"Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my father's house?" (Luke 2:49)

Unbeknownst to Jesus' parents, they left Jerusalem after the annual Feast of the Passover without their 12-year-old Jesus. Once they realized he wasn't among them, they turned back the caravan and searched all over the city, looking for him. After three days, they finally found him in the temple, sitting with the teachers and engaging with them over the Scriptures! His parents were relieved to have found him, but Jesus Himself was surprised they would have looked elsewhere for him besides the temple.
 
What an example our Lord Jesus set for us. Even at such a young age, Jesus was passionate about the things of God! What mattered most to Him was being connected to His Father, and even at 12 years of age, He had wisdom enough to know it is the Father who "gives wisdom and from His mouth comes knowledge and understanding" (Proverbs 2:6). He knew, as His forefather King David had written, that "...the commandments of the LORD are wise, enlightening the eyes and more to be desired than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings from the honeycomb." (Psalm 19:7-10).
 
From the earliest account of Jesus' life and interactions with people, we find Him consumed with the things of God! PLEASE LET THAT SINK IN. Because this would set the tone for the rest of His earthly life, His relationship with His Father was always front and center. He was so connected with the Father that He would say things like, "I and My Father are one" (John 10:30). Before He went to the cross, in that great High Priestly prayer, He prayed to the Father for His disciples and disciples of future generations, "...that they may be one EVEN AS WE ARE ONE, I in them AND YOU IN ME, that they may become perfectly one..." (John 17:22-
23).
 
I love that, and coming out of this season of fasting and prayer, that's how I want to live! As Jesus pursued His Father, so I want to pursue Him who loved me and gave Himself for me. May the flame of our passion for the King be so white-hot that people will "see us burn" from miles away!
 
As we end this season, our prayer target is that we wouldn't be satisfied with all God has done. May we keep our eyes focused and set on Him. May the God of hope continue to fill you with His love and presence as you keep your mind stayed on Him (Isaiah 26:3).  
 
P.S. If you sense that God has done something powerful within you or for you during this season of corporate fasting and prayer, please consider sharing it at our prayer meeting on Wednesday, September 28th, as we join to seek the Lord, worship Him, and celebrate by hearing testimonies of God's goodness and faithfulness!

Day 20- You’ve been put on notice

Don’t freak out, but you need to know that people are watching you. Perhaps they’ve seen you taking different leaps of sacrifice during these last 20 days, and they’re paying attention to what happens in your life because of this 21- day journey.

Whether you like it or not, people always have their eyes on Jesus’ followers. When Paul and Silas are in prison, praying and singing songs to God, the Bible tells us that the other prisoners were listening (Acts 16:20).
 
The word “listening” here means listening with focus and leaning in. They weren’t just listening but leaning in to hear the worship that was resounding to heaven. Perhaps you may feel you’re the only one going through a trial, but you are not alone. Again, know this and don’t run from this, but people are watching and listening to how you will respond.
 
Faith and praise touch God, but they will also touch the hearts of the people who hear them. The prisoners probably never heard a sound like this in the prison they heard coming from Paul and Silas- the joyful noises full of adulation lifting to heaven. They decided to take their dire situation from bad circumstances to pomp and circumstances! They had a church service in that prison! Could you imagine the normal sounds that came from that prison? The atmosphere had changed because two men decided not to allow their problems to steal their praise.  
 
Remember that people watch us when we choose to praise God in our storms. And we know it’s not about us- it’s about the one in us. Paul said it like this in Colossians 1:27-– it is Christ IN YOU, the hope of glory. As you finish this time of fasting and prayer, let me encourage you to move forward with hope and expectation that God has heard you- your prayers, your cries, your burdens and be confident that God is working in you, through you, and around you in response to your dedication of calling on Him! I pray that people will take notice and God’s glory will result.
 
Colossians 1:24-27 Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness—  the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
 
James 1:2-4 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,  whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

2 Corinthians 4:7-9 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. 19  Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. (Isaiah 43:18-19)

Sadly, our times with God and life in general can fall into the same old- same old monotony. What If I were to challenge you to put an end to this today? Are you ready for God to do something new in your life, starting now? Are you?

