Fasting and Prayer Day 7

Today is our final day of fasting and prayer.  Our focus on this final day will be praying for our families.  If you are facing challenges in your home, your marriage, or with your children we are going to pray for God to intervene and bring victory.  God wants our homes to be filled with joy and peace not chaos and conflict.  Many Christian homes are war zones.  Let's pray that God will turn around our homes in 2012.  So today we are going to focus on praying for several areas of our home:

1. Pray for our marriages.

2. Pray for our children.

3. Pray for our lost family members.

Fasting and Prayer Day 6

This is day six of our week of prayer and fasting.  Only one more day to go!  Today we are going to focus our prayers on our missionaries and global partners.  We currently support about 25 different missionaries and global partners around the world.  This is a particularly difficult time for missionaries.  The escalating cost of living in Europe and in other parts of the world, in addition to the tanking of the economy in the U.S. have confronted missionaries with some major financial challenges.  Many are having to come off of the field for lack of support and others are not able to go on the field for the same reason.  This is unacceptable!  The harvest is great but the laborers are too few.  Let's pray for our missionaries in several different ways:


1. Pray for financial provision both personally and ministry wise.


2. Pray for protection.  


3. Pray for physical and mental health.


4. Pray for their children.


5. Pray for favor with the governments they minister under.


6. Pray for open doors to share the gospel and plant churches.


7. Pray for God to raise up new missionaries.


"Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you" (Matt.28:19).

Fasting and Prayer Day 5

We are entering our fifth day of fasting and prayer.  Each day we have been focusing on a different area of prayer.  Previously we have been praying over individual areas.  Today we are going to focus our prayers on our church.  There are several major challenges Lifehouse is facing that we need to see a breakthrough in.

1. Pray for relocation.  We need to be able to relocate our campus to a bigger and more visible space.  We have maxed out every possible inch where we are.  We have been searching for another space for five years now with no success.  Let's pray that God will help us to find the right place.

"Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give them - to the Israelites.  I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses" (Joshua 1:2-3).

2. Pray for Pastor Scott.  Our worship pastor is battling fifth stage cancer.  He needs a miracle.  We are  believing that God is going to turn this thing around and that Scott is going to be healed!!  

"When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick.  This was to fulfill was was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: 'He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases" (Matt.8:16-17).

3. Finances.  Since the economy tanked many churches have struggled financially.  We are no different.  We have had to lay off staff and significantly restrict our budget.  Let's pray that God will bless our church financially so that we can do all the things He has given us a vision to do.  Let's pray for new tithers, people of means and wealth who will be able to fund the vision, and sacrificial givers.  

"Our barns will be filled with every kind of provision.  Our sheep will increase by thousands, by tens of thousands in our fields; our oxen will draw heavy loads.  There will be no breaching of walls, no going into captivity, no cry of distress in our streets" (Ps.144:13-14)

4. New workers.  Let's pray for God to raise up new volunteers in our church to serve.  We need volunteers in almost every area of ministry.  The Lord has promised to raise up laborers for the harvest field so let's believe that He will.

"Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field" (Matt.9:38).

Fasting and Prayer Day 4

It's day 4 of our week of prayer and fasting.  Today we are going to focus our fasting and prayer on the area of provision.  God is a father who loves to meet His children's needs.  Whatever you need today God is not only able He is willing.  So whether you are facing financial problems, or need a new job, a place to live, or are single and want to find a spouse, or need God's grace to endure a particularly difficult trial, we can trust in God to provide for us according to His great mercy.


Here are some Scriptures that we can pray as we seek God for His provision in our life:

Psalm 37:25
I have been young and now I am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his descendants begging bread.


Matthew 6:31-32
Do not worry then, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear for clothing?' For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.


Matthew 7:11
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!


Luke 12:7
Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.


2 Corinthians 9:8
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything; you may have an abundance for every good deed;


Philippians 4:19
And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Fasting and Prayer Day 3

Today is our third day of fasting and prayer together.  Today our focus is on physical healing.  There are several people in our congregation who are facing grave health crises and need a miracle.  While I am thankful for the advance of medical science and the knowledge of doctors and specialists, Jesus is still the Great Physician.  So let us pray together that God will bring healing and wholeness to His people who are suffering.


Here are some Scriptures to focus on as we pray for healing:


Isa 53:5.............He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.


Mt 8:17.............He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses.


Ps 107:20.........He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.


Prov 3:7............Do not be wise in your own eyes: fear the Lord and depart from evil.


Prov 3:8............It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones.


Ex 15:26............I am the Lord who heals you.


