3 DAYS FASTING AND PRAYER FOR JULY 19th, 20th & 21st 2019
THEME: "GOING ANOTHER LEVEL"
“Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: ‘I am the Lord your God, Who teaches you to profit, Who leads you by the way you should go'” (Isaiah 48:17)
This month of July I want to encourage all Christians on social media that want breakthrough and restoration to Fast & Pray along with us this month’s 3 day fast. This is an event anybody can partake of anywhere around the world in your home, church, friend’s house, in the village or in the city etc with the main purpose of getting people to repent and turn back to God on the same calendar day through fasting with the help of prayer taken from 2 Chronicles 7:14, that it will build awareness of the need to pray for your local church. Though we are on different time lines I encourage you to just follow the dates for your respective countries. Date: 19th,20th & 21st of July 2019 Fasting Days: Friday, Saturday, Sunday Fasting Type: Fasting from food but drinking water or fluids for those that can. You are welcome to break the fast each evening and start again either after meal (6am-6pm) or you can go straight through. Are you tired of the same old same old? Are you ready to go to a higher level to another level? I don’t know about you, but if you are comfortable to just stay on the same level in God than you may find you have positioned yourself in an unhealthy comfort zone. Perhaps you’re ready to go to a higher level of intimacy with God. You’re ready to become the man or woman of integrity, of prayer, of the Word, and of godly character that God has called you to be. Or perhaps you’re ready to go to a higher level of power. You’re ready to heal the sick, raise the dead, and cast out demons the way Jesus commanded us to do. Or, maybe you are ready for a higher level of success in your personal life and relationships. You’re ready for deeper friendships, a better family dynamic, and a life lived with purpose and intention so you can fully experience everything God has for you. No matter what, if you’re ready to go to a higher level in any area, God is ready to help you. Here’s how I know God is ready to take you to a higher level, for when I was reading Isaiah 48 recently I stumbled across this verse: “Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: ‘I am the Lord your God, Who teaches you to profit, Who leads you by the way you should go'” (Isaiah 48:17). The word translated “profit” in that verse literally means, in the Hebrew, “to ascend.” Therefore if you were to look at this scripture once again it would read this: Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: ‘I am the Lord your God, Who teaches you to ascend, Who leads you by the way you should go'” (Isaiah 48:17), emphasis mine. God Himself teaches you to ascend. He is the One who takes you to a higher level. He’s ready to take you to a higher level right now! Fasting Teaching - https://youtu.be/DFWacd-8ShY PRACTICAL TIPS FOR FASTING: 1. Avoid medical and even natural herbal drugs. However, if you are under medication, these should only be withdrawn upon the advice of your doctor. 2. Limit your physical activity and exercise. If you have a workout routine, adjust it accordingly. 3. Rest as much as you can if needed be. 4. Maintain an attitude of prayer throughout the day. Intercede for your family, pastors, church, nation, missionaries & world missions, etc. 5. Drink plenty of clean water if you are joining the water fast. 6. As your body adjusts, be prepared for temporary bouts of physical weakness as well as a greater likelihood of impatience, irritability, and anxiety. FASTING BRINGS REVIVAL “. . . in the first year of his reign I, Daniel, understood from the Scriptures, according to the word of the LORD given to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years. So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.” Daniel 9:2,3 Fasting helps us prevail in prayer and intercession. Daniel understood that Israel was headed for destruction. He also knew that in times like these, there is only one recourse—intercession through praying and fasting. Throughout human history, God has brought revival and delivered nations from destruction in response to prayer and fasting. FASTING IS AN ACT OF HUMILITY AND CONSECRATION. “. . . I put on sackcloth and humbled myself with fasting . . .” Psalm 35:13 Humility results in the grace of God (James 4:6). When we humble ourselves in prayer, we have instant access to the heart of God. As we deny ourselves as an act of consecration, we are better able to exercise self-control over our emotions and desires. SPIRITUAL CLEANSING & SPIRITUAL EYES OPENED Fasting can be done for one meal, one day, one month or for however long God leads. It depends on how the Holy Spirit speaks to us. Shorter fasts are easier to endure until we have built up our “spiritual muscles”. A three day fast is most beneficial as a spiritual cleansing. An example of this is Paul’s being thrust into his fast upon conversion. After the three days of cleansing, he received the Holy Spirit and his eyesight when Ananias laid hands on him (Acts 9:17-18). We also can be spiritually cleansed by fasting so that we receive more of the Lord’s Spirit and have our spiritual eyes opened to new dimensions. A three day fast is also especially helpful in breaking any