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21DAYSOF PRAYER AND FASTING

IMPACT

BBFC Impact 2020 Fast:Prepare Yourself

What Is Fasting?Christian fasting is a believer’s voluntary abstinence from food for spiritual purposes. Fasting is not:

• Abstaining from things such as social media (while good, social media is not food);

• A detox or diet (while good, neither of these is spiritual);• A forced act (it is voluntary);• A way to get God to perform your will; rather it is both aligning

yourself with and preparing to receive His will.

We live in a gluttonous, denial-less, self-indulgent society, so the discipline of fasting is a most counter-cultural idea. Nevertheless, fasting is a necessary part of the Christian life. For it is a discipline that Jesus Himself undertook in Luke 4. Fasting is, for believers, rooted in a relationship with Christ and practiced with the desire to become more like Christ.

Biblical Purposes for FastingScripture sets forth many purposes for fasting, but we will look at them in ten major categories. Notice that none of the purposes is to earn God’s favor. It is useless to fast as a way to impress God and earn His acceptance. Faith in the work of Jesus Christ makes us acceptable to God, not our efforts, regardless of their intensity or sincerity.

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Fasting is more for US than it is for God, for it draws us closer to Him so that He might perform greater works through us a yielded vessels. • To strengthen prayer (Ezra 8:23, Nehemiah 1:4, Acts 13:3)• To seek God’s guidance (Acts 14:23)• To express grief (Judges 20:26-28)• To seek deliverance or protection (2 Chronicles 20:3-4; Esther

4:16; Psalm 109:20-24)• To express repentance and to return to God (1 Samuel 7:6;

Joel 2:12; Jonah 3:5-8)• To humble oneself before God (1 Kings 21:27-29; Psalm 35:13)• To express concern for the work of God (Nehemiah 1:3-4;

Daniel 9:3)• To minister to the needs of others (Isaiah 58:6-7)• To overcome temptation and dedicate yourself (Matthew 4:1-

11)• To express love and worship to God (Luke 2:37)

Kinds of FastsFasting, in the biblical sense, can be private (Matthew 6:16-18), corporate/congregational (Joel 2:15-16; Acts 13:2), and even national (2 Chronicles 20:3, Nehemiah 9:1, Esther 4:16, Jonah 3:5-8). This speaks to the participants, and not to the content of the fast. In addition to being private, corporate, or national, there are 3 main kinds of fasts that are of particular note in scripture:

Absolute FastAvoidance of all food and liquid, even water (Esther 4:16; Deuteron-omy 9:9, Acts 9:9).

Normal FastAbstaining from all food, but not from water (Luke 4:2).

Partial FastExclusion of certain foods for spiritual purposes, but not complete abstinence from all food (Matthew 3:4, Daniel 1:12-16, Daniel 10:2-3).

B B F C I M PA C T 2 0 2 0 FA S T

Fasting can be a testimony — even one directed to yourself — that you find your greatest pleasure and enjoyment in life from God. It’s a way of demonstrating to yourself that you love God more than food, that seeking Him is more important to you than eating, that Jesus — the Bread of heaven (John 6: 51) — is more satisfying to you than earthly bread. When you fast you remind yourself that unlike many, your stomach is not your god (Philippians 3: 19). Rather, it is the servant of the true God, because you’re willing to sublimate your stomach’s desires to those of the Spirit.

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BBFC Impact 2020 Fast:January 6-26

As a body, we will corporately undertake a Daniel-type Partial Fast, as is exemplified in Daniel 10:2-3. We will fast for three full weeks, from January 6 to January 26.

Why Are We Fasting?Our 2020 Church theme is “Better Together,” as it was in 2019. The Bible is full of examples of the people of God fasting and praying. Prayer in itself is a powerful weapon in our spiritual artillery. When paired with fasting, this combination is deadly (for the enemy of course!). In other words, these two spiritual disciplines are Better Together. So, the main purpose of our 2020 Impact Fast is to strengthen prayer. Prayer is certainly needed in our world today.

In October 2019, we introduced a series of corporate prayer meetings entitled “Why Pray?” The purpose of these sessions is to remind us as to the purpose and power of prayer in our lives. There is nothing more vital to our personal lives than prayer. Our prayers,


when aligned with God’s will, have the power to change things, to change us, and to put the enemy on the run. So, as we fast and pray to begin this year, we expect to see change—in our lives, in our families, in our Church, in our communities, and in our world!

Fasting Commitment

Corporate fasting is most effective when everyone is committed to the goal and to the process. To that end, will you commit to:

1. Fully participate in the fast for 21 days, according to the guidelines of this guide;

2. Spending at least 5 minutes per day reading and meditating on the focus scripture;

3. Spending at least 10 minutes praying and journaling daily; 4. Participating in the weekly Saturday “Why Pray?” sessions when

possible; and,5. Believing God for miraculous results!

I commit to the 5 statements above.

Printed Name

Signature

Saturday Sessions • Why Pray?January 11, 18, and 25

10 AM // Administration Building

Date

Impact 2020:Gradual-Release FastIn order to make our fast a rewarding experience, we engage in a gradual-release fast. This fast makes arriving at our destination (consuming only unprocessed fruits, vegetables, legumes, and water) a more manageable undertaking.

Week 1 (Jan. 6 - Jan. 12): Abstain from Sweets During the first week of the fast, we abstain from consuming foods containing refined sugar and sweeteners. Refined sugar is sugar other than fructose from fruit and vegetables, and lactose from dairy products

We can consume:• Meats (they can be breaded this week)• Eggs• Fresh, unprocessed Fruits (berries are best, but all fruits are

allowed)• Fresh, unprocessed Vegetables (no sugar or glaze added)• Legumes (beans, peas, lentils)• Plain Dairy Products (without added sugar)• Whole Grain Foods (including breads and crackers with no

added sugar)• Rice and Pasta• Chips and Popcorn (without added sugar from flavoring)• Tortillas and wraps• Raw Honey, agave, or monk fruit extract (sweeteners) • Water (unflavored). Add your own fresh fruit to create infused

water• Plain Coconut Water• 100% Fruit Juice • Tea (unsweetened or with raw honey, agave, or monk fruit

extrct)• Coffee (black, with milk or cream that is unsweetened, and/

or with raw honey if desired)

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Week 1 (Jan. 6 - Jan. 12): Abstain from Sweets