Ps 103:3...........Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases...


Ex 23:25...........serve the Lord your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you.




Ps 118:17..........I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord.


Ps 147:3...........He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.


Prov 17:22.........A merry heart does good, like a medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones.




Mk 16:17...........these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; ...they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.


Jas 5:15............the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.


Jas 5:16...........Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed.


Mt 8:13............Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.
 

Fasting and Prayer Day 2

Today is day number 2 of our week of fasting and prayer.  Today we are going to be focusing on praying for revival in our church, community, nation and world.  Revival is the renewal of that which was dead.  What is dead in your life that needs renewing today?  Is it your marriage?  Is it your relationship with your children?  Is it your job?  Remember that God brings dead things back to life!


Here are some Scriptures to pray today for revival.

Ps 85:6
Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?


Psalm 145:4-6, 11-13 
4 One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts.
5 They will speak of the glorious splendour of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works. 
6 They will tell of the power of your awesome works, and I will proclaim your great deeds.
11 They will tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might,
12 so that all men may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendour of your kingdom. 
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The LORD is faithful to all his promises and loving towards all he has made.


Isa 64:1-3
1 Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains would tremble before you! 
2 As when fire sets twigs ablaze and causes water to boil, come down to make your name known to your enemies and cause the nations to quake before you! 
3 For when you did awesome things that we did not expect, you came down, and the mountains trembled before you.


Hab 3:2-6 
LORD, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, O LORD. Renew them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy.
3 God came from Teman, the Holy one from Mount Paran. Selah. His glory covered the heavens and his praise filled the earth. 
4 His splendor was like the sunrise; rays flashed from his hand, where his power was hidden. 
5 Plague went before him; pestilence followed his steps. 
6 He stood, and shook the earth; he looked, and made the nations tremble.

Fasting and Prayer Day 1

This week I want to do a daily devotional to focus our thoughts and prayers for our time of fasting and prayer.  Today is the second day of fasting and prayer.  Today let us come to the Lord in repentance, humbling ourselves and seeking His great mercy and grace over our lives and families.  The Greek word for repentance is (metanoia) and means "a change of mind."  There is a vast difference between being sorry for our sins and repenting of our sins.  We can be sorry over the consequences of our sin yet still have the same mindset about them.  It's not until we change our mind and attitude about our sins that repentance can take place.  We must repent of unbiblical thinking patterns and beliefs.  Every sin that man commits begins in the mind.  If our minds have been changed then our actions will be changed.  Change begins in the mind with repentance.  To change your life you have to change the way you think about your life.  What attitudes and beliefs are you holding onto today that need to be repented of?    

Here are some Scriptures we can pray as we humble ourselves before the Lord in repentance today.

“He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy." Proverbs 28:13


To the Corinthian church: "Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing. For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death." 2 Corinthians 7:9-10


To the believers in Ephesus: “Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent." Revelation 2:5


To the lukewarm church in Laodicea: “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me." Revelation 3:19


"Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my thoughts; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting." Psalm 139:23-24


Jesus said, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” Mark 1:14


“...unless you repent you will all likewise perish." Luke 13:3, 5


“Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” Acts 2:38


“Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord...." Acts 3:19


“Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.” Acts 8:22
“Jesus...  said to them, 'Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” Mark 2:17


“...if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will." 2 Timothy 2:25


“...afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears." Hebrews 12:17


“And the Lord has sent to you all His servants the prophets... but you have not listened nor inclined your ear to hear. They said, ‘Repent now everyone of his evil way and his evil doings... and do not provoke Me to anger with the works of your hands; and I will not harm you.’ Yet you have not listened to Me,'  says the Lord, 'that you might provoke Me to anger with the works of your hands to your own hurt." Jeremiah 25:4


“...unless you repent you will all likewise perish." Luke 13:3, 5


“Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways,' says the Lord God. 'Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin.  Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit." Ezekiel 18:30


“In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!'” Matthew 3:1


“Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance." Matthew 3:7-8


“From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 4:17


“[Jesus] said to them,  'Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. But go and learn what this means:  ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” Matthew 9:12


“Then He began to rebuke the cities in which most of His mighty works had been done, because they did not repent:  'Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago.'" Matthew 11:20


“ ...these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness..."  Acts 17:30


“ Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?" Romans 2:4


“... lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and I shall mourn for many who have sinned before and have not repented of the uncleanness, fornication, and lewdness which they have practiced." 2 Corinthians 12:21


“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9


“Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth." Revelation 2:16


“I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds."Revelation 2:21


“But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands....  And they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts."Revelation 9:20-21


"When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:13-14