40 Days of Prayer and Fasting

It is the beginning of the year, a time when many Christians around the world will begin their fast. Our Church,Harvest Time New Testament Church Of God begins its 40 days of prayer and fasting on January 9th, 2012.

According to the Bible, there are three duties of every Christian: giving, praying and fasting. The discipline and strength needed for this fast will only be obtained from God.

ISAIAH 58:6 "[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?

The word fast comes from the Hebrew word Tsuwm which means to cover the mouth. Fasting simply put is abstaining from food for spiritual purposes. Our mouth is the greatest tool to our destruction we posses. With it we destroy not only people but our own lives.

God has taken the very thing that was the cause of man's fall in the Garden of Eden and of man losing his power and dominion over it, and has turned it around so that by abstaining from eating (fasting) we can enter again into a new dimension.

When we can control the appetite we can control the flesh-king of our body. Fasting gives us a holy sense of true values. So as you go into your time of fasting watch how you begin to die to the fleshly desires that were becoming hindrances in your life and threatened to destroy you.

There are several types of fasting, the one you choose is between you and God. He will honor your best sacrifice. I encourage you to seek the Lord in prayer and let your decisions about your biblical fasting come from Him. Ask the Lord to show you areas to target during your time of fasting and prayer. There must be purpose in your fasting. God will reward you in fasting if you seek Him with the right motives and in a scriptural way.

Begin with a clear goal. Be specific. Why are you fasting? Do you need direction, healing, restoration of marriage or family issues? Are you facing financial difficulties? Ask the Holy Spirit for guidance. Read the Bible and pray as often as you can throughout the day. Get away from the normal distractions as much as possible and keep your heart and mind set on seeking God's face.

May God bless you as you dedicate this time to prayer and fasting.



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