Prayer Guide & Helps
"And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out and departed into a solitary place and there prayed" (Mark 1:35)
Jesus is our example of the dedication and commitment it takes to have an effective prayer life!
START WITH PRAISE:
“Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name." (Psalm 100:4)
"But thou art holy, 0 thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel (your people)” (Ps. 22:3)
Jesus is our example of the dedication and commitment it takes to have an effective prayer life!
START WITH PRAISE:
“Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name." (Psalm 100:4)
"But thou art holy, 0 thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel (your people)” (Ps. 22:3)
Prayer Guides (PDF)
7 PRAYERS OF SUBMISSION:
Humility is the password for FAVOR
So start with Submission.
#1. Submit to the Word of God
#2. Submit to the Name of Jesus (vocally)
#3. Submit to the Blood of Jesus
#4. Submit to the Holy Ghost
#5. Submit to the Angels
#6. Submit to the Will of God
#7. Submit to the Man of God
Humility is the password for FAVOR
So start with Submission.
#1. Submit to the Word of God
#2. Submit to the Name of Jesus (vocally)
#3. Submit to the Blood of Jesus
#4. Submit to the Holy Ghost
#5. Submit to the Angels
#6. Submit to the Will of God
#7. Submit to the Man of God
PLEADING THE BLOOD:
"Lord, I come pleading the blood of Jesus over this day and over my time together with you - asking that you would keep this conversation private from the enemy."
"I plead the blood of Jesus because it is our only counter agent. When there is no blood covering, sin is free to corrupt and destroy."
"The Bible declares, 'When he sees the blood... the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you." (Ex. 12:23) "So we take comfort in knowing that the enemy cannot cross the bloodline of Christ”
"And they overcome him (the enemy) by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony, (Rev. 12:11)
"Lord, I plead the blood of Jesus over this day, over my family, over my church family, over my city, state, and nation. I plead the blood of Jesus over all of the people of this world for whom Jesus died. For “he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:2)
"Paul wrote, 'I exhort... that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men...For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (I Tim. 2:1, 3-4)
"Jesus, you said" 'And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” (John 12:32) Grant it,
Lord!"
“And Lord, I claim the blood of Jesus as it has already been applied in my life. I continue to trust in your mercy. Hide me under your blood and keep me from all unrighteousness. Forgive me of my sins, my iniquities, my wickedness, my evil desires to sometimes step outside the laws of God."
"Search me, 0 God and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Ps. 139:23-24)
"Cleanse me from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit that I might perfect holiness in the fear of God." (II Cor. 7:1)
"Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin... Create in me a clean heart, 0 God; and renew a right spirit within me." (Ps. 51:2, 10)
"Lord, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith." (Heb. 12:1-2)
Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sin; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, 0 LORD, my strength, and my redeemer." (Ps. 19:13-14)
"Lord, I come pleading the blood of Jesus over this day and over my time together with you - asking that you would keep this conversation private from the enemy."
"I plead the blood of Jesus because it is our only counter agent. When there is no blood covering, sin is free to corrupt and destroy."
"The Bible declares, 'When he sees the blood... the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you." (Ex. 12:23) "So we take comfort in knowing that the enemy cannot cross the bloodline of Christ”
"And they overcome him (the enemy) by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony, (Rev. 12:11)
"Lord, I plead the blood of Jesus over this day, over my family, over my church family, over my city, state, and nation. I plead the blood of Jesus over all of the people of this world for whom Jesus died. For “he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:2)
"Paul wrote, 'I exhort... that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men...For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (I Tim. 2:1, 3-4)
"Jesus, you said" 'And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” (John 12:32) Grant it,
Lord!"
“And Lord, I claim the blood of Jesus as it has already been applied in my life. I continue to trust in your mercy. Hide me under your blood and keep me from all unrighteousness. Forgive me of my sins, my iniquities, my wickedness, my evil desires to sometimes step outside the laws of God."
"Search me, 0 God and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Ps. 139:23-24)
"Cleanse me from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit that I might perfect holiness in the fear of God." (II Cor. 7:1)
"Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin... Create in me a clean heart, 0 God; and renew a right spirit within me." (Ps. 51:2, 10)
"Lord, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith." (Heb. 12:1-2)
Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sin; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, 0 LORD, my strength, and my redeemer." (Ps. 19:13-14)
TAKING ON THE WHOLE ARMOUR:
"Put on the whole armour of God that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood; but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God; that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God " (Eph. 6:11-17)
The Helmet of Salvation: "Lord, protect my mind. Keep my mind and eyes focused on you. Let me think right. Let me view things through your eyes. Let me not be conformed to this world's way of thinking. Let me be transformed by the renewing of my mind, that I may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Rom. 12:2)
"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." (Isa. 26:3)
"For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace." (Rom. 8:6).
“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." (Phil. 2:5)
The Breastplate of Righteousness: "Lord, keep my heart right. Filter everything that comes into or out of my heart through your righteousness. Lead me in the paths of righteousness for your name's sake. (Ps.23:3) Come and rain your righteousness upon us." (Hos. 10:12)
"Let me be easily impressed by your Spirit. Let me recognize the unction and guidance of your righteousness in my life. Let me be led by your Holy Spirit in all I say and do."
Loins Girt about with Truth: "Lord, put a love of the truth in my heart. Gird me about with truth. Spirit of Truth, wrap yourself around me. Let truth keep me from all lies and all error and every false way. For your Word speaks of those who 'with all deceivableness of unrighteousness ...perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved' (II Thess. 2:10). So let us love the truth, not just in word, but in deed."
Feet Shod with the Preparation of the Gospel of Peace: "Lord, everywhere I go let me bring peace. Grant to me a willingness to be peaceful and to bring peace, a willingness to 'Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.” (Heb. 12:14). Let me be a peacemaker.
“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace…” (Isa. 52:7). Let me be a person who publishes and spreads your peace."
"Lord, guide our feet into the way of peace. (Luke 1:79). Set my feet in a large place safe from the pit. Send your angels to keep me from dashing my feet against a stone." (Ps. 91:12).
The Shield of Faith: "Lord, quench all the fiery darts of the enemy. For you are the author and the finisher of my faith. Let me be able to truly say with Paul, 'I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God; who loved me, and gave himself for me.” (Gal. 2:20).
"Your Word declares that, 'He shall cover thee with his feathers and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.” (Ps. 91:4). Grant it, Lord! My prayer is that my 'faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.” (I Cor. 2:5). Protect us from the enemy's attacks, Lord!
The Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God: "I come on the offensive, with your Word as my weapon, against the gates of hell. Anoint your Word in my heart, mind, and mouth. Let your Word do a work in me and through me. Let me be a channel through which your living Word can flow powerfully and effectively."
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Heb. 4:12).
"The righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth and in thy heart: that is the word of faith, which we preach.” (Rom 10:6-8).
The Garment of Vengeance and Cloak of Zeal: "For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloke. " (Isa. 59: 17). "Lord, as a member of the body of Christ under your headship; I put on the garments of the vengeance of Christ and the cloak of the zeal of Christ to combat the enemy. Use me mightily in your work, Lord!”
"Put on the whole armour of God that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood; but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God; that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God " (Eph. 6:11-17)
The Helmet of Salvation: "Lord, protect my mind. Keep my mind and eyes focused on you. Let me think right. Let me view things through your eyes. Let me not be conformed to this world's way of thinking. Let me be transformed by the renewing of my mind, that I may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Rom. 12:2)
"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." (Isa. 26:3)
"For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace." (Rom. 8:6).
“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." (Phil. 2:5)
The Breastplate of Righteousness: "Lord, keep my heart right. Filter everything that comes into or out of my heart through your righteousness. Lead me in the paths of righteousness for your name's sake. (Ps.23:3) Come and rain your righteousness upon us." (Hos. 10:12)
"Let me be easily impressed by your Spirit. Let me recognize the unction and guidance of your righteousness in my life. Let me be led by your Holy Spirit in all I say and do."
