Prayer and Fasting-One Meal (at least) Today-Nov Election (and beyond if more Algoritis hits)

self ^ | 9/27/02 | self

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Hello.

This is a call to any who might want to be part of a "fasting and prayer" effort for the 40 days leading up to the elections on Nov 5th.

The call to prayer is specifically regarding our nation, and a need to earnestly seek God's help in electing Godly men or men who will do God's will to our nation's offices - believing we will receive that help as we follow God's call to us (His people) to humble ourselves before Him, in repentance and sincere seeking of His face and His will.

He is able to confuse and confound and overturn the enemy by bringing Godly people into office all over this nation - especially in the US Senate.

This prayer and fasting effort does not take the place of active work for candidates and causes. That work MUST continue. But we can do both. If we are not actively working to help elect Godly people, why not? Every little bit of help matters!

But, those who are called by God's name, have a special responsibility to our nation in times of trial and tribulation (which describes our times). Many have been given desire to fast and pray for our nation especially at this critical election time because we understand that the enemy we face is strong, powerful, and well entrenched. That strong enemy does not come "out" but by fasting and prayer.

Many Americans think nothing will change. Elections do not make a difference.

Tell that to the little bables now being cruelly slaughtered by a procedure called partial birth abortion which is nothing short of a grotesque form of infanticide. This is just one example of the enemy's stronghold in this country.

Just a few votes in the Senate will stop this horror.

But the stronghold preventing this atrocity from being stopped is Satanic and will not "come down" without us calling out to God in repentance, fasting, and prayer - I am convinced.

We (His People) need to turn back to our Good Shepherd, our Captain, our Deliverer, Jesus Christ the Righteous One, because we are commanded to do just that-to turn from our wicked ways, to seek His face, and He will hear from heaven and heal our land. If only we will seek Him knowing what we face an enemy, Satan and all the forces of darkness, who is stronger than we are - in our human nature. Our nation has opened many doors to the enemy and he has come in like a flood.

But, in Jesus Christ, our rock and our fortress, we have our deliverer! He came to set the captives free, to bring sight to the blind, to bring hope and life to all who are bowed down. Let us go to our God, pleading for His help in these elections for the downtrodden, the captives, even for those who are dying daily in our land from the violence that has spread like a plague across it.

Like Jehoshaphat of old, we can come to God, we can bring ourselves, our loved ones, our states and cities and our nation before Him in prayer, taking the time and self-nourishment of a mealtime, and offering that time and that self-feeding to God as a time to feed on HIS WORD and to DWELL IN HIS PRESENCE by prayer and supplication, letting all our needs as a nation and as individuals to be made known to Him in prayer - with THANKSGIVING and PRAISE for His great goodness to us and for His hearing and answering of our prayers!

Read 2 Chronicles 2:20. Here are some of the passages from that part of GOD'S LIVING WORD TO US:

2 Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, "A vast army is coming against you from Edom,
from the other side of the Sea.
It is already in Hazazon Tamar" (that is, En Gedi).
3 Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the LORD , and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah.
4 The people of Judah came together to seek help from the LORD;
indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him."

"12 O our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you."
13 All the men of Judah, with their wives and children and little ones, stood there before the LORD."

15 He said: "Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's."

17 You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.'"
18 Jehoshaphat bowed with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the LORD." >/b>

America is under attack - in many ways - and in need of God's deliverance, help and healing.

At the heart of the sickness and attack is our loss of regard for human life which is based in our loss of regard for God, our Creator. Into that door, Satan and his minions have come and have done a mighty work against the Truth and against people, bringing darkness, enslavement, blindness, destruction, and death. Not just in the case of the abortion slaughter, but also in all the other ways destruction is being wrought.

That's the bad news.

But the GOOD NEWS is that Jesus Christ came TO DESTROY THE WORKS OF THE DEVIL! Praise God!

We who are called by His name have the great privilege of interceding for our nation. Prayer with fasting is an effective way to do just that. In so doing, we join with God in His desire to bring redemption and healing and deliverance for America and its people (and the people of the world).

(God says Jeremiah 29:11: "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD , "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Our nation once knew all of the above, we knew the One who called this nation into being quite well and depended upon Him for all our help and strength.

But we have lost our way, we have each gone our own way instead of God's way, and mighty are the strongholds of Satan all over our land. Apart from God's help, our nation will perish. It is that simple. And the death and destruction that we have seen will only increase.

Some of you may know much about prayer and fasting. I don't-am only learning. But I have found Dr. Bill Bright's teachings (in the URL above) regarding prayer and fasting as very helpful. Perhaps you will, also.

IMPORTANT NOTE: PLEASE CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR IF YOU HAVE HEALTH PROBLEMS OR WANT TO BE SURE A PHYSICIAN'S OKAY IS GIVEN BEFORE YOU BEGIN THIS EFFORT. SEE THE WARNINGS GIVEN AT THE WEBSITE LISTED ABOVE - WHICH IS ONLY A GUIDE BUT HAS HELPFUL INFORMATION. IF YOU HAVE SPECIAL HEALTH NEEDS OR YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE EFFECTS ON YOUR HEALTH IF YOU MISS A MEAL, OR UNSURE ABOUT THAT ACTION, DO NOT ENTER THIS PRAYER AND FASTING REGIMEN WITHOUT A DOCTOR'S GUIDANCE, APPROVAL AND, IF NEEDED, MONITORING.

