Day of Fasting & Prayer - March 3, 2021
What is Fasting?
Acts 13:3 (NLT)
So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way.
To 'fast' is to abstain from something specific for a particular reason. When we fast as Christians, we often do it to develop depth in our relationship with God. By denying our flesh something it craves, we can allow communion with God to satisfy us instead.
Legalism around fasting is pointless, as fasting is never an end to itself but an opportunity for us to put our God of grace first. Nonetheless, fasting can be a great tool for us to use to seek Him, and to set aside something that may be becoming a distraction to our time spent with God in prayer.
In the early church, we see that they fasted and prayed to hear from God and to intercede for Barnabas and Saul (Paul).
It is told that William J. Seymour, leader of the Azusa Street Revival in California in 1906, gathered with a small group of believers regularly to pray and fast to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. A few days into the fast and after praying all night, William began to speak in tongues. News of this spread and attracted people from everywhere.
Fasting looks different for each person, with the Holy Spirit at different times asking us to give up different things for a period of time. This could be social media, TV, movies, coffee, sugar etc. Fasting something is humbly saying no to the flesh and yes to the spirit. It should put our focus on God and not the thing we are giving up.
Allow God to prompt you regarding whether He would like you to fast from something for a while. Determine to use the extra time in prayer and in His presence, as we believe for people to come to know Him.
The Process Of Purity Involves The Scriptures
Hebrews 4:12 (NLT)
For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
One of the best ways for us to grow in purity is by reading the scriptures. His Word is alive and a guide for us to learn how to live a life that is not only pleasing to Him but also best for us.
The great preacher Charles H. Spurgeon explained Psalm 119 and his Treasury of David saying, 'God's Word is His witness or testimony to grand and important truths which concern Himself and our relation to Him. If we keep God's testimonies they will keep us right in opinion, comfortable in spirit, holy in conversation and hopeful in expectation.'
Spending time reading God's Word - allowing it to flood our hearts with a revelation of His character and His love - will affect the way we speak, think, and live. It will produce in us a life that reflects who He is... one of purity.
The honest truth is that it's a challenge to find time and motivation to read the Bible every day but let's not allow the challenge to beat us down. Make a plan today to set aside time every day to be in the Word, whether that be starting a reading plan or listening to an audio reading of the Bible.
Prayer Points
Scriptures: Hebrews 4:12; John 17:17; Psalm 119:9-11;105
Thank God that you are alive to partake in this month’s fasting program.
1 John 1:9 - Confess any known and unknown sins.
Decree that no plan of the enemy shall hinder you in today’s fasting program.
Pray and commit the month of March 2021 into God’s hands.
Hebrews 4:12 – Jehovah, let Your word change me as I read, study or memorize it. (pray this fervently)
Hebrews 4:12 – Lord, let Your word change PPT as we read, study or listen to it.
Hebrews 4:12 – Jesus, strengthen me with and by Your word through my weaknesses. (pray this fervently)
Hebrews 4:12 – Father, strengthen PPT and the ecclesia by and with Your word in Jesus’ name.
Hebrews 4:12 – Lord, give me insight into Your word. (pray this fervently)
John 17:17 – Lord, as I read, study and meditate on Your word sanctify me.
John 17:17 - Jesus, sanctify the church (ecclesia) by Your word.
Psalm 119:9 – 11 – Lord, help me to obey Your word at all times. (pray this fervently)
Psalm 119:9-11 – Jesus, help PPT and the ecclesia to obey Your word at all times.
Psalm 119:9-11 – Jehovah, hide Your word in my heart. (pray this fervently)
Psalm 119:105 - Father, through Your word show me the way forward in Jesus’ name.
Psalm 119:105 – God Almighty, through Your word give me understanding and good judgement. (pray this fervently)
Pray for the persecuted church globally
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