Why not now? Why not here? Why not us?
Ask. Seek. Knock.
Prayer and Fasting series, January 2026
Day 1 Ask, Seek, Knock
Ask and keep on asking and it will be given to you; seek and keep on seeking and you will find; knock and keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who keeps on asking receives, and he who keeps on seeking finds, and to him who keeps on knocking, it will be opened. Matthew 7:7,8Amplified Bible
As we spend time praying and fasting for the next 21 days these words from Jesus, hopefully will shape this moment. I like the way the Amplified emphasizes a persistence to our prayers...ask and keep on asking, seek and keep on seeking. I know I can easily slip into just praying once and moving on to the next thing, but Jesus teaches us to be consistent and persistent. In Revelation He says more than once, “This calls for patient endurance on the part of the people of God who keep His commands and remain faithful to Jesus.”
My confidence is that as we humble ourselves and pray God will meet with us and lead us as we move forward in the upcoming year. Also let's pray remembering the words Alex spoke when asking the question or even declaring it to be true...”Why not now! Why not here! Why not us!” This is not a selfish prayer but a prayer that not only challenges us but moves us to seek Him...to ask Him...to knock on that door! Souls are at risk...can we sit back, relax and hope for the best? I think not...we have a God whose heart is that none would perish and that all would know Him. We pray with Him...let your kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Amen!
Day 2 First and foremost
In Matthew Jesus encourages us to ask, seek, and knock. Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find and knock and the door will be opened to you. The word seek in the KingJames Dictionary is defined as, “to go after and to press in.” If we were to back up in the Gospel of Matthew we would see where Jesus lays a target out there for us to seek after. But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness. His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also. Matthew 6:33 Amplified So often Jesus spoke in parables or kind of hid things a bit but here He is quite clear of what is important. Making God and His kingdom, His rule and reign, our target of prayer and living.
What might this look like? If we go further back then we see His model pray given to His disciples. “Our Father, in heaven, hallowed is your name. Your kingdom come and your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Seeking His kingdom first. Next He says, “Give us this day our daily bread...(ask) and forgive us our trespasses (ask) as we forgive those who trespass against us. Here we see that we are going after His righteousness not ours. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us form the evil one. In my own mind this strikes me of knocking...seeking His way and letting Him open doors for us. For yours is the kingdom, and your is the power forever and ever...Amen! Begins with kingdom and ends with kingdom...seek first the kingdom...
Day 3 Keep Asking
In the Gospel Luke writes he covers the message of ask, seek, and knock also but he leads with a story of a guy who has a friend stop by his house late at night. He is out of bread...so he runs to his neighbor and pounds of the door asking for bread. The neighbor tells him he cannot get to the door, and his kids are already asleep. Then Jesus says, “Well, what then? I tell you that even if he will not get up and give you the bread because you are his friend, yet he will get up and give you everything you need because you are not ashamed to keep on asking.” Luke 11:8 GNT Some translations say because of your shameless audacity, your boldness and persistence. This addition to the lesson allows us to see the original intention from Jesus was to ask and keep on asking, to seek and keep on seeking, to knock and to keep on knocking.
Prayer is communication, isn’t it? While we may love to talk, we also need to learn how to listen. I was delivering some flowers recently for an organization I serve on. I would ring the doorbell or knock and then I would quiet myself and listen to hear if anyone was responding. I did not peer into the window or move around the yard I had to be still for a moment and listen. If I heard nothing then I knew no one was there...or they just thought I was a salesman, a poorly dressed one at that, and ignored the knocking. But I would listen to hear...and in our asking, seeking and knocking there are times when we have to sit quiet to listen. As I think on these things one thing is for sure...I cannot for the life of me even to begin to think that when this life is over and I stand in front of God He will rebuke me for asking too much and seeking Him too often or knocking too loudly. I think you would agree with that...Why not us?