We should consume in moderation (we will call these “cheats”):• Butter (including alternatives such as Smart Balance,

Country Crock, and I Can’t Believe it’s not Butter)• Margarine • Salt and Seasonings containing salt

Pork• Vegetable Oils (except Olive, Sesame and Coconut Oils)

We should avoid:• Desserts (cakes, cookies, donuts, pies, cobblers, and even

granola bars with added sugar). • Sweet Breads • Sauces with sugar added (other than sugar from fresh fruit• Sweetened Cereals with Sugar added. • Meal Replacement Shakes or Bars containing sugar• Smoothies or other Fruit Drinks with added sugar• Sweetened Drinks (including “diet” or “sugar-free”

options), except drinks sweetened with raw honey• Sugar Substitutes such as stevia, Splenda, Equal• Sports Drinks• Artificially flavored foods• Sugary Condiments, such as ketchup and relish• Seasonings containing sugar

Week 2 (Jan. 13-Jan. 19): Abstain from Wheats

During the second week of the fast, we abstain from foods containing wheat, in addition to continuing to abstain from foods containing sweets, which we began last week.

We can consume:• Meats (can be breaded with almond flour, coconut flour, or

any non-wheat flour)• Eggs• Fresh, unprocessed Fruits (berries are best, but all fruits are

allowed)Fresh, unprocessed Vegetables (no sugar or glaze added)

• Legumes (beans, peas, lentils)• Brown Rice• Certain grains: quinoa, millet, buckwheat, amaranth• Plain Dairy Products (without added sugar)• Raw Honey, agave, or monk fruit extract (sweeteners)• Water (unflavored). Add your own fresh fruit to create infused

water• Plain Coconut Water• 100% Fruit Juice • Tea (unsweetened or with raw honey, agave, or monk fruit

extract (sweeteners))• Coffee (black, with milk or cream that is unsweetened, and/

or with raw honey if desired)

We should consume in moderation (“cheats”):• Butter (including alternatives such as Smart Balance, Country

Crock, and I Can’t Believe it’s not Butter, Margarine • Salt and Seasonings containing salt• Pork• Vegetable Oils (except Olive, Sesame and Coconut Oils)

We should avoid:• All foods from the week #1 “Avoid” List• Bread and Crackers• Chips and Popcorn

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• Tortillas and Wraps• White Rice and other processed grains (granola, “oats”)• Pasta and Noodles (white, brown, or vegetable)

Week 3 (Jan. 20 - 26): Abstain from Sweets, Wheats, Meats, and Cheats!

This week, we go in!

For seven days, consume only:• Fresh, unprocessed Fruits • Fresh, unprocessed Vegetables• Legumes (beans, peas, lentils)• Brown Rice• Certain grains: quinoa, millet, buckwheat, amaranth• Water (can be infused)• Plain Coconut Water• 100% Fruit Juice • Tea (unsweetened or with raw honey)• Coffee (unsweetened, and/or with raw honey if desired, no

cream)• Raw Honey, agave, or monk fruit extract (sweeteners)• Olive oil, coconut oil or sesame oil

We should avoid:• All items from the Week #1 List and the Week #2 Avoid Lists• All “cheats” • All items not listed on the Week #3 “consume only” list

If you are wondering whether or not you can consume a food which not listed here, the safe answer is “no;” however, remember that fasting is voluntary. Do what you believe in your heart is best and that with which you believe the Lord will be most pleased.

Impact 2020:Gradual-Release Fast

Helpful Tips and Reminders

• The first and most important thing to remember about fasting is that it is for a spiritual purpose. The moment you decide to do anything for a spiritual purpose, the enemy prepares to attack you (see Luke 4:3). This is important to remember because you will discover that, while you may think to yourself that giving up sweets or breads is not really a sacrifice for you (perhaps because you don’t really eat those things as it is), you will become the target of temptations and attacks unlike those on normal days. Why? Because you have made a spiritual, not just a health or dietary, decision.

• The key to success on any fast or other undertaking is preparation. Before the fast begins, create a weekly shopping list based on the items we can consume. Do as much meal and snack preparation as you can because waiting until it’s time to eat to make a food decision is a great way to make a poor food decision!

You should also prepare in other ways for this fast:

• Determine your personal spiritual purpose(s) for fasting in advance. Without a purpose for fasting, you might as well eat! It will be helpful to write down your personal, spiritual purpose(s) for fasting, as well as your prayer requests and praise reports. This can become a powerful testimony later.

• We will be praying each Saturday morning of the fast at 9

AM in the Administration Building, so you should prepare yourself to participate in this prayer time each Saturday of the fast. If you are unable to attend the prayer sessions, then clear some time that works best for your schedule and

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some personal space that you can devote to prayer. • Included in this booklet is a 21-Day devotional. Scripture

Guide and Prayer Journal. Plan now for how and when you will journal daily. Each day’s journaling exercise should take about 15 minutes.

• If you have family or friends living with you who are not participating in the fast, invite them to join! If they refuse, it’s okay to share with them that you will be undertaking this spiritual journey and solicit their prayers and support.

Here are some dietary tips for the 21-Day Fast:• Use raw honey, agave, or monk fruit extract as sweeteners

for your drinks and even some foods. But don’t overdo it!• Add your own fresh fruit (especially berries) to boost flavor

of plain yogurts;• Slice fresh lemons, limes, kiwi, strawberries or other fruit and

add them to your water. If you let the water sit overnight in a large pitcher, you have created delicious infused water;

• Use olive oil, coconut oil or sesame oil in place of butter;• Consider substituting sweet potatoes for white potatoes;• There are lots of good websites with recipe ideas for

refined sugar free (week #1); gluten-free (week #2); and vegan (week #3) diets. Consult them, and use this time to “change up” your eating routine.

Your fast is between you and God! It is not an announcement to others as to how “spiritual” you are, nor is it an opportunity to brag about your own willpower or discipline. It is a time to grow closer to the Lord. Jesus instructs us as to our demeanor during fasting:

And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.

Helpful Tips and Reminders

But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you (Matthew 6:16-18, ESV).

