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October 31, 2012
Dear Praying Friend & 40 Day Feaster,
It seems like it was only just a few days ago that we began our 40 day journey together, and now it is already day 36! The time has gone by so quickly, but the good news is our journey doesn't have to end here. Our walk with the Lord is a series of new beginnings. Every step along the path provides an opportunity for further growth in our faith; each leg of the race challenges us to greater development in our character; and every new season of life leads us to deeper maturity in our commitment to the Lord. Through every trial or test, blessing or burden, opportunity or opposition we may face, we can rest assured that the Lord is at work drawing us to Himself and molding us into His image. From the moment of salvation when He first called us to Himself, until now, the Lord has remained vigilant to woo us into a deeper, more intimate relationship with Himself. Over and over, moment by moment, day by day, and year by year, our jealous God is relentless in His pursuit of His beloved children (Exodus 34:14; Isaiah 42:8); desiring that we would delight in Him as He delights in us. He proves Himself over and over to be a faithful, compassionate, long-suffering, forgiving, gracious, and loving Heavenly Father. And, yes, He will not even spare us the depths of despair and pain if He knows it will result in the greater good of our achieving access into the secret, tender recesses of His heart over the desperate, lonely, and lost state of man. "For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows" (2 Corinthians 1:5).
For the willing disciple, a 40 day spiritual fast, can compress years of stripping, refining, and purifying into a very small portion of time. True fasting, as described in Isaiah chapter 58, is meant "to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke...to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter - when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood..." (vv.6-7). Fasting, as the Lord intended, is not a religious ritual for a single day to gain approval of man and acceptance from God; rather, it is spiritual exercise for the inner man that leads to genuine righteousness throughout the life of the believer (Matthew 5:6). Matthew Henry defines it as the "business of our whole lives". The Lord calls us into a "right relationship" with Himself through faith, and He expects us to live in a "right relationship" with others - this is the meaning of righteousness. God always acts in righteousness to maintain this right relationship. "Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne" (Psalm 89:14a). True spiritual fasting puts one in a right position: one of humility before God and in service to others. "...but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight," declares the LORD" (Jeremiah 9:24). I pray your fasting journey has brought you to a deeper level of intimacy with God - one in which you have honestly allowed the Lord to access and empty areas of your life you may not have fully surrendered or yet repented of so He could fill you with His greater grace and make you a more frutiful branch - and, one in which you have now developed an insatiable appetite for truth and righteousness that can only be satisfied by Christ alone. May every step of your journey lead you to deeper dependence upon the Lord and greater ministry to others.
This may be the last week of prayer before the election on November 6th, but we will continue to "pray without ceasing". Join us for 77 Days of Prayer leading up to the inauguration on January 21, 2013. Our prayer journey begins Tuesday, November 6th via email. Remember to vote on November 6th and join us as we continue to pray. Please remember in your prayers all those on the east coast who have been affected by hurricane Sandy. "Ascribe to the LORD, O mighty ones, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name; worship the LORD in the splendor of His holiness. The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD thunders over the mighty waters. The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is majestic...the voice of the LORD twists the oaks and strips the forests bare. And in His temple all cry, "Glory!" The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD is enthroned as King forever. The LORD gives strength to His people; the LORD blesses His people with peace" (Psalm 30:1-4, 9-11). Thank you for joining us these 40 days!
Heavenly Father,
"Blessed be Your glorious name,
and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise.
You alone are the LORD.
You made the heavens, even the highest heavens,
and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it,
the seas and all that is in them.
You give life to everything, and the multitudes
in heaven worship You.
You made a name for Yourself which remains to this day.
You are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and abounding in love.
In all that has happened to us, You have been just;
You have acted faithfully, while we did wrong."
(Nehemiah 9:5b-6, 10b, 17b, 33)
We have sinned and done wrong.
We have been wicked and have rebelled;
we have turned away from Your commands and laws.
Just as it is written in the Law of Moses,
all this disaster has come upon us, yet we have not
sought the favor of the LORD our God by turning
from our sins and giving attention to Your truth.
Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of
Your servant. Give ear, O God, and hear;
We do not make requests of You because
we are righteous, but because of Your great mercy.
O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act!
For Your sake, O my God, do not delay,
because Your city and Your people bear Your Name."
(Daniel 9:5, 13, 17a, 18-19)
"Amen! Praise and glory
and wisdom and thanks and honor
and power and strength be to our God
for ever and ever. Amen!"
(Revelation 7:12) | 