Day 4 Someone Ask
I heard this quote by John Wesley and it struck me to be timely as I heard it. “It seems God is limited by our prayer lives. He can do nothing for humanity unless someone asks Him.’ When I first heard it i kind of shrugged it off and pondered it a little more. It is the kind of thing one should wrestle with I think rather than just take someone’s word for it, even if that someone is John Wesley! But if I read Matthew correctly, Jesus seems to see things similar to Wesley. In chapter 6 He teaches on giving, prayer, and fasting and those are assumptions He makes of us. We will give. We will pray. We will fast. In the short section on prayer He says this, “Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”
Now the challenge is to not be hypocritical in our prayers either doing them loudly on a corner or babbling on and on making no sense. But look at the last line before He gives us the Model prayer. Father already knows...before I ask. So don’t you wonder why we have to ask? Couldn’t we just look up at heaven and give Him a nod to do the next thing I need? I know God is all powerful, all knowing and so much more and yet in a relationship conversations need to happen. Later on Jesus points out that there is a great harvest around us...then He says to the disciples to “Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers.” Jesus is pointing out the harvest and the Lord is the Lord of the harvest and yet we are to ask Him to send help.“
If my people who are called by me name would humble themselves and pray, then I will hear.” Ask, seek and knock...keep on asking, keep on seeking, keep on knocking. Stay humble friends...stay connected to the vine...
Day 5 Ferocious Faith
Proverbs 28:1
“The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.” Last week, as I was praying for the Church in America and specifically for the new year ahead. Immediately, the word “ferocious” came to mind. Along with it, I recalled a meme that circulated on social media. On the left side were four adorable kittens walking together with the caption: “Going into the prayer room.” On the right were four large, intimidating lions walking in the opposite direction with the caption: “Coming out of the prayer room.” The image was humorous but deeply compelling.
If 2026 is the year of ferocious faith, what are the keys for you and I to be radically transformed from the inside out? (I’m so glad you asked.)
Let’s take a deeper look at the word ferocious. Its roots are Latin and connected to the word fierce. Informally, ferocious is often used to describe an extreme degree of something—such as a ferocious appetite or ferocious determination. More formally, however, the word implies violence. At first, that definition unsettled me - until I was reminded of Jesus’ words: “From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been suffering violence, and the violent have been seizing it by force.” Matthew 11:12 This is not physical violence. We see that clearly demonstrated in the garden when Peter attempted to defend Jesus by cutting off the high priest’s servant’s ear. Jesus immediately corrected him, reminding Peter (and us) that God’s plan could not be advanced through human force. Jesus willingly submitted to the Father’s will, even unto death. The “violence” Jesus speaks of is spiritual intensity, holy resolve, and uncompromising faith—a fierce determination to pursue God, His Kingdom, and His righteousness at all costs. And that brings us back to the lion. Interestingly, lions sleep 16-20 hours a day. They roar from rest.
What We Can Learn from Lions
Social Beings Lions are deeply communal. They rest together, groom one another, and thrive as a pride. Ferocious faith is not meant to be lived in isolation—it grows in community.
Powerful Hunters Though they appear relaxed and unhurried, lions are apex predators, capable of overcoming prey much larger than themselves. Ferocious faith knows when to rest—and when to rise with authority.
Superior Sight A lion’s eyes are six times more sensitive to light than human eyes, giving them a distinct advantage in the dark. Ferocious faith sees clearly even in spiritual darkness.
A Mighty Roar A lion’s roar can be heard up to five miles away and is louder than a chainsaw. Ferocious faith does not whisper—it boldly declares truth and authority.
As the righteous, we are not called to retreat timidly or flee in fear. We are called to ferociously fight our battle in prayer, not as timid kittens - but as bold lions, grounded in humility, strengthened in faith, and unshakable in our trust in God. May 2026 be the year we walk in ferocious faith.
Day 6 Seek Him First
Let us Rend our Hearts. Seeking him first!
