CHURCH PRAYER AND FASTING WEEK

COMMITMENT CHURCH PRAYER AND FASTING WEEK

5 DAYS OF PRAYER & FASTING

Dear GCF Nuvali, We praise the Lord for giving us a wonderful privilege to come before His presence as a church. Prayer and fasting is a spiritual discipline that we must not neglect. Let us remember that prayer is the means for us to commune with God; It is being with God. And fasting is to gain Someone and not something. We are doing this spiritual disciplines because we want to align ourselves individually and as a church to God s will. Edmund Chan has said, Alignment comes first before Assignment. So, it is good that we align our church s plan to God s plan. This is the perfect time for all of us to come together in unity and pray to our Almighty God. I hope and pray that you will come on the culmination of our prayer and fasting that will be held here at our worship hall on August 25, 2018, 2pm to 4pm. Let us unite our hands and hearts in prayer! PASTOR ERWIN AMADOR

Devotionals FOOD FOR THE SOUL

DAY 1:MONDAY A TOTALITARIAN DEMAND By MARTIN LLOYD-JONES Scripture reading: Psalm 34:8 Christianity is a way of life. And it is a way of life that demands a total commitment; it is, if you like, a totalitarian demand. It does not merely ask that we consider it and say, Oh yes, I can take on that teaching; that s a good emphasis there, I ll add that! No; it is not something to be applied as we think and when and where. Jesus says, Seek ye first. In other words, let me put it like this: Men and women will never know the truth of Christianity or the blessings that it can give until they have given themselves to it. You can examine Christianity from the outside, but you will never know it, you will never get it. If any man will do his will, says our Lord, he shall know of the doctrine whether it be of God (John 17:17). Here is a great fundamental principle about this way of life: Taste and see that the LORD is good (Psalm 34:8). You will never know that the Lord is good until you have tasted Him, until you have tried Him. So many of us are like a man standing in an orchard, and there he looks at an apple tree or a pear tree, and he examines it at a distance. Somebody says, You know, that has a most wonderful flavor. If only you would try it, you would say that it is the most wonderful fruit

you ve ever tasted in your life. But the man looks on, and he is not quite satisfied; he is not convinced, and he can argue and stay there for as long as he likes, but he will never know the fruit until he takes it and puts it in his mouth and bites it and proves it. Taste and see that the LORD is good. A theoretical examination of Christianity will never bring us anywhere. Our Lord always calls for a committal. Prayer Items: 1. Pray for our country. 2. Pray for our President. 3. Pray for our economy.

DAY 2: TUESDAY DEVOTION WITHOUT DISCIPLINE by EDMUND CHAN Scripture reading: James 1:22 Thought without action stems from devotion without discipline. Discipline cannot be divorced from discipleship. Discipline is what modern disciples need the most and want the least. In her insightful book, Reaching Out Without Dumbing Down, Marva Dawn wrote about being made painfully aware why the four-month class that she taught on Christian community was so woefully ineffective. She lamented over a lack of action. Participants in the class told me frequently how much they enjoyed it, how much they were learning but I wondered why not much was changing in our congregation. In my naiveté I believed that most people put truth into practice, that we will see coherence between what we know and how we live, that knowledge leads to integrity of character and life. Now it seems indisputable to that television has habituated its watchers to a low information-action ratio, that people are accustomed to learning good ideas (even from sermons) and then doing nothing about them. Knowledge, if not translated into action, is impotent.

One of my childhood hobbies was learning magic tricks. I still enjoy close-up magic with cards. I can show you a trick or two with a deck of cards. But here s the thing. Even if I show you how the trick is done, you cannot do it really unless you practice it. You know the moves, you know the secret, but if you do not do it yourself, it is utterly useless. In a real sense, you don t know how it s really done. Discipleship is like that. The reason why radical discipleship is so difficult is because we fail to take decisive action. We are weak in applying the truth. Devotion without discipline is thought without action. We fail to translate intention into reality. Prayer Items: 1. Pray for CBAP Project PAGASA May the Lord provide Conservative Baptist Association of the Philippines its own place located at Bgy. Pagasa (back of SM North Edsa). 2. Pray for the leaders of CBAP especially our General Director Dr. Rey Avante.

DAY 3: WEDNESDAY THE CONDITIONS OF DISCIPLESHIP By OSWALD CHAMBERS Scripture reading: Luke 14:26 27, 33 If the closest relationships of a disciple s life conflict with the claims of Jesus Christ, then our Lord requires instant obedience to Himself. Discipleship means personal, passionate devotion to a Person our Lord Jesus Christ. There is a vast difference between devotion to a person and devotion to principles or to a cause. Our Lord never proclaimed a cause He proclaimed personal devotion to Himself. To be a disciple is to be a devoted bondservant motivated by love for the Lord Jesus. Many of us who call ourselves Christians are not truly devoted to Jesus Christ. No one on earth has this passionate love for the Lord Jesus unless the Holy Spirit has given it to him. We may admire, respect, and revere Him, but we cannot love Him on our own. The only One who truly loves the Lord Jesus is the Holy Spirit, and it is He who has poured out in our hearts the very love of God (Romans 5:5). Whenever the Holy Spirit sees an opportunity to glorify Jesus through you, He will take your entire being and set you ablaze with glowing devotion to Jesus Christ.

