Fasting: Day 13

Verse of the Day: 2 Chronicles 7: 14 “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

This is a powerful verse which was originally given to Israel, but applies to us as well if we desire to see spiritual revival and God’s blessing on our life. This verse lists four conditions for revival and restoration:

1. “We must humble ourselves” – During this fast, come clean before God. Repent and turn from your sin and renew your commitment to do God’s will. Remember James 4:17 says, “So any person who knows what is right to do but does not do it, to him it is sin.” This means not only confessing sins that you have committed against others but also when you knew you should have followed God’s will and didn’t follow through a do it.

2. “Pray” - During this fast cry out to God and trust him to intervene in your life and your biggest prayer need. Don’t give up if you haven’t seen the answer yet, keep praying.

3. “Seek my face” - Turn to God with your whole heart. Make sure that you heart is set on Him. Don’t allow any distractions. Go after His presence today, He wants to spend time with you.

4. “Turn from their wicked ways” Make the commitment that you are not going back to the way you were. You are different now. When this fast is done, you will live a changed life. Romans 12: 2 “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

I hope that this verse is the prayer of your heart today as you persevere in this fast. If you do these four things that God requires of us then He says that we can gab a hold of the three promises listed in this verse, which we will focus on tomorrow. Allow God to search your heart today.

Fasting Tip: During your fast you may want to set different “payer stations” throughout the day. In other words, in the early morning I hang out with God and pray for my family, ministry and needs. In the middle of the day I lift your prayer requests up before the Lord and in the evening I spend some time focusing on God and praising Him and listening to His voice. By splitting up your prayer time it may help you to concentrate on Him more.

Personal Word: It is amazing how God can energize your body when you trust Him. Yesterday when it snowed, Zachy wanted to go outside and play in the snow. My initial thought was, oh no, I am going to be so drained. I won’t be able to do anything. But we got all bundled up and had a snowball fight, built a huge snowman, and went sledding. I wasn’t tired the whole time and we had a blast. I was really shocked. I want to encourage you to trust God with your body, spiritually and physically. He will sustain you. He can give you the strength you need.