Fasting - Spiritual Warfare

A couple of weeks ago I taught on some of the things that happen when we fast and pray.

• Our will becomes more submitted to God's will.
• God's supernatural power is released
• God reveals Himself
• We engage in spiritual warfare

I believe that as a church we are seeing these things begin to happen for us.  I don't know about you, but I can almost feel my will being broken down in submission to the Lord.  God is revealing himself to me and I believe to a lot of others in our congregation.  And we are seeing God's power being released both in our lives and in the lives of people connected to LifeGate.  I know that this is only the beginning of what God is wanting to do in our church in this year.  And I'm excited about it.

I'm also excited because we are beginning to see physical signs of what is happening in spiritual warfare around us.  Unfortunately, on Thursday night, one of our trailers, which we use to store and haul all of our church "stuff" in during the week, was stolen.  Of the two trailers we have, the one taken held all of our children's ministry and cafe equipment.  This is the second trailer theft we've been through in the last 14 months.  

I started the previous paragraph by saying I'm excited.  And honestly, I am.  Yes, its frustrating that someone decided to steal from God's people.  And it's a pain in the backside to go through the reports and insurance forms and all the hassle that a theft like this brings.  But, I know that the timing of this theft, on the 11th day of a 21 day church fast, was not coincidental.  God is at work and the enemy is also working to oppose, frustrate and distract.  I know that as long as we maintain our focus on the Lord and on what He is doing and is calling us to do, God will work all of this together for good.  

Last night one of our members was fired up about the theft.  He wanted to help in some tangible way, which was awesome.  My response was that the best way to help is show up on Sunday with your unchurched friends and family.  The way we fight is by going after God with all of our heart and by introducing our friends and family to the life that only Jesus can give.

I'm excited about what God is doing and is getting ready to do at LifeGate!     

Simple Prayer Focus Tracks

If you're like me, it's sometimes easy to get distracted when you pray.  I've discovered that one of the ways to stay focused when praying is by using a prayer track or prayer outline.  Like a train track, prayer tracks help us get somewhere when we pray.  Here are a few simple prayer tracks to help you maximize your time with the Lord.

ACTS

Adoration - Start off your prayer with a time of worship.  Tell God how great He is.

Confession - Spend some time in repentance, asking God to search your heart and confessing your sin and brokenness to Him.  

Thanksgiving - Get specific and thank God for all that He's done for you.

Supplication - Conclude your prayer time by bringing your needs and the needs of others to the Lord.

JOY

Joy - Prioritize your relationship with Jesus.  Thank Him for being your Savior.  

Others - Place the needs of others, your friends, family, other believers and situations that need prayer before the Lord.

You - Wrap up your prayer time by taking your own needs to the Lord.

PRAY

Praise - The Psalm's tell us to enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise.  Begin your prayer time with a praise session.

Remember - Reflect on the Lord's blessings and on the answers to prayer that you have already seen.

Ask - Intercede for others, asking God to meet needs.

You -  Wrap up your prayer time by taking your own needs to the Lord.  

One thing you'll notice is that all three of these tracks have a couple of things in common.  They begin by focusing first on God and end by focusing on you.  A lot of times when we pray the temptation is to jump right into reciting our list of personal problems and needs.  If we'll pause to take to time focus on God first and then others it's amazing the change in perspective that we'll get as we pray.

***Thanks to my Dad, Billy Wilson, for these simple prayer tracks which I've adapted from his book "Fasting Forward."***

Fasting - Humility

Some more thoughts on Isaiah 58 from LifeGate Prayer Team Leader, Conrad Davies.

“Humility is the Focus”

Isaiah 58:7

“Is it not to share your food with the hungry    and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe them,    and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?”

Humility is a powerful character trait.  It positions the humble person as one yielding to another, allowing the other to be served.  Notice the Lord’s comments here in verse seven (remember, Isaiah is speaking on behalf of the Lord):

• Share food with the hungry
• Provide the poor with shelter
• Clothe the naked
• Don’t turn away your own flesh and blood (family)

When we fast, humility is the characteristic we embrace as we interact with the people around us.  Although our culture may not give us unstructured or spontaneous opportunities to provide the poor with shelter or clothe the naked, we can consider the needs of others over our own needs wherever we go.  If you choose to go to a homeless shelter and serve, or a food pantry to help out, do it all with a heart of humility and not legalistic obligation.  The point is to have a humble heart in denying our selves, our needs, and our luxuries.

Furthermore, we simply humble ourselves before our fellow human and consider his or her needs above our own.  Consider the Lord’s initial comments in verses three and four, now see how He further clarifies the point of fasting here in verse seven.

PRAYER:

“Lord, help us be a humble people, serving the needs of others and not doing as we please.  Open our eyes to find opportunities to serve those around us, especially our own flesh and blood, in Jesus Name. Amen.”