Loins Girt about with Truth: "Lord, put a love of the truth in my heart. Gird me about with truth. Spirit of Truth, wrap yourself around me. Let truth keep me from all lies and all error and every false way. For your Word speaks of those who 'with all deceivableness of unrighteousness ...perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved' (II Thess. 2:10). So let us love the truth, not just in word, but in deed."
Feet Shod with the Preparation of the Gospel of Peace: "Lord, everywhere I go let me bring peace. Grant to me a willingness to be peaceful and to bring peace, a willingness to 'Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.” (Heb. 12:14). Let me be a peacemaker.
“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace…” (Isa. 52:7). Let me be a person who publishes and spreads your peace."
"Lord, guide our feet into the way of peace. (Luke 1:79). Set my feet in a large place safe from the pit. Send your angels to keep me from dashing my feet against a stone." (Ps. 91:12).
The Shield of Faith: "Lord, quench all the fiery darts of the enemy. For you are the author and the finisher of my faith. Let me be able to truly say with Paul, 'I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God; who loved me, and gave himself for me.” (Gal. 2:20).
"Your Word declares that, 'He shall cover thee with his feathers and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.” (Ps. 91:4). Grant it, Lord! My prayer is that my 'faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.” (I Cor. 2:5). Protect us from the enemy's attacks, Lord!
The Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God: "I come on the offensive, with your Word as my weapon, against the gates of hell. Anoint your Word in my heart, mind, and mouth. Let your Word do a work in me and through me. Let me be a channel through which your living Word can flow powerfully and effectively."
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Heb. 4:12).
"The righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth and in thy heart: that is the word of faith, which we preach.” (Rom 10:6-8).
The Garment of Vengeance and Cloak of Zeal: "For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloke. " (Isa. 59: 17). "Lord, as a member of the body of Christ under your headship; I put on the garments of the vengeance of Christ and the cloak of the zeal of Christ to combat the enemy. Use me mightily in your work, Lord!”
DRIVING BACK THE POWERS OF DARKNESS:
"Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man?
And then he will spoil his house." (Mt. 12:29)
"When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted; and divideth his spoils.” (Lk.11:21-22).
“Behold I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” (Lk.10:19).
"Lord, we come on the offensive against the gates of hell, invading the devil's territory - driving back every evil spirit and reaching for the Spirit of God, standing on the promise that 'No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper. "(Isa. 54:17) "God of peace, bruise Satan under our feet. (Rom. 16:20) We come at your bidding, Lord, rooting out, pulling down, destroying, and throwing down the enemy's kingdom so that we might spoil his house and build up and plant the kingdom of God.
(Jer.1:10)
We come against even the most stubborn of our spiritual adversaries standing on your promise that 'Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children.” (Isa. 49:25).
"The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy - but we come, as members of the body of Christ, that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." (John 10:10)
"Lord, we pray, as Paul did for the church at Ephesus, that you would give unto us the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of you. We pray that the eyes of our understanding might be enlightened that we may know what is the hope of your calling, and what are the riches of the glory of your inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of your power toward us who believe, according to the working of your mighty power, which you wrought in Christ, when you raised him from the dead, and set him at your own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come. And you have put all things under his feet, and given him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him that fills all in all. (Eph.1:17-23) Lord, grant to us a clear understanding of who we are in this world! "Because as he is, so are we in this world" (I John 4:17)
"Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man?
And then he will spoil his house." (Mt. 12:29)
"When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted; and divideth his spoils.” (Lk.11:21-22).
“Behold I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” (Lk.10:19).
"Lord, we come on the offensive against the gates of hell, invading the devil's territory - driving back every evil spirit and reaching for the Spirit of God, standing on the promise that 'No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper. "(Isa. 54:17) "God of peace, bruise Satan under our feet. (Rom. 16:20) We come at your bidding, Lord, rooting out, pulling down, destroying, and throwing down the enemy's kingdom so that we might spoil his house and build up and plant the kingdom of God.
(Jer.1:10)
We come against even the most stubborn of our spiritual adversaries standing on your promise that 'Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children.” (Isa. 49:25).
"The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy - but we come, as members of the body of Christ, that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." (John 10:10)
"Lord, we pray, as Paul did for the church at Ephesus, that you would give unto us the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of you. We pray that the eyes of our understanding might be enlightened that we may know what is the hope of your calling, and what are the riches of the glory of your inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of your power toward us who believe, according to the working of your mighty power, which you wrought in Christ, when you raised him from the dead, and set him at your own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come. And you have put all things under his feet, and given him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him that fills all in all. (Eph.1:17-23) Lord, grant to us a clear understanding of who we are in this world! "Because as he is, so are we in this world" (I John 4:17)
ANGELS:
"Lord, your Word declares that your angels are great in power and might, that they excel in strength hearkening to the voice of your Word. (II Pet 2:11, Ps. 103:19) So, Lord, send forth your angels to do the work you created them to do! Respond to the prayers and' praises of your people. Execute vengeance upon Satan and his fallen angels; send punishment upon them; bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; execute upon them the judgment written." (Ps.149:7-9) Send your angels as you did in the days of Jehoshaphat to "set ambushments" against the adversary. (II Chr. 20:22) Send your angels as you did in the days of Elisha to blind the enemy and to send confusion to his camp." (II Kings 6:18)
‘And I will send an angel before thee; and I will drive out the Canaanite, the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite.’ (Ex.33:2) Do it again Lord! Send an angel before us into our promised land of revival - send him forth to drive out every evil spirit that would endeavor to hinder us in our efforts. Give us our city, our state, and our nation. Send forth heaven's warriors - your mighty angelic force to bind the evil princes of our city, state, and nation. I come against evil by the authority of the name of Jesus Christ. Lord, destroy it in our city, state, and nation. Let the economy flourish in our city, state, and nation. Make it easy to do right in out city, state, and nation. Make it easy to get saved in our city, state, and nation. Post angels on the comers of our city, state, and nation. Grant repentance to our city, state, and nation in Jesus name!
"Lord, answer our prayers as you did the prayers of Hezekiah when Sennacherib, king of Assyria, came against Judah: "Then Isaiah...sent unto Hezekiah, saying, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Whereas thou hast prayed to me against Sennacherib king of Assyria: This is the word which the LORD hath spoken concerning him...I know thy abode, and thy going out, and thy coming in, and thy rage against me. Because thy rage against me, and thy tumult, is come up into mine ears, therefore will I put my hook in thy nose, and my bridle in thy lips, and I will turn thee back by the way by which thou camest ...Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning the king of Assyria, He shall not come into this city nor shoot an arrow there nor come before it with shields, nor cast a bank against it. By the way that he came, by the same shall he return, and shall not come into this city, saith the LORD. For I will defend this city to save it for mine own sake ... Then the angel of the LORD went forth and smote in the camp of the Assyrians, a hundred and fourscore and five thousand ...So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed... ' (Isa. 37:21-22, 28-29,33-37). Do it again, Lord! Thwart the enemy's plan. Send your angels to defend our city, state, and nation.
"For your Word says of your angels that they are 'all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation. " (Heb. 1:14). Send them forth to do the job you created them to do. Send them forth to minister to the needs of your people, strengthening them (Lk. 22:43), encamping round about them, protecting them, delivering them (Ps. 34:7). Send them forth to minister guidance and protection to our new converts.
Send them forth to protect our children and our elders. Send them forth to watch over and guard all of your people. Send them to close the lions' mouths as you did in the days of Daniel. Send them to quench the violence of fire as you did in the days of Shadrach Meshach, and Abednego. Grant it, in Jesus name!
“And when Peter was come to himself, he said. Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out he Jews.” (Acts 12:11) “Lord, send your angel to deliver us out of the hand of the devil and from all of his evil expectation towards us.”
"Send your angels to minister to the needs of the church - our spiritual needs, our financial needs, to enhance our influence in this world as the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Send an angel, as you did to Daniel, to help us understand end-time prophecy and to remind us of the soon coming of the Lord and that our time is short. Give us an understanding of the times so that we might live accordingly. In Jesus name!”