As we enter into the new year with prayer and fasting, we are “rending our hearts” to the Lord. Let this not be a time to just go through the motions but let us set our Hearts to seek him above everything. Above all else! As Jesus says in Mathew 6:33 “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided to you.” - this is a moment where we start out our year reminding ourselves what Truly matters most! HIM. His desires. His plans for our lives, His Church, His people, His City. We ask and set ourselves to seek until we find ... what is he speaking. We seek Him first and know that everything else he will take care of. Let us surrender all of our worldly desires in this moment, lay down everything that would distract us from him and ask. Lord, would you send revival to our Church. Would you send revival to the City of Toledo. To my family. Heal our Land Father. Restore us to our first Love. You are the desire of the nations. Let the nation of America desire you. I ask all of these things in your name. The name above every other name! Why not here in Toledo, why not in 2026. Come lord Jesus …
Meditate on these scriptures.
“So, rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the Lord your God, For He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness; And He relents from doing harm.”
Joel 2:13
“Therefore, do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
Matthew 6:31-34
Day 7 is part of Sunday Service
Day 8 Revolving Door
Have you ever felt like your life is like a revolving door? Timing is key to catching an opening at just the right time to jump in and push through to the other side. Our relationship with Jesus is sometimes like that when we are not committed, confused or just acting selfish will leave us spinning around and around in circles of indecisiveness. Can you imagine if you got in the revolving door and then just stood there not pushing through and not moving forward?
When we are not active in our faith, that’s exactly what that is like. It’s a standstill and we become stagnant in our faith. So if you have opened the door to Jesus, make sure you are active and intentional in your pursuit to ask and to seek and to knock, and in this case to keep pushing through to the other side.
Prayer - Jesus, as we seek you each day that we actively set our eyes on the things that you have set before us. Let us not be pulled in the wrong direction with our indecisiveness. Place a vision before us that is clear and concise. Help us hear your words and place people in our lives that need you. Help us to stay quiet long enough to hear your voice. In Jesus name Amen
Ephesians 4:14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.
Day 9 Holy Spirit Come
“And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with different tongues, as the Spirit was giving them the ability to speak out.”
Acts 2:4
“‘And it shall be in the last days,’ God says, ‘That I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind; And your sons and your daughters will prophesy, And your young men will see visions, And your old men will have dreams; And even on My male and female servants I will pour out My Spirit in those days, And they will prophesy. ‘And I will display wonders in the sky above And signs on the earth below, Blood, fire, and vapor of smoke. ‘The sun will be turned into darkness And the moon into blood, Before the great and glorious day of the Lord comes. ‘And it shall be that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’”
Acts 2:17-21
Keeping with the theme why not here why not now . Why not in Toledo . Let us ask for the outpouring of the spirit . One of the greatest that this generation in our city has ever seen ! Let us Believe that we will see the reality of what the scriptures say.
And it shall be in the last days,’ God says, ‘That I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind; And your sons and your daughters will prophesy, And your young men will see visions, And your old men will have dreams; also “ And it shall be that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’”
Lord Do it ! Pour out your spirit just like you did in Acts 2 . Let us see revival take place and the outpouring of your spirit like never before here in our City . We need a move of God . Give us visions give us dreams during this time of whats on your heart . Let us prophecy that all who call upon you in this hour will be saved .
Meditate on this reality today and how this is Gods greatest desire . That all men would be saved . He will do it . Let us believe together. Let us ASK together today in faith.
Day 10 Koinonia
Drawn to the writings of John during this season of fasting I am reading in 1 John. I was stopped, reminded and comprehended by the words, “Our fellowship is with the Father... and His Son, Jesus.” The Greek word for fellowship is “koinonia” and its meaning is “sharing in common, communion, partnership, or participation.” I understand it in the context of what a Church is to be about and how we fellowship with one another but the strong reminder that our fellowship begins with the Father through the Son has to make us pause. If I simply look at it in the context of prayer can we see the depths our prayers could take as we fellowship with Him?