This portion of Isaiah was written for people who were suffering. The people were carried into captivity and lingered there for several decades in Babylon- far away from the familiar. Miles of desert separated them from normalcy. As a result, the people were down, crushed in spirit, and subsequently, their faith was challenged. One psalmist put their condition succinctly when we said, “How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land?”

Be that as it may, the Lord was still desirous for his people and wanted to draw a sharp line between their past and future. In other words, that was then; this is now. I am doing a NEW THING and creating a path through the desert.

In God’s providence- historically, a new thing really did happen. A shift of power and policy gave God’s people a chance to return to Israel. This was an opportunity to set up a new nation on its old territory. Another psalmist describes the reaction, “Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy (Psalm 126:2).

Thankfully, God still does new things for His people today. He makes ways through the deserts of our lives. Perhaps you’ve been dwelling on past mistakes. Now God tells you, “Forget about it! Allow me to do something new with you.”

Our prayer target today is NOT to dwell on the past. Past mistakes. Past sin. Past regrets. Remember that “as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us (Psalm 103:12). Now, by faith and His grace, ask the Lord to give you the courage to move forward and follow Him into a new adventure.

In Jesus’ day, prayer had become a spectator sport. He criticized and challenged the “hypocrites” who were trying to impress others with their public show of devotion. Think about that strong word Jesus used- hypocrite. The term was used for actors, who at that time wore masks. Some masks had megaphones built in so the actor’s words would not be muffled. And often, the same actor would play several roles using a different mask for each- think Eddie Murphy in the Nutty Professor movie. Jesus wasn’t fooled- he saw right through these spiritual posers.

Unfortunately, for many people today, religious devotion is still a show. They’re trying to impress others with their piety rather than authentically bowing down and posturing their hearts before the Lord. Notice that Jesus didn’t mince words in calling out such playacting and He doesn’t with us either. Let’s strive by God’s grace to be the real deal before the Lord and quit trying to impress people we won’t see or be with us when we stand before Christ. True prayer is an honest encounter with God. We’re not performing- for Him or anyone else. We’re just talking….and listening to the father. Let’s keep it simple.

Our prayer target today is to find some time in the day to get alone and open our hearts to the Lord. Speak to Him like you typically speak. Listen for Him and try to press through the awkwardness. Read his word as if Jesus was with you in the room. Be real and seek to be the real deal wherever you go by His grace.

One more thing while you’re at it. Ask God to shine His spotlight on your life, not as a performer but as a lab specimen. Be like David, who said, “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting. (Psalm 139:23-34) There is no need to fear the answer, especially if we remember that the Lord disciplines the ones He loves (Heb. 12:6).

Let’s not be satisfied more with a public image of religious devotion rather than authentically being devoted to Christ. It’s time to put down the masks, let God see the real you, and allow Him to do the change inside of you He really wants.

Psalm 19:14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Matthew 6:5 And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.

Then Jesus said to him, "Get up! Pick up your mat and walk." John 5:8
 
To appreciate the value of Jesus' command, you must consider the day's culture. Today, although some may feel we don't do enough, there are limited opportunities for the physically handicapped to work and lead productive lives. In Christ's time on earth, the handicapped were outcasts. They lived off handouts they could obtain from begging. In the above instance, the man had been crippled for a long time. Probably the only possessions he had were the clothes on his back and the mat on which he lay. The mat was almost a symbol of the only hope in his life. His existence was one to be pitied. There was no known cure for what ailed him (except Jesus), and even if there had been, he certainly couldn't have afforded it.

Jesus had sympathy for the man, and with the spoken word, the man was healed. Jesus told him to "Get up!" Take his mat and walk. Obviously, this was a gift greater than anything money could have bought.

Whenever I read this verse, this question comes to mind: What mat am I holding on to today? In other words, what have I been using as a prop?

This man was holding on to his mat. It had surely become a treasured possession to him. He slept on it, rested on it, and watched the world pass by on it. He couldn't have imagined facing the day without it. Jesus tells him to pick it up and walk. When Jesus was finished with the man, he didn't need the mat anymore. It would take faith to trust Jesus and attempt to walk, but the victory was worth it all. Instead of a mat of hope, this man had the hope of Christ!

What would Jesus have you and I pick up today? What are you holding on to tightly as your only hope?

