FUNDAMENTALS
Read: Luke 3:21-22 and Luke 4:1-2
Today is the first day of our 21 days of fasting and prayer. Jesus himself fasted at the beginning of his ministry. We are following him. We want to learn from him and do the same things he did.
Before Jesus went into the time of fasting, he had the reliable assurance of the Father: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” (Luke 3:22). This is also our basis for every fast. The promise of God's love for you stands firm, and you are standing on that promise. None of your actions will make the Father love you more or love you less.
Your fasting will not increase God's love for you, and should you fail, the Heavenly Father loves you just as much as before.
Fasting is not about earning God's love, but about making time and space for the one who loves you so much.
Jesus Himself stated that the Father loves us as He loves Jesus. (John 17:23)
What a powerful promise!
When Jesus was fasting in the wilderness, the devil came and began the first temptation with the words "If you are the Son of God...". (Luke 4:3). The little word "if" was a trick of the enemy to challenge the firm promise of God's love.
At the beginning of this fast, realize that you are God's child and that the Father has promised you his unchanging love. Nothing can separate you from this love. That is your foundation.
The enemy will always try to rob you of that foundation. When we feel guilty because we have failed or when we have a bad day, we are too quick to project our feelings onto God.
The Bible tells us to resist the devil and he will flee from us. Consciously position yourself on the promise of God's unchanging love and don't let anything rob you of this certainty.
Prayer
Father, thank you that you love me as you love Jesus. Thank you that this promise is the foundation on which I stand. I want to know your heart more and more these days. Let me know the breadth and length, depth and height of your love more and more. Help me to quickly expose every lie of the accuser and resist his temptations. This I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Next Step
Is there something that will remind you for the next 21 days that you are loved? Maybe as a symbol, picture, Bible verse on the bathroom mirror, or wallpaper on your smartphone or in your wallet.
Prayer Points
Thank the Lord for allowing you to participate in this year’s 21 days of prayer and fasting.
1 John 1:9 – Confess any known and unknown sins.
Praise the Lord for bringing you and your household into the year 2023.
1 Kings 18:46 - Ask God for special grace and strength to sustain and keep you during this fasting season.
Psalm 124:1-2 – With a grateful heart thank Your Lord and King. (praise the Lord fervently)
Matt 3:14-15 – Jesus, although He is God was humble to be baptized. Lord, release upon me a spirit of humility this year.
Luke 3:21 – Father, release a spirit of prayer upon me. Lord give me the desire to pray. (pray this earnestly)
Luke 3:21 – Almighty God, consume me with the spirit of prayer this year. Take me into a deeper dimension of prayer.
Luke 3:21 – El-Elyon let me and my household experience “OPEN HEAVENS” in our lives. (mention the areas and pray earnestly)
Luke 3:21 – Lord, “OPEN THE HEAVENS” for PPT households and the church.
Luke 3:21 – Jehovah Elohim, let my “OPEN HEAVENS” experience create spiritual possibilities to manifest in my physical realm (space) resulting in dominance in the following areas of my life. (mention them)
Luke 3:21 – Father, as PPT households experience “OPEN HEAVENS”, let it create spiritual possibilities for them.
Luke 4:1 – O Lord, fill me with the Holy Spirit daily (as I arise from my sleep). Let me be in perfect communication with Him. (pray this earnestly)
Luke 4:2 – Father, I ask in Jesus’ name that I shall not fall for the devil’s schemes during this fasting season. Lord, let this year’s 21-day fast make a difference in my life. (pray this earnestly)
Pray for the PPT missionaries and the persecuted church.
Pray about 4 things you would want God to do for you during this 21-day fast.
Prayer Declaration
If it had not been you, Jehovah Ebenezer, our helper on my side, where would I be? Your grace and mercy brought me through 2022 and now I have seen 2023. Father, I am thankful and appreciate all that You have done for me, my household, PPT households and the church.
Oh Lord, as we wait on you through intense prayers and fasting this month, let me, my household, and PPT experience “open heavens” creating spiritual opportunities resulting in having dominion over our lives (health, career, relationships, and finances).
I declare and decree that every spiritual valley in and around my life will be filled with an overflow of Jehovah’s blessings. I declare and decree that every spiritual mountain and hill in my way, in my family’s way, in PPT households’ way will be brought low in Jesus’ name.
I declare and decree that every spiritual crooked place in and around my life will be made straight by your power. I declare and decree that every spiritual rough way in my pathway, in my family’s pathway, PPT households’ pathway and the church’s pathway will be smooth.
I affirm that the zeal of the Lord will accomplish this. So shall it be.
Group prayer at 8:00 pm tonight.
Conference Call
Dial: 647-977-2648 (Canada) / 202-602-1295 (USA)
Code: 827-220-552#