21 DAYS OF PRAYER 21 DAYS OF PRAYER IS FOR YOU

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2 21 DAYS OF PRAYER From the beginning of our church, we have made it a priority to seek God first in prayer. We do this collectively as a church in January through 21 Days of Prayer. This time is intentional, as we begin a new season of the year. Together, we faithfully seek God first, trusting in His power alone to create lasting impact in our lives, our church and our world. 21 DAYS OF PRAYER IS FOR YOU If you sense that God has more for your life, 21 Days of Prayer is a great place to start believing Him for all that He has for you. During this time of prayer, you will put seeking God first into practice, and when you do this, He will start working on your behalf like never before. You will see a difference in your relationships, your work, your family and every area of your life. It is then that you will best be able to spread His love to others. FASTING The goal of fasting is to draw nearer to God. Biblical fasting always has to do with eliminating distractions for a spiritual purpose; it hits the reset button of our soul and renews us from the inside out. It also enables us to celebrate the goodness and mercy of God and prepares our hearts for all the good things God desires to bring into our lives. Remember, your personal fast should present a level of challenge, but it is very important to know your body, your options, and, most importantly, to seek God in prayer and follow what the Holy Spirit leads you to do.

3 7 BASIC STEPS TO SUCCESSFUL FASTING AND PRAYER BY BILL BRIGHT How you begin and conduct your fast will largely determine your success. By following these seven basic steps to fasting, you will make your time with the Lord more meaningful and spiritually rewarding. STEP 1: SET YOUR OBJECTIVE Why are you fasting? Is it for spiritual renewal, for guidance, for healing, for the resolution of problems, for special grace to handle a difficult situation? Ask the Holy Spirit to clarify His leading and objectives for your prayer fast. This will enable you to pray more specifically and strategically. Through fasting and prayer we humble ourselves before God so the Holy Spirit will stir our souls, awaken our churches, and heal our land according to 2 Chronicles 7:14. Make this a priority in your fasting. STEP 2: MAKE YOUR COMMITMENT Pray about the kind of fast you should undertake. Jesus implied that all of His followers should fast (Matthew 6:16-18; 9:14,15) For Him it was a matter of when believers would fast, not if they would do it. Before you fast, decide the following up front: How long you will fast one meal, one day, a week, several weeks, twenty one days (Beginners should start slowly, building up to longer fasts.) The type of fast God wants you to undertake (such as water only, or water and juices; what kinds of juices you will drink and how often) What physical or social activities you will restrict How much time each day you will devote to prayer and God s Word Making these commitments ahead of time will help you sustain your fast when physical temptations and life s pressures tempt you to abandon it. STEP 3: PREPARE YOURSELF SPIRITUALLY The very foundation of fasting and prayer is repentance. Unconfessed sin will hinder your prayers. Here are several things you can do to prepare your heart: Ask God to help you make a comprehensive list of your sins. Confess every sin that the Holy Spirit calls to your remembrance and accept God s forgiveness (1 John 1:9). Seek forgiveness from all whom you have offended, and forgive all who have hurt you (Mark 11:25; Luke 11:4; 17:3,4). Make restitution as the Holy Spirit leads you. Ask God to fill you with His Holy Spirit according to His command in Ephesians 5:18 and His promise in 1 John 5:14,15. Surrender your life fully to Jesus Christ as your Lord and Master; refuse to obey your worldly nature (Romans 12:1,2). Meditate on the attributes of God, His love, sovereignty, power, wisdom, faithfulness, grace, compassion, and others (Psalm 48:9,10; 103:1-8, 11-13). Begin your time of fasting and prayer with an expectant heart (Hebrews 11:6). Do not underestimate spiritual opposition. Satan sometimes intensifies the natural battle between body and spirit (Galatians 5:16,17).