• Money
• Health
• Relationships
• Hobbies
• Past victories

I think Jesus told the man to pick up his mat because he wouldn't need it anymore. He wouldn't need a place to beg, to worry, to suffer. He needed no more dependence on a mat. He had found the Healer! And I think even today – whatever you are holding on to tighter than your faith, I believe Jesus would say, "Pick up your mat and walk!"

Lifehouse family, if we aren't careful, our mats can become our hope rather than our hope being in Christ. Our goal should be to trust Jesus as who we trust in most. We are to allow Him to carry our burdens, strengthen our walk and brighten our future. This is something that God invites us to participate in.

Jesus wants to help you – and the best way He can do this is to lead you to trust Him more. Listen for His command to pick up your mat and walk!

Perhaps during this time of fasting and praying, the Lord has been revealing to you personally things that you've put your hope in more than Him. Today, your prayer target is to confess, turn from it (repent) and trust God like never before. Yes, it's time to walk without the mat, placing all your hope and rest in Jesus.

It's been said that the average adult makes about 35,000 decisions a day. From the moment you arise, your decision-making process begins. With so many decisions to make, it can be hard to know where to spend your time. Scripture gives us insight into what we can do to fulfill God's will in our lives, and this involves praying without ceasing.
 
When we choose to pray continually, we renew our thinking and our priorities in a way that affects our decision-making. The God of the universe truly cares about how we spend our time and energy. He desires for our minds to be stayed on Him (Isaiah 26:3) so that we can experience His peace. In addition, God delights in every detail of our lives and wants to be involved in everything (Psalm 37:23). So, whether you're heading to work, taking the day off or shuffling your kids to school or the next activity- pray for the Lord's presence to go before you in every moment.
 
In your 35,000 decisions you'll make this day, make it a priority to seek God, inviting His presence and direction in every part of your day. May God see us through to the finish of this time of consecration, and may He continue to fill us with a hunger and passion to call on Him diligently.
 
Our prayer target today is to simply stay in an attitude of prayer and awareness of God.
 
Psalm 37:23- The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way;

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18- Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Recently, I’ve been wrestling through this thought that came my way…

“Stress is caused by how we interpret a situation. It is created by what we are focusing on. Change your focus, and you will change how you feel about the situation.”

To be honest, this can be hard for me. Perspective is such a tricky thing. It’s sometimes solid, fickle, deceptive, and sometimes true. And depending on how I interpret it, it can EXPONENTIALLY amplify my stress and emotions.

This is why I desperately need God’s grace. God’s grace offers a lens that causes me to interpret things differently. Often when I interpret a situation, I interpret that MY PERSPECTIVE is right. God’s grace and gentle prodding causes me to interpret it differently.

My perspective is often rooted in the advancement of me. But God’s grace is always rooted in the advancement of the Kingdom. Usually, I have found that my way stands in direct opposition to God’s way and that the death of my way means life for His will to be done on earth and for His Kingdom.

Is there a situation in your life that deserves a Kingdom interpretation? A different perspective that kills the stress of your life and invites the life-giving ways of the Kingdom? Today I invite you to choose to die to your own interpretations and allow God’s perspective to give you life and freedom.

What is God asking you to have His perspective about rather than your own? Do you trust that His ways truly are better than yours? Commit to trusting the Lord wholeheartedly.

Isaiah 55:8-8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
 
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Colossians 3:2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

Finding "stillness" in our busy, fast-paced world isn't so easy. To attain it means to do as the late Christian leader and philosopher Dallas Willard succinctly stated, "you must ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life."
 
Whatever has been distracting, derailing, and depleting you, my prayer is that you would find rest in His stillness today and that those things would not prevail. I'm believing that a tsunami of peace and spiritual calm would flood your heart and mind so that you may find the Lord and be renewed with His strength as you wait on him (Isaiah 40:30-31).  
 
As we continue to seek the Lord and hear His voice, remember that He has called you for this moment. Allow Him to be the God for you today who can refresh your soul, reset your heart, and restore you with his goodness. May you know today that when God calls us to be still, it's not just about inaction but, more importantly, about being silent. Resolve to listen to Him, to be attentive to his leading, and yes, be willing to respond. Rest in the knowledge that God is STILL God and that he loves you so much to give you everything you need to live a life that's pleasing to him (2 Peter 1:3).
 