Hunger during a fast is important and necessary, not as a distraction; but hunger helps you, by serving as a continual

reminder of your spiritual purpose. When you feel hungry, that’s a good time to remind yourself of your purpose and pray!

twenty-one days of

PRAYER & FASTING

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S C R I P T U R E G U I D E A N D P R AY E R J O U R N A L

Impact 2020:21-Day Scripture Guide and Prayer Journal

How to Use this Prayer Journal

This journal is intended to get all of us who are fasting into the practice of praying God’s Word and writing our prayers. Prayer journaling is powerful because it gives us a record of our requests and God’s responses. How powerful it is to go back and read your supplications, then to recall how God answered them!

Each week, there is an introduction, which frames the prayer focus for the week. Carefully read these introductions. Then, each day of the week, you’ll find a focus scripture printed for you based upon the theme for the week. All scriptures are from the ESV, the version of the House for Bible-Based. Next, you’ll find a guided prayer journal, so you can write a prayer based on the scripture for the day.

The entire journal exercise is intended to take about 15 minutes, and it is best to do the activity at the same time each day. First thing in the morning is recommended; however, you can do the journal activity at any time. The goal is to journal consistently for 21 days!

The extent to which prayer and journaling are effective completely depends on the degree to which you are honest and transparent. Some of the journal exercises call for you to be brutally honest with yourself before God (He knows anyway). You are even guided to “name names” in some sections. Therefore, you may wish to keep this journal out of plain sight. You want to be as open as possible as you work through the exercises each day.

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Week #1 Focus: Prayer Changes Things

“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known” (Jeremiah 33:3).

As we consider God’s divine invitation to Jeremiah (and to us) to pray, God Himself discloses one of the main reasons why we should pray: prayer changes things! Through prayer, God promises to answer us, but not with a “yes” for everything we request of Him. Rather, He promises to reveal things which we otherwise will not know. How does this change things?

With this direct impartation from Him:

• Our perception changes—we see things and Him differently than we had before. For example, what we thought was a problem we now see as an opportunity for God to show Himself strong in our lives;

• Our priorities shift—we become more focused on pleasing Him, and we begin to desire Him over and above other earthly pursuits;

• Our plans evolve—we have a greater understanding of which direction to take. Why? Because we are better equipped to align our plans with His will;

• Our partaking in certain activities is modified—in other words, as Mama n’em used to say, “things I used to do, I don’t do no more!”; and,

• Our presence makes all the difference for someone else—when we have a “word” from the Lord, we carry with us the power to effect transformation in the lives, families, and situations of others.

Prayer indeed changes things!

This week, we will examine Biblical examples of prayer as a change agent. The world would have us to believe that prayer is a futile spiritual exercise or just something used as a hashtag for social media posts in response to tragedies (#prayforNewJersey). But God’s Word paints a different picture of prayer.


Monday, January 6

Read

If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV

Reflect

In today’s text, we see the ripple effect of prayer. Prayer changes our circumstances—God will hear us from heaven, forgive sin, and heal our land. . But before we get too excited about the promises that God issues in this text, we must first look at what’s required of us.

In prayer we must:

1. Humble ourselves—assume the correct prayer posture, which is humility;

2. Seek His face—remember our priority: His face, not His hand; and

3. Turn from our wicked ways—repent from things that have caused our current situation. Notice the text says “turn from,” and not just “confess.” In order for our prayers to change things, repentance is required. We must turn away from some things and some people. Turning away from things and people isn’t easy, but the progression in this verse helps us with this: humility and realigned priorities make repentance easier!

Is it possible that our “land” hasn’t experienced healing because God’s people aren’t praying? Or maybe we are praying but our posture is incorrect. Perhaps we are praying, but our priority is getting something from God versus seeking His face. Is it that we are praying but continuing in sin? Prayer changes things, but we must first be in position to pray!

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Respond

Which of these areas (humility, remembering our priority, or repentance) poses the greatest struggle for you? Today, submit that struggle to the Lord, asking Him to show you this week how you might better position yourself to experience the changes He promises are yours when you pray.


Tuesday, January 7

Read

Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, saying, “Now, O Lord, please remember how I have walked before you in faithfulness and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly. And before Isaiah had gone out of the middle court, the word of the Lord came to him: “Turn back, and say to Hezekiah the leader of my people, Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the Lord, and I will add fifteen years to your life…2 Kings 20:2-6a ESV

Reflect

In this text, we learn that King Hezekiah, fresh off a victory in 2 Kings 19, has become deathly ill. In fact, the prophet Isaiah even visits him with a word that he is going to die (2 Kings 20:1). Instead of lamenting the pronouncement of death, Hezekiah does two things:

1. He turns his face to the wall. While there is no real significance in the actual wall, it is significant that he turned away from Isaiah. Sometimes, in our lives, we have to turn away from the doctor’s diagnosis; we have to turn away from the people who speak death or demise to us; and,

2. He prays to the Lord. Hezekiah does not say anything to Isaiah. He immediately directs his response to the Lord and begins to pray. There is nothing that Isaiah can do to change Hezekiah’s situation. This is God’s domain.

Notice that, when he prays, Hezekiah does not ask God for healing or extended life. He only asks God to remember his faithfulness. God responds to Hezekiah’s prayer with healing and 15 more years added to his life!


Respond

The Bible tells us that the enemy’s main focus is “to steal and kill and destroy” (John 10:10a). What “death sentence” has he issued in your life that you have been lamenting over? Is it a relationship that is currently on life support? Perhaps it is an actual medical condition that the doctors have said is irreversible. Today, make a spiritual turn towards the Father, and pray for His intervention. Then, thank Him that He has heard your prayer.


Wednesday, January 8

Read

And the Lord restored the fortunes of Job, when he had prayed for his friends. And the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before. Job 42:10 ESV

Reflect

Job is a great example of faith and faithfulness. After losing everything he owns and everyone he loves, and even after experiencing great sickness, he never turns away from God. In fact, he recognizes that, since God is the one who gave him everything, then God has the right to take everything away (Job 1:21).

In this text today, we learn something significant about Job and about prayer. As good and upright as he was and as faithful as he had been to the Lord, it is when he prayed for his friends that God changed things in Job’s life. The text tells us that there is restorative power in prayer, especially when we pray for someone else. Note that this text calls these men for whom Job prayed, “his friends,” though they did not behave as such. When they went to visit Job initially, they stayed with him seven days and wept with him (Job 2:11-13). But, as Job’s condition didn’t immediately improve, these “friends” became downright judgmental concerning Job and his situation (see Job 4:7; Job 8:5-6; and Job 11:13-14). In spite of their treatment of him, Job’s restoration—his change—was connected to his praying for his friends—that the Lord would have mercy on them (Job 42:8).

