Isaiah 58:6 (AMP) Is not this the fast that I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every [enslaving] yoke?
Let’s remember the reason that we are fasting. God says that the type of fasting that He requires must come from a heart that is humble. We must humbly strive to know and do His will. To be humble means to destroy power and independence and to be submissive. When we humble ourselves we are saying to God, you are in control of my life. Are you allowing God to guide you and your prayers today? As you humble yourself you learn about His grace, His greatness and you gain His heart.
This fast is not just about you. It is about gaining His heart of compassion for those in need. Who needs your prayers today? Who needs to be set free? Who do you know that is helpless unless you intercede for them? God has place you in your school, workplace, community so that you can intercede for those that are trapped in bondage. You have the power to set them free in Jesus name.
Fasting Tip: We are down to the last week of the fast. I encourage you to make this the strongest and best week of your fast. Set new goals spiritually and write them down. Pray greater prayers and increase your prayer time. Don’t limit your prayers or your faith by what you can see in the natural. We have a God that does the supernatural. James 5:16 says, “The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working].” I Believe that this is going to be the best year of your life spiritually.
Personal Word: This Sunday evening was very powerful and amazing. I was amazed at the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. If you were not there, at the end of the service I invited people up to pour out heir heart before God and seek His face and to be filled with His Spirit. What followed was and hour of people at the (alter) front of the church on their knees praying and some worshipping and crying. Worship continued throughout that time. Even after worship stopped there were groups of people praying over one another and sitting in the presence of the Lord, just soaking it all in. God moved in a mighty way. I believe that God is going to do even greater things in our near future. I want to remind you to invite your friends and loved ones to the “Breakthrough service” this Sunday the 27th. Let’s believe God for MORE!
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Shaina Williams says:
Just commenting on Epic last night... It really was so powerful. It wasn't like an alter call that people would feel awkward going forward for. It wasn't something everyone would be tempted to think, "whoa that person needs God badly!" It was a really incredible way to humble ourselves before God, and seek Him. We're not being selfish by fasting. We're lifting up needs that we have in our lives, as we seek Him deeper than we normally do. As we lift up our needs, some of them are completely hopeless if God is not involved. Last night to me, was a reminder to me to humble myself before God, even as I seek Him for my own needs in my life. So as we were up there at the alter last night, God swept through in a way that was seriously amazing. One of the things I've been fasting for personally, is freedom in the Spirit. I spoke in tongues last summer for the first time on our youth missions trip in Mexico, and lately, I've felt like there was something holding me back. Literally. I sometimes feel like something is physically keeping me silent as I feel the Spirit try to lead me. Last night I spoke in tongues again, and it felt like walls were torn down. It felt like the Spirit of God came through in a twister or something, and I believe God is going to radically change things in our lives thorugh our fasting.
Something I've been reading in my Bible during the fast is 2 Corinthians 3:17. It says, "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." I believe that as we're fasting, we're allowing the Spirit to dwell in us more fully, and powerfully, and thourgh that I believe that we will experience greater freedom in Him than we've ever known.
posted on January 21st, 2008
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Nikki says:
Sunday at Epic was really amazing, and so powerfully humbling! My main prayer during this fast is for certain people to come to Christ, and He’s already opened the door to talk to them a little more. They’ve been a little more receptive the past week or two than I feel like they were the past year or two! Something I’ve constantly told myself over the years is that I cannot grant salvation, just do my part to show them who Jesus is. Sometimes it’s hard to know if I’m “doing it right,” but on Sunday night God showed me that “doing it right” means believing – believing that He can do these things, and He IS doing a thing greater than I even know.
Also, seeing others surrender in the presence of God was just so incredibly powerful. In my heart, that was moving mountains. Being humbled never felt so great!
And this morning, before I even read these last few blogs, I felt God challenging me to spend more time with Him this week. Go out with a bang – press in for more! Seek Him more...find Him more. I’m taking advantage of this 21 Days of More. I hope you are too. 
posted on January 22nd, 2008