It does remind me of the garden where scriptures says that God came into the garden in the cool of the evening to talk with Adam and Eve. To fellowship? To have partnership? Before we go too far I am not saying that this a new found revelation but rather a gentle reminder from the Holy Spirit of what I was born into and what is available to me as we walk together. John is also telling us that our fellowship, the fellowship we have in the Church, is built around the fellowship we have with the Father and the Son. In John we have an eye witness of Jesus, one who held Him, spoke with Him, heard the very words He spoke and He invites us into that fellowship. That is really is our job now isn’t it? To invite others into this fellowship, relationship? Not to join a church or have a religious experience but to have
fellowship with God...Yahweh...through His Son. People might ask you, “How do you know God is real?” Well, one might throw a few scriptures out there, which is good...but one might also say, “Because I am in fellowship with Him, we are partnering together to bring light and life to this world.” Then as the disciples and others before us did we say, “Come and see!”
Ask, seek and Knock...your Father is waiting...Why not now? Why not here? Why not us?
Day 11 Why not me?
WHY NOT ME? (Trust) Hebrews 10:35-37
So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God‘s will. Then you will receive all that he promised. For in just a little while, the Coming One will come and not delay.
The question I ask myself is what is keeping me from asking, seeking and knocking? What is keeping me insecure when it comes to asking God for what I need. And I feel that the answer is trust. Scripture talks about patient endurance but what happens when you have long suffering or somebody hurts you or pride gets in your way. We lose confidence that the Lord will provide. Where does our help come from?
The enemy wants us to believe that God does not hear our cries, and he does not care about what happens to us. We cannot do the work of the kingdom, if we cannot boldly proclaim that God will never leave us or forsake us. So to be fierce in the kingdom of God, there has to be trust and there has to be an unshakable confidence that the Lord will provide. So as we press into prayer and fasting, let us check our hearts and see if we are wavering in our trust in God that would separate us from being bold in our prayers and blocking our abilities to serve others with unwavering trust that the Lord will provide.
Prayer Lord Jesus, help us to lay down anything that separates us from trusting you. I pray that you would help us to see what is blocking us from coming to you boldly. Let our eyes see and our ears here what great plans you have for us. Let us not be lazy in our faith. Even though we cannot see the WHY in every situation, Jesus help us to trust that you will always be on the other side of the hardships we face. In Jesus name Amen.
Day 12 Familiar Door
As I pondered what was going outdoors with new snow falling and trying to to keep my mind off not haven eaten in a few days I began thinking about the ask, seek and knock foundation we are working from. This thought popped up that it is way easier to go and knock on a door where you are assured you will be welcomed in. I thought of when my mom and dad were alive and how I rarely even knocked I just went in and they were fine with that. I might go and get something to drink, even look into their fridge and no one really batted an eye. That might finally ask, “What are you looking for?” And then point me in the right direction. I mentioned recently delivering flowers for a local ministry and knocking on strangers doors, preparing myself to get my introduction out as soon as I could so they would know I was not there to sell them anything was not in my comfort zone..at all. One couple I was to visit I remembered their names from years ago and even though I kind of hoped they might not be home also inside of me there was an anticipation of reconnecting. We did and it was sweet!
I have probably lost a few of you by now but my main point is this...Jesus invites us to knock and to keep on knocking. When He gave us the model prayer He led with, “Our Father in Heaven..” Our Father...as I said earlier I never felt unwelcome in the my mom and dads home. It was familiar since I had lived there myself growing up. The writer of Hebrews invites us to
“Come boldly to the throne of our gracious God.” Come with confidence. Come with your invitation in hand...come all who are thirsty and drink...come. One more story. A couple of months ago we were invited to some friends house. Barb could not make it so I was going solo and on my calendar the invite was for 6:00 PM. Well...except it was not it was for 7:00PM. I am an hour early...and you know what? They invited me in...I was embarrassed but they told me to chill out I was invited to be there. Jesus says ask and it will be given, seek and you will find and knock and the door will be opened. I like knocking where I am expected or at least known...Jesus expects us to knock...and keep on knocking...