"Lord, your Word declares that your angels are great in power and might, that they excel in strength hearkening to the voice of your Word. (II Pet 2:11, Ps. 103:19) So, Lord, send forth your angels to do the work you created them to do! Respond to the prayers and' praises of your people. Execute vengeance upon Satan and his fallen angels; send punishment upon them; bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; execute upon them the judgment written." (Ps.149:7-9) Send your angels as you did in the days of Jehoshaphat to "set ambushments" against the adversary. (II Chr. 20:22) Send your angels as you did in the days of Elisha to blind the enemy and to send confusion to his camp." (II Kings 6:18)
‘And I will send an angel before thee; and I will drive out the Canaanite, the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite.’ (Ex.33:2) Do it again Lord! Send an angel before us into our promised land of revival - send him forth to drive out every evil spirit that would endeavor to hinder us in our efforts. Give us our city, our state, and our nation. Send forth heaven's warriors - your mighty angelic force to bind the evil princes of our city, state, and nation. I come against evil by the authority of the name of Jesus Christ. Lord, destroy it in our city, state, and nation. Let the economy flourish in our city, state, and nation. Make it easy to do right in out city, state, and nation. Make it easy to get saved in our city, state, and nation. Post angels on the comers of our city, state, and nation. Grant repentance to our city, state, and nation in Jesus name!
"Lord, answer our prayers as you did the prayers of Hezekiah when Sennacherib, king of Assyria, came against Judah: "Then Isaiah...sent unto Hezekiah, saying, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Whereas thou hast prayed to me against Sennacherib king of Assyria: This is the word which the LORD hath spoken concerning him...I know thy abode, and thy going out, and thy coming in, and thy rage against me. Because thy rage against me, and thy tumult, is come up into mine ears, therefore will I put my hook in thy nose, and my bridle in thy lips, and I will turn thee back by the way by which thou camest ...Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning the king of Assyria, He shall not come into this city nor shoot an arrow there nor come before it with shields, nor cast a bank against it. By the way that he came, by the same shall he return, and shall not come into this city, saith the LORD. For I will defend this city to save it for mine own sake ... Then the angel of the LORD went forth and smote in the camp of the Assyrians, a hundred and fourscore and five thousand ...So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed... ' (Isa. 37:21-22, 28-29,33-37). Do it again, Lord! Thwart the enemy's plan. Send your angels to defend our city, state, and nation.
"For your Word says of your angels that they are 'all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation. " (Heb. 1:14). Send them forth to do the job you created them to do. Send them forth to minister to the needs of your people, strengthening them (Lk. 22:43), encamping round about them, protecting them, delivering them (Ps. 34:7). Send them forth to minister guidance and protection to our new converts.
Send them forth to protect our children and our elders. Send them forth to watch over and guard all of your people. Send them to close the lions' mouths as you did in the days of Daniel. Send them to quench the violence of fire as you did in the days of Shadrach Meshach, and Abednego. Grant it, in Jesus name!
“And when Peter was come to himself, he said. Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out he Jews.” (Acts 12:11) “Lord, send your angel to deliver us out of the hand of the devil and from all of his evil expectation towards us.”
"Send your angels to minister to the needs of the church - our spiritual needs, our financial needs, to enhance our influence in this world as the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Send an angel, as you did to Daniel, to help us understand end-time prophecy and to remind us of the soon coming of the Lord and that our time is short. Give us an understanding of the times so that we might live accordingly. In Jesus name!”
BINDING AND LOOSING:
(Binding = Forbidding, to prohibit / Loosing= Permitting, to permit) When we bind evil spirits, it is important that we loose a good spirit.
"1 will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bound on earth, shall be bound in heaven. (Mt. 16:19).
"Again I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." (Mt. 18:19-20)
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." (II Tim 1:7) “Lord, in the name of Jesus, I loose the power of Christ and the love of Christ and the mind of Christ. And I bind the spirit of fear and phobias (Isa 13:7-8), every spirit behind torment and horror (Ps 55:4-5, I John 4:18), the fear of death (Heb 2:14-15), distrust and doubt (Mt 8:26, Rev 21:8), nightmares and terrors (Ps 91:5), the fear of man (Prov 29:25), anxiety and stress (Lk 21:26, In 14:1, 27, I Pet 5:7).
"Thou gavest also thy good spirit to instruct them, and withheldest not thy manna from their mouth; and gavest them water for their thirst," (Neh. 9:20).
"Lord, I loose your good and excellent spirit to do its work - give bread to the hungry and water to the thirsty, in Jesus name. And I bind every evil and perverse spirit – every spirit that wounds and destroys (Prov 15:4) - Every evil spirit behind evil actions (Prov 17:20, 23) - I bind and drive back every spirit behind doctrinal error (Isa 19:14, Rom 1:22-23, II Tim 3:7-8) - every spirit behind chronic worry (Prov 19:2) - every spirit that twists the Word (Acts 13:10, II Pet 2:14) - every spirit behind child abuse (Eph 6:4, Co 14:21) – incest (I Cor 7:1, II Sam 13) - pornography (I John 2:16) - sexual perversions (Rom 1 :17-32) - filthy minds (Prov 2:12-15,23:33) - abortion (Deut 6:17, Lk 1:41) - atheism (Prov 14:2, 19:3, Rom 1:30) – foolishness (Prov 1:22, 19:1) - contentiousness (Phil 2:14-16, I Tim 6:4-5, Titus 3:10-11) - by the authority of the name of Jesus Christ!
"The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” (Rom 5:5). “Lord, I loose your love to be shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost. I loose your Holy Spirit to bring unity to your people. And I bind and drive back every spirit of hatred (Gen 37:3-4, 8, I Thess 4:8) - murder (Gen 4:8) revenge and spite (Song 8:6, Prov 27:4) – every spirit that causes division (Gal 5:19) – strife (Prov 10:12) – every spirit of contention (Prov 13:10) - extreme competitiveness (Gen 4:4-5) – anger and rage (Gen 4:5-6, Prov 6:324, 14:29, 22:24-25, 29:22-23) – jealousy (Num 5:14, 30).
"We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth and the spirit of error. " (I Jn 4:6) "Lord, we loose your Holy Spirit of truth to do its work and we bind every spirit of error (Prov 14:22, II Pet 3:1,16) - every unsubmissive spirit (Prov29:1) - every unteachable spirit (Prov 10:11, 12:1, 13:18, 15:10, 12, 32, II Tim 4:1-4) - every spirit of argumentation (II Pet 2) - every spirit behind the New Age movement (II Pet 2:10) - every spirit of contentiousness (James 3:16) - every spirit that makes people servants of corruption (II Pet 2:19) - every spirit behind false doctrines that destroy men's souls (I Tim 6:20-21, II Tim 4:3, Titus 3:10)
"The Spirit of truth...dwelleth with you, and shall be in you" (Jn 14;17) "Lord we loose the Spirit of truth that dwells within us and we bind every lying spirit - every spirit of deception (II Thess 2:9-13) - every spirit of flattery (Ps 78:36, Prov 20:19, 26:28) - every spirit behind false prophecy and false prophets (Jer 23:15-17, 27:9-10) - gossip (I Tim 6:20) - lies (I Chr 18:22; Prov 6:16-19) - false teachers (II Pet) - religious bondages and doctrines of devils (Gal 5:1, I Tim 4:1) - superstitions (Acts 17:22, I Tim 4:7) - slander (Prov 10:18) - accusations (Rev 12:10)
"But when the Comforter is come...he shall testify of me." (Jn 15:26) "We loose the Comforter to do His work - we loose the garment of praise and the oil of joy and bind and drive back the spirit of heaviness (Isa 61:3) and excessive mourning (Isa 6:13, Lk 4:18) - we bind all sorrow and grief that is not of God (Neh 2:2, Prov 15:13) - suicidal tendencies (Mk 9) - inner hurts (Lk 4:1) - depression (Isa 61:3) - despair, dejection, and hopelessness (II Cor 1:8-9) – self-pity (Ps 69:20)
"Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth... and he will show you things to come." (Jn 16:13) "Lord, we loose the Spirit of truth to guide us into all truth and to show us things to come and we bind and drive back every spirit of hypocrisy (I Tim 4:10) - every spirit of deception (II Tim 3:13) - every spirit that fascinates and draws people to evil ways, objects, or persons (Prov 12:2-6) - every seducing spirit that leads people away from truth (I Tim 4: 1, I Jn 2: 18-26) - every spirit that attracts people to be fascinated by false prophets, false signs, and wonders (Mk 13:22).
