BEING STILL
Read: Psalm 46:10, Psalm 37:7, and Isaiah 30:15
Do you find it easy to stop what you have been doing or thinking?
Now read the entire Psalm 46 at your leisure.
The subject is wars and fighting. Often there is a war going on in our heads, a war of thoughts, what still needs to be done, what remains unresolved, and everything revolves around ourselves. Right in the middle of it, God calls out: "Stop it! And realize that I am God! I am above the nations." (that is, above everything) (Psalm 46:10).
Becoming silent before God and simply waiting for him is almost a lost art. And yet the Bible speaks of it consistently.
Take time today to just be still before God. If you like, you can listen to quiet worship music. Some people find it helpful to consciously create an atmosphere of prayer by sitting in their "prayer chair", kneeling, or lighting a candle. I'm sure you have your own ideas.
If you find it difficult to calm down, try the following exercise:
Breathe in and out deeply and consciously several times. (7 seconds exhale, pause, 7 seconds inhale, pause ...).
When you exhale, imagine that you are letting go of all the thoughts that are currently preoccupying you and handing them over to Jesus. As you breathe in, ask the Holy Spirit to fill you anew. He is the living breath of God. Do this exercise until you realize that you are at rest and immersed in peace.
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 – Continue to ask God for special grace and strength to sustain and keep you during this fasting season.
Psalm 46:10 – God Almighty, I thank You that You will be honoured throughout the world.
Psalm 46:10 – Father, I acknowledge that You are God and above the nations therefore, I will surrender my anxiety(ties) to You. (pray earnestly)
Psalm 46:10 – Jesus, I will be still and know that You are God in all of my difficult situations and challenges.
Psalm 46:10 – Lord be honoured in every nation on earth; be honoured in all the earth as the church seeks Your direction during this season of fasting and praying.
Mark 4:39 – Jesus, let me, my household and PPT households experience the calm and stillness that the disciples experienced this year whenever the storms of life rages. (pray earnestly)
Mark 4:39 – Jesus in Your name I rebuke any storm (difficult situations) raging in my life to be calm. (mention them and pray earnestly)
Mark 4:39 – Jesus in Your name I rebuke any storm (difficult situations) raging in the lives of my household to be calm. (mention them and pray earnestly)
Psalm 37:37 – Jehovah Shalom impute Your peace upon my life. Let my life showcase the peace of God. (pray earnestly)
Psalm 37:37 – Jehovah Shalom impute Your peace upon all the participants of this fast, PPT households and the church. Let their lives showcase the peace of God.
Isaiah 30:15 – Father, in quietness and confidence trust will be the strength of the saints. O Lord, let this be the hallmark of my life in 2023. (pray earnestly)
Isaiah 30:15 – O Lord, let quietness and confidence trust in You be the hallmark of PPT households and the church 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.
Group prayer at 8:00 pm tonight.
Conference Call
Dial: 647-977-2648 (Canada) / 202-602-1295 (USA)
Code: 827-220-552#