Forty Days of FASTING & PRAYER Guidebook. United Prayers for Revival and Elections. September 28 November 6, 2012

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1 Forty Days of FASTING & PRAYER Guidebook United Prayers for Revival and Elections September 28 November 6, 2012 Living Stone Christian Church 1319 N. Lake St Aurora, IL Phone

2 About the Cover Artwork George Washington s Prayer at Valley Forge portrays two patterns most urgently needed in today s society. First, the painting reminds of our desperate need for God s intervention in human affairs. In times past, when men like George Washington and Jonathan Edwards cried out to God, He intervened with timely guidance and sweeping revival. Second, the painting reminds of our urgent need for leaders who will humbly bow and seek God s direction. The Prayer at Valley Forge copyrighted by Arnold Friberg (2008) and used by permission United Prayers for Revival and Elections (Without Being Political) (2 Chronicles 7:14; Psalms 11:3, 1 Timothy 2:1-3) Because America s greatest need is unquestionably spiritual, this prayer tool outlines biblical prayers that Combine praying for revival and major elections. Above all, this tool is mostly about returning to God in genuine revival. It is not about promoting particular candidates or parties. As always, believers first and foremost concern must be the spiritual condition of our land, not politics! One thing is certain if sweeping moral and spiritual transformation takes place, politics will largely take care of itself. The unique prayers are biblically based and spiritually strategic for revival and national decisions. They are especially designed for personal and corporate emphases. Concerning elections, it is vital to pray for God s guidance in campaigns and major debates leading up to elections. We should always remember that our faith is in God, not in particular political parties or human leaders. Nationwide transformation depends far more on conditions in the Church house than who is in the White House! If any doubt this, all they need do is remember that America s forty year moral collapse has accelerated steadily regardless of whether conservatives or liberals were in the White House. While elections certainly matter for many important reasons, a pure and revived Church is the only real hope for this nation! Even if an election goes the way some Christians might hope, it would be utterly foolish to think the root problem is solved. Political elections are not the same as revival in the Church. Regardless of the results of any election, believers must not become complacent! Today s critical need is a true revival and return to God far beyond than anything we have seen in over 150 years. The prayers in this tool reflect a preeminent focus on returning to God. And while there is some specific focus on elections and leaders, the prayers promote no particular individuals or political parties. The focus is only on God s sovereign direction and blessing. Beyond question, any sincere Christian could pray such prayers with his or her whole heart. Obviously, each person will decide privately which candidates or issues most represent God s heart. That decision is between each person and God alone. Forty Days of Fasting and Prayer Guidebook A1 1

3 Introduction A Call to Forty Days of Prayer Living Stone Christian Church is joining with a multitude of churches and prayer organizations throughout America for forty days of prayer and fasting for our nation. We believe there is a strong sense of urgency for our nation and the times that are unfolding before us and we also believe that the Lord is calling us as a church to participate in united prayers during the forty days immediately preceding the Nov. 6 th election (September 28 November 6). Among many other pastors and Christian leaders in our nation, David Butts, who is the Chairman of America s National Prayer Committee, was recently pressed by God to bring leaders and churches together for an unprecedented time of prayer for our nation. David shared how the Lord was INSISTENT that this is not to be another event of prayer gathering but something unprecedented in American church history. Many believers around the world are praying fervently for the United States and this crucial election. The idea is that every believer and every church takes part in some concerted, prolonged prayer initiative for the elections during the days of September 28-November 6. The Election Prayer Initiative (Stated by America s National Prayer Committee) The United States is clearly a nation in trouble. A battered economy, political divisiveness, the culture wars, racial uneasiness, and a sidelined church, provide the dry tinder for an inflammatory national election in November of While believing in and encouraging the importance of exercising our right to vote, we also call the Christian Church in America to do that which is even more critical in these days to PRAY! The seriousness of our day requires an intensity of prayer that is unprecedented. Our focus in prayer is simple. We are praying for: 1. Personal and corporate Revival that another Great Awakening would sweep across America as the Lord s people humble themselves in repentance and prayer. (2 Chron. 7:14) 2. A standard of righteousness to be raised over this nation (Proverbs 14:34) 3. The Elections that God would intervene. This is not a partisan or political effort but a plea to bring God into a process that desperately needs His wisdom and direction (Isaiah 48:17) Forty Days of Fasting and Prayer Guidebook 1 A2