This is the same thing Jesus does for us. He calls us “friends” (John 15:15) and He intercedes for us (Hebrews 7:25), so that the Father won’t deal with us according to what we have done. It is only right that we should do the same for others.

What “friends” do you need to pray for? Who is it in your life that you have perhaps written off or broken fellowship with

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because of how they treated you? Is it possible that the change you are looking for in your life might be connected to your praying for these very people? Praying for these people doesn’t excuse what they have done to you, but it does position them for forgiveness (which we all need daily) while posturing you for “twice as much” in your life.

Respond

Write out a prayer for some “friends” of yours. While you pray for them, thank God for what He will do for you.


Thursday, January 9

Read

Then he stretched himself upon the child three times and cried to the Lord, “O Lord my God, let this child’s life come into him again.” And the Lord listened to the voice of Elijah. And the life of the child came into him again, and he revived.1 Kings 17:21-22 ESV

Reflect

In 1 Kings 17:8, Elijah was led of the Lord to stay with a poor widow and her son during a famine. After she obeys Elijah’s instruction to use her last bit of flour and oil to prepare food for him first (1 Kings 17:13), the Lord supernaturally replenished her flour and oil supply such that she never ran out (1 Kings 17:16). However, immediately after this great miracle, the woman’s son dies and she becomes angry (1 Kings 17:17-18). And wouldn’t you, if this were your situation? After all, she obeys the man of God, and her son still dies.

And let’s look at Elijah. He comes to this woman’s house because God instructed him to. And now, the woman’s son is dead. Have you ever been in Elijah’s situation? You did what God instructed you to do, and things appeared to be going well…until they weren’t! Have you ever thought the way Elijah thought in verse 20 – that God set him up, in a manner of speaking? Consider Elijah’s response to this tragic turn of events:

1. He went out. He took the dead son (that tragic problem or situation), and he went to a private place, where it was just him, the son, and the Lord. He didn’t even take the child’s mother with him;

2. He stretched out. He completely extended himself in the presence of the Lord;

3. He cried out. He prayed to the Lord on behalf of this child.

And the child lived again. Could it be that this situation was

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indeed a set up? Maybe it was a set up for Elijah, as confirmation that the Lord’s hand was truly on his life. Or perhaps it was a set up for this woman, so that she would learn to always trust and believe God’s Word.

Respond

Are you the woman, who needs to be convinced that God’s Word is truth (1 Kings 17:24)? Or, are you Elijah, who needs to be reassured that God’s hand and call is indeed on your life? Either way, go to your private place today, completely extend yourself before the Lord, and cry out to Him. Then, thank Him for fresh evidence today of his resurrection power.


Friday, January 10

Read

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened. Acts 16:25-26 ESV

Reflect

In this passage, Paul and Silas have been put in jail essentially for preaching the liberating (how ironic) gospel of Jesus Christ, but specifically for casting a spirit of divination (what we call psychic abilities) out of a girl who made much money for her employers with her ability. In jail, at midnight, Paul and Silas have church!! They sing and pray unto God, so much that other prisoners hear them…and so does God. There was an earthquake that was so intense, it opened all of the jail’s doors and caused all of the bands (shackles) of the prisoners to fall off. What an awesome display of God’s power and of the power of prayer. You may not be able identify with the actual physical context of this passage (a jail), but perhaps you have experienced your own midnight in jail—a time when you felt trapped by your situation, bound by circumstances, finances or romances (or the lack thereof). But prayer can change situations. Look at the text. When Paul and Silas decided to pray and praise God in jail, others heard them.

There is someone in your path who may be experiencing a personal midnight just as you are, and he or she can be blessed, even set free, by your prayer. And by the way, you can be set free too, when you focus on God, even in tough times. Notice, they don’t ask God to free them or free the prisoners. They just pray and praise. And this moves God to change their situation. Many of us think that our tears or our depression moves God. This text disproves that theory. If we want God to cause earthquakes on our behalf, we must pray, even at midnight.

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Respond

What “midnight” situation are you in? Pray that God will help you focus on Him and not on your situation. And then thank Him for delivering you from your situational prison, and for using your praise to set someone else free.


Saturday, January 11

Read

So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church...And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands. Acts 12:5, 7 ESV

Reflect

While Peter is in prison, the Church is praying. It is interesting that the text says the “Church” was praying. This singular noun, Church, is a special type of noun called a collective noun. It is a singular word which references an entire unit of individual parts. Why is this significant? Because it means that everyone in the Church was praying. Every individual member of the body was praying, and they all were praying for Peter. This is a beautiful example for us to follow, as we gather for corporate prayer today.

Why should the Church pray? Because when the Church prays, things change! In this text, we see a few changes:

1. Peter receives a visitation. In fact, the angel of the Lord stands right next to him. Isn’t it great to know that, when the Church prays, the Lord dispatches His angels to see about those for whom we pray?

2. There is divine illumination. The text say that a light shone in the cell. When the Church prays, darkness is put to flight, and Light appears!

3. Captives receive liberation: “the chains fell off his hands.” This is why the Church should pray. Someone’s visitation, illumination, and liberation is connected to the Church’s unification through prayer.

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Respond

Since I am the Church (1 Cor. 12:27), then it is important that I pray. The best way to achieve unification with other believers in prayer, outside of coming together in one place, is to pray God’s Word and His will. If believers are all praying God’s Word, not their own agendas, then the Church can be unified in prayer, regardless of their physical location. For whom in the universal body of believers is God urging you to pray? Is it for victims of sex trafficking? Those in deep poverty? Those being persecuted for spreading the Gospel? Pray, Church!


Sunday, January 12

Read

And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. James 5:15 ESV

Reflect

There is power for salvation for one who is sick spiritually, healing for others who are sick physically, and forgiveness for all of us, all contained within faith-filled prayer. While this is true, it is important to note that James 5:15 is sandwiched between two verses of scripture which direct us to seek out someone else to pray with and for us. In verse 14, we are encouraged to have the elders of the Church—those who are spiritually mature, to pray for us. And in verse 16, we are instructed to pray for one another. Look carefully at the language of this text: “the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick.” This language suggests to us that the one who is to be saved, raised up and forgiven in this text is not the one who is praying. Why is this significant? Because sometimes, we need to connect our faith with someone else’s in order to see greater results! This is especially true when we are sick (v.14) and when we have sinned (v. 16). All of the promises in verse 15 are dependent upon our connection with other believers who can “pray us through.”