The Christian life is a life characterized by true and spontaneous creativity. Consequently, a disciple is subject to the same charge that was leveled against Jesus Christ, namely, the charge of inconsistency. But Jesus Christ was always consistent in His relationship to God, and a Christian must be consistent in his relationship to the life of the Son of God in him, not consistent to the strict, unyielding doctrines. People pour themselves into their own doctrines, and God has to blast them out of their preconceived ideas before they can become devoted to Jesus Christ. Prayer Items: 1. Pray for the whole Greenhills Christian Fellowship (GCF) Family of Churches. 2. Pray for the Conservative Baptist Christian Fellowship (CBCF) Family of Churches.

DAY 4: THURSDAY ALL EFFORTS OF WORTH AND EXCELLENCE ARE DIFFICULT by OSWALD CHAMBERS Scripture reading: Matthew 7:13 14 If we are going to live as disciples of Jesus, we have to remember that all efforts of worth and excellence are difficult. The Christian life is gloriously difficult, but its difficulty does not make us faint and cave in it stirs us up to overcome. Do we appreciate the miraculous salvation of Jesus Christ enough to be our utmost for His highest our best for His glory! God saves people by His sovereign grace through the atonement of Jesus, and it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure (Philippians 2:13). But we have to work out [Not work for] that salvation in our everyday, practical living (Philippians 2:12). If we will only start on the basis of His redemption to do what He commands, then we will find that we can do it. If we fail, it is because we have not yet put into practice what God has placed within us. But a crisis will reveal whether or not we have been putting it into practice. If we will obey the Spirit of God and practice in our physical life what God has placed within is by His Holy Spirit, then when a crisis does come we will find that our own nature, as well as the grace of God, will stand by us.

Thank God that He does give us difficult things to do! His salvation is joyous thing, but it is also something that requires bravery, courage, and holiness. It tests us for all we are worth. Jesus is bringing many sons to glory (Hebrews 2:10), and God will not shield us from the requirements of sonship. God s grace produces men and women with a strong family likeness to Jesus Christ, not pampered, spoiled weaklings. It takes a tremendous amount of discipline to live the worthy and excellent life of a disciple of Jesus in the realities of life. And it is always necessary for us to make an effort to live a life of worth and excellence. Prayer Items: 1. Pray for GCF Nuvali Church Building Project. 2. Pray for GCF Nuvali Church Leaders. 3. Pray that we all may grow deep in the Word resulting to deep devotion to Jesus Christ. 4. Pray that we might stay here in Solenad till we move to our own building. 5. Pray that we might continue to reach out to our community and share the Gospel. 6. Pray for God s provision.

DAY 5: FRIDAY JOINING GOD REQUIRES OBEDIENCE by HENRY BLACKABY & CLAUDE KING Scripture reading: John 14:23 You cannot stay where you are and go with God. You cannot continue doing things your way and accomplish God s purposes in His Ways. Once you have adjusted your life to God, His purposes, and His ways you are prepared to obey Him. Costly obedience come before the experience of God s presence and power working through you. Many Christians and churches come to this moment of truth and decide the cost is too great. What they often do not do is consider what it may cost them not to obey. When God calls you to an assignment, the obedience will be costly to you and to those around you. Whatever the cost, however, obedience to God is not an option. It is required of every servant. When you obey, God will accomplish what He purposed, and you will be overwhelmed with the experience of God s power and presence. You and those around you will come to a greater knowledge of God through the experience. Prayer Items: Pray for your personal concerns.

PRAYER AND FASTING GUIDE My spiritual drought ended, but this taste for the majesty of God only made me thirst for HIM. PREPARING TO FAST -John Piper 1. SET YOUR OBJECTIVE AND COMMIT TO A TYPE OF FAST. 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. Once you know the reason you have for fasting, you must make a commitment. Pray about the kind of fast you should undertake. - Choose the type of fast God wants you to undertake (e.g. water only fast, one meal per day fast) - Determine how much time each day will be devoted to prayer and God s word. 2. BE EXPECTANT. Be reminded that the Lord listens to a prayer from the heart. Be true and contrite as we expect results from our God. 3. PREPARE SPIRITUALLY. The very foundation of fasting is repentance. Unconfessed sin will hinder your prayers. Seek forgiveness from all whom you have offended and forgive all who have hurt you. Make restitution as the Holy Spirit leads you. 4. PREPARE PHYSICALLY. Fasting requires physical precautions. For those who are taking medication or have a chronic ailment, it is advisable to consult your physician first before beginning the fast. 5. LESSEN PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES. Limit your physical activities and social activities during this period. You need to conserve physical energy and you need to devote more time to prayer and reading the Bible. 6. BE IN FAITH. Be strong and vigilant in prayer as you dedicate more time in fellowship with the Father. Ask the Holy Spirit for guidance. Be clear and specific about your faith goals in your personal life, family, finances, and church. These are what you believe God will do for you during the fast and the entire year. Maintain a thankful heart throughout and after the fast.