Day 13 Where is your Focus
“Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame.” —Isaiah 50:7
Asking, seeking, and knocking all require one essential, non-negotiable element to be
effective: perseverance. Some call it grit. Others call it resilience. You can choose the word that resonates most. But the deeper question remains—what enables us to persevere long enough to keep asking, seeking, and knocking?
Isaiah gives us a powerful key: “I have set my face like flint.” Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Some translations use words like confounded or confusion, reminding us that wavering resolve often leads to uncertainty and discouragement. But a flint-set face speaks of determination anchored in trust—not emotion, not circumstance, but confidence in God’s help.
So what is flint, anyway? Like much of Scripture, this isn’t a word we use often in modern American culture. Flint means hard, unyielding, and durable. Throughout the Bible, it is depicted as rock—strong, dependable, and capable of producing sustenance where none seems possible. Deuteronomy 32:13 describes it this way:
“He made him ride on the high places of the earth, that he might eat the increase of the fields; and He made him to suck honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock.”
A flinty rock doesn’t look promising, yet God draws provision from it. In the same way, setting our face like flint doesn’t mean stubborn self-will; it means a settled resolve rooted in God’s faithfulness. When we fix our focus on Him, perseverance is no longer powered by our own strength alone, but by the assurance that the Sovereign Lord helps us—and we will not be put to shame. It reminds me of the story of Peter walking on the water. As long as he locked eyes with Jesus, he was successful. The moment he looked away, he immediately began to sink. In many ways, that’s where we find ourselves in the world today—surrounded by noise, fear, and distraction, constantly tempted to shift our gaze.
It also brings to mind the lyrics of an old hymn:
“Turn your eyes upon Jesus.
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace.”
A flint-set face is a focused face - eyes fixed on Jesus, regardless of the wind or waves. The question is simple, but deeply personal: Where is your focus? What or who are you looking at?
Sundays Message is for Day 14
Day 15 Dunamis Power
“Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.” (John 3:6)
Asking, seeking, and knocking all require one thing to be effective: perseverance. Prayer that keeps
asking, faith that keeps seeking, and courage that keeps knocking must be sustained by spiritual power. The ancient and often misunderstood practice of fasting is not only healthy but incredibly powerful. Still, many Christians struggle to understand how fasting and prayer truly work together.
And let’s be honest—who wants to give up meals? Food is one of God’s greatest gifts. (Well, most food that is.)
Yet the results of fasting are undeniable. Fasting increases dunamis power by crucifying the flesh and creating space for the Holy Spirit to move freely in and through us. Perhaps this is why Jesus fasted for forty days before stepping into public ministry—and why the enemy worked so hard to stop Him.
I learned the mechanics of fasting in an unexpected way—through cars.
As a mother of three boys, I spent countless hours around racecars and remote-control tracks. One thing became clear quickly: every racecar driver wants more power. And the ultimate advantage? The turbocharger.
A turbo produces massive power without weighing the car down. By compressing air and fuel into the existing cylinders, it creates explosive force—up to 50% more power—without changing the engine itself.
And every believer needs the same. But how does it happen? “Dunamis” is the Greek word for power that produces miracles. It’s where we get the word dynamite. Scripture is filled with examples of this power at work. When the disciples failed to deliver a demonized man, Jesus told them plainly: “This kind comes out only by prayer and fasting.” (Mark
9:29)
Why? Because “flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.” (John 3:6) Their unbelief was a flesh issue—something fasting and prayer together boldly confront. E. M. Bounds puts it this way:
“Faith gives birth to prayer, and grows stronger, strikes deeper, rises higher, in the struggles and wrestling of mighty petitioning, it is the one great condition of prayer; the lack of it lies at the root of all poor praying, feeble praying, little praying, unanswered praying.”
E. M. Bounds reminds us that faith fuels prayer, and prayer grows faith. Fasting becomes the turbocharger to prayer—killing the flesh, driving out unbelief, and strengthening faith. When faith explodes, nothing is impossible. Even mustard-seed faith can move mountains (Matthew 17:20).