Our prayer target today is to rest in the stillness of God. Stop trying to fight your battles physically, emotionally, and mentally. Relinquish control and trust the God who can do all things. Be Still and know that HE is God.
 
Psalm 46:10 He says, "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

Isaiah 40:30-31 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.
 
2 Peter 1:3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

As we approach the latter part of our time of fasting and prayer, you probably sense that God has begun uniquely moving in your heart over the last several days. Fasting and prayer have a way of quieting our hearts so that God will not only start to work in the situations we have been praying for, but he often works deeply in our hearts as we draw close to him.

Leviticus 6:9 gives us a clear picture of God’s presence in our lives. God descended on the Tent of Meeting and kindled a fire. God’s instructions to his people were to keep the fire burning. God told Moses: “Give Aaron and his sons this command: ‘These are the regulations for the burnt offering: The burnt offering is to remain on the altar hearth throughout the night, till morning, and the fire must be kept burning on the altar.’”

God would say that every day a burnt offering would be offered in the morning at 9:00 a.m. and in the evening at 3:00 p.m. It was a reminder that devotion to God was to be continual and ongoing.

During a sermon I preached a few weeks ago, I mentioned how a church member, when complimenting me on losing some weight, encouraged me to MAINTAIN it. What an accurate and convicting word that I needed to hear. It’s so easy to start something strong, but consistency is key. The same goes for our spiritual lives. For true growth and fruit that remains, it will be found in our patterns.

Again, the idea behind the burnt offering is that of total devotion to God. It was a symbol of the commitment of the worshiper. Nothing would be left of the sacrifice; it would have been totally consumed on the altar in the presence of the Lord.

God has started a fire inside us through this fast, and we are responsible for keeping what God has sparked in each of us burning. That will require total devotion to him because it is spiritually deadly to stop what God has started in you.

This fast has given us the opportunity to give up certain things to seek God on a deeper level. While our seeking God may look different after this fast is over, the commitment and intentionality of spending time with Jesus should remain the same.

God has started a powerful work in your life; keep the fire burning.

Our prayer target today is that we would remain steadfast in our passion for the Lord - individually and collectively.

This past Saturday, I had the joy of watching our four-year-old boy play his first flag football game! From prepping him with some daddy pep talk, tying his cleats, and making sure his flags were on tightly, I enjoyed every bit and all in with that good ol’ daddy pride!
 
You can imagine how I must’ve felt when I watched my son take the first offensive snap from the backfield and started eluding defenders and racing down the sideline at full speed. But then, it happened. For some reason, out of nowhere, and to my surprise, my wife’s son decided to go the OPPOSITE direction in circles before he realized that his coach, the mama’s, and yes, his FATHER were screaming to him to go the other way. His flag was snatched on the one-yard line in the enemy’s (yes I said enemy) territory.
 
As I chuckle about this while writing, I can’t seem to see myself in that run of my son. Perhaps you can relate too. Have you ever felt like this in life? You were on a roll, and suddenly, you made a mistake? You did something that even made you say to yourself what Steve Urkel used to say: “Did I do that?” If you’ve been there, this means that you’re human.
 
There is power in making mistakes if we choose to learn from them and allow them to propel us forward. If you study Thomas Edison and his journey towards getting the light bulb invented, you would find that he had over 1,000 unsuccessful attempts. It’s fitting then and hits home when he says, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”
 
For our prayer target today, I want to encourage you to thank God for your failures and the lessons that they have taught you. If you’re in the midst of a failure, I want to encourage you to ask God to help you see the lesson and to NOT GIVE UP! We all will fail at some point in our life. Allow failure to be a learning experience to help you do better next time. Don’t let your failures define you. By God’s grace, let them help you move forward.
 
Jeremiah 8:4- “Say to them, ‘This is what the Lord says:” ‘When people fall down, do they not get up?   When someone turns away, do they not return?
Proverbs 24:16- The righteous may fall seven times but still get up, but the wicked will stumble into trouble.
Psalm 145:14- He helps those who are in trouble; he lifts those who have fallen.

