People Miracles
What might God do IF I commit the first part of 2017 to Him in fasting and prayer? In fact, what IF thousands of people commit to fast and pray while believing God for specific miracles in 2017? What IF dads, moms, and spiritual leaders led the way and fasted and prayed for their families and their church? What IF students turned their attention to fasting and prayer asking God to move in their generation? What IF young adults turned their passion toward heaven in unprecedented levels and prayed together this first month of the year?
What IF God answered?
What IF God responded with a sovereign work of the Holy Spirit in each of us and through our church in 2017? What if God gave you the kind of year spiritually, emotionally, relationally, and financially, that would enable you to fulfill your God-given purpose and destiny?
What IF we simply determined to seek God first?
Matthew 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Would you consider joining me, and set aside time for fasting and prayer in January? What IF…?
If you do, it’s important to make a short list of specific things you’re going to ask God to do when you pray. For instance: Start with you. What do you need God to do IN you? What about your family and extended family? What do you want God to do in your church? Also, what is needed in your extended relationships or in your business?
In His book, Awakening, Stoval Weems mentions three benefits of fasting and prayer:
- Agreement: It causes us to come into agreement with God’s will.
- Alignment: It puts us in spiritual alignment with Him.
- Assignment: It gets us ready for our ministry assignments.
My experience with fasting and prayer has brought greater revelation, clearer direction, breakthroughs, and a new and greater anointing for ministry service. However, it’s not easy. In fact, it’s the worship, prayer and sacrifice that honors God and gets His attention.
There are different types and different lengths of fasts. Bible fasts were usually 1 day, 3 days, 7 days, 21 days, and 40 days.
- Absolute Fast: This fast means no food or water and should only be done for very brief times.
- Normal Fast: This is a fast of water and liquids only. It may be 1 meal, 1 day, or 3 days, 7 days, or 21 days, or even up to 40 days.
- Partial Fast: The partial fast is also called the Daniel Fast and it is done by observing a special diet but not necessarily abstaining from all food. In the Old Testament, Daniel observed this kind of fast, and God did wonderful things for him.
The Daniel fast (partial fast) is typically defined as: No MEAT, No WHEAT, and No SWEETS. Yes, that excludes much of what is normally included in our regular diets. However, vegetables and fruit are wonderful substitutes during a partial fast. (See Daniel 1:11-17)
What IF…we fast and pray together? Let me encourage you to join us on a 21-day fasting and prayer journey beginning Wednesday, January 4th to Wednesday, January 25th. Consider fasting 1 meal, 1 day, 3 days, 7 days, or the full 21 days. Make your own prayer list and pray. Also, check the Chapelhill app on Wednesday, January 4th for the corporate Chapelhill prayer agenda, and join us for The Prayer Service on First Wednesday. There’s something very powerful about praying together!
What IF…
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