Asking, seeking, and knocking are not passive acts. They require persistence, humility, and surrender. Fasting sharpens our asking, clarifies our seeking, and strengthens our knocking—until the door opens.
Let me ask you: What mountain is standing in your way? Will you join me in pressing the fast turbocharger to prayer—so together, we can keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking, and watch God move what once seemed immovable?
Day 16 Assumptions
I don’t think we talk about his kind of stuff much but Jesus has some assumptions of those who follow Him. There are commands for sure, love the Lord your God with everything and your neighbor the same way you love yourself. Be merciful as God is merciful...but right in the heart of His sermon on the mount He gives us three assumptions or maybe expectations sounds better. So when you give...and when you pray...when you fast. He never leads with “if”
you pray or “if” you fast it is when you do these things here some things to keep in mind. Much of our modern church life is built around the message He loves us He expects nothing from us.
First of all that is a lousy description of any kind of relationship. When He tells us later to ask, seek and knock it is in the framework of prayer...and prayer is something He expects us to participate in.
I keep returning to 2 Chronicles 7:14 and how God says that if His people would humble themselves and seek His face He will hear and answer. Prayer really is a place of humility isn’t it? And I have heard it said prayer is a place we go to be with God. It is not simply speaking words or making requests when Jesus tells us God already knows what we are in need of. It is a humbling of ourselves and I do think that is also another expectation He has for us... humility...in all things. As I go through this fast personally I am excited by how easy it has been on one level because I sense I am in His will, doing the things He expects of me to do. This is what a follower does Bill...he is generous and gives, He prays without a show and a follower
fasts...and all of this is rewarded...in the secret place...
Day 17 High Priestly Prayer
In John 17 Jesus lifted up his eyes to The Father to pray before His crucifixion.. This is very profound and powerful..
in the prayer (verse 17:9) He says to The Father, “I’m not praying for the world, but for those that you have given Me, for they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them.”
He was speaking of the disciples that followed Him.
He continues to pray for them..
6 “I have revealed Your name to the men whom You gave Me out of the world; they were Yours and You gave them to Me, and they have followed Your word. 7 Now they have come to know that everything which You have given Me is from You; 8 for the words which You gave Me I have given to them; and they received them and truly understood that I came forth from You, and they believed that You sent Me. 9 I ask on their behalf; I do not ask on behalf of the world, but on the behalf of those whom You have given Me, because they are Yours; 10 and all things that are Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine; and I have been glorified in them. 11 I am no longer going to be in the world; and yet they themselves are in the world, and I am coming to You. Holy Father, keep them in Your name, the name which You have given Me, so that they may be one just as We are. 12 While I was with them, I was keeping them in Your name, which You have given Me; and I guarded them, and not one of them perished except the son of destruction, so that the Scripture would be fulfilled.
He is asking on behalf of them (interceding) that they (the disciples) would be kept guarded in truth as they remain in the world, to stand against the evil one. We read further.. in His prayer.. asking..
15 I am not asking You to take them out of the world, but to keep them away from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. 18 Just as You sent Me into the world, I also sent them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, so that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth.
22 The glory which You have given Me I also have given to them, so that they may be one, just as We are one; 23 I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and You loved them, just as You loved Me. 24 Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.
In this chapter, we see the Fathers heart in so many ways for those that He loves, and has chosen to proclaim the name of Jesus, to the ends of the earth. We see that Jesus makes intercession for us… To keep us, to sanctify us, to reveal His glory through us and in us.. making His desire that we would be in perfect union with Him.
May we find great encouragement in this prayer and pray it back to The Father.
Read the entire chapter. (John 17) Meditate on it and Pray it today.
Day 18 Give No Rest
“Remember, Lord, in David’s behalf, All his affliction; How he swore to the Lord And vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob, “I certainly will not enter my house, Nor lie on my bed; I will not give sleep to my eyes Or slumber to my eyelids, Until I find a place for the Lord, A dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob.””