4 STEP 4: PREPARE YOURSELF PHYSICALLY Fasting requires reasonable precautions. Consult your physician first, especially if you take prescription medication or have a chronic ailment. Some persons should never fast without professional supervision. Physical preparation makes the drastic change in your eating routine a little easier so that you can turn your full attention to the Lord in prayer. Do not rush into your fast. Prepare your body. Eat smaller meals before starting a fast. Avoid high-fat and sugary foods. Eat raw fruit and vegetables for two days before starting a fast. Your time of fasting and prayer has come. You are abstaining from all solid foods and have begun to seek the Lord. Here are some helpful suggestions to consider: Avoid drugs, even natural herbal drugs and homeopathic remedies. Medication should be withdrawn only with your physician s supervision. Limit your activity. Exercise only moderately. Walk one to three miles each day if convenient and comfortable. Rest as much as your schedule will permit. Prepare yourself for temporary mental discomforts, such as impatience, crankiness, and anxiety. Expect some physical discomforts, especially on the second day. You may have fleeting hunger pains, dizziness, or the blahs. Withdrawal from caffeine and sugar may cause headaches. Physical annoyances may also include weakness, tiredness, or sleeplessness. The first two or three days are usually the hardest. As you continue to fast, you will likely experience a sense of well-being both physically and spiritually. However, should you feel hunger pains, increase your liquid intake. STEP 5: PUT YOURSELF ON A SCHEDULE For maximum spiritual benefit, set aside ample time to be alone with the Lord. Listen for His leading. The more time you spend with Him, the more meaningful your fast will be. Morning Begin your day in praise and worship. Read and meditate on God s Word, preferably on your knees. Invite the Holy Spirit to work in you to will and to do His good pleasure according to Philippians 2:13. Invite God to use you. Ask Him to show you how to influence your world, your family, your church, your community, your country, and beyond. Pray for His vision for your life and empowerment to do His will. Noon Return to prayer and God s Word. Take a short prayer walk. Spend time in intercessory prayer for your community s and nation s leaders, for the world s unreached millions, for your family or special needs.

5 Continued... Evening Get alone for an unhurried time of seeking His face. If others are fasting with you, meet together for prayer. Avoid television or any other distraction that may dampen your spiritual focus. When possible, begin and end each day on your knees with your spouse for a brief time of praise and thanksgiving to God. Longer periods of time with our Lord in prayer and study of His Word are often better spent alone. STEP 6: END YOUR FAST GRADUALLY Begin eating gradually. Do not eat solid foods immediately after your fast. Suddenly reintroducing solid food to your stomach and digestive tract will likely have negative, even dangerous, consequences. Try several smaller meals or snacks each day. If you end your fast gradually, the beneficial physical and spiritual effects will result in continued good health. Here are some suggestions to help you end your fast properly: Break an extended water fast with fruit such as watermelon. While continuing to drink fruit or vegetable juices, add the following: First day: Add a raw salad. Second day: Add baked or boiled potato, no butter or seasoning. Third day: Add a steamed vegetable. Thereafter: Begin to reintroduce your normal diet. Gradually return to regular eating with several small snacks during the first few days. Start with a little soup and fresh fruit such as watermelon and cantaloupe. Advance to a few tablespoons of solid foods such as raw fruits and vegetables or a raw salad and baked potato. STEP 7: EXPECT RESULTS If you sincerely humble yourself before the Lord, repent, pray, and seek God s face; if you consistently meditate on His Word, you will experience a heightened awareness of His presence (John 14:21). The Lord will give you fresh, new spiritual insights. Your confidence and faith in God will be strengthened. You will feel mentally, spiritually, and physically refreshed. You will see answers to your prayers. A single fast, however, is not a spiritual cure-all. Just as we need fresh infillings of the Holy Spirit daily, we also need new times of fasting before God. A 24-hour fast each week has been greatly rewarding to many Christians. It takes time to build your spiritual fasting muscles. If you fail to make it through your first fast, do not be discouraged. You may have tried to fast too long the first time out, or your may need to strengthen your understanding and resolve. As soon as possible, undertake another fast until you do succeed. God will honor you for your faithfulness. I encourage you to join me in fasting and prayer again and again until we truly experience revival in our homes, our churches, our beloved nation, and throughout the world. Read the original article at cru.org