“What a sacrifice that saved my life.” O the Blood by Gateway Worship

On this day, 21 years ago, many of us can remember where we were as we heard (or watched live) the news that two planes had crashed into the twin towers in New York City. This act of evil cemented the horrible reality that America was under attack. In the wake of this tragedy were a myriad of stories, photos, and reflections captured of how people did their best to help their neighbors however they could. People came together to give of themselves regardless of politics, race, and differences. It felt as if America truly was united. We will never forget the powerful acts of sacrifice of the first responders running into harm’s way to do what they signed up to do- save and help people.
 
When I think of this sobering day we now refer to as 9/11, I can’t help but think of the amazing sacrifice our savior made on behalf of the world. To become our ultimate substitute for people who truly put him there and yet to be motivated to do this because of love is breathtaking if we take the time to ponder it. Our loving Lord and savior saw something in us to give his life for.
 
As we continue in this time of fasting of prayer, I want to encourage you to remember that we are called not to love with words or speech, but more so with actions and in truth (1 John 3:18). To do this, we need the Lord’s power, and I would add that we also need to die to ourselves daily (Gal. 2:20).  
 
Jim Elliot, a missionary who risked his life to bring the gospel to a tribe that had never heard about Jesus, was killed along with his companions by the very people they were trying to help. He brought this idea of sacrifice to reality when he said, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep gain what he cannot lose.” Jim had his eyes on eternity as his ultimate place of residence and joy, which made every sacrifice for him worth it.
 
Our prayer target today is that we would be sensitive to the Lord’s leading and obedient to what He’s calling us to do, regardless of the cost.
 
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
 
Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Things are constantly changing around us. We go from season to season in life – Spring, Summer, Winter, Fall – yes- how can you not be excited about fall!? Just as the seasons change, so does every other aspect of life. Even though we must accept that change is constant, it doesn’t mean it is easy.

Change always brings both excitement and uncertainty as we try to navigate the new opportunity or challenge in front of us. This is why fasting is so necessary during seasons of transition and change. As we look through Scripture, we often see that new seasons of God’s favor and work were preceded by fasting.

Moses fasted before he received the Law (Exodus 34:28).
Jesus fasted before the start of His earthly ministry (Matthew 4:2).
Paul fasted before the start of his missionary ministry (Acts 13:2).

Wherever you are during your season of change, fasting can help to bring clarity, confidence, and commitment to stick it out. Fasting brings a fresh anointing of power and strength for the new seasons of life.

Our prayer target today is to ask God to give us a crystal clear vision for what he’s calling us to do during this season of our lives and wisdom for our church leaders to have it for this new season we're embarking on as a church.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.

Isaiah 43:19 Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

What do you do when you’ve exhausted all your options, believe you know God’s will, but can’t see how in the world it will come to pass?

When God’s people fast and pray, the supernatural happens!

What do you need God to do through these 21 Days of Fasting and Prayer? What are you praying for? Take time to write these needs down. Look at them daily as you pray. Whenever hunger grips your stomach or the cravings for coffee come, read your list and be reminded that your fasting is for a purpose. Through your fast, God will answer!

But don’t just focus on the battle or the pain – Scripture promises there is fullness of joy in God’s presence, and there are pleasures at His right hand. Delight yourself in pursuing Him, and you’ll know the joy of seeing Him
work in your life.

Psalms 37:4 “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
Psalm 27:1 “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”

In Mark Chapter 9, a father brought his son to Jesus’ disciples. The boy was demonized and epileptic. Even though God had healed people through the disciples before, nothing happened when they prayed. When the disciples brought the boy to Jesus, the boy was healed. Later the disciples asked Jesus, “Why couldn’t we do it?” Jesus answered in verse 29, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer and fasting.”

There are some things that God will do in our lives but only in response to our spending additional time in His presence combined with fasting. Believe it or not, fasting breaks strongholds, liberates people, and moves us into a realm of realizing God’s power in our lives in a powerful way. The more time you spend with God, the more you will see God’s hand on your life in an extraordinary way.

Maybe there’s an obstacle that you have been facing for a long time. Perhaps you have prayed and prayed and don’t understand why you’re not making any headway in the situation. You might be thinking, “Will God ever give me victory?” Jesus’ response to the disciples is His response to you – some things only come by prayer AND fasting.

Our prayer target today is to recommit to the AND factor in your life. Whether it’s a whole day or a couple of times without a meal, continue to press in and seek the Lord, believing that He will show up in your life in a
fresh way!

Mark 9:28-29 And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer and fasting.”