I loose your Spirit of truth and bind every spirit anti-Christ - every spirit that denies the deity of Christ (I
Jn 4:3, Jn 7) - every spirit that denies the atonement of the blood of Christ (I Jn 4:3) - every spirit that comes against true Christians (Rev 13:7) and against Christ and His teachings (II Thess 2:4, I Jn 4) - every spirit of heresy (I Jn 2:18-19) – Lawlessness (II Thess 2:3-12) - every-spirit. behind worldly speech and actions (I Jn 4:5). "For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear,. but ye have received the Spirit of adoption. whereby we cry. Abba, Father." (Rom 8:15) "I the name of Jesus, I loose the liberating Spirit of adoption, the Spirit of Christ – and I bind every spirit of bondage - every spirit of addiction (drugs, alcohol, tobacco, pornography, sexual perversions, lying, gambling, etc. (Rom 8:15, II Pet 2:19) - every spirit that binds people to sin (II Tim 2:26) - every spirit behind compulsive sin (Prov 5:22, Jn 8:34) - every spirit that makes people servants of corruption (Rom 7:23, Lk 8:26-29, Rom 6:16) - every spirit that takes people captive to Satan (II Pet 2: 19). Set them free, Lord Jesus, for he whom the Son sets free is free indeed!"
"God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. " (James 5:-6) "Lord, we loose your meek and lowly spirit, your spirit of humility, submission and obedience - and we bind every spirit of haughtiness and pride (Prov 6:1-6-27, 16:18, 19, 28:25, lsa 16:6) - every obstinate and stubborn spirit (Prov 29:1, Dan 5:20) - rebellion (I Sam 15:23, Prov 29:1) - contentiousness (Prov 13:10) – self-deception (Jer 49:16) - every spirit that rejects God (Ps 10:4, Jer4-1:2) - every scornful spirit (Prov 1:22,3:34, 21:24, 29:8) - arrogance and smugness (II Sam 22:28, Jer 48:29, Isa 2:11, 17, 5:15) - self-righteousness (Lk 18:11-12)
“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. " (Rom 8:2)
"Lord, I loose the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus and your gifts of healing and bind every spirit of infirmity. I take authority over all manner of sickness and disease (Mt 10:1). In Jesus name I bind and drive back cancer, heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, lameness, blindness, deafness, back trouble, arthritis, asthma, allergies, etc. I loose faith to work by love. I loose the fruit of your Holy Spirit - love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance against which there is no law. I loose the gifts of your Holy Spirit - words of wisdom, words of knowledge, discerning of spirits, gifts of healing, working of miracles, the gift of faith, tongues, interpretation of tongues, and prophecy. I loose helps and governments and the fivefold ministry of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers - and any other gifts you have ordained for the church to help us accomplish our mission. Grant it in Jesus name!
"Lord, we loose your Holy Spirit to work with us as you did with the Early Church - work with, Lord, confirming your word with signs following. (Mk 16:20) Grant unto your servants that with all boldness we may speak your Word, by stretching forth your hand to heal and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of your holy child, Jesus. (Acts 4:29-30)
(Binding = Forbidding, to prohibit / Loosing= Permitting, to permit) When we bind evil spirits, it is important that we loose a good spirit.
"1 will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bound on earth, shall be bound in heaven. (Mt. 16:19).
"Again I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." (Mt. 18:19-20)
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." (II Tim 1:7) “Lord, in the name of Jesus, I loose the power of Christ and the love of Christ and the mind of Christ. And I bind the spirit of fear and phobias (Isa 13:7-8), every spirit behind torment and horror (Ps 55:4-5, I John 4:18), the fear of death (Heb 2:14-15), distrust and doubt (Mt 8:26, Rev 21:8), nightmares and terrors (Ps 91:5), the fear of man (Prov 29:25), anxiety and stress (Lk 21:26, In 14:1, 27, I Pet 5:7).
"Thou gavest also thy good spirit to instruct them, and withheldest not thy manna from their mouth; and gavest them water for their thirst," (Neh. 9:20).
"Lord, I loose your good and excellent spirit to do its work - give bread to the hungry and water to the thirsty, in Jesus name. And I bind every evil and perverse spirit – every spirit that wounds and destroys (Prov 15:4) - Every evil spirit behind evil actions (Prov 17:20, 23) - I bind and drive back every spirit behind doctrinal error (Isa 19:14, Rom 1:22-23, II Tim 3:7-8) - every spirit behind chronic worry (Prov 19:2) - every spirit that twists the Word (Acts 13:10, II Pet 2:14) - every spirit behind child abuse (Eph 6:4, Co 14:21) – incest (I Cor 7:1, II Sam 13) - pornography (I John 2:16) - sexual perversions (Rom 1 :17-32) - filthy minds (Prov 2:12-15,23:33) - abortion (Deut 6:17, Lk 1:41) - atheism (Prov 14:2, 19:3, Rom 1:30) – foolishness (Prov 1:22, 19:1) - contentiousness (Phil 2:14-16, I Tim 6:4-5, Titus 3:10-11) - by the authority of the name of Jesus Christ!
"The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” (Rom 5:5). “Lord, I loose your love to be shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost. I loose your Holy Spirit to bring unity to your people. And I bind and drive back every spirit of hatred (Gen 37:3-4, 8, I Thess 4:8) - murder (Gen 4:8) revenge and spite (Song 8:6, Prov 27:4) – every spirit that causes division (Gal 5:19) – strife (Prov 10:12) – every spirit of contention (Prov 13:10) - extreme competitiveness (Gen 4:4-5) – anger and rage (Gen 4:5-6, Prov 6:324, 14:29, 22:24-25, 29:22-23) – jealousy (Num 5:14, 30).
"We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth and the spirit of error. " (I Jn 4:6) "Lord, we loose your Holy Spirit of truth to do its work and we bind every spirit of error (Prov 14:22, II Pet 3:1,16) - every unsubmissive spirit (Prov29:1) - every unteachable spirit (Prov 10:11, 12:1, 13:18, 15:10, 12, 32, II Tim 4:1-4) - every spirit of argumentation (II Pet 2) - every spirit behind the New Age movement (II Pet 2:10) - every spirit of contentiousness (James 3:16) - every spirit that makes people servants of corruption (II Pet 2:19) - every spirit behind false doctrines that destroy men's souls (I Tim 6:20-21, II Tim 4:3, Titus 3:10)
"The Spirit of truth...dwelleth with you, and shall be in you" (Jn 14;17) "Lord we loose the Spirit of truth that dwells within us and we bind every lying spirit - every spirit of deception (II Thess 2:9-13) - every spirit of flattery (Ps 78:36, Prov 20:19, 26:28) - every spirit behind false prophecy and false prophets (Jer 23:15-17, 27:9-10) - gossip (I Tim 6:20) - lies (I Chr 18:22; Prov 6:16-19) - false teachers (II Pet) - religious bondages and doctrines of devils (Gal 5:1, I Tim 4:1) - superstitions (Acts 17:22, I Tim 4:7) - slander (Prov 10:18) - accusations (Rev 12:10)
"But when the Comforter is come...he shall testify of me." (Jn 15:26) "We loose the Comforter to do His work - we loose the garment of praise and the oil of joy and bind and drive back the spirit of heaviness (Isa 61:3) and excessive mourning (Isa 6:13, Lk 4:18) - we bind all sorrow and grief that is not of God (Neh 2:2, Prov 15:13) - suicidal tendencies (Mk 9) - inner hurts (Lk 4:1) - depression (Isa 61:3) - despair, dejection, and hopelessness (II Cor 1:8-9) – self-pity (Ps 69:20)
"Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth... and he will show you things to come." (Jn 16:13) "Lord, we loose the Spirit of truth to guide us into all truth and to show us things to come and we bind and drive back every spirit of hypocrisy (I Tim 4:10) - every spirit of deception (II Tim 3:13) - every spirit that fascinates and draws people to evil ways, objects, or persons (Prov 12:2-6) - every seducing spirit that leads people away from truth (I Tim 4: 1, I Jn 2: 18-26) - every spirit that attracts people to be fascinated by false prophets, false signs, and wonders (Mk 13:22).
