LET THE SPIRIT OF GOD GUIDE YOU
Read: Luke 4:1-2
Several things are noticeable about the time of fasting and prayer that Jesus spent at the beginning of his ministry.
It was a time initiated by the Holy Spirit and directed by the Holy Spirit who guided him.
It was a time in the desert, a place where there were few distractions. No noise, no people, no houses, no bustle.
It was a time of testing and temptation.
It was a time with the Word of God.
If we continue reading the story, we see that Jesus countered every temptation of the devil with the Word of God.
In today’s terms, we could say that Jesus deliberately went into a kind of boot camp at the beginning of his ministry, from which he emerged very much strengthened. He entrusted himself to the Holy Spirit like a coach during this time. He committed himself to a time in the wilderness, overcame trials, and used the Word of God as his weapon in the battle.
Excitingly, after this period of fasting, Jesus began his powerful ministry of signs and wonders.
The days ahead will be a bit like boot camp for you too. The Holy Spirit is your trainer. He knows how to exercise your spiritual muscles. He knows which trials will challenge you but not overwhelm you. A period of fasting is a special spiritual training time.
You have probably already made plans for how you will spend the days ahead. Consciously place the whole time under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and ask Him to show you what is important in these next days. Now, at the beginning of these days, take time again with the Holy Spirit, your coach.
Paul writes in his letter to the Galatians: " So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh." (Galatians 5:16)
Prayer, Get Free & Next Step
Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in and through this Fast and write down the impulses He gives you personally for this fasting period.
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.
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 4:1 – Father, set up every participant of this year’s fast to be in perfect communication with the Holy Spirit. Fill them daily with the Holy Spirit.
Matt 15:13 – Lord, uproot anything from my life (physical & spiritual) that You have not planted. (mention them and pray this earnestly)
Matt 15:13 – Lord, uproot anything from my household (physical & spiritual) that You have not planted.
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)
Luke 4:2 – Father, I ask in Jesus’ name that every participant shall not fall for the devil’s schemes during this fasting season. Lord, let this year’s 21-day fast make a difference in every participants’ life.
Galatians 5:16 – Lord, give me the ability to hear the Holy Spirit and connect with Him. (pray this earnestly)
Galatians 5:16 – Jehovah, give PPT and the church the ability to hear the Holy Spirit and connect with Him.
Galatians 5:16 – Jesus, let the Holy Spirit guide me to the best pathways in 2023.
Galatians 5:16 – Father, let the Holy Spirit guide every participant of this fasting program and PPT church to the best pathways in 2023.
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.
Worship & Prayer at 7:00 pm tonight.
In the Main Sanctuary.