6 What Fasting Accomplishes It transforms passivity into passion with a bit of a small supernatural jumpstart. It sensitizes us to spiritual things. Fasting is the intentional discipline of pressing into and drawing near to the Lord. Fasting sensitizes our ability to hear the voice of the Spirit. Fasting increases our faith level and spiritual power and authority in our lives and the Kingdom of Heaven. Fasting carries a great reward from the Father in Heaven. Fasting is our voluntarily humbling ourselves to the Lord which in God s eyes is a very good discipline and brings rewards as well. Fasting averts God s judgment and invokes God s intervention and restoration. Fasting rescues and awakens our next generation for God s glory! Fasting taps God s power It is act of warfare that dethrones principalities Types of Fasting The Bridegroom Fast A fast designed to focus on the Lord, His goodness, grace and attributes. It is a pursuit of God and an aggressive and intentional drawing closer to God involving intimacy. It is not based upon the absence of food. Instead it is feeding upon the goodness and unconditional love of God. It s about building relationship and communion with God. The Daniel Fast You may eat anything derived from seed. This includes fruits, vegetables, nuts, lignums and whole wheat breads. It is taken from Daniel 1:12. The Daniel fast was a cultural accommodation a test that was observed by the authorities. Daniel had been ordered to violate Jewish law and conscience, and he creatively offered a compromise. And God blessed him and the Hebrews who participated with him in the fast. The Liquid Fast One can drink fruit or vegetable smoothies, fruit juices, vegetable juices, broths and light soups. Tea and coffee should be kept at a minimum because of the toxins are harsh on the lining of your stomach. You should also be frugal on citrus drinks because of the acid in the oranges. Green tea or any other herbal teas are very refreshing and of course drink plenty of water. Warm water with a hint of honey is very refreshing and gives the sensation of being warm and content. A juicer is wonderful during a liquid fast.

7 The Partial Fast - Used by Elijah in I Kings 17. There, he fasted one meal a day for an extended time. You might choose a variation of this fast instead of a meal a day, you might have specific meals you skip over the course of a week, or for some longer time period. Better fast some than none. The Total Fast During this fast, you abstain from all food and any drink, but water. And you will need to drink plenty of water. A total fast is not for the faint of heart. A three-day fast may be a generous time-frame for some. If you plan to go longer, check with a pastor or veteran intercessor for advice. If you have any physical issues, particularly diabetes, you may want to consult with your doctor. How Do I Start? 1. Decide why you are fasting. What is your goal and purpose? 2. Choose the type of fast in which you will engage. Although that may change in the course of the fast. You may start on a Daniel fast, and end up on a total fast-or the reverse. Don t be legalistic. This is about a relationship. You are on a quest with God. 3. Have in mind a time-frame for your fast a day, several days or a week, or indefinitely. Again, that may change. If you are praying and fasting about a particularly matter, the breakthrough and the release from the fast may come in days or it may be weeks. If the Lord calls you to a fast, sometimes only the Lord can determine the length of the fast. 4. You should plan to get a journal and record the insights, revelations and what you hear from the Lord during this season. If your fast is characteristic of that of other brothers and sisters, your spiritual ears will become acutely sensitive to the still small voice of God. It may become like thunder. 5. You will now long to spend extended time in the presence of the Lord. Remember it is not just in the abstinence of food that makes this a fast. It is the fasting of natural food and the feasting upon the Word of God. 6. Find a prayer partner to intercede with and/or for you during the fast. In fact, fasting together at least in agreement with another is a powerful experience. Encourage one another. Share your insights. You will find that knowing that you have started a partnership fast will encourage you to seriously pursue it. Temptations to break it too early or cheat, will be tempered by the covenant. If any two of you will agree as touching one thing, it shall be done of my Father in heaven (Mt. 16:19).