I loose your Spirit of truth and bind every spirit anti-Christ - every spirit that denies the deity of Christ (I
Jn 4:3, Jn 7) - every spirit that denies the atonement of the blood of Christ (I Jn 4:3) - every spirit that comes against true Christians (Rev 13:7) and against Christ and His teachings (II Thess 2:4, I Jn 4) - every spirit of heresy (I Jn 2:18-19) – Lawlessness (II Thess 2:3-12) - every-spirit. behind worldly speech and actions (I Jn 4:5). "For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear,. but ye have received the Spirit of adoption. whereby we cry. Abba, Father." (Rom 8:15) "I the name of Jesus, I loose the liberating Spirit of adoption, the Spirit of Christ – and I bind every spirit of bondage - every spirit of addiction (drugs, alcohol, tobacco, pornography, sexual perversions, lying, gambling, etc. (Rom 8:15, II Pet 2:19) - every spirit that binds people to sin (II Tim 2:26) - every spirit behind compulsive sin (Prov 5:22, Jn 8:34) - every spirit that makes people servants of corruption (Rom 7:23, Lk 8:26-29, Rom 6:16) - every spirit that takes people captive to Satan (II Pet 2: 19). Set them free, Lord Jesus, for he whom the Son sets free is free indeed!"
"God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. " (James 5:-6) "Lord, we loose your meek and lowly spirit, your spirit of humility, submission and obedience - and we bind every spirit of haughtiness and pride (Prov 6:1-6-27, 16:18, 19, 28:25, lsa 16:6) - every obstinate and stubborn spirit (Prov 29:1, Dan 5:20) - rebellion (I Sam 15:23, Prov 29:1) - contentiousness (Prov 13:10) – self-deception (Jer 49:16) - every spirit that rejects God (Ps 10:4, Jer4-1:2) - every scornful spirit (Prov 1:22,3:34, 21:24, 29:8) - arrogance and smugness (II Sam 22:28, Jer 48:29, Isa 2:11, 17, 5:15) - self-righteousness (Lk 18:11-12)
“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. " (Rom 8:2)
"Lord, I loose the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus and your gifts of healing and bind every spirit of infirmity. I take authority over all manner of sickness and disease (Mt 10:1). In Jesus name I bind and drive back cancer, heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, lameness, blindness, deafness, back trouble, arthritis, asthma, allergies, etc. I loose faith to work by love. I loose the fruit of your Holy Spirit - love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance against which there is no law. I loose the gifts of your Holy Spirit - words of wisdom, words of knowledge, discerning of spirits, gifts of healing, working of miracles, the gift of faith, tongues, interpretation of tongues, and prophecy. I loose helps and governments and the fivefold ministry of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers - and any other gifts you have ordained for the church to help us accomplish our mission. Grant it in Jesus name!
"Lord, we loose your Holy Spirit to work with us as you did with the Early Church - work with, Lord, confirming your word with signs following. (Mk 16:20) Grant unto your servants that with all boldness we may speak your Word, by stretching forth your hand to heal and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of your holy child, Jesus. (Acts 4:29-30)
TEARING DOWN STRONGHOLDS:
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal,
but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds; Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” (II Cor 10:3-5)
"Lord we choose you as the master of our lives. I refuse to allow Satan to build places of fortification against the kingdom and plan of God. In Jesus name I pull down every stronghold of darkness that influences our community and nation. I cast down every argument and every vain imagination that Satan is using to dominate the philosophies influencing our culture and world view (Hollywood, liberal media, etc.) I bring every thought into captivity to Christ. Lord, don't allow our minds to be filled with hopelessness so that we would accept as unchangeable that which we know is against your purpose and will. In Jesus name!
"If our gospel be hid; it is hid to them that are lost: in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ...should shine unto them.” (II Cor 4:3-4) “Lord, send your angels to chase the enemy and to take the scales from people's eyes that they might clearly see the light of your glorious gospel and accept it and be saved!"
"Thou art my King, 0 God: command deliverance for Jacob. Through thee will we push down our enemies: through thy name will we tread them under that rise up against us. For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me. But thou hast saved us .from our enemies, and hast put them to shame that hated us, In God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name for ever. " (Ps 44:4-8)
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal,
but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds; Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” (II Cor 10:3-5)
"Lord we choose you as the master of our lives. I refuse to allow Satan to build places of fortification against the kingdom and plan of God. In Jesus name I pull down every stronghold of darkness that influences our community and nation. I cast down every argument and every vain imagination that Satan is using to dominate the philosophies influencing our culture and world view (Hollywood, liberal media, etc.) I bring every thought into captivity to Christ. Lord, don't allow our minds to be filled with hopelessness so that we would accept as unchangeable that which we know is against your purpose and will. In Jesus name!
"If our gospel be hid; it is hid to them that are lost: in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ...should shine unto them.” (II Cor 4:3-4) “Lord, send your angels to chase the enemy and to take the scales from people's eyes that they might clearly see the light of your glorious gospel and accept it and be saved!"
"Thou art my King, 0 God: command deliverance for Jacob. Through thee will we push down our enemies: through thy name will we tread them under that rise up against us. For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me. But thou hast saved us .from our enemies, and hast put them to shame that hated us, In God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name for ever. " (Ps 44:4-8)
THE LORD'S PRAYER:
"Our Father…”
"Lord, we are thankful that we can call you Father by virtue of the blood of Christ and the Spirit of adoption.
You are our Father, the authority over us, our care provider, and our counselor. Build your character and attributes into our lives, Lord. Allow us to be partakers of your divine nature."
"Which art in heaven…”
Your throne is in heaven, Lord. You are high and lifted up. Your thoughts are above my thoughts - but elevate my thoughts by granting to me the mind of Christ. If everyday I declare heaven's priorities by prayer, I trust that your priorities will become my priorities on earth. Your ways are higher than my ways - but elevate my ways by enabling me to walk in the Holy Ghost."
"Hallowed be thy name…”
"Lord, you are my everything! Everything I need, I find in Jesus! You are Jhvh-Hoseenu, the Lord my maker, my creator. You are Jhvh-Rohi, the Lord my shepherd. Keep me, Lord. Lead me to green pastures and still waters. You are Jhvh-Jireh, the Lord my provider and provision. Supply all of my needs according to your riches in glory by Christ Jesus. You are Jhvh-Shaiom, the Lord my peace. Grant to me your peace, that peace that passes all understanding. You are Jhvh-Rophe, the Lord my healer. Grant to me good health in spirit, sow and body. You are Jhvh-Tsidkenu, the Lord my righteousness. You are Jhvh-Shammal, the Lord who is there, never leaving, never forsaking me, a very present help in trouble. You are Jhvh-Nissi, the Lord my banner. I’m on your side, Lord, standing for you and your cause. You are Jhvh-M'Kaddesh, the Lord who sanctifies and makes me clean. You are Jhvh- Tsebaoth, the Lord of host, the captain of the army of the host of the Lord, the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. You are Jhvh-Heleyon, the Lord most high. Keep my focus on you Lords not on the things of earth.