Fasting - Revealing the Hidden Junk in our Heart

Every decade or so, weather patterns shift and bring drought to the middle of America.  Very often, as the drought grows in time and severity, water levels along the Mississippi River begin to drop.  As the waters of the river recede, things which have been covered by the water and mud of the river begin to appear.  Shipwrecks from the 1800's, Civil War artifacts, illegal waste dumps, old cars - just about everything you can think of is exposed by the lowered water levels.

One of the things I've discovered about fasting is that, like a drought on the river, fasting tends to expose things in us that have been long hidden.  As we fast and deny ourselves to seek God, our flesh grows weaker.  The level of "me" in my life gets lower.  As we become weaker, as we decrease, God begins to bring out things that we may have pushed under the surface for a long time.  Old wounds, areas of unforgiveness that we had forgotten about, even ingrained patterns of ungodly thinking (mind monsters) will suddenly come to the surface.

When that happens, know that God is using the time of fasting to cleanse your heart.  Embrace the process of cleansing.  In fact, as uncomfortable as it is, rejoice in it.  God is purifying you.  He's getting the junk out of your life.

Fasting for Freedom

“Set Us Free”

Isaiah 58:6

“[Rather] is not this the fast that I have chosen: … to let the oppressed go free…

When a believer says “Yes” to the work that Jesus did on the cross, they are embracing a legal work that identifies the believer as not guilty before God.  This is the importance of the Gospel message:  we are declared “Not-guilty” by the heavenly judge, God the Father, because our Advocate, Jesus, took the “Guilty” charge on our behalf.  Since we are not-guilty any more, we are freed from all things.  This includes all forms of oppression.

Oppression (the exercise of authority or power in a burdensome, cruel, or unjust manner) can continue for the believer, even though we are considered not guilty, because of not exercising the new authority we have in Jesus.  In other words, we have a tendency to allow the enemy of our souls (the devil) to exercise authority or power in a manner that is not according to God’s best for our lives.

Through fasting, we uphold the legal work against the enemy and declare to him our freedom because of the blood of Jesus.  It reminds us of Him who gave us freedom (Jesus), and it reminds the enemy that the blood of Jesus Christ is the most powerful force against sin and its penalty, which is death (Romans 6:23).

We don’t have to be oppressed…plead the blood of Jesus Christ over your life.

Prayer:

“Lord, I plead the blood of Jesus Christ over my life.  The judgment has been made that Jesus Christ’s work paid the penalty for sin and I don’t have to be oppressed any longer.  Lord, remove the effect of any oppression in my life, in Jesus Name.  Amen.”

Untie the Yoke - Fasting to Move Beyond Your Past

“Untie the Yoke”

Isaiah 58:6 [AMP]

“[Rather] is not this the fast that I have chosen: … to undo the bands of the yoke…” [AMP]

Take a moment and do a quick Google or Bing image search and type in the word “Yoke” and view the results.  You should see a number of pictures of two oxen bound together by a wooden apparatus that encircles the neck of each ox.  Imagine the scene of two oxen connected by a yoke plowing or drawing heavy loads; consider how they move forward or stop together.  Continue to imagine how one ox must follow, yield, and submit to the other because of the yoke binding them together.

So is it when we are bound or yoked to certain things in our lives.

We may be yoked in unhealthy relationships (sometimes called “soul ties”), where we can’t stop thinking about that boyfriend or girlfriend from many years ago hoping for restoration or relief from our thoughts.  Or, we may be yoked to certain events that occurred when we were younger that has seemingly marked our lives (negative experiences, hopeful events that did not work out).  Or, we may be yoked to an ideology (a mindset, pattern of thought) that has us locked in a certain way of thinking that we just can’t let go because we feel we “have-to” do whatever that pattern of thought says to do.

Fasting undoes and unties the yoke that is bound around us. That yoke connects us to that circumstance or relationship.  When we fast, we are petitioning God to demonstrate His power to take the yoke off of us that binds us from going forward to live as a freed man or woman.   God has designed us to not have unhealthy yokes in our lives.  Remember, the yoke itself is not unhealthy; it’s unhealthy when we can’t move forward in life because we are yoked to an unhealthy past.

Prayer:

“Lord, you have the power to untie the yoke that binds us to our unhealthy relationships and circumstances.  We ask you to remove those connections and yoke us with those people that will help us to walk in all that you called us to be.  In Jesus name, Amen.”

Loosing the Chains of Injustice

As part of our 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting we are continuing our look at Isaiah 58 with some thoughts from our LifeGate Prayer Team leader, Conrad Davies.  Check it out below.

“Loose the Chains”

Isaiah 58:6a

“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice…”

Have you ever experienced an injustice?  Have you ever felt like what someone has done to you should be repaid, severely?  Have you ever responded emotionally to something that happened to someone else, when you thought justice should be done?  We see and experience injustices all around us, all the time.