8 The Daniel Fast.. Food Guidelines for a Daniel Fast Foods You May Eat: Whole Grains: Brown Rice, Oats, Barley Legumes: Dried Beans, Pinto Beans, Split Peas, Lentils, Black Eyed Peas Fruits: Apples, Apricots, Bananas, Blackberries, Blueberries, Boysenberries, Cantaloupe, Cherries, Cranberries, Oats, Figs, Grapefruit, Grapes, Guava, Honeydew Melon, Kiwi, Lemons, Limes, Mangoes, Nectarines, Papayas, Peaches, Pears, Pineapples, Plums, Prunes, Raisins, Raspberries, Strawberries, Tangelos, Tangerines, Watermelon Vegetables: Artichokes, Asparagus, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Mustard Greens, Okra, Onions, Parsley, Potatoes, Radishes, Rutabagas, Scallions, Spinach, Sprouts, Squashes, Sweet Potatoes, Tomatoes, Turnips, Watercress, Yams, Zucchini (veggie burgers are an option if you are not allergic to soy) Liquids: Spring Water, Distilled Water, 100% All-Natural Fruit Juices, 100% All Natural Vegetable Juices. You may also drink protein drinks. Others: Seeds, Nuts, Sprouts Foods to Avoid: Meat White Rice Fried Foods Caffeine Carbonated Beverages Foods Containing Preservatives or Additives Refined Sugar Sugar Substitutes White flour and All Products Using It Margarine, Shortening, High Fat Products For More Information: -Scripture References for Fasting: Mat. 6:16-18, Mat. 9:14-15, Luke 18:9-14 -Prayer & Reading of the Word: 1 Sam. 1:6-8, 17-18, Neh. 1:4, Dan. 9:3, 20, Joel 2:12, Luke 2:37, Acts 10:30, Acts 13:2 -Corporate Fasting: 1 Sam. 7:5-6, Ezra 8:21-23, Neh. 9:1-3, Joel 2:15-16, Jonah 3:5-10 Check out these website for recipes:

9 Daily Prayer Guide January 11: 2 Timothy 1:7 8 Thought: One of the main reasons Christians don t engage in evangelism is because of fear fear of what others might think of them (rejection), fear of not knowing enough, fear of saying the wrong thing. When has fear kept you from sharing your faith? Prayer: Father forgive me for all the times I refused to share about you when the opportunity presented itself I declare today, 2 Tim 1:7 God has not given me a spirit of fear, but power, love and a sound mind. Furthermore, Prov 28:1 says, The righteous are bold as a lion; and from this day forward I will be. January 12: Ephesians 4:11 13 Thought: Do you believe that Jesus only gifted some Christians to be evangelists and that they should be doing all of the evangelism? Or do you believe that evangelism is a Christian discipline like prayer, reading the Bible, worship expected of all Christians? Prayer: Father, Your Word in Acts 1:8 says, You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you and you shall be My witnesses. I know this is not for a select few. This verse is for me! Today when opportunities come I will witness of Your love for me that others might discover Your love too. January 13: Jonah 3:1 10 Thought: We tend to think of evangelism as a New Testament mandate, but God asked Jonah to go to Nineveh and proclaim a message of redemption and salvation. Where is God sending you? Far or near to present His truth to others? Prayer: Father, Acts 1:8 continues saying, And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Therefore, whether I am in town or out of town; on vacation or a business trip, sharing Your Word with others is Your mandate to me. Send Your Holy Spirit that I might be faithful in sharing truth everywhere I go. January 14: Matthew 10:32 33 Thought: What do you think it means to confess Him before men? Have you ever been ashamed or afraid to talk about Jesus or God with unbelievers? When and why? Prayer: Father, I never find it difficult to speak about my job, spouse or children with strangers. Romans 1:16 says, for I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes the Jew first and also the Gentile. Through practice help me to become comfortable, even excited about sharing the gospel with strangers.

10 Daily Prayer Gide January 15: Acts 10:39-43 Thought: How do you feel about being commanded to preach and testify about Jesus Christ? We are commanded to do many things in Scripture. Why is this one sharing Jesus with others so hard? Prayer: Father, You are trustworthy. So I remind myself today from Galatians 2:20 that my old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Therefore, I trust You concerning sharing Jesus with those You put in my path. January 16: Acts 8:26 40 Thought: The Ethiopian said, How can I (understand this Scripture) unless someone explains it to me? It is our responsibility to explain the gospel to those who do not understand. Are you prepared to do that? Are you prepared to share your personal testimony of how you became a Christian and what Jesus means to you? Prayer: Father I pray today, in our community, that 2 Timothy 4:2 would occur as we preach the word of God. Help us, by the Holy Spirit, to be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not; because, 2 Timothy 3:17 says, the servant of God is thoroughly equipped for every good work. January 17: Matthew 4:18 22 Thought: Jesus called the disciples to be fishers of men. That means that followers of Jesus are, by definition, fishers of men. Do you think of yourself as a fisher of men? What needs to change in your life to allow for fishing? Prayer: Father, this community is a great fishing spot! Let Your message of Jeremiah 15:19 go forth, If you return, then I will restore you Before Me you will stand. I will find time to fish by extracting the precious from the worthless in my day; and then Your Word says, I will become Your spokesman, Your fisher of men. January 18: Matthew 9:35 38 Thought: Jesus said: The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. The harvest those who do not have a relationship with Jesus includes the majority of the world s population. Would you pray for the Lord of the harvest to send forth more laborers to reach lost people? Would you pray for Him to send you? Prayer: Father, Isaiah 6:6 8, is for me and I pray it back to You: Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for. Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, Whom shall I send? And who will go for us? And I said, Here am I. Send me!

