“No, this is the kind of fasting I want: Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you. Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people.“ Isaiah 58:6
What we are asking you to do is to join us in prayerful discipline so we can hear God clearly, chasten our lives so we can be used more effectively as a church, and prepare for service to our community. If we do it together, we believe God will also give us direction to help where we will be the most effective.
Here is what you will need for today;
A prayer closet or a place you can go to find peace and to pray
A prayer track with questions so that we walk this together
A prayer journal or some place to write down what you hear as you spend time with God
What we are asking you to do is to join us in prayerful discipline so we can hear God clearly, chasten our lives so we can be used more effectively as a church, and prepare for service to our community. If we do it together, we believe God will also give us direction to help where we will be the most effective.
Here is what you will need for today;
A prayer closet or a place you can go to find peace and to pray
A prayer track with questions so that we walk this together
A prayer journal or some place to write down what you hear as you spend time with God
Day 3: Outward Spiritual Action: (What is God wanting me to do about it now?)
Ephesians 6:12 (NASB) For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
The turmoil we see around us is not just because there is a virus, or that we see protesting and looting going on. The turmoil we see is the result of the values that we hold and the errors we commit our hearts to. The solution will not be that one group lords themselves over another. It will not be that one group wins and another losers, God has a plan that elevates all of us if we discern it and commit to that course. This day we need to make sure that we are walking in God's higher purpose(s) and plan, as individuals and as a community. We can become unified by our faith, but empowered in our walks.
This 3-day prayer/fasting routine should become the way you make significant judgments in your life. The focus of this period is so that we all navigate these troubled waters in a way that stays connected to God. The only way we do that is we do our part. The covenant with God requires some discipline on our part. If we are not willing to walk in the spirit and act accordingly then our faith is dead. If your cries lead simply to more memes, you have done nothing. If you fail to act, you are the son that says he will remain faithful, and does not follow through. You have a choice.
Once we see and embrace spiritual truth we are better equipped to act on it. At first the light of it is harsh, it cuts not only you but the things that you observe. It causes you to become a bit caustic actually because you start to challenge the things you see. That is the good part of the process. The bad part is when it makes you more jaded, cynical, and resentful because others do not meet your expectations. Catch yourself, because your expectations of yourself will matter more to God than your judgments of others.
Topics, timing and questions:
This guide will help you focus on some questions we all should ask God in our prayer times. The questions are a kick-start, you take it from here. The timing is a guide which will help you build staying power in your prayer time. If you are a regular prayer then it will go quickly so you should feel free to spend more time with God if you decide it is needed for the topic. If not, stretch yourself to pray and listen for the time allotted. Many people think you need to do all of the talking in prayer, but I find my greatest strength when I just make myself take time to listen!!
Morning Prayer focus (Inward)
2 Samuel 22:27-28 (NASB) With the pure You show Yourself pure, And with the perverted You show Yourself astute. "And You save an afflicted people; But Your eyes are on the haughty whom You abase.
Commit 5-10 minutes (or more) to God for assessing the application of your understanding
God, I want you to reveal to me things that have been hidden
Lord, help me to appreciate what you may be revealing through them
Father, give me direction that applies to the season and the times that we are in
Midday Prayer focus (Upward)
Proverbs 31:8-9 (NASB) Open your mouth for the mute, For the rights of all the unfortunate. Open your mouth, judge righteously, And defend the rights of the afflicted and needy.
Commit 5-10 minutes (or more) to do more things in obedience to God and act righteously
God, please show me where you want me to walk, in following you
Lord, please allow me to build righteous associations so I accomplish your will
Father, show me where you need me, and what I should do there
Evening Prayer focus (Outward)
1 Thessalonians 2:3-4 (NASB) For our exhortation does not come from error or impurity or by way of deceit; but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts.
Commit 5-10 minutes (or more) for expressing His truth in this life
Lord, please help me to act on what is true, upholding and modelling that truth.
God, help me to stand in righteousness in my life so I can judge situations properly.
Father, correct me where I am in error but let me also lead others to the truth.
How to build your journal
As you pray, speak the scriptures and ask God to respond in your heart. Take notes and make comments either during or after your prayer time. Feel God's impressions on your heart and do not look for an audible voice even though that is possible. Then as you close, thank God for being with you and speaking to you (even if you don't get a thing). Tell God you will see Him tomorrow!!
Our Prayer for you
Acts 4:31-32 (NASB) And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness. And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them.
Prayer is actually the most powerful weapon in the universe. We do not hear people say that because few people actually plumb the depths of it. Few people want to understand the strategic importance of it. Even fewer make it the center of heir lives. We pray that this has deepens your prayer life and given you the direction you seek. Thank you for joining us!
Heavenly Father we ask you to strengthen us in the area of prayer. Teach is all how to pray that we might have spiritual impact and clear direction from you are all times. Help us to become a mighty church of impact because we tap into your Spirit and power, Amen!