DURING A FAST The greater the satisfaction you experience from God while still in this world, the greater your desire for the next. -John Piper 1. SEEK THE LORD. Commit to prayer and Bible reading the times you usually allocate for meals. Remain accountable to your Growth Group, for what you don t eat physically you should compensate for spiritually. Be ready to respond when you hear from God. 2. COMMIT TO CHANGE. Whatever God tells you or whatever He points His finger upon, apply it immediately. If you need to make restitution, immediately contact people you have broken relationships with. If there are habits that need to change, make the adjustment immediately. Ask your Growth Group Leader to hold you accountable. 3. PRAY. Pray for the items on your prayer list and other items as the Holy Spirit leads. Let us, in His name intercede for our family, our country, the government, for GCF Nuvali, our members, Christians around the world etc. 4. SATURATE YOURSELF WITH THE WORD. We must fill our mind with the Word of God and saturate it fully. Although our body may be hungry, our soul must be filled with the spiritual food that we crave and that is enough to strengthen us to deny our flesh. Consider a fast from food as a spiritual feast. 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. - Praise and worship. - Confession and repentance of sin. - Read and meditate on God s Word, preferably on your knees. - Pray for His vision for your life and empowerment to do His will. - Spend time in intercessory prayer for your community s and special needs - Take a short spiritual walk - if others are fasting with you, you may meet together for prayer - Avoid televisions, computer games, internet entertainment surfing, movies, parties and any other distraction that may dampen your spiritual focus.

BREAKING THE FAST 1. END YOUR FAST GRADUALLY. Begin by eating gradually. Do not eat solid food immediately after you fast. Suddenly reintroducing food to your stomach and digestive tract will likely have negative, even dangerous consequences. Try several smaller meals to snacks. If you end your fast gradually, the beneficial physical and spiritual effects will result in continued good health. You may start with the fruit, fruit juice, salad and soup then gradually eat more solid food such as vegetables, fish, meat etc 2. CONTINUE TO PRAY. Do not let your prayer end on the day you finished the fast. Build from the momentum you gained during the fast. Let it transform your prayer and devotional life. Carry the newfound passion with you throughout the year. 3. PURSUE GREATER INTIMACY WITH GOD. 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. A single fast, however is not a spiritual cure-all. A 24-hour fast each week has been greatly rewarding to many Christians. It takes time to build your spiritual muscles, If you fail to make it through your first fast, do not be discouraged. As soon as possible, undertake another fast until you do succeed. God will honor you for your faithfulness. 4. EXPERIENCE THE JOY OF GOD S PRESENCE, Let us bask in the fullness of joy in the Lord as we abide in His glorious presence. Psalm 16:!1 You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. When we have denied our flesh, empowered ur spirit with prayer, and solely depend on God for nourishment, there is a joy in the moment we experience God s magnificent power. CAUTION! In spite of the absolute safety and benefits of fasting, there are certain per sons who should not fast without professional supervisions. - Persons who are physically too thin or emaciated. - Persons who are prone to anorexia, bulimia or other eating disorders. - Those who suffer weakness or anemia. - Persons who have tumors, bleeding ulcers, cancer, blood tissues, or who have heart diseases - Those who suffer chronic problems with kidney, liver, lungs, heart or other important organs. - Individuals who take insulin for diabetes, or suffer any other blood sugar problem such as hyperglycemia. - Women who are pregnant or nursing. - For people taking prescription drugs, do not abruptly stop without consulting your attending physician.

SUGGESTIONS FOR PRAYER A- ADORATION We worship God for who He is and what He has one and will continue to do. We focus on t he greatness and goodness of God and acknowledge Him in our lives. We express that His glory and pleasure is more important than our concerns and needs. C- CONFESSION We confess our sins to God. To confess means to say the same thing. Meaning when God says something is sin, we acknowledge that it is indeed sin. We do not make excuses for or make light of it. We agree with God and we turn away from sin. T - THANKSGIVING We thank God for however He will answer our prayers. We always pray with an attitude of gratitude. S - SUPPLICATION We humbly bring before God our requests and the requests of others. We express our dependence and trust in God as our healer, provider, protector, comforter, guide and friend.