WASHING & ANOINTING
Read: Matthew 6:17-18
Jesus naturally expects that his disciples would fast, and he talks about how they can do it the right way. In Jesus's time, devout Jews fasted one day a week, Pharisees even 2 days. In doing so, they positioned themselves in places where they would be seen by everyone and visually emphasized their fast by smearing paint on their faces. Jesus was not concerned with the outward observance of religious formalities. He was always concerned with the heart. When he says to wash your face and anoint your head, vastly different dimensions are involved.
In the book of Ruth 3:3, Naomi advises her daughter-in-law before she meets her future bridegroom, "Wash, put on perfume, and get dressed in your best clothes. Then go down to the threshing floor".
When you fast, prepare yourself for encounters with God the Father, with Jesus the Bridegroom, and with the Holy Spirit. You can wash and anoint yourself outwardly, but you can also do it spiritually.
Wash
Cleanse yourself by asking Jesus to examine your heart and show you the areas that interfere with your relationship. Confess to him where you have drifted away in your heart. You can exchange all that is negative for the renewal and restoration that Jesus purchased for you on the cross.
Many people report that in times of fasting they are much more sensitive to the speaking of the Holy Spirit and He has shown them where things have crept into their lives that hinder their relationship with God, themselves, or others. Throughout the Bible, fasting always has an aspect of repentance, asking for forgiveness and realigning oneself.
Anoint Yourself
When the Bible speaks of "anointing oil", it often refers to the Holy Spirit.
Anoint yourself by asking the Holy Spirit to fill you anew.
Prayer
Father in heaven. Thank you for promising that you will reward my fasting. I am full of expectation for times of encounter with you and I want to consciously make time for you and your presence, this day and in the days to come. Jesus, I ask that you cleanse me completely by your blood from all things that displease you (if you can think of specific things here, pronounce them and exchange them at the cross). Holy Spirit, please fill me anew and anoint me. Amen
Get Free & Next Step
When you get yourself ready in the bathroom today and in the next few days, do it deliberately. When you shower or take a bath, you can use this as an outward sign of an inner process of purification during this fast. If you use creams, ointments, perfume, or aftershave, ask the Holy Spirit to fill and equip you and make you a pleasing aroma before God and men. Prepare yourself inwardly and outwardly for encounters with God during 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.
Matt 6:17 – Father in Heaven, thank You for promising that You will reward my fasting. (praise Him)
Matt 6:17 – Father, remove any pretense of spirituality from my life during this fasting season in Jesus’ name. (pray this earnestly)
Matt 6:17 – Father, remove any pretense of spirituality from the lives of all participants of this season’s fast in Jesus’ name.
Matt 6:18 - Lord, I am full of expectation for times of encounter with You during this fast. I want to consciously make time for You and Your presence. O Lord, show up for me. (pray this earnestly)
Matt 6:18 – I declare that I shall receive the answers to my prayer request(s) of this fast and my God shall visit me. (pray this earnestly)
Matt 6:18 – Lord, provide answer(s) to every participant’s prayer request and let them experience a visitation from the Lord of Hosts.
Matt 6:18 – Like Jacob, let PPT have divine encounters as we wait on You through our fast.
Ruth 3:3 – Holy Father, use my prayers and fasting to consecrate and anoint me (body and spirit) for Your kingdom. (pray this earnestly)
Ruth 3:3 – Holy God, use the prayers of each participant of this fast to anoint them (body and spirit) for Your kingdom.
Isaiah 58:8 – Jehovah El-Elyon, let Your glory protect us (me, my household and PPT households) from behind as we seek Your face during this fast.
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#