addictive habits. These then are two reasons for fasting: We receive spiritual cleansing and our spiritual eyes are opened, and we also obtain victory over the devil. When Jesus encountered Satan, He was able to overcome Him because His fasting had given Him spiritual strength. Isaiah 58:6 also gives us light on this purpose of fasting: “Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?” Many people believe that fasting is to move the hand of God, when in actuality it is to make Satan turn loose of the things he is holding. BREAKING STRONGHOLDS & BUILDING FAITH Fasting looses the bands of wickedness. When Jesus discussed the keys to the kingdom, He told us to bind and loose. When we fast, we loose the bands of wickedness, undo the heavy burdens, set the oppressed free, and break every yoke of the enemy. Fasting is an important key to getting the victory over hard situations that do not seem to respond to normal prayer. Fasting builds our faith. In fact, this is what Jesus meant when he spoke to the disciples in Matthew 17:21 in answer to why they were not able to cast a demon out of a child. He said, “However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” He was telling them if they wanted their faith to be at such a level as to be able to cast out demons, then they must fast and pray for their faith to increase. Fasting also makes it easier for us to hear the voice of the Lord. We find an account of this in Acts 13:2 “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” While fasting, the Holy Spirit spoke to them and gave them direction. We too can be directed by the Lord if we seek Him through prayer and fasting. When we deny our natural cravings, our spiritual antennas become more attuned. We become more sensitive to His voice as we divest ourselves of worldly distractions. We are better able to focus on God and submit to His will. This opens the door for more of the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Fasting and mourning are closely associated in the Bible. Two examples of this are found in Ezra and Nehemiah. Ezra 10:6: “Then Ezra rose up from before the house of God, and went into the chamber of Johanan the son of Eliashib: and when he came thither, he did eat no bread, nor drink water: for he mourned because of the transgression of them that had been carried away.” Nehemiah 1:4: “And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven.” From these Scriptures, we see that fasting and travail (a prayer burden from the Lord that brings crying and tears) were combined. Both of these men were fasting for the repentance of God’s people. How we need this same kind of intercession today. Here were men so burdened for the sins of their people that they fasted, travailed and prayed. Day 1 – Going Another Level Friday, July 19, 2019 Scripture Reading — Joshua 1:1-7; Numbers 13:16-33 Joshua 1:1-7 “1 After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, it came to pass that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying: 2 “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel. 3 Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the River Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your territory. 5 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. 6 Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall [a]divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may [b]prosper wherever you go.” As we have been praying and seeking God’s face over the last two weeks of our fasting, one of the things that has been impressed in my spirit, is that God is about to take us higher and farther than we have ever been in our walk with Him; Yes, you too...He’s taking YOU up to another level! While we wait for the reverberation and echo of your resounding “Amen!” to subside, please walk with me for a bit and hear what else He as to say to you. Unfortunately for many of us, when we hear “Another Level”, we respond incorrectly, just focusing on what we think God is going to do, and not on what we would need to do to get there, and to subsequently remain there! News Flash: A 'new level' very often, is not a fun place to get to, but is ultimately a rewarding place to be! When God presented the Israelites with the opportunity to step up Another Level, they rejoiced at the promise, but recoiled at the process — they couldn’t see beyond the giants that stood between them and their promised possession! But hear what Caleb said about the same situation — “Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, "Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it." Num 13:30 What about you friend, what are you saying to the mountains that have been standing between you and your breakthrough? Are you focusing on the problems and difficulties posed by the giants confronting you, or are you fixing your gaze on the One who has promised and on what He had said to you? Know this for a fact my dear friend; God knew there were “giants” in that place before He opened the door for you to get there; He knew there would opposition and contenders resisting your progress before He made the promise that He had given you the land! The size of the giants that you see, is just an indication of the size of the breakthrough that is beyond them! What’s more, the God that is with you, is infinitely bigger than the biggest opposition that may be confronting