Respond

Do you know someone who is suffering in silence? Is God leading you to reach out to that person, not to judge his/her situation, but to pray “the prayer of faith” with him/her? Perhaps you are the person. Is God nudging you to reach out to another believer who can pray for you? Ask God to show you this person, then ask Him for strength and courage to reach out, either to pray or for prayer. Then, thank Him for the salvation, healing,

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and forgiveness that will result from your prayer time with another believer.

Week #2 Focus: Prayer Changes Me

On the day I called, you answered me; my strength of soul you in-creased (Psalm 138:3 ESV).

Last week, we looked at how prayer changes things, in our lives and in the lives of others. But, not only does prayer change things—prayer, especially answered prayer, changes us. We pray because we expect God to hear and answer us. So, when He does, it transforms us. Prayer moves us from one spiritual state to another. In David’s case, God’s response strengthened his soul. David reflects on a time when he was on the run from Saul, the king he would eventually replace. And it is clear that David, yes David, became weary. But, when he prayed, the Lord answered him. This, he says, provided the strength he needed. Such is the case with us.

This week, we will turn our focus inward. We will be challenged to examine areas in our lives which need to be changed. Some of these areas may be difficult to recognize or admit, but they are certainly not too difficult for God to address. Will you allow yourself to be changed through prayer this week?

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Monday, January 13

Read

She [Hannah] was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. And she vowed a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head” … Then Eli answered, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to him.” And she said, “Let your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad. 1 Samuel 1:10-11; 17-18 ESV

Reflect

When we are introduced to Hannah in 1 Samuel 1, we understand that she is loved deeply by her husband, but she is barren (v. 5). Not only is she barren, but she is also bullied by Peninnah, her husband’s other wife, who has children (vv. 6-7). And even though she is clearly a praying woman, Hanna’s barrenness and Peninnah’s bullying have made her bitter (v. 10). What a state to be in: barren, bullied and bitter! Hanna does two important things in this text, in spite of her situation:

• She prayed. Even while distressed and through tears, Hannah still prayed to the Lord. This text doesn’t tell us how many years she prayed, but it does tell us that she didn’t stop praying.

• She promised. Hannah promises the Lord that, if He gives her a son, she will give that son back to the Lord. The very thing that she wants most, she is willing to sacrifice!

And God responds to her request (v. 17). This answered prayer changes Hannah. This once bitter woman is now “no longer sad” (v. 18). When she leaves the temple that day, she does not have a son with her. She isn’t even pregnant yet. What she does have is an answer to her prayer and a promise from the Lord.


And this is all she needs. Prayer has changed her!

Respond

In what area(s) of your life are you barren (unable to be productive) and/or bullied (taunted by the enemy because of your current situation)? Perhaps you have even become bitter because things haven’t changed for years. List those areas here, and ask the Lord to address these areas in your life.

Hannah’s prayer was answered, not just because she prayed, but also because she promised the Lord that she would never hold on so tightly to His blessing that He couldn’t have it back. Are you willing to say the same? Is it possible that God hasn’t answered your prayer because He knows you will fight Him for control or possession of that with which He blesses you? If this is true, pray that the Lord will change you before He answers your prayer.

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Tuesday, January 14

Read

Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 2 Kings 6:17 ESV

Reflect

Elisha is praying for the Lord to open the eyes of his servant, so he can see. Interestingly, Elisha’s servant is not physically blind. So, this is not a prayer for a physical healing. It is a prayer for spiritual insight – for a change in how the man sees. The king of Aram has sent a great army to attack Elisha because Elisha is informing the king of Israel of all of the Arameans’ plans and strategies (Elisha is, after all, a prophet). Because of this, the Arameans are unable to successfully attack Israel, and the king is angry (2 Kings 6:8-14). When this servant sees the troops, horses, and chariots, he is afraid and questions Elisha as to what they will do (v. 15). Elisha declares that there are more on Israel’s side than Aram’s (v. 16), but it is clear that Elisha and his servant are looking at the situation very differently.

Sometimes in our lives, we find ourselves in the middle of a crisis, and regardless of how close we are to the Lord (this young man was the servant of the Man of God), we become afraid of what we see. In these moments, we need God to correct our vision, so we can see the crisis through the eyes of faith. And when the Lord opens our eyes, just as he did for this servant, then we can really see!

Respond

In what area(s) of your life might you need the Lord to change how you see things? Is there an Elisha in your life whom you can call to pray that God will correct your vision? Pray that God will show you these areas and lead you to your Elisha. Perhaps you


are someone’s Elisha. Is there a brother or sister in Christ whom you know isn’t seeing his/her crisis through the eyes of faith? Pray for that person, that his/her eyes would be opened. Then, praise God for his/her corrected vision.

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Read

Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the belly of the fish. Jonah 2:1 ESV

Reflect

In this verse, we see Jonah the prophet, praying to the Lord. This doesn’t seem to be anything unusual. After all, he is a prophet! But, if we look at Jonah just a few verses earlier, we see a man who is doing everything he can to get away from the Lord (Jonah 1:3). It is only after a series of unfortunate events: Jonah’s decision to try to escape from the Lord by sailing in the opposite direction; the Lord’s sending a terrible storm that endangered the ship and all of the men on it, including Jonah (Jonah 1:4); Jonah’s being thrown off the ship (Jonah 1:15); and ultimately his spending three days in the belly of a fish (Jonah 1:17)—that Jonah prays to the Lord. The one who tried to push away from the Lord because of his pride is now drawing closer to Him through prayer. And when he prays earnestly to the Lord and swallows his pride, the Lord allows the fish to spit him out (Jonah 2:10).


Respond

In our own lives, God sometimes allows unfortunate events to occur, so that he can shatter our pride and lead us to pray. What unfortunate events in your life might God be trying to use to transform your posture from pride to humility? Pray that God will reveal these events to you, and ask Him to help you release your pride. Then, thank Him for changing you, so that you can receive what He has for you.