"Thy kingdom come thy will be in earth as it is in heaven…”
"Hasten the day spoken of in Revelation 11:15 when the kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdoms of our Lord and His Christ. Hasten the day referred to in Daniel 7 when your saints shall possess the kingdom. You said, 'The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence and the violent take it by force.' We come as your great army pushing back the kingdom of the adversary and establishing your kingdom, in Jesus name."
"Let your kingdom come and your will be done in me, my family (mate, children, and other family members), and my church family (Pastors, leadership team, faithfulness of people, harvest). Let your kingdom come and your will be done in our nation and world. Put up whom you will and put down whom you will. Let your plan unfold, in Jesus name."
"Give us this day our daily bread…”
"Lord, supply all of our need according to your riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Give us more than we need for ourselves so that we might have to give to those who ask us of the hope that is in us, with meekness and fear. Let us live today in the will of God. Grant to us good work habits, a spirit of submission and obedience to your will, let us be cheerful and generous givers - for freely we have received, may we freely give. We believe it is your will to prosper us for the cause of the gospel - for your Word declares, "Give, and it shall be given unto you,' good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. As with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measure to you again.” (Lk 6:38) "Beloved I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” (III Jn 2)
“Forgive our debts as we forgive our debtors…”
Therefore I say unto you, “What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.” (Mark 11:24-26)
“And lead us not into temptation.. but deliver us from evil…”
"The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations…" (II Pet 2:9)
"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who, will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”"
(I Cor 10:13)"
"Lord, I pray a hedge of protection around me, my family, and my church family – in Jesus’ name.”
“For thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory forever…”
“By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.” (Heb 13:15)
Pray for yourself: Ask God to give you faith, patience, forgiveness, good health, His providence and guidance, daily strength, spiritual blessing and encouragement, renewing of a right spirit, refilling of the Holy Ghost.
"Our Father…”
"Lord, we are thankful that we can call you Father by virtue of the blood of Christ and the Spirit of adoption.
You are our Father, the authority over us, our care provider, and our counselor. Build your character and attributes into our lives, Lord. Allow us to be partakers of your divine nature."
"Which art in heaven…”
Your throne is in heaven, Lord. You are high and lifted up. Your thoughts are above my thoughts - but elevate my thoughts by granting to me the mind of Christ. If everyday I declare heaven's priorities by prayer, I trust that your priorities will become my priorities on earth. Your ways are higher than my ways - but elevate my ways by enabling me to walk in the Holy Ghost."
"Hallowed be thy name…”
"Lord, you are my everything! Everything I need, I find in Jesus! You are Jhvh-Hoseenu, the Lord my maker, my creator. You are Jhvh-Rohi, the Lord my shepherd. Keep me, Lord. Lead me to green pastures and still waters. You are Jhvh-Jireh, the Lord my provider and provision. Supply all of my needs according to your riches in glory by Christ Jesus. You are Jhvh-Shaiom, the Lord my peace. Grant to me your peace, that peace that passes all understanding. You are Jhvh-Rophe, the Lord my healer. Grant to me good health in spirit, sow and body. You are Jhvh-Tsidkenu, the Lord my righteousness. You are Jhvh-Shammal, the Lord who is there, never leaving, never forsaking me, a very present help in trouble. You are Jhvh-Nissi, the Lord my banner. I’m on your side, Lord, standing for you and your cause. You are Jhvh-M'Kaddesh, the Lord who sanctifies and makes me clean. You are Jhvh- Tsebaoth, the Lord of host, the captain of the army of the host of the Lord, the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. You are Jhvh-Heleyon, the Lord most high. Keep my focus on you Lords not on the things of earth.
"Thy kingdom come thy will be in earth as it is in heaven…”
"Hasten the day spoken of in Revelation 11:15 when the kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdoms of our Lord and His Christ. Hasten the day referred to in Daniel 7 when your saints shall possess the kingdom. You said, 'The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence and the violent take it by force.' We come as your great army pushing back the kingdom of the adversary and establishing your kingdom, in Jesus name."
"Let your kingdom come and your will be done in me, my family (mate, children, and other family members), and my church family (Pastors, leadership team, faithfulness of people, harvest). Let your kingdom come and your will be done in our nation and world. Put up whom you will and put down whom you will. Let your plan unfold, in Jesus name."
"Give us this day our daily bread…”
"Lord, supply all of our need according to your riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Give us more than we need for ourselves so that we might have to give to those who ask us of the hope that is in us, with meekness and fear. Let us live today in the will of God. Grant to us good work habits, a spirit of submission and obedience to your will, let us be cheerful and generous givers - for freely we have received, may we freely give. We believe it is your will to prosper us for the cause of the gospel - for your Word declares, "Give, and it shall be given unto you,' good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. As with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measure to you again.” (Lk 6:38) "Beloved I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” (III Jn 2)
“Forgive our debts as we forgive our debtors…”
Therefore I say unto you, “What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.” (Mark 11:24-26)
“And lead us not into temptation.. but deliver us from evil…”
"The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations…" (II Pet 2:9)
"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who, will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”"
(I Cor 10:13)"
"Lord, I pray a hedge of protection around me, my family, and my church family – in Jesus’ name.”
“For thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory forever…”
“By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.” (Heb 13:15)
Pray for yourself: Ask God to give you faith, patience, forgiveness, good health, His providence and guidance, daily strength, spiritual blessing and encouragement, renewing of a right spirit, refilling of the Holy Ghost.
Prayer Confessions
No weapon formed against me shall prosper, and every tongue that rises against me in judgement I condemn (Isa. 54:17)
I am established in righteousness, and oppression is far from me (Isa. 54:14)
The weapons of my warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds (2 Cor. 10:4)
I take the shield of faith, and I quench every fiery dart of the enemy (Eph. 6:16).
I take the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, and use it against the enemy (Eph. 6:17).
I am redeemed from the curse of the law. I am redeemed from poverty. I am redeemed from sickness. I am redeemed from spiritual death (Gal. 3:13).
I overcome all because greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world (1 John 4:4).
I stand in the evil day having my loins girded about with truth, and I have the breastplate of righteousness. My feet are shod with the gospel of peace. I take the shield of faith. I am covered with the helmet of salvation, and I use the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (Eph. 6:14–17).
I am delivered from the power of darkness and translated into the kingdom of Jesus Christ (Col. 1:13).
I tread upon serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt me (Luke 10:19).
I do not have the spirit of fear but power, love, and a sound mind (2 Tim. 1:7).
I am blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Eph. 1:3).
I am healed by the stripes of Jesus (Isa. 53:5).
My hand is upon the neck of my enemies (Gen. 49:8).
You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life (Ps. 23: 5–6).
I am anointed to preach, to teach, to heal, and to cast out devils. I receive abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness, and I reign in life through Christ Jesus (Rom. 5:17)
I have life and that more abundantly (John 10:10).
I walk in the light as He is in the light, and the blood of Jesus cleanses me from all sin (1 John 1:7).
I am the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Cor. 5:21).
I am the head and not the tail (Deut. 28:13).
I shall decree a thing, and it shall be established in my life (Job 22:28).
I have favor with God and with man (Luke 2: 52).
Wealth and riches are in my house, and God’s righteousness endures in me forever (Ps. 112:3).
I will be satisfied with long life, and God will show me His salvation (Ps. 91:16).
I dwell in the secret place of the Most High, and I abide under the shadow of the Almighty (Ps. 91:1).
No evil will befall me, and no plague shall come near my dwelling (Ps. 91:10).
My children are taught of the Lord, and great is their peace (Isa. 54:13).
I am strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man (Eph. 3:16).
I am rooted and grounded in love (Eph. 3:17).
I bless my natural enemies, and I overcome evil with good (Matt. 5:44).
No weapon formed against me shall prosper, and every tongue that rises against me in judgement I condemn (Isa. 54:17)
I am established in righteousness, and oppression is far from me (Isa. 54:14)
The weapons of my warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds (2 Cor. 10:4)
I take the shield of faith, and I quench every fiery dart of the enemy (Eph. 6:16).