4 Table of Contents Page..A1 Page..A2 United Prayers for Revival and Election Introduction: A Call to Forty Days of Prayer Section B Page B1 Page...B2 Page B3 Page B5 General Information on our 40 days together LSCC Participation / How to Fast Planning Calendar September - November What is Repentance and How Do I Do It? Section C Page C1 Page C2 Page C3 Page C4 Page C8 Prayer Guide and Daily Prayer Pages Our Prayer Focus Daily Prayer Guide (BEGIN HERE EACH DAY) Daily Repentance Guide Daily Prayer and Journal pages begin APPENDIX Personal Guide to Fasting and Prayer Copyright 1997 Dr. Bill Bright, Campus Crusade for Christ Forty Days of Fasting and Prayer Guidebook 1 A3

5 FORTY DAYS OF FASTING & PRAYER SECTION B General Information on the 40 Days Forty Days of Fasting and Prayer Guidebook 1 B1

6 LSCC PARTICIPATION WHO WHEN All the members, honored guests and friends of Living Stone Christian Church. The fast will begin Friday, Sept. 28 th at 11am and conclude Tuesday, Nov 6 at 11am. Sept. 28 th at 7:00pm BEGIN TOGETHER at the KICK-OFF PRAYER SERVICE (A night of awakening and setting the focus with united worship & prayer) HOW The forty days of fasting will begin at 11:00am September 28 th. WE WOULD REQUEST THAT ALL LEADERS WOULD TOTALLY FAST FOR THE FIRST FIVE DAYS, Friday through Tuesday. If this is not possible for you, please fast as much as you can during the first five days. WE ASK ALL MEMBERS AND FRIENDS TO FAST FOR THE FIRST 3 DAYS. AFTER THE FIRST FIVE DAYS the minimum participation during the forty days would be: 1. Fast ONE FULL DAY each week, (then) 2. Fast AT LEAST ONE MEAL each day during the forty days of fasting and prayer. HOW TO FAST AND PRAY SUBSTITUTE PRAYER FOR EATING during meal times on any day you are fasting. REMEMBER, FASTING WITHOUT PRAYER IS A DIET. Drink liquids during your fasting, at minimum, water. If your fast is extended, experiment with juices that do not upset your stomach. Take your vitamins if you are in the habit of doing so. (See Bill Bright s study on Fasting in the Appendix for more details). If you attempt to do a total fast for forty days, be sure you have a prayer partner who is totally informed during the fast so they can be a watchman for your soul. Finally, we want to list those individuals who will be fasting on a specific day of the week each week, on a forty day calendar. We want to be sure that every single day of the forty day period is covered. Please be prepared to indicate your day of the week on the sign-up sheet/calendar. You are under no compulsion to participate, even though we sincerely hope each member will be able to participate at least under the minimum guidelines of one full day a week, plus one meal a day each week of the forty days. If you need to decline for medical or other reasons, I want to assure you that there will be no repercussions of any kind, and you will not be considered less than you are the servant of God. This must be a free will offering by each on who participates, or it will have no value in the sight of God. With hope and expectation, plus love and appreciation for you all, LSCC Elders Forty Days of Fasting and Prayer Guidebook 1 B2

7 September SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY Begin 25 fast Friday, September th, 11:00am Kick-off prayer service at 7:00pm Leaders Fast first 5 days members and guests fast first 3 days. Then at least 1 day each week, plus 1 meal per day during the other 6 days of each week. October 7pm Kickoff service SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY Forty Days of Fasting and Prayer Guidebook 1 B3

8 November SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY We will break our fast on Tuesday, Nov 6 at 11am Forty Days of Fasting and Prayer Guidebook B4 1