11 Daily Prayer Guide January 19: Colossians 4:2 6 Thought: Are you making the most of every opportunity when you come into contact with unbelievers? Are you creating opportunities to build relationships with your neighbors, co workers, the parents of your children s friends, and others? How are you making the most of these opportunities? Prayer: Father, I pray that believers across this city will walk out Luke 10:5 9 which reads; When you enter a house, first say, Peace to this house. If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you.... When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is offered to you. Heal the sick who are there and tell them, The Kingdom of God has come near to you. So Father, release healing that leads to salvations across our city this day. Amen. January 20: Matthew 28:19 20 Thought: Is the mission of Jesus your mission? True disciples of Jesus adopt the mission of Jesus. And that mission is making disciples. One part of making disciples is sharing the gospel. To those who receive Christ s free gift, the mission also includes helping them to become fully devoted followers of Jesus. Who do you long to see accept Christ and truly follow Him? Prayer: Father, one of our focus during this fast is the Jews. Romans 11:7 12 says, What Israel is seeking, it has not obtained... just as it is written, GOD GAVE THEM A SPIRIT OF STUPOR, EYES TO SEE NOT AND EARS TO HEAR NOT,... But by their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make them jealous. Now if their transgression is riches for the world and their failure are riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fulfillment be! Lord, please send laborers into the Jewish harvest field and show me how I can participate with You in the salvation of the Jews. January 21: John 14:5 6 Thought: Christianity is exclusive. There is only one way to eternal life, and that is through Jesus Christ. Does it break your heart that some of your neighbors, friends, co workers and family members may be going to hell? There is help. Ask God to give you a burden for their souls - a burden strong enough to share the gospel with them. Prayer: Father, continuing from yesterday, in Romans 10:1, Paul declared, Brothers and sisters, my heart s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. So Father, please put Your desire in my heart that I might pray and seek the salvation of the Jews as well as my friends, family and co- workers that do not know You.... right now write down the names of those that come to mind and pray for them all day today.

12 Daily Prayer Guide January 22: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 Thought: Jesus sent Paul to preach the gospel, but not with persuasive words of human wisdom. There is power in the gospel itself. When you engage in spiritual conversations, do you rely on your own thoughts or wisdom, or God s power? As you engage with unbelievers, ask God to fill you with His words and power. Prayer: Jesus, You said You were sending the Comforter and You did. He came with gifts that we might be effective witnesses for You and Your Kingdom. In Romans 15:18 19 it is written, I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done by the power of signs and wonders, through the power of the Spirit of God. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ. So, Holy Spirit fill me today that I might be an effective witness, utilizing Your power and effective in my witness for Christ. January 23: 2 Timothy 4:1 5 Thought: Have you ever considered yourself to be an evangelist? If not, how can you see yourself doing the work of an evangelist? How can you, as a Christian whom God has commanded, share His good news? Prayer: Father, I desire the praises of Your activity in my life fill my mouth and the ears of those I am around today. You said in Mark 5:19 Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you. I purpose to do that today knowing the word of my testimony will defeat satan and his plans to keep people from knowing You. January 24: Ephesians 6:19 20 Thought: Do you believe that when you enter into a spiritual conversation with an unbeliever that God will actually give you His words for them? Even Paul, the master missionary and evangelist, asked others to pray for him. Who are your evangelism prayer partners? Prayer: Father, I realize I need someone praying for me and a partner to go into the harvest with. You told us in Luke 10:1 Now after this the Lord... sent them in pairs ahead of Him to every city and place where He Himself was going to come. Therefore, I ask You for a divine appointment with someone who has a heart to share their faith that together we might declare and demonstrate the Kingdom January 25: 1 Corinthians 9:16 23 Thought: The purpose of Paul s missionary journeys was to share the gospel with a lost world, a world much like Our community. Where is your missionary journey taking you work, school, your neighborhood, your children s activities, your sports or social activities?