I take the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, and use it against the enemy (Eph. 6:17).
I am redeemed from the curse of the law. I am redeemed from poverty. I am redeemed from sickness. I am redeemed from spiritual death (Gal. 3:13).
I overcome all because greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world (1 John 4:4).
I stand in the evil day having my loins girded about with truth, and I have the breastplate of righteousness. My feet are shod with the gospel of peace. I take the shield of faith. I am covered with the helmet of salvation, and I use the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (Eph. 6:14–17).
I am delivered from the power of darkness and translated into the kingdom of Jesus Christ (Col. 1:13).
I tread upon serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt me (Luke 10:19).
I do not have the spirit of fear but power, love, and a sound mind (2 Tim. 1:7).
I am blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Eph. 1:3).
I am healed by the stripes of Jesus (Isa. 53:5).
My hand is upon the neck of my enemies (Gen. 49:8).
You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life (Ps. 23: 5–6).
I am anointed to preach, to teach, to heal, and to cast out devils. I receive abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness, and I reign in life through Christ Jesus (Rom. 5:17)
I have life and that more abundantly (John 10:10).
I walk in the light as He is in the light, and the blood of Jesus cleanses me from all sin (1 John 1:7).
I am the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Cor. 5:21).
I am the head and not the tail (Deut. 28:13).
I shall decree a thing, and it shall be established in my life (Job 22:28).
I have favor with God and with man (Luke 2: 52).
Wealth and riches are in my house, and God’s righteousness endures in me forever (Ps. 112:3).
I will be satisfied with long life, and God will show me His salvation (Ps. 91:16).
I dwell in the secret place of the Most High, and I abide under the shadow of the Almighty (Ps. 91:1).
No evil will befall me, and no plague shall come near my dwelling (Ps. 91:10).
My children are taught of the Lord, and great is their peace (Isa. 54:13).
I am strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man (Eph. 3:16).
I am rooted and grounded in love (Eph. 3:17).
I bless my natural enemies, and I overcome evil with good (Matt. 5:44).
Pray for your family: Ask Him for the same thing to be done in their lives that you asked for yourself.
Pray for your church: Again, ask Him for the same things to be done in the lives of your brothers and sisters that you asked for yourself and family. Pray for the Pastor, the leadership team, the faithfulness of our people, for revival and a vast harvest of souls and for many visitors to our church.
Pray for the unsaved: Starting with your own family, co-workers, friends, schoolmates, neighbors, city, state, nation, and world – pray for people’s hearts to be softened and their minds to be open to God’s will for their lives.
Pray for the corporate church: Petition heaven for God’s blessing on His church, its leaders and its work in the world, including the United Pentecostal Church.
Pray for world revival: Pray for miraculous revival in every land, including this land and every foreign land. Ask God’s help for our Foreign and Home Missionary Families. Pray for the churches under their care. Ask the Lord for the same blessing on His churches around the world that we want in our church.
Pray for the miraculous to happen in our services: Ask God to grant repentance to sinners, backsliders, and the lukewarm. Ask for many baptisms in Jesus name and for many infillings of the Holy Ghost. Ask for powerful church services, inspirational worship services, life changing preaching. Ask Him to set this church apart from every non-Apostolic church with His favor and miraculous touch. Ask Him for the fulfillment of Isaiah 60 - where multitudes of people: religious and otherwise, flow into the light of His truth.
Pray for our church ministries: Outreach, Music Ministry, King's Kids and other ministries, Nursery, Youth, Ushers and Greeters. Pray for the family relationships in the church - husbands and wives, parents and children. Pray for all of the relationships in the church - because His anointing can only flow through the unity of His people.
Pray for our nation: Pray for our President and his family. Ask the Lord to give him godly wisdom and direction. Pray for his advisors, cabinet, and others who influence his daily decisions - for godly wisdom and right thinking.
Pray for other government leaders - congress, the Supreme Court, our state and local leaders - again for godly wisdom and right thinking. Ask God to turn our nation back towards righteousness!
"My deepest desire, Lord, is that I might know you in the power of the resurrection and the fellowship of your suffering, being made conformable unto your death. (Phil 3: 10) Lord, I make myself available to you. I present my body as a living sacrifice to you. (Rom 12:1) “This is the day that the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Ps 118:24)
Pray for your church: Again, ask Him for the same things to be done in the lives of your brothers and sisters that you asked for yourself and family. Pray for the Pastor, the leadership team, the faithfulness of our people, for revival and a vast harvest of souls and for many visitors to our church.
Pray for the unsaved: Starting with your own family, co-workers, friends, schoolmates, neighbors, city, state, nation, and world – pray for people’s hearts to be softened and their minds to be open to God’s will for their lives.
Pray for the corporate church: Petition heaven for God’s blessing on His church, its leaders and its work in the world, including the United Pentecostal Church.
Pray for world revival: Pray for miraculous revival in every land, including this land and every foreign land. Ask God’s help for our Foreign and Home Missionary Families. Pray for the churches under their care. Ask the Lord for the same blessing on His churches around the world that we want in our church.
Pray for the miraculous to happen in our services: Ask God to grant repentance to sinners, backsliders, and the lukewarm. Ask for many baptisms in Jesus name and for many infillings of the Holy Ghost. Ask for powerful church services, inspirational worship services, life changing preaching. Ask Him to set this church apart from every non-Apostolic church with His favor and miraculous touch. Ask Him for the fulfillment of Isaiah 60 - where multitudes of people: religious and otherwise, flow into the light of His truth.
Pray for our church ministries: Outreach, Music Ministry, King's Kids and other ministries, Nursery, Youth, Ushers and Greeters. Pray for the family relationships in the church - husbands and wives, parents and children. Pray for all of the relationships in the church - because His anointing can only flow through the unity of His people.
Pray for our nation: Pray for our President and his family. Ask the Lord to give him godly wisdom and direction. Pray for his advisors, cabinet, and others who influence his daily decisions - for godly wisdom and right thinking.
Pray for other government leaders - congress, the Supreme Court, our state and local leaders - again for godly wisdom and right thinking. Ask God to turn our nation back towards righteousness!
"My deepest desire, Lord, is that I might know you in the power of the resurrection and the fellowship of your suffering, being made conformable unto your death. (Phil 3: 10) Lord, I make myself available to you. I present my body as a living sacrifice to you. (Rom 12:1) “This is the day that the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Ps 118:24)
Fasting
Matt 6:16-18
16. Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
17. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;
18. That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
Fasting is one of the most powerful and effective forces we can employ against the enemy. Fasting solidifies the Christian’s life into one of productivity and fruitfulness.
The goal of this lesson is to point out the importance, effectiveness, and necessity of fasting. Biblical examples emphasize the need for us to make fasting a practice. We can accomplish things through fasting that nothing else will accomplish. We can win victory, receive power, and obtain deliverance through prayer and fasting.
WHAT FASTING IS AND WHAT FASTING ISN’T?
What fasting is:
1. Webster’s Dictionary states that fasting means to keep from eating all or certain foods, to eat very little or nothing.
2. Fasting comes from the Hebrew word, tsuwm, meaning to cover the mouth, to fast.
3. The Greek word for fasting is, nestis, which means not eating, to abstain from food.
What fasting is not:
1. A diet.
2. Missing a meal or two because we are too rushed to eat.
3. Being without food because we are too poor to buy it.
4. A hunger strike to get someone to do something.
5. An act to obtain physical health.
Fasting is doing without food in order to obtain spiritual discipline, strength, answers and direction for ourselves and for others. It must be done unto God.
Zech 7:5
Speak unto all the people of the land, and to the priests, saying, When ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh month, even those seventy years, did ye at all fast unto me, even to me?