9 What is Repentance and How Do I Do It? Not many people talk about repentance in our day even in the church. But repentance is an essential theme in Scripture. The words repent, repents, repented, and repentance appear over 70 times in the Bible. Repentance was the message that Jesus went about proclaiming: "Repent for the kingdom of heaven is near" (Matthew 3:2). Repentance is the message that the apostles preached on the first day of Pentecost: "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins." And repentance isn't just for unbelievers. Repentance is an activity for believers which we continually practice as we fall into sin: "Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent" (Revelation 3:19; see also Luke 17:3-4; 2 Corinthians 7:9-10; 2 Peter 3:9; Revelation 2:5,16,22; 3:3). What Is Repentance? Some people teach that repentance merely means "changing your mind" and has nothing to do with changing your heart or sorrowing over your sin or hating your sin. In the Old Testament. Repentance was something that God had spoken about on many occasions before and hence the word has a richer context and meaning than simply "changing one s mind." In fact, repentance had much more to do with the heart, than the mind, in Hebrew thinking (1 Kings 8:47). We also need to allow Jesus and the apostles to define the word for us. So what is repentance? The following six items come from Thomas Watson (a famous Puritan) who wrote about repentance. Please read this with an open Bible, so you can read each Scripture: 1. Seeing your sin 1 John 1:8, Sorrowing over your sin We must do more than admit it. We must internally engage with it. Psalm 51:17; Isaiah 57:15; 2 Corinthians 7:9. 3. Confessing your sin We must put our sin into words and agree with God that what we did was wrong. Psalm 51:4; Hosea 14:1-3; 2 Corinthians 7:11; 1 John 1:9. 4. Being ashamed of your sin Watson: blushing is the color of virtue. Jeremiah 6:15; 31: Hating your sin Job 42:5-6. Forty Days of Fasting and Prayer Guidebook B5 1

10 6. Turning from your sin Watson: Reformation is left last to bring up the rear of repentance. It is not the heart of repentance, but the fruit of repentance. Matthew 3:7-8; Acts 26:20. a. At the very least, this means removing yourself as much as possible from places of temptation (Proverbs 4:14-17). b. If your sin was against other people, then you must go to them and ask their forgiveness (Matthew 5:23-24). c. If the sin involves stealing, then restitution must be made (Luke 19:8). Repentance is necessary for God to forgive us (Acts 2:38; 3:19; 8:22). Forgiveness will not happen until these take place. If we do not repent we will perish (Luke 13:1-5). Do We Have Help Repenting? This may surprise you, but repentance is not something we do by ourselves. Repentance is not purely our work. Repentance is something that God must do in us. The Bible tells us that "God grants repentance" (2 Timothy 2:25-26; Acts 11:18). You can only repent when the Holy Spirit has brought you conviction. The Christian life would be very much simpler if we grasped that it consists of working together with whatever the Holy Spirit is seeking to do in and with us. We should live life in sensitivity to whatever God is doing in our lives and collaborate actively with Him. Repentance consists of quitting my resistance to the Holy Spirit, seeing matters God's way, and going along with the process that God is doing in me. Repentance is no pleasure trip. It may involve tears. The Bible calls it "godly sorrow" (2 Corinthians 7:8-11). This godly sorrow contains "earnestness, eagerness to be clean, indignation, alarm, longing, and concern" (v. 11). The Old Testament believers showed their repentance with tearing of their clothes, wearing sackcloth (very uncomfortable clothing), and ashes on the head. Repentance is no pleasure trip. Paul tells us that "godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret" (2 Corinthians 7:10). Delirious joy is a fruit of true repentance. Joy over the wonder of sins forgiven, of God's loving acceptance of me, of new power cleansing and transforming my wicked heart. Forty Days of Fasting and Prayer Guidebook 1 B6

11 Practical Considerations The whole life of a Christian should be one of repentance. So how do we repent? First you must truly want to repent. You must avoid that caricature of repentance that is merely a cover for sorrow over consequences. This is called "worldly sorrow" and "it leads only to death" (2 Cor 7:10). Esau is an example of false repentance. He was rejected because he did not really want to change (Hebrews 12:15-17). Then you must ask God to search your heart to show you your sins as He sees them. You must call them by their names-- write down a list of them as God searches your heart. Then add to the list your "problems" and ask God whether you should not call them sins, rather than problems. Take time in quietness to let God speak to your heart. All the time your focus must not be on your sins but on your Savior, on what your sins cost Him and with what love He paid for them. Don t focus on the grime, but on the gospel. As far as you are able you must refuse to go on practicing the sins (Matthew 3:7-8). At the very least, this means removing yourself as much as possible from places of temptation (Proverbs 4:14-17). If your sin was against other people, then you must go to them and ask their forgiveness (Matthew 5:23-24). If the sin involves stealing, then restitution must be made (Luke 19:8). Finally ask God to change your heart with an infusion of His righteousness. This is the good news: that we do not have power to transform ourselves, but God does. Only Father working through the Cross can change us -- and He desires to do so. As you follow this process of repentance, you will not entirely succeed in getting rid of the practice of sin. It may not come at once, but repentance is a work that you must be diligent at until the Lord uproots the foundation that it is feeding upon. You may find it necessary to schedule time with one of our church counselor s to get help with sin that is a stronghold in your life. Forty Days of Fasting and Prayer Guidebook 1 B7

