59 He said to another man, “Follow me.” But the man replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” 60 Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” 61 Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family.” 62 Jesus replied, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”
 
The man described here was willing to be involved with the ministry of Jesus and there was nothing wrong with that other than the fact that Jesus was looking for something more. Jesus was looking for a total and full commitment.


Word of the day

Relationship Killer

4. Selfishness

Our culture is saturated with self-promoting mantras:
Do what makes you feel good. Follow your bliss.
We patriotically embrace “the pursuit of happiness” and prioritize individual needs and accomplishments over collective ones. We are a proud nation of self-made, self-sufficient men and women. Along with this admirable self-sufficiency, however, comes potential for selfishness. This selfishness can take the form of failure to listen, failure to emphasize, failure to share, or failure to help.
 
Selfishness makes partnership impossible to foster.
When one person consistently does what they want, it is difficult for the relationship to survive. A focus on self keeps mutual respect from developing and can lead to a victim mentality. The result can be controlling behavior or an entitlement attitude.
 
The opposite of selfishness is servanthood. Friends look to serve each other. Serving helps to keep each humble, shows how they need each other and invests in the relationship resulting in mutual support.
 
Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.Philippians 2: 3-4


Word of the day

Relationships Killer

3.Gossip

“A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.” (Proverbs 11:13 NIV)

Gossip kills reputations. Gossip can forever smudge the reputations of people. Others may never know whether the rumors were true or not, but the taint is never forgotten.
Gossip also kills relationships.

We tend to think of gossip as one of those “little” sins. But when God talks about gossip, he puts it on the list with things like sexual immorality and murder. Why? Because it is so destructive to relationships. Gossip can tear apart friendships, families, and churches.

Gossip is talking about a situation with somebody who is neither a part of the solution nor a part of the problem. If we’re honest with ourselves, what we’re doing is making ourselves feel a little more important at somebody else’s expense. We’re talking about their hurts and their problems to make us feel like we’re morally superior to them.



Word of the day

Relationship Killers

2.Pride

Pride means to appear or think highly of yourself, that you are better than others. It is translated as arrogant, boastful, and insolent.

Jonathan Edwards said that pride is the worst viper that is in the heart…the greatest disturber of the soul’s peace and the sweet communion with Christ. That is true, but there is more. Pride is the greatest disturber of sweet communion with others.

Does anyone like spending time with someone who is full of himself or herself? I would argue that most, if not all, relationship problems are, at their root, somehow connected to pride.

Proud people
-Focus on the failures of others
-Have a critical, fault-finding spirit
-Looks down on others
-Independent and self-sufficient
-Have to prove that they are right
-Claim rights all the time
-Unapproachable or defensive when criticized



Word of the day

Relationship Killers

1.Fault finding.
We often focus on the faults of others while ignoring our own shortcomings. We all seem to have a great aptitude for identifying the faults of others. We know no one is perfect and we all have our weaknesses. The real issue with fault finding in a relationship is the underlying goal of trying to change a person. Fault finding is the drive to change a person and that will always result in relationship problems.Fault finding will strain relationships and eventually kill them.
Love does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
1 Corinthians 13:5 NIV

Faults are like the headlights of a car; those of others seem more glaring than your own.

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye”—Matthew 7:1-5




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