you. Prayer Focus Pray that God will give you Another spirit like He did Joshua and Caleb, that you will begin to see with the eyes of faith and with a heart emboldened with courage and empowered by the Holy Spirit! Pray that God will give you a faith-perspective on the challenges that you are facing, and align you with people that will see from God’s perspective. Pray that God will anoint you with a “mountain taker’s anointing” that will cause you to defeat the giants, and go forwards and upwards to possess your possession in the Name of Jesus. Pray that the remaining of 2019 will be for you a mountain conquering year, that in this year, God will cause you to walk upon your high places - in the places of honour, promotion and elevation in the Mighty Name Of Jesus. Pray for Narrow Path Ministries (Rev Robert & Aida Clancy) and your church that God will supply exceeding, abundantly above all we could ask or think. Pray that every financial need will be met and that we will have more than enough to carry out the vision for this year and beyond. Pray this prayer: Father, we are confident of this very thing; that He who has begun a good work in us; and in the Narrow Path Ministries that you would provide a building and new home for the ministry to have a training, healing and revival retreat centre it in Jesus name (Philippians 1:6). Give thanks to God for this and for answered prayers in your personal life also that He would provide for you according to His riches and glory in Christ Jesus. Remember as you pray for others, God takes care of your needs according to His riches and glory in Christ Jesus. Pray & Declare out loud: “By God’s grace as we have meet midyear, that the remaining of 2019 will continue to be a year of prosperity for me.” Amen. Day 2: “Are You Taking Stock” Saturday, July 20th, 2019 Scripture Reading —Proverbs 24:3-4; Proverbs 4:7
Proverbs 24:3-4 "Through wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established; 4 By knowledge the rooms are filled With all precious and pleasant riches."
Proverbs 4:7 "Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding."
As we get on the home stretch of our fasting and prayers on the second day, we will be doing some quiet contemplation today.
A common indictment against Christians by people of thought, is that a great many believers do a lot of praying, but very little planning.
We prophesy and declare, but we do not spend enough time actually waiting on God for, and receiving the strategies to realise our vision / dream.
Child of God, what happened to the word that God spoke to you concerning the outgoing half a year, and the previous year, and the ŷears before that?
Have you laid hold of all the promises that were due to you in those seasons?
God would have you take stock today —
• What did God speak to you this year when 2019 began?
• Where did you set out to go?
• What did you set out to accomplish?
• Where are you right now?
• What Is still outstanding?
• What is not in line with what God spoke?
• What can you do (as far as in you lies) towards realising that vision?
• What plans do you have in place to accomplish that “financial breakthrough” that you have been believing God for; are you just believing for a miracle or are you also believing God for the wisdom and specific strategies to realise the dream? (The two are not mutually exclusive!)
• Have you just been praying and “believing” God for a job or promotion that you are not qualified for, or are you actively believing Him for the strategies, the things that you can actually do to position yourself for the breakthrough?
• Have you just been believing God for “supernatural weight loss”, or are you waiting on Him to inspire a practical course of action of healthy living / lifestyle changes that will be appropriate and successful for you?
• Have you just been praying for revival to touch other or are you positioning yourself to be revived. So pray that the restoration and revival will be in EVERY area you need it in – that there will be no area in your life/ministry missed.
• Have you just been praying and decreeing that exponential growth will occur in the body of Christ and the finances to prosper without also saying God use me to be a kingdom financer, that I may be able to create wealth with your wisdom and learn to be a good steward with My money first.
Selah
Prayer Focus
Begin by asking the question — Lord, what will you have me do?
As we prepare and meditate on our list in response to the above questions, our prayer Focus today will be to pray to God for:
• Skilful, godly Wisdom
• Understanding
• Strategies for the coming year and the present season of your life to prosper and walk in victory.
(write down anything you believe the Lord is calling you to do or speaking to you)
DAY 3 — Pray, Watch & Be Alert
Sunday, July 21, 2019
Scripture Reading — Habakkuk 2:1-3; Proverbs 16:3; Ps 37:4-5
Habakkuk 2:1-3 “I will stand my watch And set myself on the rampart, And watch to see what He will say to me, And what I will answer when I am corrected. 2 Then the Lord answered me and said: “Write the vision And make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it. 3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry.”
Proverbs 16:3 “3 Commit[a] your works to the Lord, And your thoughts will be established. “I could have, should have, would have...”