Matt 6:18
That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
TYPES OF FASTS
Arthur Wallis’s book, God’s Chosen Fast, identifies three types of fast:
1. The Normal Fast—In this fast we abstain from food, but drink liquids (primarily water).
Matt 4:1-2
1. Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
2. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.
Luke 4:2
Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered.
2. The Absolute Fast—During this fast we abstain from both food and water. For health and safety, we should not go without water for more than three days.
Ezra 10:6
Then Ezra rose up from before the house of God, and went into the chamber of Johanan the son of Eliashib: and when he came thither, he did eat no bread, nor drink water: for he mourned because of the transgression of them that had been carried away.
Acts 9:8-9
8. And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.
9. And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.
3. The Partial Fast—In a partial fast, we restrict some aspect of our diet rather than totally abstaining from food.
Dan 10:2-3
2. In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks.
3. I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.
OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO FAST
We can accomplish fasting through two methods in our lives. By all means, whatever method we rely on, we must spend time in fasting.
1. By Inspiration—The Holy Ghost prompts us to fast because of some special need, perhaps unknown to us at the time. We feel a burden, need, or desire to fast. This is the easiest way to fast because we have such strong feelings to do so. However, we should not rely on this method completely. If we do so, our seasons of inspiration can become too far apart.
2. By Commitment—Dedication to God’s cause demands that we fast simply because it is beneficial. The believer cannot carry out spiritual disciplines by inspiration alone. Self-control is essential for the Christian, and it is vital when we fast. We should discipline ourselves to fast, and we should also fast when our leader calls on us to do so. We should not wait on others, but we should make our own commitments and keep them.
EXAMPLES OF FASTING
The following are biblical examples of fasting:
1. Moses fasted forty days on Mount Sinai.
Deut 9:9
When I was gone up into the mount to receive the tables of stone, even the tables of the covenant which the LORD made with you, then I abode in the mount forty days and forty nights, I neither did eat bread nor drink water:
2. David humbled his soul through fasting.
Ps 35:13
But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom.
3. Elijah fasted forty days.
IKing 19:8
And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God.
4. Nehemiah wept, mourned and fasted because the wall of Jerusalem was broken down.
Neh 1:4
And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven,
5. Nineveh: The king, citizens and even animals fasted with no food or water as they repented.
Jonah 3:1-10
1. And the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the second time, saying,
2. Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee.
3. So Jonah arose, and went unto Nineveh, according to the word of the LORD. Now Nineveh was an exceeding great city of three days' journey.
4. And Jonah began to enter into the city a day's journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.
5. So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.
6. For word came unto the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and he laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and sat in ashes.
7. And he caused it to be proclaimed and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste any thing: let them not feed, nor drink water:
8. But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands.
9. Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?
10. And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.
6. Daniel: While he confessed the sins of his people to God during a fast, God gave him the vision of the seventy weeks.
Dan 9:24-27
24. Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.
25. Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.
26. And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.
27. And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
During a twenty-one day fast, the prince of Persia hindered the angel from coming with the answer (Daniel 10:1-21). This even helps us understand better the struggles we have in prayer and fasting.
7. Jesus fasted forty days. Then He overcame Satan by the power of the Word.
Matt 4:1-11
1. Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
2. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.
3. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
4. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
5. Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,
6. And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
7. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
8. Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
9. And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
10. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
11. Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.
8. Cornelius fasted four days; afterwards, Peter came and Cornelius and his household received the Holy Ghost.
Acts 10:30-32
30. And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,
31. And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.
32. Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee.
SCRIPTURAL GUIDELINES TO HELP US FAST
Below are some scriptural guidelines for us to follow that will make our fasting more effective. These guidelines are taken from Isaiah 58:3-12 and Matthew 6:16-18.
Isa 58:3-12
3. Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours.
4. Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high.
5. Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD?
6. Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
7. Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?
8. Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward.
9. Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;
10. And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday:
11. And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.
12. And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.
Matt 6:16-18
16. Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
17. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;
18. That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
WHAT WE SHOULD NOT DO WHILE FASTING
1. “Find pleasure and exact all your labors.” Israel demanded servants to work with no time pray, meditate, or study God’s Word. When we fast we should lay aside pleasure and as much business as possible to obtain the most from our fast. (Especially, if it is a lengthy fast)
2. “Fast for strife and debate.” Fasting in order to exalt ourselves, as the Pharisee did, is not acceptable to God.
3. “Smite with the fist of wickedness.” Israel continued in their wrongdoing and ill treatment of others. We must eradicate sin from our lives if our fasting is to please God. This principle applies to a believer who persists in hypocritical conduct. Fasting can help us conquer weaknesses in our lives.
4. Be “of a sad countenance.” Looking sad and eliciting sympathy from others destroys the effectiveness of fasting. In this we have our reward, not from God but from people.
5. “Disfigure our faces.” It is wrong to distort our facial features to show others that we are fasting.
6. “Appear unto men to fast.” Seeking to impress people is the wrong motive. We should seek to impress God.
If this was being written today it would also have to include do not update your fasting schedule on twitter and facebook.
WHAT WE SHOULD DO WHILE FASTING
1. “Loose the bands of wickedness.” We must disengage ourselves from anything we are doing wrong.
2. “Undo the heavy burdens.” We should lay aside not only physical burdens but also spiritual ones.
3. “Let the oppressed go free.” We should give people freedom, forgive trespasses and offenses, and treat others justly.
4. “Break every yoke.” Let us lay aside every weight and sin that besets us, breaking every yoke that binds us and keeps us from being spiritual.
5. “Deal thy bread to the hungry, and…poor.” We are to give literal and spiritual bread to a starving world.
6. “When thou seest the naked, that thou cover him.” This statement applies to both spiritual and physical needs.
7. “Hide not thyself from thine own flesh.” We are to restore brotherhood among saints as well as homes and families that are torn apart.
8. “Anoint thine head, and wash thy face.” This was a daily Jewish custom. Jesus said that on the days we fast, we are to go forth as on the other days, not appearing to others to fast.
9. “Appear not unto men to fast.”
10. “Fast…unto thy Father which is in secret.” Let our fasting be unto God, performed discreetly, with a normal appearance.
This is the fast that God has chosen!
RESULTS AND REWARDS OF FASTING
When we participate in God’s chosen fast, we can expect results and rewards. Isaiah 58:8-12 reveals sixteen promises and blessings that can be ours if we meet the five conditions.
CONDITIONS:
1. “If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke.”
2. “If thou take away the putting of the finger.”
3. “If thou put away speaking vanity.”
4. “If thou draw out thy soul to the hungry.”
5. “If thou satisfy the afflicted soul.”
PROMISES:
1. “Then shall thy light break forth as the morning.”
2. “Thine health shall spring froth speedily.”
3. “Thy righteousness shall go before thee.”
4. “The glory of the Lord shall be thy rereward (rear guard).”
5. “Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer.”
6. “Thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am.”
7. “Then shall thy light arise in obscurity.”
8. “Thy darkness shall be as the noon day.”
9. “The Lord shall guide thee continually.”
10. “The Lord shall … satisfy thy soul in drought.”
11. “The Lord shall … make fat thy bones.”
12. “Thou shalt be like a watered garden”
13. “Thou shalt be like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.”
14. “They that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places.”
15. “Thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations.”
16. “Thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.”
REFLECTIONS
Living, working, and even dying for the Lord are important factors in God’s overall plan of salvation. Under-girding, supporting, and providing power for all of this is prayer and fasting. In view of this, not only is prayer and fasting necessary, but both provides eternal benefits beyond description.
Prayer is the saint’s highest privilege. Being able to use the name of Jesus Christ in prayer affords us the rewards of all the things discussed in this lesson plus many, many more. Actively engage yourself in an unceasing prayer life. Actively discipline yourself to fast! Learn how to pray and fast and be sensitive to know when to do those things. We can build ourselves up on our most holy faith through the power of prayer (Jude 20).
Study the subject of prayer and fasting until it is deeply ingrained in your mind and heart. Then practice its principles of on an ongoing basis. This is our duty and this is our responsibility.