12 FORTY DAYS OF FASTING & PRAYER SECTION C Prayer Guide and Daily Prayer Pages Forty Days of Fasting and Prayer Guidebook C1 1

13 Our Prayer Focus 1. Personal and Corporate Revival that another Great Awakening would sweep across America as the Lord s people humble themselves in repentance and prayer. (2 Chron. 7:14) 2. A standard of righteousness to be raised over this nation (Proverbs 14:34) 3. The Elections that God would intervene. This is not a partisan or political effort but a plea to bring God into a process that desperately needs His wisdom and direction (Isaiah 48:17) 40 Days Begins Our fast began Friday, September 28 th at 11:00am Therefore the 1 st page in this section is dated Sept. 28, 2012 We will kick-off our prayer and fasting together on Friday, September 28 th at 7pm. This service will help begin our focus together on prayer for revival in our nation. Our fast ends Tuesday, November 6 th at 11:00am God bless you as you obey the Lord s direction for you during these 40 days together. Forty Days of Fasting and Prayer Guidebook C2 1

14 Daily Prayer Guide PRAYER GUIDANCE FOR EACH OF THE 40 DAY s: We strongly urge you to do more than just recite some daily prayers. Take the liberty to pray as the Spirit leads, not by some rigid formula. Some type of deep repentance is crucial to any genuine revival. Only as we truly return to God can our prayers have New Testament power. Obviously, our main goal is the glory of God s name and spread of His kingdom. Matt. 6:9-13 In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. 10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. 13 And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. 1. Begin with Praise centered and focused on the Lord alone a. Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. b. Who He is (Begin your focus on the Lord and not on yourself) i. The Lord who is gracious and merciful to a thousand generations ii. The Lord our Righteousness iii. The Lord who Sanctifies iv. The Lord our peace, health, & prosperity v. The ever present God vi. The Lord who heals vii. The Lord who provides viii. The Lord, my Shepherd 2. Daily Repentance Guide (C4-C7) a. And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one b. Do not rush through these areas of repentance but allow the Holy Spirit to thoroughly lead you in deeper repentance each day. c. Very important do not allow the enemy to bring condemnation upon you, but allow the Holy Spirit to bring conviction and instruction then repent and receive his cleansing and joy each day. 3. Pray through Today s prayer focus - Daily Prayer & Journal (C8 & following) a. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven b. Each of the 40 days are numbered (Day One ), you may want to add the date for each day to stay on track with the prayer focus for each day. c. You may also like to use the adjacent blank page (left page) to journal your interactions with the Lord during your prayer times. Forty Days of Fasting and Prayer Guidebook 1 C3

15 Daily Repentance Guide Heart Searching For Repentance and Personal Revival This is a DAILY exercise to help you repent of personal sin and find a more intimate relationship with the Father. The following Scriptures and questions are given as a stimulation to repentance. It is our prayer that the Holy Spirit will use these to bring about conviction -- "godly sorrow" (2 Corinthians 7:7-11) -- in your life and that you will know a deeper dependence upon and power from Father God. "Search me, O God and know my heart. Test me and know my thoughts. See if there be any offensive way in me. Then lead me in the way everlasting" (Psalm 139:23-24). 2 Chr. 7:14 also emphasizes our need to first repent and turn from our wicked ways and God will hear from heaven forgiving us and healing our land. CONFESSION OF SIN IS NECESSARY FOR CLOSE FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD. REPENTANCE FROM SIN IS NECESSARY FOR REVIVING OUR SPIRITUAL LIFE AND OUR LAND. Prayerfully, read the following Scriptures then consider the questions which come after. Go through the Scriptures and the questions one by one...answer truthfully. Every "yes" answer means you are "missing the mark" in your life. "Missing the mark" (like an arrow missing the target) is the literal meaning for one of the Greek words (Greek - hamartia) for sin. When we sin, we miss the target. We fail to be all that we could be in Christ. We fail to know God's blessing--which He eagerly desires to give us. IN READING THESE QUESTIONS, AS YOU ARE CONVICTED OF SIN, CONFESS IT AT ONCE TO GOD. BE WILLING TO MAKE IT RIGHT...THEN CLAIM GOD'S CLEANSING AND HIS COMPLETE FORGIVENESS. 1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. AVOID RATIONALIZATIONS. NAME YOUR TRANSGRESSION TO GOD, AS... "LORD, I HAVE NOT PUT YOU FIRST IN MY PLANS", OR "I HAVE NEGLECTED YOUR WORK AND PRAYER". DO NOT MAKE THE LEAST EXCUSE FOR SIN OF ANY KIND IN YOUR LIFE. Proverbs 28:13 "He that covers his sins shall not prosper; but whoever confesses and renounces them shall have mercy." No matter what others do, or do not do, leave nothing undone on your part. God wants to work through you to extend His kingdom in the earth. A revival from the Lord can begin today. Forty Days of Fasting and Prayer Guidebook 1 C4

