Day 17:First Things First
*Acts 4:29-31 TPT*
“ So now, Lord, listen to their threats to harm us. Empower us, as your servants, to speak the word of God freely and courageously. Stretch out your hand of power through us to heal, and to move in signs and wonders by the name of your holy Son, Jesus!” At that moment the earth shook beneath them, causing the building they were in to tremble. Each one of them was filled with the Holy Spirit, and they proclaimed the word of God with unrestrained boldness”
The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees were disturbed because Peter and John were proclaiming the name of Jesus, they were sharing the power of testimony of Jesus. Signs and miracles were being performed, people were being healed and were praising the name of Jesus in awe and wonder of his goodness.
The advancement of the kingdom led to Peter and John being questioned and put into jail. Despite their arrest, the number of believers continued to grow and the priests, the captain of the temple and the Sadducees were unable to control it.
On the day of their release, Peter and John gathered with their community and began to pray. Instead of praying for comfort they asked for something bolder; they asked for more courage and boldness to continue to speak God's word. The same word of God that was the reason for their persecution and incarceration!
Their prayers were answered when the ground beneath them shook. God gave them the boldness they needed to advance the gospel despite the opposition and discomfort they were facing.
I haven't been blessed with musical gifts or a voice that can be used on the worship team, but God has given me the gift of intercession. In fact God has given each one of us gifts that we can use boldly in his service.
I remember spending hours lying on my bedroom floor with my worship music blasting, praying to God. Praying big prayers, praying for miracles that seemed impossible at the time, but not only big prayers, small prayers too. The more I prayed and interceded for others the more my spiritual muscles grew the more it became as natural as breathing. I began to see breakthrough after breakthrough. It is the same with the gifts that God has given you, the more you lean into God in Prayer and the more you utilise those gifts they will become as natural as can be and you will find God using you in his power!
Prayer is a powerful tool of worship. When we come before God and pray bold prayers, we can be sure he will answer us. This is especially true when our prayers are according to his will and advance his Kingdom here on earth.
In seasons of weariness and during storms it can become harder to pray.
My challenge to us as a community is that we rise up in intercession and worship God through our prayer life. Let's pray for boldness and courage as we move forward and press on to see his kingdom advance! As we lean in to Prayer God will also reveal our gifts that we can use to boldly declare his Love to others. God will also lay on our hearts huge dreams and visions that we shall see come to pass when we remain faithful in making him a priority in our lives always!
*“A life without prayer is a life without power.” -* Edwin Harvey
*Reflect:*
1) What would our community look like if we interceded the way the early church did?
2) How can you worship God more through your prayer life?
3) What gifts has the Holy Sprit given you that you are aware of? If you do not know what gifts God has given you during this time of prayer and fasting ask that God would reveal to you your gifts and anoint you to use them for his glory!
*Prayer:*
Lord help me to use prayer and intercession as a tool to worship you.
Help me to grow in my prayer life, and give me boldness and courage to speak your word, the same boldness and courage that you gave Peter and John and the early church. Please Fill me with your spirit Lord, and give me a renewed hunger to intercede.
In the mighty name of Jesus I pray
*Amen.*
Prayer and Fasting Tip
In this last week of fasting if you are doing a full fast and drinking liquids only, Today you may continue to experience a slight headache and periodic hunger pangs, This is normal, stay hydrated with lots of water and worship and soon you will find the headaches will dissipate and as you stay focused on the bread of life His word, the hunger pangs will replaced with a deeper hunger for God which HE will satisfy accordingly!
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