“Even now,” declares the LORD, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and
weeping and mourning.” Joel 2:12, NIV"Desire gives fervor to prayer. The soul cannot be listless when some great desire fixes and inflames it . . . Strong desires make strong prayers." (E.M. Bounds: Man of Prayer)
At sundown tonight we begin our 40 days of prayer and fasting as a church. As you fast and pray ask God to awaken in you a desire to follow Him in your personal life, in your family, and in our church. Remember that whatever God has called you to fast (i.e. food, sugar, coffee, T.V. etc.) for the next 40 days replace the desire for those things with a hunger for God and reconnect with Him.
Know that as we walk with God, there are times that we feel far from Him or disconnected. Joel’s words above resonate with us, “return to me with all your heart.” There are times we realize that though we have chosen to follow Jesus, the flame of our love for Him has grown cold. Your time spent in prayer each day of the fast can result in a new richness, a rewarding connection with the Father.
No matter where you are on your journey with Jesus, you can always take a step closer toward Him.
I believe the power of fasting as it relates to prayer is the spiritual
atomic bomb that our Lord has given us to destroy the strongholds of
evil and usher in a great revival and spiritual harvest around the
world. —Bill Bright
Prayer Focus: As we begin this time of prayer and fasting, let’s turn our hearts toward God. Make a commitment to seek Him daily. Pray that your love for Christ will be increased and your passion for Him will be reignited over the next 40 days.
For detailed fasting info click below. . .
http://www.river-rock.org/media/images/stories/40days.pdf
To view this weeks message click below. . .
http://www.vimeo.com/20754851
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