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Thursday, January 16

Read

Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matthew 26:41 ESV

Reflect

Through prayer, we receive power to withstand and overcome temptation. Temptation is the enticement to sin. In this text, the temptation was for the disciples to sleep when they should be praying (sound familiar??). Often, we think that our sheer willpower and strength are enough for us to avoid temptation. Jesus helps us to understand in this text that temptation is not the real problem. Temptation is just a tool that the enemy uses to create a struggle between our flesh (where he operates best) and our spirit. And the problem, as Jesus states it, is our entering into temptation. Because our flesh is weak and because we naturally want to satisfy it, we must pray. Prayer is the vehicle by which we are daily changed from worldly beings who seek to fulfill the desires of our flesh into spiritual beings whose bend is towards the things of God (see Galatians 5:16). Temptation does not take a day off, so if we desire to become strong enough to overcome it, we must pray...every day. And, with a steady diet of prayer, God is able to transform us, little by little, until we become just like Him.

Respond

What temptation have you “entered into”? What decisions have you made, activities which you currently undertake, thoughts that you have which do not represent God’s perfect will for your life? In what areas of your life does your flesh appear to be winning over your spirit? Write down those areas. Then choose one area to pray about. Pray that God will strengthen you in your spirit, so that you do not continue to “enter into” this


temptation. Commit to praying for this one area daily, and thank God for the progress, however small, you will make in this area before the fast is over.

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Friday, January 17

Read

They encircle me with words of hate, and attack me without cause. In return for my love they accuse me, but I give myself to prayer. Psalms 109:3-4 ESV

Reflect

Yesterday, we were challenged to pray that we would not enter into temptation. Today, we look closely at the temptation to return evil for evil. While we know that the Lord declares vengeance to be His (Romans 12:19), sometimes we give in to the temptation to avenge ourselves. And, we even feel justified in doing so, especially if we are in David’s position—being encircled with words of hate, being attacked without cause, and being accused. But, if you have ever found yourself in David’s position, consider adopting David’s posture: pray. While he prayed for the Lord to take care of his enemies, David does not exact vengeance himself. Prayer is his response, and it should be ours. The more we pray about versus engage in disputes with our enemies, the easier it becomes. And soon, you’ll realize that your enemies were allowed into your life to teach you how to pray!

Respond

Today, put that one person on your mind with whom you can’t seem to see eye to eye. This is the person who “takes you there.” You can’t seem to talk without arguing. In fact, you prepare for the arguments. You try to treat this person well, but he/she does nothing but attack and accuse you. Yes, THAT person. Now, pray. First, ask for forgiveness for all of the times you responded to this person with anything other than love. Then ask God to help you to resist the urge to argue or fight with this person (that’s the temptation). Finally, thank the Lord for the change He will effect in you such that this person ultimately


becomes a non-factor for you. As God changes you, you will care less about whether or not He changes the other person.

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Read

And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness. Acts 4:31 ESV

Reflect

In this text, the first thing that jumps out is the fact that believers are gathered together, and they are praying! And, they are praying on the heels of Peter and John’s arrest for preaching the Gospel (Acts 4:3). And for what are they praying? They are asking the Lord to give them the strength they need to continue speaking the word with boldness (v. 29). Though in the midst of turmoil and persecution, they respond by coming together and praying. And consider their prayer. They didn’t ask the Lord to shield them from the persecution, nor did they ask Him to end the trouble. They asked for the ability to stand boldly amid it. God granted their request…and everyone who was gathered in that place in that moment was a beneficiary.

This is why corporate prayer is so important. The enemy is not just after you as an individual—he is after the entire body. If this is the case, then it is important that the entire body come together and pray for strength. Praying together can transform an ordinary group of churchgoers into a mighty and bold army of demon-slayers! With prayer, we are certainly Better Together.

Respond

In your personal life, do you see the value in corporate prayer? Is partnered or group prayer a priority in your life? That is, do you seek out and even create opportunities for group prayer? Take some time to honestly examine your thoughts on this subject. If corporate prayer is not a priority for you, then write down the


reasons why it isn’t. If it is, then use this space to write down reasons why it is important that you could share with another believer who doesn’t prioritize group prayer. Then, pray over this list. And thank God for rearranging your priorities or the priorities of the person with whom you will share.

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Sunday, January 19

Read

“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:31-32 ESV

Reflect

These 2 verses in Luke 22 place us on Thursday of Holy Week, the week between Palm Sunday and Resurrection Sunday, at the conclusion of the Lord’s Supper. Jesus, although sharing a traditional, seasonal celebration with His disciples, is also preparing for His imminent arrest, trials, crucifixion, death, burial, resurrection and ultimately His ascension. Knowing that He will soon depart in a physical sense, He calls His disciples together for what would be their last Passover meal together on earth. Knowing this, the meal has a special significance. There’s no obvious segue for this particular conversation topic – the immediate context of this exchange between Simon Peter and Jesus does not suggest that this topic is necessary; but Jesus, knowing that Peter would be the one to deny him, initiates the dialogue. Because what Jesus realizes, and what we should all realize, is that prayer has the power to change a slandering Simon into a preaching Peter!

The good news in this text is that Jesus has prayed for us too. And His prayer covers your mistakes; His prayer changes your heart; His prayer changed you from sinner to Saint; and His prayer has been the reason your faith hasn’t failed, though you have been through some tough seasons.


Respond

Jesus prayed for you! Spend some time thanking Him for covering you in prayer. Next, write down the name of a Simon whom you know—someone who is being “sifted” by the enemy. The same way Jesus prayed for you, pray for that person. If he/she is a believer, then pray that his/her faith will not fail during this season. If he/she is not a believer, pray that the Lord will use this season and your intercession as an invitation to draw the person to Himself.

Week #3 Focus: Prayer Causes the Enemy to Flee

For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh

but have divine power to destroy strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:3-4 ESV).

Fact #1: We are in a war! A war “…against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12). This is not news to us as believers, but we must always remember that our real opponent is the god of this world—the devil.

Fact #2: The enemy wants to keep you operating in the natural—the flesh— because the world is his domain. If he can keep your thoughts, actions, and weapons carnal, he knows he can beat you.

• If he can tempt you to think on things that are NOT true, NOT honorable, NOT pure, NOT lovely, and NOT praiseworthy (see Philippians 4:8);

• If he can push you to the point of avenging yourself or returning evil with evil; or,

• If he can somehow persuade you to use your tongue, your hands, your money, your position, or your influence as weapons against other believers…

…then he knows he has you under his control!