2 Corinthians 10:3-4 For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.

Psalms 144:2 He is my steadfast love and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield and he in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me.

The story of Nehemiah is a powerful example of the favor that comes with denying ourselves for the purpose of drawing near to God. Nehemiah worked for a powerful pagan king – one that did not worship the God of Israel. When Nehemiah heard how the city walls in his hometown of Jerusalem had been burned and left in ruins, he knew he had to do something about it. The problem was that the king Nehemiah served had issued a decree that Jerusalem not be rebuilt. How would the king ever be convinced to not only change his mind but pay for the wall of Jerusalem to be restored? Nehemiah’s solution was to fast and pray.

He asked God for favor in his situation and denied his stomach to show that his desire and need for God’s help was greater than his desire and need for food.

Nehemiah’s fast and denial paved the way for God to give him favor with a pagan ruler that changed the course of history. You may be facing a situation that is testing your courage and your strength – believe God is going to use this fast to bring His favor into your life.

Our prayer target today is to be ok with short-term denial for long-term gain. In a sense, for us, we’re praying for God’s desire to prevail more than our desires. As we seek God together during this time, let’s believe that God can restore, renew, and reveal his perfect will for us personally and corporately.

Nehemiah 1:3-4 And they said to me, “The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire.” As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven.

Nehemiah 1:11 Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name, and give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.

Prayer is such an important element in the life of the believer. It is our direct connection with God. Whose prayers will God answer? Ours, if we trust in Jesus as Savior. James tells us that Elijah was a man with a nature just like ours. He was just like us. He had similar passions as we do. In God’s eyes, the great prophet Elijah was just like any other righteous person. James tells us that the primary qualification for answered prayer is that we are righteous – we trust in Jesus as Savior. So, what did this ordinary servant of God do? He prayed! And God answered his prayer. God will answer the prayers of His people.

We are told to confess our sins one to another and pray for one another so that we may be healed. How ordinary are we? We are so ordinary that we may even sin. But by confessing our sins, we remain in good standing before God. Then, when we pray for healing, God will answer that prayer.

Believe it or not, your (yes you) prayers matter to God! Your prayer has great power, and it is working! Elijah’s power was in the fact that he trusted in God and he prayed. Our power is that we trust in the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. When we pray - things happen! Therefore, let us confidently approach the throne of God. Why should we approach God in prayer? We pray because our prayers release God’s great power. Let us pray for one another! Let us bring our concerns to God. No concern is insignificant! Just bring it to God! It is not that we are praying with power. The great working of power is manifested as God answers our prayers. Don’t stop praying!

Our prayer target today is to stop the comparison traps with other believers and their faith and believe God desires to hear from you. Keep giving everything to God in prayer.

James 5:16–18 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.

Hebrews 4:16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Someone once said, “Faith sees the invisible, faith hears the inaudible, faith does the impossible.” But what pathway does faith travel to see the impossible realized? In 1 Kings 17, the nation of Israel is no longer experiencing the blessing of God in their lives and on their land. The people have followed their King, Ahab, into paganism and idolatry. But, during their rebellion, God sent a prophet named Elijah to King Ahab. 1 Kings 17:1 says, “Now Elijah the Tishbite, of Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word.” And for three and a half years it didn’t rain a drop. Finally, Elijah presents himself to King Ahab and challenges him and his fake prophets to a showdown to prove that there is one true God. After God demonstrates His power by sending fire down from heaven, there is national repentance, and Elijah tells King Ahab that the miracle of no rain is about to become a miracle of rain. After three and a half years of no rain, it seemed impossible that rain would ever fall again. So, what did Elijah do? What path did his faith take him? In 1 Kings 18:42, we read, “So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Mount Carmel. And he bowed himself down on the earth and put his face between his knees.”

It seems clear that Elijah knows God’s will but also recognizes the necessity of praying God’s will into existence. He does that by fasting. Notice that he sends Ahab to eat and drink, but he climbs Mount Carmel to pray. Verse 45 says, “And in a little while the heavens grew black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rose and went to Jezreel.” This story reminds us that simply knowing God’s will is not enough. God desires that we would pray His will into existence in our lives. Whether you believe in God to do the impossible in your life, marriage, family, or job, fasting and prayer is often the God-ordained pathway that faith travels to put your miracle in motion.

