Week 1
Sept 22- Sept 28
During this Fast we will Focus on us, “the just”, living by faith, and what that means as a son/daughter and the church of the Most High God. We will increase our communion with God and allow our faith to grow through Him in every area of our lives.
The GOAL - Total Victory in our Church and our lives! We will commit more time to prayer in the Spirit and reading the Word of God daily, and ask for His redemptive power and provisions to unfold for us, in Jesus’ mighty name.
Day 1 | Monday
Be Prepared
Hebrews 12:1b-2 NKJV - Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith.
We are meant to grow in maturity, wisdom, and endurance to be able to handle whatever the race of faith might throw at us. We are instructed recommit ourselves to the Author and Finisher of our faith, the Lord Jesus Christ. Today, when the pressures on us are lighter, we must prepare, so we will be able to face the tougher legs of the race with grace and courage. Over comers are not born; they are developed over time, and prayer is the place where that development takes place. Allow the Holy Spirit to show you any areas that you need to repent in. Whether it's in a relationship, bad habits, harsh words spoken, attitudes that don’t reflect Christ or just not spending quality time with the Father. Pray and give each area/person to God so you can be renewed through the Lord.
Prayer
Father, the race isn’t given to the swift or the strong, but to the one who endures to the end. Help me finish my race well. I recommit to fervently seek You in prayer. When I wait on You in prayer, You renew my strength. When I listen to You in prayer, You reveal Your secrets. I will choose to spend time with You daily because that is where You equip me to walk by faith and finish this race, in Jesus’ name, amen.
Day 2 | Tuesday
Seeking God for Vision 2025 and for our Lives
Acts 17:27 TPT - He has done this so that every person would long for God, feel their way to Him, and find Him - for He is the God who is easy to discover.
Truth: God is trustworthy. He is faithful to meet every need. He gives seed to the sower and bread for food to the eater.
Having the opportunity to seek God is the greatest privilege we have as His children. God has granted us access through the blood of Jesus. We can boldly approach the throne of grace and ask for God’s mercy and grace. We can come by faith because He has opened the way. He is not angry at us. He loves each of us with a never-ending, overwhelming love. Like any good father, He seeks out opportunities to bless us and pour out His goodness upon us. He gives us opportunities to sow. These opportunities open doors for Him to bless us with a harvest. Ask Him to help you see His way of increase. The enemy wants to keep us bound, but Jesus came to give us abundant life. He will be found, but we must seek Him in prayer, praise, and worship - then obey what He tells us to do. We can trust our righteous, holy, faithful Father.
Prayer
Lord, help me to diligently seek You today and every day. Show me what you would have me to sow in Vision 2025. I am believing YOU for the seed to sow. I pray that we, as a Church, reach our target and pay off our Churches. Thank You for increase in our ministry outreach and for touching the hearts of the people to be led by You in their giving. I pray you speak to my heart, as well, and that I have ears to receive your guidance in my life and through the seeds I sow. I trust You, Father, in Jesus’ name, amen.
Day 3 | Wednesday
Embracing Holy Spirit
John 14:26 NIV - But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
Do you have a relationship with God? Do you have a relationship with Jesus? Do you have a relationship with the Holy Spirit? It is common for believers to talk to God and even reference Jesus when they pray. Most often there is little reference to the Holy Spirit during prayer or when reading/studying the bible. The Holy Spirit is our comforter, our teacher, our guide, the tangible presence of God and so much more. Welcome Him into your day. As we build our faith during this fast, ask the Holy Spirit to lead you. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand the bible as you read. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you how to worship & praise our Father. Ask Him to show you where to sow seeds. You can ask anything, then DO WHAT HE TELLS YOU! To grow your faith in God, obedience is a necessity.
Prayer
Father, thank You for the Holy Spirit, the third person of the godhead. Help me to embrace the Holy Spirit in my everyday life. Holy Spirit, please help me grow in wisdom and in my knowledge of God. Give me understanding as I read the bible today.