Fact #3: Yes, it is true that we walk in the flesh. In other words, we live in the world. However, Paul reminds us, we do not—we CANNOT fight this spiritual war using the world’s (the devil’s) playbook. Since our war is spiritual, then our weapons must also be spiritual. Even the enemy knows that he can’t win against us when we use spiritual weapons.

Fact #4: Prayer is our best spiritual weapon! It is a weapon of mass destruction. Prayer causes the enemy to flee.


Monday, January 20

Read

And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.” Mark 9:29 ESV

Reflect

In this text, Jesus is answering a question posed to Him by His disciples. A man had come to the disciples with his demon-possessed son, and the disciples were unable to cast the demon out (Mark 9:17-18). Jesus then casts the demon out (Mark 9:25-26). The disciples ask Him why they were unable to cast the demon out, to which Jesus offers the response in our text today. Matthew and Luke’s Gospels recount this same incident, but in none of the accounts do we see the disciples’ attempt(s) to cast out this demon. We don’t know what they said, what they did, or how they did it. However, we see the result…whatever they did was insufficient to cast out this particular kind of demon. What we can assume they did not do, based on Jesus’s response to their question, was pray.

Let’s look more closely at Jesus’s words: He states that only prayer is needed to drive out this kind of demon (some versions of the Bible add “and fasting,” but even fasting is ineffective if there is no prayer). While attending Church is good, and reading the Bible is great—neither of these spiritual exercises requires faith. Prayer is so effective in driving out the enemy because it is the believer’s statement of faith—in the One to whom we pray. And it is also the believer’s admission that he/she cannot do anything on his/her own. It is faith-filled prayer that drives “this kind” out!

Respond

Are you willing to admit that you, like the disciples in this text, have been unable to “cast out” some demons in your life on your own? Further, will you admit that there have been times

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when you’ve prayed, but you lacked complete faith and trust in God? Pray about it now…

Father, forgive me for my lack of faith concerning:

And Lord, forgive me for trying to handle the following things on my own, with no success:

I now know that it is my faith-filled prayer that will drive this kind out. So, in faith, I submit these demons to you today,

and I trust that You have heard my prayer. In Jesus’s name…. Amen!


Tuesday, January 21

Read

And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? Luke 18:7 ESV

Reflect

This story that Jesus tells His disciples is what many Bibles call the “Parable of the Unjust Judge.” But the NLT calls it the Parable of the Persistent Widow—this is really who the story is about. Jesus uses this story to teach us the value of being consistent and never giving up in prayer. This judge, who doesn’t even care about God or the people he serves (Luke 18:2), gives this widow what she asks for because she wears him out with her constant requests (Luke 18:5). Jesus’s point: if an unjust judge will grant requests based on the constant requests of a woman he doesn’t even care about, how much more will the Father, who is caring, compassionate, and concerned, do for His children (Luke 18:7)?

The Lord Himself promises justice to the poor (Exodus 23:6). So, while we ourselves don’t need to be poor financially, we must be “poor in spirit” (Matthew 5:3), meaning that we recognize our need for God when we come to Him in prayer. And with our persistent prayer, our Father will grant justice for us and judgment for our foes.

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Respond

In what area(s) of your life do you need God to grant you justice? Write down each of those areas on a separate line. Then, next to each area, write: “Thank You, Lord, for Your justice.” But only do this if you, like this persistent widow, recognize that only God can cause you to win in these areas.



Read

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7 ESV

Reflect

There is an interesting dichotomy presented in today’s text: submission to God and resisting the devil. Unfortunately, far too many believers tend to behave proudly before the Lord while submitting to the devil—intentionally or unbeknownst. This is the spiritual error which James seeks to correct in the first few verses of James 4. What does it look like to behave proudly before the Lord while submitting to the devil? James helps us with this:

• We desire and covet things that we don’t have, so we murder fight and quarrel with each other (James 4:2).

• We ask God for things, but we ask for the wrong reasons and with the wrong motive—to appeal to our flesh (James 4:3);

• We wish to be friends with the world, making us an enemy of God (James 4:4).

If we are submitted to the devil, that is, if we utilize his problem-solving strategies (murder, fighting, and quarreling); adopt his rationale for obtaining things (to satisfy our flesh); and desire to stay connected to worldly things, then we will not be able to resist him. In order to be able to resist, or stand our ground against, the devil, we must first submit ourselves to God. Being submitted to God—adopting His ways, aligning ourselves under His Word, and accepting His will—strengthens us to resist the devil. How do we resist Him? With God’s Word. When we pray, we must pray God’s Word.

Respond

Does it appear that the devil is winning in some areas of your life? Perhaps it is because you have desired to be friends

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with the world in these areas. And if you have desired to be friends with the world in these areas, then this means you are unsubmitted to God. For example, do your personal values concerning money, care for your body, or how you spend your time reflect God’s priorities? Or do they mirror the world’s way of thinking?

Make a list of the areas in your life in which you struggle to resist the devil:

Then, find a Word (scripture) which addresses each area you listed above. Write those scriptures down and begin to speak these scriptures over your life. After you finish speaking them several times…say amen. This is how we begin to resist the devil through prayer. If we do this, we are guaranteed that he will flee!


Thursday, January 23

Read

And David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?” And the Lord said to David, “Go up, for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand.” And David came to Baal-perazim, and David defeated them there. And he said, “The Lord has broken through my enemies before me like a breaking flood.” Therefore the name of that place is called Baal-perazim. And the Philistines left their idols there, and David and his men carried them away.2 Samuel 5:19-21 ESV

Reflect

As soon as David is installed as King of Israel by the elders of Israel (2 Samuel 5:3), the Philistines—Goliath’s people—set out to get him (2 Samuel 5:17). Isn’t this normally the case: the moment we begin to operate in the calling of God on our lives, our enemy sets out to take us down? Note David’s response:

1. He goes down to the stronghold (v. 17). This is important because this location represents the last place David achieved victory against a strong foe—the Jebusites (2 Samuel 5:6-7).

2. He prays, that is, he inquired of the Lord (2 Samuel 5:19a). He asks the Lord what he should do.

3. He doesn’t move until the Lord answers him (2 Samuel 5:19b).

And he was victorious over his enemies, the Philistines (2 Samuel 5:20).

Respond

Are you facing a similar situation—the threat of attack by the enemy? Consider David’s strategy:

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• Go to the stronghold in your mind. When and where did the Father last allow you to experience victory?