Our prayer target for today is for perseverance. Before God breaks through, sometimes, He is looking for a people to press through. What will you do?

As followers of Jesus, we have been given powerful tools directly from the heart of God to sustain and empower us as we journey through this life with the Lord. There is power in fasting and praise, and when we get a hold of God’s heart for us, we can live lives of unspeakable joy and purpose. In Psalm 68:1-10, we see the example of a God who is a constant refuge, father to the fatherless, and protector of widows. When we offer up the parched land of our lives and the desert places of our hearts, we are met with a God who lavishes us with undeserved blessings.

One of the key things we see in Psalm 68:1-10 is that when we are righteous, obedient, and honorable to God, He not only protects and defends but also overwhelms us with joy. When we allow ourselves to take the next bold step of righteousness and we prioritize fasting, prayer, and praise, those blessings from the Lord are amplified. God’s character is further revealed to us in ways we often don’t experience otherwise. God sacrificed everything on the cross. When we honor Him with personal sacrifice, we are met with wisdom, supernatural strength, and knowledge that transcends earthly understanding. We also see in 2 Chronicles 20:20-21 how a corporate fast brings a deeper sense of community and an unstoppable unity that reveals supernatural breakthroughs. When we, the body, are in one accord and committed to offering our sacrifice through humble prayer and fasting, our faith, trust, and hope in God grows as a people and inspires us with boldness and certainty from the Lord.

When we strip away earthly comforts, it heightens our sensitivity to the Spirit and allows us to focus on God’s voice. As the body of Christ, we desperately need this deeper connection with the Spirit as we move into the fall of 2022. God truly delights in our praise, and it’s oftentimes more for our benefit than we even realize. It transforms us into bold, joyful warriors of God with a Kingdom perspective that can’t be shaken. Praise should be a constant theme in our daily lives, just as in the Psalms. Psalm 34:1 says, “I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” When we start our days with praise, we live lives full of jubilant joy, even in times of hardship.

Church, our prayer target today is that we would press on to march boldly this year with the weapons of praise and fasting and see the glory of God revealed in our lives and in unimaginable ways.

2 Chronicles 20:20-21-And they rose early in the morning and went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. And when they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear me, Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem! Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be established; believe his prophets, and you will succeed.” 21 And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the Lord and praise him in holy attire, as they went before the army, and say,

Psalm 107:1- “Give thanks to the Lord, for his steadfast love endures forever.”

“A time is coming and has now come when the true worshippers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth.” - John 4:23

During a conversation with a Samaritan woman at a well, Jesus makes a bold declaration on what true worship is. This woman is there for water- He speaks of living water that provides eternal life. She recognizes he is a prophet of the Jews and tries to argue where worship should be. Jesus states that it’s not about where but about who is worshipped.
 
This Scripture shows that God indeed wants our worship- this is GREAT NEWS! And because Jesus is the object of our worship, he is qualified to give the terms. The call is to worship God “in the spirit and in truth.” The Spirit allows us to have faith in God (Ephesians 2:8-9), and Scripture gives us the truth about God (Hebrews 2:12-12) so that we can know the God we worship. “Spirit and truth worship, “then, is genuine worship. We operate in true worship when we grow in our knowledge of who God is and are reminded of whose we are.
 
Worshipping brings us back to the heart of God. We worship Him not based on what he’s done for us, but primarily because God is great, majestic, glorious, and worthy of our worship. This becomes powerful when we worship with others. Worshiping regularly with others unifies us and orients our eyes towards Jesus. Together we make this precious gospel visible to the world and encourage each other that Jesus is real!
 
Our prayer target today is to realize that worship is always in session. Where will you choose to worship this week, and whom will you worship? God, we need your Spirit to awaken us afresh to the truth about you and to become the source of our worship. Help us to be genuine as we seek you.

During this time of prayer and fasting, in humility, we are calling on the Lord. We recognize that we are finite and unable to meet the challenges we face without God’s help. Simply put, WE NEED HIM! So, we set ourselves to call upon our God, just as the children of Israel did during the reign of King Jehoshaphat. In 2 Chronicles 20, a great multitude was coming against Israel. Jehoshaphat, though afraid, set his face to seek the Lord. He proclaimed a fast throughout all of Judah.
 