Day 4 | Thursday
Live by the Spirit
Matthew 4:4 - Jesus answered, “It is written; Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
We are not spiritual beings by default; we must choose to live by the Spirit rather than be ruled by the things our physical bodies and desires tell us we need. We do this by fasting, just as Jesus did when He went into the wilderness before He began His ministry. This fast is disciplining the body and the spirit to be in obedience to the Holy Spirit in all things. We choose to be led by, guided by, and controlled by the Holy Spirit. He never leads us the wrong way.
Prayer
Father, I want to be led only by Your Spirit and not by the flesh. Strip away everything in me that is not like You. Anything that I listen to instead of or in addition to You must go in Jesus’ name. Anything I seek more than I seek You must be removed in the name of Jesus. I give You my whole heart and my full attention. Let my life be characterized by the fruit of Your Spirit. Let no evil way be found in me, in Jesus’ name, amen.
Day 5 | Friday
Praying without Ceasing
Luke 18:1 TPT - One day Jesus taught the apostles to keep praying and never stop or lose hope.
Hebrews 11:6 CEV - But without faith no one can please God. We must believe that God is real and rewards everyone who searches for Him.
More often than not, the issue is not that people do not pray at all. The fact is that people do not pray consistently. Many pray, but do not have a prayer life; prayer should be a lifestyle rather than a moment in time. Prayer is a relationship with our Father; it involves us talking to Him and Him speaking to us. How would you feel if the only time your loved ones wanted to talk to you is when they wanted something from you? NOT GOOD! God wants to spend time with each of us all the time. He wants to hear what your needs are. He wants to receive you in times of worship. He wants to know your thoughts. He wants to just spend time with you. Praying without ceasing is building our fellowship, our relationship with God in prayer, in worship, in obedience, in life. Take time to expand and grow in communication with Him. Your faith will get a boost as well!
Prayer
Father, I am thankful that no conversation is off limits with You. You want to hear from me at all times. Forgive me if I have had a one-way conversation and went on my way. Teach me to pray, pause, listen, and hear Your voice. I desire You above all else, God. Give me a heart to pray without ceasing, in Jesus’ name, amen.
Day 6 | Saturday
Focus on the Will of God
Matthew 6:13a NKJV - And do not lead us into temptation but deliver us from the evil one.
Circumstances can bring setbacks, but with God, what the devil meant for evil will be turned around into good. Center each day in the will of God and focus on the good you will do, without slipping back into old habits or complacent attitudes. Pray daily not to be led into temptation. We must open our ears to hear and discern what needs to be covered in prayer for the protection of ourselves, our families, our church, those within our realm of influence, and the missions to which God has assigned us and our church.
Prayer
Father, I declare that this day is ripe with Your purposes. Open my heart and mind to receive Your direction. Show me what I need to cover in prayer today. Father, strengthen the hedge of protection around my life, my family, my friends, and my church. In Jesus name, I will not be complacent or return to old ways; I will move boldly forward. As I focus on following Your will, I declare that everything meant to harm me shall be turned around for my good. I dwell in the house of the Lord forever, in Jesus’ name, amen!
Day 7 | Sunday
Protect Yourself With God’s Armor
Ephesians 6:10-11 NKJV - Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
If every day we are following God, seeking Him, and fellowshipping with the Holy Spirit, then we are becoming dangerous to evil. Evil will want to become dangerous to us, but fear not! When we stay clothed in the armor of Christ, we are protected. We man our posts, we follow our orders from God, and thus keep temptations from tripping us up or allowing selfishness to enter our hearts and take us off course. This is the only way to have victory in the mission and purpose God has called us to and one day hear Him say “Well done, My good and faithful steward.”
Prayer
Father, I clothe myself in Your full armor today so that I may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Guard me against seductions, temptations, and compromises. I forbid strife and anger to come into my house and my relationships. I cover my family and my purpose in the blood of Jesus. Sanctify my heart with your word so that I don’t stray from the ancient path. I decree that I will triumph in the mission You have assigned to me. I will finish my course, and by Your grace, I will hear You say “well done”, in Jesus’ name, amen.