Day 13 - 21 Days of Fasting & Prayer
FASTING AS AN ACT OF HUMILITY
Read: Proverbs 3:34 and James 4:10
The Bible repeatedly says how important a humble heart is to God. We are to humble ourselves before God, but often we don't always know exactly how to do that. If you study passages in the Bible about fasting, you will find that fasting is often mentioned in connection with "humbling oneself before God."
Read: Ezra 8:21 and Psalm 35:13-14
In these passages, you see the connection between fasting and humility. Ezra proclaims a fast to humble himself before God. David tells us that he humbled himself (bowed his soul) and fasted for his sick friends.
However, the extent to which humility touches God's heart can be seen in the story of Ahab, the worst king Israel had ever seen. His life was full of idolatry and under his rule, almost all the prophets of Israel were killed. Nevertheless, when Ahab humbles himself before God and fasts at the end of his life, God gives him grace.
Read: 1 Kings 21:27-29
For us, it is not about persuading God to forgive our sins through fasting and humility. Through Jesus, we have already received complete grace for all our sins (even the worst of them). But it is stunning to see how much humility - even in a wicked king - touches the heart of God, so much so that God even mentions it to his prophet Elijah.
How much more can you be sure that your fasting, your prayer, and the surrender of your heart to God, will touch the heart of God.
Prayer
Dear Father, your Word says that we should humble ourselves before you. Please give me a humble heart and teach me what it means to be humble before you and before others. Amen.
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.
Prov 3:34 – Father, clothe me and all the participants of this fast with humility beyond this season.
Prov 3:34 – Father, clothe PPT and the church with humility in this season.
Ezra 8:21 – Gracious Lord, bathe me with the spirit of humility, that the results of fasting and intense prayers brings. (pray earnestly)
Ezra 8:21 – Merciful Father, as churches are engaged in intense prayers and fasting this season, release the grace for humility upon your people.
Ezra 8:21 – Lord, give me, my household and PPT households safe journey(ies) throughout 2023; protect our families, our children and our properties including our finances. Give us divine exemption O Lord. (pray earnestly)
Psalm 35:13 – Like David, Lord give me the grace to fast and pray for others.
1 Kings 21:29 – Lord, let my fast of this season bring results of positive change in and around my life. (mention them and pray earnestly)
1 Kings 21:29 – Lord, let the fast of this season bring results of positive change in and around every participant’s life.
James 4:10 – Father, honour Your word in my life with this year’s fast in Jesus name. (pray earnestly)
Father, your Word says that we should humble ourselves before you. Please give me a humble heart and teach me what it means to be humble before you and before others.
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#