16 (1) Matthew 6:12-14: Is there anyone against whom you hold a grudge? Anyone you haven't forgiven? Anyone you hate? Anyone you do not love? Are there any misunderstandings that you are unwilling to forget? Is there any person against whom you are harboring bitterness, resentment, or jealousy? Anyone you dislike to hear praised or well spoken of? Do you allow anything to justify a wrong attitude toward another in your Christian family? Is there anything that is eating at you? (2) Matthew 6:33: Is there anything in which you have failed to put God first? Have your decisions been made after your own wisdom and desires, rather than searching and following God's will? Do any of the following in any way interfere with your surrender and service to God--ambition, pleasures, loved ones, friendships, desire for recognition, money, your own plans, gifts and dreams? Others opinions of you or your reputation? Are you unwilling to show & express your love for God? (3) Matthew 5:21-24 & Matthew 18:15-17: Have you failed to take steps to reconcile with your Christian brother or sister? Have you sinned against a brother (or sister) and you have failed to go to him and ask his forgiveness (Matthew 5:23)? Is there a Christian brother (or sister) who has sinned "against you" and you have failed to go to them (Matthew 18:15)? (4) Mark 16:15: Have you failed to seek the lost for Christ? Have you failed to witness with your mouth for the Lord Jesus Christ? Has your life not shown to the lost the Lord Jesus? (5) John 13:35: Are you secretly pleased over the misfortunes of another brother or sister? Are you secretly annoyed over the accomplishments or advancements of another? Are you guilty of any contention or strife? Are you a partaker in any divisions, or party spirit? Are there members of your Christian family whom you deliberately slight? (6) Acts 20:35: Have you robbed God by withholding the small amount He requires of time, service, and money? Have you given less than you ought to for God's work? Have you failed to support the weak either in prayer or in offering? (7) 1 Cor 4:2: Are you undependable so that you cannot be trusted with responsibilities in the Lord's work? Are you allowing your emotions to be stirred for things of the Lord but doing nothing about it? (8) 1 Corinthians 6:19-20: Are you in any way careless with your body? Do you fail to care for it as the temple of the Holy Spirit? Do you have any habits which are defiling to the body? (9) 1 Corinthians 10:31: Do you take credit before men for what's good about you, rather than give the glory to God? Do you talk of what you have done rather than of what Christ has done? Are your statements mostly about "I"? Have you made a pretense of being something that you're not? Forty Days of Fasting and Prayer Guidebook C5 1

17 (10) Ephesians 3:20: Are you self-conscious rather than Christ-conscious? Do you allow feelings of inferiority to keep you from attempting things you should in serving God? Do you put off doing things which Christ has called you to do because of feelings of inadequacy? (11) Eph 4:28: Do you underpay? Do you do very little in your work? Have you been careless in the payment of your debts? Have you sought to evade payment of debts? Do you waste others time? (12) Ephesians 4:29: Is your talk filthy or unwholesome? Do you curse and swear at others? Does your language include sexual innuendoes and snide remarks? After speaking with you do people leave feeling torn down rather than built up? (13) Ephesians 4:31: Are you a person of evil temper? Are you irritable or cranky? Do you ever carry hidden anger? Do your co-workers, subordinates, spouse or children fear your anger? Are you a brawler? Do you cut down others with your tongue? Do you slander? (14) Ephesians 5:15-16: Do you listen to unedifying radio or TV programs? Do you read unworthy magazines? Do you find it necessary to seek satisfaction and enjoyment from any questionable source? Are you doing certain things that show that you are not satisfied in the Lord Jesus Christ? (15) Eph 5:20: Have you neglected to thank Him for all things, the seemingly bad as well as the good? Have you virtually called God a liar by doubting His word that "in all things God works for the good of those who love him"? Do you worry instead of thank? Is your spiritual temperature based on your feelings instead of on the facts of God's Word? Have you neglected thanksgiving at meals? (16) Phil 1:21: Are you taken up with the cares of this life? Is your conversation or heart joy over "things" rather than the Lord? Does anything mean more to you than living for and pleasing Christ? (17) Phil 2:14: Are you a grumbler against God's will in your life? Do you cooperate with God in His salvation work or long for "Egypt" like the Israelites? Do you grumble against those who are your brothers? Do you gossip? Do you speak unkindly concerning people when they are not present? Do you have an argumentative spirit? Do you carry prejudice against true Christians because they are of some different group than yours, or because they do not see everything exactly like you? (18) Philippians 4:4: Do you carry any bitterness toward God? Have you been dissatisfied with His provision for you? Do you have any reservations as to what you would or would not do concerning anything that might be His will? Have you disobeyed some direct leading from Him? (19) Colossians 3:9,10: Do you ever lie? Do you ever exaggerate? Cheat? Carefully consider--do you over-charge? Forty Days of Fasting and Prayer Guidebook C6 1

