31 days of fasting: Day 13

 

31 DAYS OF PRAYER & FASTING : 

DAY 11 OF 

PRAYER & FASTING 

SCRIPTURE:

Philippians 3:13-14

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14. I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ 

PRAYER STARTER: 

Father God, I thank you, for keeping us all year. The New Year can often bring a mixed bag of emotions and memories for many of us. The events of 2021, including an ongoing pandemic, racial tensions, joblessness, and political unrest created an unprecedented time of unrest and anxiety. While some may have just experienced the best year ever and look forward to an even greater one ahead, others may have just trudged through one deep struggle after another. The fresh calendar year brings desperate hope for things to be better, with an ache for the still-fresh wounds to slowly begin their process of healing. Praying at the start of the New Year doesn't always bring immediate change at the stroke of midnight, but it begins the opening of our hearts to God's Words of hope and peace and trusting GOD no matter what. I'm excited about these 31 days of praying and fasting because we can start on a new journey, a new destiny and a new purpose in life.  This is the 13th day of the fast. I’m so grateful and thankful to God for this opportunity to increase my relationship with Him and exploring all the possibilities that we can experience on these 31 days of a journey of prayer and fasting. I thank Him for allowing us to develop a closer and stronger relationship with Him.  I have great expectations to see all that’s going to happen on my journey as I go through these 31 days of prayer and fasting and consecration. I printed out my fasting contract so that I can detail the things that I want to offer up to God and to see him move on my behalf. I don’t know if anyone has been on a spiritual fast before, but this is my 17th year of my journey of fasting and praying with GOD guiding me. In 2022, I’m expecting a higher move of GOD, along with signs and wonders.  I'm asking  him continuously, to build me up to strengthen me to walk with Him and to take me higher in Him. Last year was a very trying time, but I’m embracing this year and this new season with great anticipation that we’re going to see a mighty move of God. I’m very excited about the move of GOD in this season. Let’s see what GOD is going to do in these 31 days of prayer 🙏🏽 and fasting.

WISDOM ON FASTING

Today we are fasting from the thought that says: "I just can't forgive myself." Who hasn't thought that at one time or another? The devil would love to keep us in self-condemnation for the things we have done or failed to do. He knows it paralyzes us and prevents us from making the impact that God intended for us.

REALIZE THAT WE ONLY DESERVE FORGIVENESS BECAUSE OF THE BLOOD OF JESUS

It’s not because our mistakes "never happened," or "it wasn’t that bad." Give up rationalizations and excuses, and simply receive God’s mercy and grace. IT WAS THAT BAD, BUT GOD IS EVEN MORE GOOD!

James 2:13 says, "Mercy triumphs over judgment." His mercy toward you TRIUMPHS over your self- judgment. In Luke 22:34, Peter denied the Lord three times, and Jesus forgave him. Later, Peter preached the first sermon after Jesus rose from the dead, and 3000 people were saved in a day! Peter was able to forgive himself when he knew Jesus had accepted him. In the same way, you too, have been accepted by God, no matter what you have done—simply by believing in His finished work on the cross. GIVE UP YOUR RIGHT TO HOLD ANYTHING AGAINST YOURSELF!

God doesn’t hold anything against you. Forgiving yourself is simply AGREEING with God. His standard is absolute perfection, and He forgives you. Psalm 103:12 says, "As far as east is from west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us."

STOP REHEARSING WHAT YOU DID

It’s done. It’s over. Now accept the second chance (or third or fourth...) that God offers. Philippians 3:13 says, "Forgetting what lies behind, and reaching forward..." Reaching forward starts in your thought life.

BELIEVE THAT GUILT DOESN'T COME FROM GOD

He doesn’t impose guilt on you to try to get you to stop doing something. Romans 2:4 says, "It is His goodness that draws us to repentance." Since this guilt and shame doesn’t come from God, there can be only one other source—the devil. James 4:7 says, "Submit to God, resist the devil, and he will flee from you."

Some people think subconsciously: "I’ll make myself feel bad to pay for what I’ve done." Why should we pay the price that has ALREADY been paid for what we’ve done wrong? Stop beating yourself up. By trying to "pay for what we have done", we are doubting & insulting the very blood of Jesus that HAS PAID the price in full. Accept His free gift. I receive mercy today, because of the blood of Jesus. Though I didn’t deserve it, God proclaims over me, that I am "not guilty". Where I have failed, God’s mercy triumphs over judgment. I give up my right today to hold ANYTHING against myself. I deserve to be punished, but Jesus took THAT punishment for me. I forget what lies behind and press on, moving forward in my life with God, even though I feel like I have blown it beyond repair. I reject this guilt and self-condemnation that the devil is trying to put on me. God is the God of second chances. I will no longer try to make myself feel bad to pay for what I’ve done. The price for what I did or failed at has been paid in full by Jesus’ blood! Believe it and receive it. 

CLOSING PRAYER:

Lord, Thank you for your amazing power and work in our lives. Thank you for your goodness and for your blessings over us. Thank you that you are able to bring hope through even the toughest of times, strengthening us for your purposes. Thank you for your great love and care. Thank you for your mercy and grace. Thank you that you are always with us and will never leave us. Thank you for your incredible sacrifice so that we might have freedom and life. Forgive us for when we don't thank you enough, for who you are, for all that you do, for all that you've given. Help us to set our eyes and our hearts on you afresh. Renew our spirits, fill us with your peace and joy. We love you and we need you, this day and every day. We give you praise and thanks, for You alone are worthy! Amen. Father Thank you for your presence with us, thank you for your Almighty Shadow. Thank you that you go before us, and cover us from behind.  Thank you that you are in our midst and that our future is secure in the place you're preparing for us. Your words bring such hope and comfort. Remind us of your strength today, may we see glimpses of your glory and blessings along the way as we seek after you. For victory and salvation are found in you alone. Father I pray for your spirit to be with us and let us experience you like never before on this fast. It’s in the Mighty Name of JESUS name I pray, 🙏🏽 Amen. 

JESUS is my Everything 

MONIZION