Slideshow image

Day 1 of our annual time of prayer and fasting begins today.

We pray that each of you will prayerfully consider how you can participate in this time of seeking God’s will for our lives and for our church body. 
Each day during the fast, there will be a set prayer focus in addition to our personal prayers.
Today we ask you to PREPARE for God to move in a big way through this set apart time of prayer and fasting.
  • Make room & draw near to Him. (James 4:8)
  • Pray that God would show you anyone you need to forgive. (Mark 11:25)
  • Allow God to remove any resentment or bitterness. (Ephesians 4:31-32)
  • Get rid of any distractions or idols in your heart. (Philippians 3:13-14)

An encouragment from Pastor Hayes:

2 Chronicles 20:3-4

2 Some people came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Dead Sea. It is already in Hazezon Tamar”. 3 Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah.

Powerful and cruel—that is how the army of the Edomites would have been described. As direct descendants of Esau, they carried the bitterness of their forefather, believing they had been passed over by Jacob and robbed of a rightful inheritance. That resentment grew into hatred toward the Jews, and it was matched by a formidable army known for its brutality.

Yet the first response of the king of Judah was not to muster troops or fortify defenses. Instead, he called the people to fasting and prayer. They understood something crucial: their greatest need was not military strength, but God’s protection.

Scripture does not give us the details of the battle, because in truth, the battle was not between the Jews and the Edomites. The people of Judah fasted, prayed, worshiped, and took their positions—and the Lord fought for them.

There are times when the battle before us is simply too big. In those moments, we must surrender ourselves into God’s hands and allow Him to fight on our behalf. But surrender does not mean doing nothing. It means faithfully “taking our positions.” And this week, your position may be to fast and pray.