18 (20) Hebrews 10:25: Do you stay away from meetings where you can be encouraged by God's Word and God's people? Do you whisper or think about other things while God's Word is being read or preached? Are you irregular in attendance at services? Have you neglected family devotions? (21) Hebrews 13:17: Do you hesitate to submit to leaders in the church? Do you rebel at legitimate requests given to you to help in the work of the gospel? Do you in any way have a stubborn or unteachable spirit? Do you help your leaders to do their work with joy? (22) James 1:19: Do you spend more time talking than listening to others? Do you find yourself thinking about what you are going to say next rather than listening? Do you blurt out rather than considering what you should say? Are you quick tempered? (23) James 4:6: Are you proud? Do you insist on having your own way? Do you insist on your "rights" before God? (24) James 4:11: Have you dishonored the Lord and hindered His work by criticizing His servants? Have you gossiped about a Christian brother or sister rather than going to them directly? Have you failed to pray regularly for your spiritual leaders? (25) 1 John 3:3: Do you have any personal habits that are not pure? Do you read that which is impure or suggests unholy things? Do you allow impure thoughts about the opposite sex to stay in your mind? Do you indulge in any unclean entertainment? Are you guilty of the lustful look? (26) Genesis 3:12: Do you justify your sin and shift blame on others and God, or do you take complete ownership? When you take ownership for your sin, you are taking authority to rid yourself of it. IF YOU HAVE BEEN HONEST AND TRUE IN THE MATTER OF ADMITTING YOUR SINS, THEN YOU HAVE GOD'S CLEANSING. Sins that are admitted, are sins that are confessed. The literal Greek meaning of the word "confess" is to "agree with God" about our sin. When we agree with Him, our spirit is linked to His Spirit and His power flows into our life to make us more like Him (2 Corinthians 3:17-18). IF THERE IS FULL CONFESSION, THERE IS FULL CLEANSING. THEN THE JOY OF THE LORD WILL FOLLOW. Acts 3:19 Psalm 19:12: "Who can discern all his errors? Lord, forgive even my hidden faults." Forty Days of Fasting and Prayer Guidebook 1 C7

19 Daily Prayer and Journal Pages (From Forty Days of Seeking God by Gregory Frizzell) The following prayers are used by permission from the copyrighted book, Forty Days of Seeking God. Copyright 2012 by Gregory R. Frizzell. Forty Days of Seeking God is unique in that believers daily pray through at least two biblical prayers for revival and for God s guidance in our nation. Over the forty days, participants pray through all of the various prayers several times. There is also a built-in flexibility to pray as the Spirit guides, not by some rigid formula. By using these strategic biblical prayers, believers learn to intercede with far greater specificity and thoroughness. Above all, you are co-laboring with God by genuinely praying His heart. Such prayer is the very essence of spiritual warfare and sweeping revival. Rather than simply reciting the prayers in this tool, I strongly urge readers to prayerfully meditate on their unique spiritual focus and the meaning behind them. Do not recite or casually scan these prayers. Ask God to help you pray these points from your heart in the power of God s Spirit. Prayerfully consider their strategic meaning. Day One Prayer Focus Plead for God s mercy on the Church, nation and world. Pray that He would stay His righteous judgment and turn us to Himself in fervent love and deep repentance. (2 Chronicles 7:14; Psalm 85:4-7; Daniel 9:18-19; Hebrews 4:16; James 4:8-10; 1 Peter 4:17) Pray for believers to be much more concerned about the glory of God s Name and spread of Christ s Kingdom than economic, political and social comforts. (Matthew 5:10-12, 6:33; James 4:1-3) Forty Days of Fasting and Prayer Guidebook C8 1

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