13 Daily Prayer Guide Prayer: Ok Father, today I will live out 1 Peter 3:15 which says, But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect; so in the most unlikely places I go today I will look for opportunities to speak about You and Your plan of redemption. January 26: 1 Thessalonians 2:1 13 Thought: This Scripture is a good example of relational evangelism. In spite of strong opposition from the Thessalonians, the apostles continued to love them, work alongside them, and share their lives with them. Do you continue to love and give yourself to those who oppose your beliefs? Does it give you hope that the Thessalonians were eventually won over to Christ? Prayer: Father, some people seem impossible to reach. They have no interest in spiritual things. However, I know You can soften their heart and get their attention so I am praying Ephesians 1: I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to (put their name here) a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. I pray that the eyes of (put their name here) s heart may be enlightened, so that (put their name here) will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, AMEN January 27: Mark 16:14 15 Thought: Jesus rebuked the disciples for their hardness of heart and their lack of faith. Is there any hardness of heart in your life that needs to be addressed before you are able to share the gospel with someone? Is there some other obstacle, such as lack of faith? Prayer: Father, please reveal to me, in any area of my life, an attitude or activity that You desire to change. I desire what it says in Ezekiel 36:26 Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. January 28: John 3:1 18 Thought: For God so loved the world. The essence of the gospel is God s love for the world. People desperately need to know how much God loves them. As you prepare to share the gospel with someone, remember that the good news is that God loved us so much that He gave His own Son for us. Prayer: Father people are going through all kinds of things and many are very discouraged by their circumstances. I pray today that no matter what I encounter in conversation from others that I will be able to say with all confidence Romans 8:38 39 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

14 Daily Prayer Guide January 29: Colossians 1:27 29 Thought: Jesus Christ is the hope of glory. Without Him, our friends, family members, neighbors and co-workers have no hope. Pray that this truth would stimulate a sense of urgency in you to share this hope with those near to you. Prayer: Father because we are not promised tomorrow and today we might stand before You I will make every attempt to share John 14:6 Jesus said to him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. Acts 4:12 And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved. So Father, go before Me and prepare those I will speak with today. January 30: Acts 26:12 18 Thought: Jesus told Saul: I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light. Has God stopped you, changed your direction and given you a new commission? Do you believe that Jesus is sending you to those He has placed in your sphere of influence at work, in your neighborhood? Prayer: Father, because You are sending me, You are empowering me. So when 2 Corinthians 4:3 5 says, And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. I can be confident that You will remove blinders and unplug their ears that they might understand the gospel of Your Kingdom. January 31: Acts 4:18 20 Thought: If Jesus has come into your life and changed you, why would you hesitate to share your story? Peter and John could not help speaking about what they had seen and heard, even knowing that they would be persecuted for it. How have you experienced rejection, or even persecution, for sharing your faith? Prayer: Father, Your Word says when I am persecuted for sharing my faith I am blessed. I am confident in John 15:26 27 When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me, and you will testify also, because you have been with Me from the beginning. So, whether I am persecuted or not, I must speak about what You have done for me. Father, make me a harvester of souls, a worker in Your garden.

15 Giving Matthew 28: And when they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, 13 and said, "You are to say, 'His disciples came by night and stole Him away while we were asleep. The Roman soldiers were bribed to propagate a lie about the resurrection of Jesus. The religious leaders of the time were willing to pay a large sum of money to keep the truth from getting out in order to discredit the resurrection of Jesus. We have been charged by God to preach the gospel to the world. It takes money to get a message out. We have the greatest message of all to share, and it is our desire to reach as many people as possible with this life changing message. During this time of prayer and fasting would you prayerfully consider a one time seed offering designated to share the good news to our community. Ecclesiastes 4:12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Your giving along with prayer and fasting creates a 3 fold strand that cannot be broken.

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