Psalm 132:1-5
As we press in for more during this time I can’t help but think of this Psalm that talked about the desire of David to bring Gods presence back to his people. He vowed “I certainly will not enter my house, Nor lie on my bed; I will not give sleep to my eyes Or slumber to my eyelids, Until I find a place for the Lord, A dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob.” No Sleep to His Eyes. No Slumber to his eyelids . - he would not Rest until the Ark of the covenant was back with the people of God. His Presence . He longed for it and made it his number one goal! Oh how I pray this generation and those to come after have this same desire. That God would Rest with his people . His presence would dwell with us . He would pour out His Glory in our midst and we would not waver in seeing it in our City and in our time . As we fast today. Let this be our cry .
Lord we won’t give into rest . We won’t give into our flesh . Our desire for food today but we will give our attention to you and to the desire for more of your Spirit. Asking you to pour out your glory . Seeking that the Lost would be found . Knocking on the doors of Revival to sweep over this land .
Amen .
Day 19 Our Father is worthy
Luke 11:1-4
Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.”
So He said to them, “When you pray, say, Our Father who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us day by day our daily bread, And forgive us our sins, For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one.”
This prayer is an outline for us. As we enter into prayer, we can use this as a template or outline.
Our Father who art in heaven, Holy is your name! Worship is to be more than a sentence. Tell him how grateful you are for his goodness. He is Holy, He is worthy, He is powerful, and we should express that to Him! Petitions are not confined to bread. He says Ask, and it will be given, so petition for your needs daily. What do you need today? Ask! Forgiveness is to be requested specifically, not in generalities. What do you need forgiveness for? Ask for it. Tell him. Let him release you from those chains that bind! Intercede for His kingdom to come here and now! We need His kingdom to invade earth now more than ever! The praying and interceding are ours to do. Unless we ask for His kingdom to come, and for His will to be done, nothing will change. Billy Graham said, “Heaven is full of answers to prayers to which nobody ever bothered to ask.” It is our job to ask. It is our job to petition. He is ready and willing to intervene on our behalf.
Verse 9-10 says, “So I say to you, ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.”
When we go before the Lord in prayer, let us be specific, and let us believe that He can and He will move on our behalf.
Do you believe? Why not us? Why not now? I believe!
Day 20 You can say no
Luke 10:38-42 New International Version At the Home of Martha and Mary
38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one.[a] Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
I can’t tell you how many times in my life I have over-committed myself and filled my schedule. I usually do this because I am a people-pleaser and don’t want to disappoint anyone. So, if someone asks me to do something, I think I have to say yes. But often, what happens is I say yes, my schedule fills up with meetings, appointments, and deadlines, and there’s no room to breathe. Life often contains too much work, parenting, home improvements, and other responsibilities for one person to handle. When this happens to me, I can become resentful, complaining about all I have to do, and the people around me wish I had just chosen option one, as Mary did, instead of overfilling my plate. I remember, as a teen, that if anyone at work asked me to take a shift, I would always say yes, then dread it and complain. Finally, my dad said, “You know you don’t have to say yes. If you don’t want to pick up the extra shift, just say no.” Profound, I know. But this has been a hard lesson for me to learn, even to this day. But what I have realized is that the more I take on, the more stressed I become, and the less likable I also become. It is important to keep in mind what is most important in life. God, family, then everything else. If I keep myself so busy that I don’t have time to sit, breathe, and spend time with the Lord, I become a person I don’t like, and others close to me don’t like either. We sometimes need to remember what Jesus said, “Mary has chosen what is better”, and we need to make spending time with Jesus our first priority. If you feel overwhelmed, spend time with the Lord. He will lift your load and give you the right perspective.
Psalm 27:4 - One thing I have desired of the Lord,... that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
The many tasks we face each day, Can burden and oppress, But spending time with God each day, Can bring relief from stress. -Sper