Day 20: Laborers Into the Harvest Field

God said, "Ask of Me, and I will give you the nations for Your inheritance, and the ends of the earth for Your possession" (Ps. 2:8). Jesus told us, "Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field" (Matt. 9:38, NIV). On this twentieth day of your fast, focus your prayers on these two key instructions from heaven. Cry out to God to save multitudes in the valley of decision. Cry out for the lost and hurting, the poor, and the addicted. Ask Him to send missionaries, ambassadors of His Word, into the earth.

The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death, Light has dawned. -- Matthew 4:16

Application: PRAY and STAY in God's Word!

Day 19: Revival

Revival is when Earth is attacked by heaven. Revival is an awesome move of God that affects you in powerful ways. Revival is when you get closer to heaven than you are to anything on earth. We need revival in America. We need heaven to touch earth with power. So, as you near the end of your fast, pray for revival. Ask God to send the rain of His Spirit on the land to break up the hardened hearts and bring forth a harvest of souls. Cry out for it as a desperate man crying out for water in the desert. Our young people need revival. We need revival. The church needs revival. In the past the great revivals were always preceded by seasons of fasting and prayer. Do not grow weary but stand strong in the power of his might!

Lord I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, Oh Lord. Renew them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy. -- Habakkuk 3:3 (NIV)

Application: Consider what you would be willing to share with others today. How will you articulate your experience and what it has meant to you in terms of your relationship with God?

Day 17: Mentors and Discipleship

As they were going along the road, someone said to Him, “I will follow You wherever You go” (Luke 9:57, NASU).  It is one thing to say you will follow Jesus; it is another to see it through, even when the road is narrow, steep and nearly impossible.  We all need fathers and mothers in the faith who have walked the road with Jesus and can gently help us along at times.  These mentors are invaluable when they are of the Lord.  Pray today that God will bring right relationships into your life…fathers and mothers in the faith who can strengthen you and build you up.

It was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.  – Ephesians 4:11-13, NIV

What situations in your life seem impossible and need God's touch?

Day 16: Personal Ministry

God has given you giftings to use for His purposes.  It makes me think of Abraham and the five dynamics that brought him into the place of ministry, the place of destiny that God had for him.  First, he could “hear” God.  Second, Abraham believed what he heard.  Third, he came to a place of denouncing the comfort zone he lived in, in order to follow God’s leading. Fourth, Abraham had the courage to follow God’s direction for his life.  And finally, he had the tenacity to focus on the promise and not the problems that stood in his way.  So, on this day of the fast, I encourage you to pray and seek God about His purpose and plan for your life, your ministry unto Him.

The Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.”  -- Matthew 16:24, NASU

Remember to stay the course.  Write out your thoughts on how you can continue to present your body as a living sacrifice, and see if the Lord does not open the windows of heaven to you and shower you with His presence.

Day 15: Revealing Giftings (Personal and Spiritual)

When you read Paul’s letters, you see that he kept around him people of different backgrounds and people with different gifts. In other words, he had some people who were gifted at hospitality.  He had some people whose main contribution was prayer. No matter what the gift is, it must be opened. It is to bless you and others around you.  God has given you unique and special divine enablements; gifts, as it were.  Are you using them to glorify Him and advance His kingdom?  Have you fully discovered what those gifts are yet?  Today, ask God to show you what your giftings—both personal and spiritual—may be.

As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another,as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. – 1 Peter 4:10

 

Application:  Reflecton how worship and obedience have provided you with the opportunity for God toreveal Himself and his purposes to you, His special servant.

Day 14: Discernment

Discernment is the ability to judge rightly.  Just as Solomon prayed for wisdom, you and I can ask God to strengthen our discernment of people, situations and opportunities.  It has to do with being sensitive to His Spirit, which increases exponentially when you are fasting. So, as you continue this journey, make it a point of prayer to ask God to increase your discernment of people, situations, and more.  And study His word. As the writer of Hebrews reminds us, “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Heb. 4:12).

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.  – 1 John 4:1, NIV

Application:  Focus on your meditation and listening for God's still, small voice.

Day 13: The Body of Christ

Christians all over the world need prayer.  In China, believers meet in in secret locations in the underground church.  If they are discovered, they risk being beaten, tortured, imprisoned, and worse for their faith.  In Ethiopia, believers are brutally attacked and suffer greatly when they refuse to renounce Jesus.  In other hostile and closed regions, like Cuba and Vietnam, brave believers share the Word of God with others at great personal risk.  Even in our “Christian” nation, the cross of Christ and our beliefs are constantly under attack. So, on this thirteenth day of your fast, concentrate in prayer on the body of Christ – those who are suffering and persecuted for their faith, those who are struggling to hold on to their faith, and those whom the devil wishes to pick off form our younger generation.

 
…So God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity.  This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other. If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad. -- 1 Corinthians 12:24-26 (NLT)

 

 

 

(Note:  Today, in 52 restricted and hostile nations, Christians still suffer for their faith.)

 

Application:  List your prayer targets today in the body of Christ and pray throughout the day.