Psalm 37:4-5 “4 Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit[a] your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass.”
Well, my friend, what if I told you still can?!
Yesterday, the focus of our fasting and praying was on taking stock — casting our minds back over the first half of this year and seeing the gaps that we need to plug on our march to destiny for the remaining of 2019.
Today, we’ll be looking in the opposite direction, casting our gaze forward wise, to believe God for a vision for the remaining of 2019, and to declare His word into the year.
In our first scripture text (Habakkuk 2:1-3), I want us to focus on some universal truths that I think can help us in our Christian Walk.
Whilst not attempting a contextual exegesis of those verses, we can still learn and apply one or two of these spiritual truths in our understanding of today’s exercise.
1. Habakkuk’s Attitude
Habakkuk’s attitude to hearing from God, is a relevant instruction to us, in his intentionality, determination and commitment to hearing what God had to say about the issue that he had brought before God (Read Habakkuk 1:12-17):
• I will climb up to my watchtower and
• Stand at my guard post.
• There I will wait
• To see what the Lord says
• And How He will answer my complaint.
As a watchman looks out from his watch-tower into the distance, the prophet will look out for the answer or message from Heaven.
2. God’s Response
God responds to the prophet by painting a picture - a vision of what was to come, detailing His plans to redeem His people and judge their tormentors.
God’s response to Habakkuk is still relevant to us even now, whenever He gives us a vision concerning the issues of our lives. There are applicable universal truths in what God said to him, and there are applicable principles that we can adopt in responding to what God tells or shows us in our praying and waiting times:
He further instructed Habakkuk —
• Write My answer down
• Make it Plain so that those that will carry the message can read it as they run with it
• Know that this Vision that I show you has an appointed time
• It will be fulfilled
• Even when you think it is slow in coming
• Wait patiently
• It will come to pass
• It will not be delayed
Prayer Focus:
What are the those things that you are believing God for in the coming year?
What are the changes that you would love to see in your life?
Physically
In your relationships
Business
Career
Job
Ministry
Finances
Home / Family
Write them down in a prayer journal so you can have a visual of where you are going.
• Look back over the past 3 days and thank the Lord for every transition and shift (no matter how small) you have made (spiritually, emotionally and physically) during this period of fasting and praying.
• Declare that on Day 3, your transformation and breakthrough will be complete according to God’s will and riches.
• Decree that you will have a relentless pursuit to walk in the fullness of what Christ has promised you.
• Decree that there is no going back to the old season. Speak completeness of turnaround in your healing, health and wealth in your spirit, emotions and physically.
• Thank the Lord for every person who fasted and prayed during this period – that they too will experience the fullness of transformation and transition in spirit and circumstances.
• Pray for an alertness and an awakening from spiritual slumber, and a grafting in of the saints into the Body.
• Declare readiness over God’s people for radical change!
• Decree that lives are being characterised by an increasing hunger for a new move of God.
• Pray for a new and great manifestation of God’s miracle power in your life, Narrow Path Ministries, Your church, and Your nation. Seek the Lord for miracles, signs, and wonders that will amaze the people and bring glory to the Lord Jesus Christ.
• Pray that God’s healing power would come into your life in all of its fullness. Ask that He would heal you from sickness and disease, and from every hurt, brokenness, and defeat. (3 John vs. 2; Isaiah 53:5)
• There are hidden strongholds that are blocking your progress in life. Pray against those strongholds. Ask God to reveal them to you so that they can be broken (2 Corinthians 10:3-5). Name the specific stronghold in your life and family and command it to be broken in Jesus’ name.
• Thank the Lord that He is changing you. Thank Him for His love that does not want to leave you the way you are. Pray that His plans and His will come to pass in your life as you submit to Him.
• Pray for all the singles partaking in the fast who are seeking life partners. Ask God to guide them to the person who will really be a blessed spouse to that person. Pray for wisdom, guidance, and strength to overcome fleshly desires.
What plans does God have in place to accomplish those things? (A follow on of our previous prayers asking God for strategies)
How does He want you to respond to what He has shown / told you?
Present these strategies before God, and ask Him to empower you to see them through.
Just know that fasting and praying is never in vain, so may the Lord pour more grace to you as you wait on Him!
Shalom