As fear gripped their hearts, Israel called upon the Lord. Their future was uncertain. The enemy was lurking at the gates. A battle was inevitable. In his prayer, King Jehoshaphat said, “For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you,” verse 12.
 
God sent the prophet, Jahaziel, with this message, “Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat:  Thus says the Lord to you, “Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s” 2 Chronicles 20:15-16.
 
It is critical to remember that we are indeed engaged in a battle against God’s enemy. However, rest assured that our God doesn’t stand on the sidelines watching the enemy work. God is involved. God is on the move! God is truly with us in the fight! We are fighting God’s enemy, which means God has a bone to pick!
 
Having said this, if we’re involved in the battle, we must also remember that we are to fight as God fights. God conquers the enemy’s lies with the truth of his word (see Jesus in the wilderness). He shines the light onto the darkness to reveal the schemes of the enemy. He conquers fear with steadfast faith.
 
My dear brothers and sisters, remember, the battle is not ours. The battle is the Lords! We don’t fight in our own ability or strength. We arm ourselves with the spiritual armor and move forward in power. Be humble enough to array yourself today with the breastplate of righteousness, the helmet of salvation, the belt of truth. We are prepared with the feet of peace. We carry the shield of faith. And we take up the sword of Spirit – which is the word of God!
 
There are moments when we may seem powerless or helpless against the problems that we face. However, we must continue to fight the good fight of faith. Though you may not know what to do, be like King Jehoshaphat and keep your eyes on the Lord. Our prayer target for today is to keep our eyes on the Lord, regardless of what the battle looks like.
 
2 Chronicles 20:2-3 (ESV)- Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, “A great multitude is coming against you from Edom, from beyond the sea; and behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar” (that is, Engedi) 3 Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.

“I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” Mark 9:24
 
A father brought his son to Jesus to be healed. He said, “if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us. “If you can?” Jesus replied. “Everything is possible for one who believes” (Mark 9:22-23). The father responded with the words of our verse today. I believe that, to some extent, there is a spiritual struggle within the soul of every believer. It’s the struggle between the flesh and the Spirit of God. The Apostle Paul, using his metaphor “flesh” for the sinful self, described the battle this way: “For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They conflict with each other” (Galatians 5:17). Proverbs tells us that everything we do flows from the heart (Proverbs 4:23), it follows that the spiritual struggle manifests itself in every area of life.
 
Since this struggle permeates everywhere in our life, it’s no wonder it can also show up in our faith. Although every Christian has been saved by faith (Eph. 2:8), there is a human component to it as well. We must exercise this faith we have received. We must put it into practice (Mark 11:22). The flesh, however, struggles to put faith into practice.
 
We need help as followers of Jesus to activate our faith. Like the father of our verse for today, we need Jesus to help us. We need him to fill us anew with His Spirit fully so that we can overcome the unbelief of our sinful selves.
 
Lord, we do believe; help us overcome our unbelief! For God to help our unbelief, we must be determined by his grace to remain in Him so that we can bear the fruit of the Spirit. Jesus emphasized, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.” Our prayer target today is that we would overcome our unbelief in certain areas by abiding in Jesus and trusting him to give us everything we need.  
 
John 15:4-5 (ESV)- Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

I’m beyond excited to begin our 21 days of fasting and prayer with you. On this day, we set our sights on seeing God’s supernatural power invade the natural world as the Lord responds to our prayers! Today we begin believing for mountains to move! Today we believe to see the power of God realized with unshakeable faith! The foundation for this kind of anticipation and expectation comes from God’s word straight out of the mouth of our Lord when he said in Matthew 21:21-22, “Even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea, it will happen. And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”
 
What an extraordinary promise! Yet too often, we can find ourselves meditating on the size of our mountain instead of reflecting on the magnitude of God and his power! The author Max Lucado gives us insight by writing, “Don’t measure the size of the mountain; talk to the One who can move it.”
 
Our prayer target today is to take God at His Word and ask Him to supernaturally show up and show off in our situations. This is a great antithesis to obsessing over the mountains in our lives. So, for whatever you need God to do, start this time of fasting and prayer by focusing on God’s power. Nothing is too hard for Him! Write down your mountains and declare God’s power over them today!
 
Jeremiah 32:17 (ESV)- Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you!