Fasting Devotion Day 1
READ
“Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.”
Acts 13:1-3 NKJV
THINK
To many of you this is probably a really strange passage to begin a devotional! Don’t worry most of the stories and miracles we will share are way more exciting. However this moment is one of the most significant in the New Testament Church even though it seems pretty mundane at the first glance. Paul who only a few years ago was the murderer of the early church has returned to Antioch from Jerusalem where he was offering relief to the saints from famine.
As the leaders of the church humbled themselves in prayer and fasting God revealed to them the man who would carry the gospel to the entire world. He was a still relatively untested and uncertain convert. His background was as dark and contradictory to being the face of the Gospel as any could be. It was in their time of prayer and fasting that the leaders of the movement were stirred by the Holy Spirit to empower and authorize Paul to carry the message of Jesus to the world. Because they were willing in their time of prayer and fasting to hear the Holy Spirit and lift up Paul, millions were impacted in his generation and billions have been touched by his contribution to the Bible.
God moves in powerful and unexpected ways when the church gets serious about seeking His face. This happens when we quiet our lives and run to Him in fasting and prayer. Lets pray big prayers in this time Ignite and lets understand that the moment we are beginning may lead to bigger things than we could ever dream!
1. Be Honest! What are some big things you hope God will accomplish in the next 5 years in our church family? What are some ways you can be a part of those miracles?
2. What potentially can hinder God from really impacting and using your life over the next 21 days? We know there is an enemy and if we are looking for his schemes their power is diminished.
PRAY
Today please humble yourself and pray either laying facedown or kneeling facedown. God is looking a lot more of the position of your heart than your body but there is something powerful as we start this journey just pressing into prayer. Beg God to move in our city, our church, and in your life as we begin this 21 day journey of fasting and praying. You may be the Paul that Jesus is preparing to send out and completely change the world!
“Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.”
Acts 13:1-3 NKJV
THINK
To many of you this is probably a really strange passage to begin a devotional! Don’t worry most of the stories and miracles we will share are way more exciting. However this moment is one of the most significant in the New Testament Church even though it seems pretty mundane at the first glance. Paul who only a few years ago was the murderer of the early church has returned to Antioch from Jerusalem where he was offering relief to the saints from famine.
As the leaders of the church humbled themselves in prayer and fasting God revealed to them the man who would carry the gospel to the entire world. He was a still relatively untested and uncertain convert. His background was as dark and contradictory to being the face of the Gospel as any could be. It was in their time of prayer and fasting that the leaders of the movement were stirred by the Holy Spirit to empower and authorize Paul to carry the message of Jesus to the world. Because they were willing in their time of prayer and fasting to hear the Holy Spirit and lift up Paul, millions were impacted in his generation and billions have been touched by his contribution to the Bible.
God moves in powerful and unexpected ways when the church gets serious about seeking His face. This happens when we quiet our lives and run to Him in fasting and prayer. Lets pray big prayers in this time Ignite and lets understand that the moment we are beginning may lead to bigger things than we could ever dream!
1. Be Honest! What are some big things you hope God will accomplish in the next 5 years in our church family? What are some ways you can be a part of those miracles?
2. What potentially can hinder God from really impacting and using your life over the next 21 days? We know there is an enemy and if we are looking for his schemes their power is diminished.
PRAY
Today please humble yourself and pray either laying facedown or kneeling facedown. God is looking a lot more of the position of your heart than your body but there is something powerful as we start this journey just pressing into prayer. Beg God to move in our city, our church, and in your life as we begin this 21 day journey of fasting and praying. You may be the Paul that Jesus is preparing to send out and completely change the world!