Inquire of the Lord. The same God that caused you to win before will come through again! But, you must not assume it will happen the same way. Ask God how you should handle this situation. Then, wait for a response. What do you sense He is telling you to do? Note: you may not have anything to fill in after only one prayer. God doesn’t always respond immediately. It’s okay to come back to this page when you get your answer.

Do what God tells you to do. Then, thank Him in advance for victory over this enemy!


Friday, January 24

Read

At that time Joshua spoke to the Lord in the day when the Lord gave the Amorites over to the sons of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, “Sun, stand still at Gibeon, and moon, in the Valley of Aijalon.” And the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, until the nation took vengeance on their enemies. Is this not written in the Book of Jashar? The sun stopped in the midst of heaven and did not hurry to set for about a whole day. There has been no day like it before or since, when the Lord heeded the voice of a man, for the Lord fought for Israel.Joshua 10:12-14 ESV

Reflect

Our God is an amazing God! And this text is a great example of the lengths to which He will go to answer prayer and give us victory. Joshua asks the Lord to extend daylight long enough for Israel to fight and defeat the Amorites. And the Lord did it.

Notice, Joshua doesn’t ask God to end the fighting early; nor does he ask God to kill the Amorites for him. He asks for the sun to stand still. This is significant for 2 reasons:

1. Joshua clearly understands that it is God’s will and His plan for Israel to defeat and utterly destroy the Amorites (see Deuteronomy 7:1-2), and he remembers that God promised him that no man would be able to stand against him as he leads Israel towards possessing the Promised Land (Joshua 1:5). Since the Amorites were still standing, then the battle was not over yet!

2. Joshua knows that there is nothing too hard for the Lord. After all, if God is the One who created the sun and the moon, this means He also controls them.

When we pray, we too must have the same understanding, and God will do the seemingly impossible to bring us the victory

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over the enemy.

Respond

What “land” has the Lord promised to you? Write it here. Note: make sure it is something God has promised you, in line with His word, and not something you just really want. How can you tell the difference? God’s will, while it may include you, is not all about you. God doesn’t promise anything of which you yourself are the only beneficiary.

Understand that the enemy’s intention is to keep you from “possessing” (and in some cases, repossessing, such as in the case of a wayward family member) that which the Lord has promised you. As such, it will be a struggle. But remember, there is nothing too hard for the Lord. Pray, and ask Him to do something unheard of to bring you victory. Then, thank Him for it as if you already have it!



Read

If your people go out to battle against their enemy, by whatever way you shall send them, and they pray to the Lord toward the city that you have chosen and the house that I have built for your name, then hear in heaven their prayer and their plea, and maintain their cause.1 Kings 8:44-45 ESV

Reflect

Today’s text is excerpted from Solomon’s prayer to dedicate the Temple which took seven years to build (see 1 Kings 6:38). This temple would be the permanent location of the Ark of the Covenant (1 Kings 8:6). The Ark in the Old Testament represented the presence of the Lord. Thus, this temple would be the place of God’s perpetual presence (of course, this is before Jesus Himself dwelt among us, and the Holy Ghost came to dwell within us).

Solomon is praying that the Lord will always grant His people victory against their enemy when He sends them into battle. However, there is one condition in Solomon’s prayer: the people must pray together in the Temple (“the house I have built for your name”).

We already know that we are in a battle against the forces of evil (Ephesians 6:12). Since we are all in the same battle, there is value in our coming together in the house we built for God’s name, to pray to the Lord for victory. This is why we pray, and it is why it is better when we all pray together.

Respond

What battle(s) are you currently engaged in with the enemy? Is it on your job, for the soul of someone in your family, or perhaps

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for those who are being persecuted in other parts of the world?

Write those areas here:

Today, pray with other believers for victory in these battles. If you can’t make it to corporate prayer at BBFC, then

gather a group of believers and take some time out to pray together.


Sunday, January 26

Read

Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers and read it; and Hezekiah went up to the house of the Lord and spread it before the Lord. And Hezekiah prayed before the Lord…And that night the angel of the Lord went out and struck down 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians. And when people arose early in the morning, behold, these were all dead bodies. Then Sennacherib king of Assyria departed and went home and lived at Nineveh. 2 Kings 19:14-15a; 35-36 ESV

Reflect

Hezekiah, King of Judah, receives a threatening letter from his enemy, Sennacherib of Assyria (2 Kings 19:9-13). It is in fact a declaration of war against Judah and a declaration of victory for Assyria. In this letter, Sennacherib utilizes two scare tactics which our enemy today still tries to use:

1. He uses mockery. He makes fun of God and suggests that God would be deceiving Hezekiah with empty promises of victory against Assyria (v. 10). This isn’t the first time he has mocked Hezekiah’s God. He has previously mocked Hezekiah’s faith in God (2 Kings 18:19); and he has made fun of Hezekiah’s prayer life (2 Kings 19:20). Isn’t this just like the devil—making fun of our faith and attempting to negate the power of our prayers?

2. He uses history. Sennacherib points to Assyria’s own past victories over other nations (and over Judah in 2 Kings 18:13) to support his claim that Judah will face a similar fate (vv. 11-13). Does not the enemy try to use his history and even our own history to scare us? Sometimes, he even engages friends or family members to taunt us by pointing out how others have failed or how we ourselves may have failed in the past.

So, Hezekiah goes to the Temple to get into God’s presence, and he spreads the letter before the Lord. He then prays to the

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Lord. In his prayer, Hezekiah:

• Acknowledges God’s sovereignty (2 Kings 19:15); • Points to the enemy’s folly in disrespecting the Lord (v. 16); • Addresses the idolatry of the “other nations” whom Assyria

defeated (v. 18).

Finally, Hezekiah asks the Lord to rescue Judah from Sennacherib’s power (2 Kings 19:19a), but it’s the why behind Hezekiah’s request that makes this prayer so significant for us: “…then all the kingdoms of the earth will know that you alone, O Lord, are God” (v. 19b).

And the Lord took care of the Assyrians (v.35). Ironically, Sennacherib is killed by his own sons while he is worshipping his idol (v. 37).

Respond

Prayer causes the enemy to flee for one reason only: so that all the kingdoms of the earth (the devil’s domain) will know who’s God! God takes care of our enemy for His own namesake. Let’s take some time today praising God for His great name and thanking Him for taking care of us—His people.

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