According to Merriam Webster’s online dictionary, an injustice is the “absence of justice, and/or the violation of right or of the rights of another.” Shouldn’t we be ultimately embracing the God given rights that God has established? Shouldn’t we be embracing the biblical standards of humanity?  Sin has twisted the appropriate standard and justice in our worlds; however, God is faithful to loose the chains of injustice. 

Injustice can bind us to a place of complaint and bitterness towards an unjust system or circumstance.  Let this time of fasting revitalize us to remember that God is powerful enough to loose the chains and restore our lens of proper perspectives of injustice. Let’s plead to Him to show His justice, His righteous standards, and His holy ways.  Justice grants us peace and it clears our conscience from possible seeds of bitterness that could grow.

Prayer:

“Lord, break the chains of injustice in our circumstances.  Restore us to a rightful perspective by opening our eyes to see your justice.  We ask you to show your justice in our situation.  In Jesus name, Amen.”

Fasting and Self-Denial

Throughout our 21 Day Prayer and Fasting journey, I'll be splitting blogging duties with our LifeGate Prayer Team leader, Conrad Davies.  Conrad's going to be breaking down Isaiah 58 for us.  Isaiah 58 is known as the "fasting" chapter and it's got some incredible insights into what God is looking for when we fast.  

You can read all of Isaiah 58 on Bible.com

“Self Denial”

Isaiah 58:2-5 (NIV)

2 For day after day they seek me out; they seem eager to know my ways, 
as if they were a nation that does what is right
and has not forsaken the commands of its God. 
They ask me for just decisions
and seem eager for God to come near them. 3 ‘Why have we fasted,’ they say,‘ and you have not seen it? 
Why have we humbled ourselves, 
and you have not noticed?’ “Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers. 4 Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists. 
You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high. 5 Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for people to humble themselves? 
Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed and for lying in sackcloth and ashes? 
Is that what you call a fast, 
a day acceptable to the Lord?

As we fast, we must always remember that the focus is not in the discipline of fasting, but in the seeking of God and his kingdom through the denial of ourselves.  We deny our desires for His desires, and we deny our pride for His glory.  Let us remember that this time is not to do as we please, and not to bicker and argue over petty issues, but to lift up our requests to the Jesus.  In this time, we trust that God is the strong One, the faithful One, and the righteous One to demonstrate His power on our behalf.

Therefore, let us lift our eyes to Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12) and begin to pray for people with whom we may have conflict.  Let's pause, take a breath, and humble ourselves before our brother or sister. Let the Lord move on our behalf to determine the proper justice of our circumstances and to shine the light of revelation so that we see clearly in every situation.  It may result in God humbling our pride so that he can use us appropriately to be the light of the world.

Prayer:

“Lord, help us to not allow our fleshly desires to overtake us during this time of fasting.  Help us to humble ourselves before our brother and sister so that you hear our prayers and move on our behalf, giving you opportunity to show your justice and illuminate our hearts with your revelation.  We ask in Jesus name, Amen.”

Day One - 21 Day Prayer Guide

Today is Day One of our 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting!  To start off we wanted to share with you some daily prayer directives.  These are topics around which you can focus your prayer time as you go through the week

21 Days of Prayer

Sunday – My Nation

(1 Timothy 2:1-2) I urge then, first of all that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

Pray for the United States and those who lead our country (President Obama, his Cabinet, Congress and the Supreme Court). Most people don't know that America is the 3rd largest mission field in the world behind only India and China.  Pray for a Christ-Awakening to come to our nation.

Monday – My City and State

(Proverbs 11:11) Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted.

Pray for Kentucky and for the Lexington metro area. Pray for our governor and representatives, for our mayor and city officials. Pray also for the more than 250,000 unchurched people in Lexington alone that they would find real life in Christ.

Tuesday – My Church

(Matthew 16:18) I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.

Pray for LifeGate Church, for Pastor Ashley and his family, for our leadership team and all those who serve in ministry. Pray that 2014 would be a year of multiplication and supernatural effectives for our church.  

Wednesday – My Family

(Acts 16:31) Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved – you and your household.

Pray that each member of your family would come to know Christ.

Thursday – My Workplace (Or My School)

(Colossians 3:23-24) Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Pray for your employer and for those you supervise. Pray for your customers and clients. Ask God to give you spiritual influence with those with whom you come into contact.

Friday – My Personal Needs

(Philippians 4:6) Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Believe God to answer prayers about your specific needs.

Saturday – My Purpose: People

(Matthew 9:37-38) The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.

Pray for the ministries and missionaries supported by LifeGate. Ask God to connect you with His purpose and plan to introduce people to Jesus and the whole new way of life only he can give.