Again, Dr. Bill Bright's website listed above includes much helpful information: Please go there and find answers to these questions/issues:

• How to Begin Your Fast
• While You Fast
• Breaking Your Fast
• A Final Word
• How to Experience and Maintain Personal Revival

  IN addition - there are many other resources in books and on the internet for people seriously interested in fasting and prayer for this election season, particularly, but also for our nation as a whole in all its wanderings away from the Truth of God. God bless you for reading this and for considering this call.

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

If you want to participate, please freepmail me with one date (and note the one meal-at least) for which you will commit to fast and pray.

The dates begin today, 9-27-02 and continue through 11-5-02 (election day). That encompasses 40 days. However, if algoritis hits and more days of fasting and prayer are needed until the final resolution of the critical elections occur, I will continue fasting and praying on beyond the 40 days. Others who are so led may do so as well.

My personal plans are these: I plan to fast one meal a day for each of the 40 days beginning today.

However, if anyone joins this effort, for the days when others tell me they WILL COMMIT to fast and pray on a certain day, I may not fast a meal that day, knowing someone else is "standing in that gap".

Those who make this commitment - I would like to get an email list and send you email reminders. If that does not work, I will use Freepmail to remind you. If you forget, that's ok. You can fast and pray another day.< We can make revisions as needed to the 40 day prayer and fasting list.

And, again, any and all help, resources, added prayers, spreading of the word, will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you! Thank GOD He is our very sure Refuge and Strength, a Mighty Fortress, and a strong Deliverer in our time of great need! God be with you who commit to prayer and fasting for our nation at this critical time.

If you cannot commit to the fasting part of this effort, perhaps you would commit to the prayer part - for one day - of these next 40 - you will dedicate yourself to prayer throughout that day.

Again, God bless you and be with you and with all who are called to intercede with praise and thanksgiving for our nation and for the people affected by the path America takes.

And, if anybody has a prayer ping list, please use it for this message. If this has been posted by anyone else before now, I did not know it. My apologies if it is a repetition of someone else's message.

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

And - that should say: electing Godly men AND WOMEN. Apologies. There are Godly men and women both in election contests across this land. There are others who maybe are not "God's" - they have not give their lives to Him - but who are able to be used of God to accomplish His will.

Please forgive that omission.

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Just a note to call you to this post. I have been spending a great deal of time in prayer lately and this call to prayer and fasting - especially during this election season - came from that time.

If you think others might want to know about such an effort, please pass the word.

Thank you.

[billbears]

FYI

[Ff--150]

Thanks for the ping. Fasting and prayers can get the job done in a hurry.

[ohioWfan]

A GIANT PING for Prayer and Fasting.......to uphold our country, and the upcoming elections in prayer!

THANK YOU, FWI! May God richly bless you for this! (I'll freep you with my info....)

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Thank you, billbears.

[Molly Pitcher]

Will gladly join you in this....and follow your plan FWI...1 meal a day...

[homeschool mama]

Thank you for forming this effort, freedom and ohio. So wonderful!

On my way out the door for daughter's coop class...will pray about this today and let you know where the Lord leads me specifically.

Thank you again...and God bless you both. <><

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Hello and thank you both!!!! Molly - you want to do this every day? You can - or you can just pick a certain day or days to commit to the fasting. Either way you ant to do it - is great! Thanks!

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Homeschool Mama - hello! Welcome. So glad you are praying about this and will look forward to however God leads you!

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Good to see you and to read your comments. Any additional suggestions, Scriptures, encouragements, examples, you have that will help the effort are appreciated.

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

I realized those links may not work - if not - here is the Bill Bright Fasting and Prayer web page:

http://www.billbright.com/7steps/

The correct links are at the bottom of that page.

[4CJ]

I will pray, and fast. As God directs.

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Thank you, 4Conservative Justices! How wonderful!

I will put you down for prayer and fasting as God leads you!

AMEN!

[Molly Pitcher]

:-) Everyday... yes!

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Let me try that link again: Bill Bright's 7 Steps to Fasting and Prayer

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Molly. That is fantastic. Thank you. God bless you as you go on this "Prayer and fasting" journey. May we consecrate this time for our nation but to our Lord!

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

All - these first steps in prayer and fasting were are good to go over - so here they are - from the link above:

(thank you, Dr. Bill Bright)

I have been eating a LOT Of raw vegetables and fruit - but others may not have. That may help in preparing for your fasting and praying.

I know this - when you fast and pray - you will be a target of spiritual attack. So let's pray for each other that God will protect and defend all who respond to this call to fast and pray - themselves and their loved ones will be under the Blood of Jesus Christ and in His Mighty Fortress for protection.

(NOT ON TO DR. BILL BRIGHT'S 7 STEPS: FIRST 4 OF THESE BELOW:)

How you begin and conduct your fast will largely determine your success. By following these seven basic steps to fasting, you will make your time with the Lord more meaningful and spiritually rewarding.

STEP 1: Set Your Objective

Why are you fasting? Is it for spiritual renewal, for guidance, for healing, for the resolution of problems, for special grace to handle a difficult situation? Ask the Holy Spirit to clarify His leading and objectives for your prayer fast. This will enable you to pray more specifically and strategically.

Through fasting and prayer we humble ourselves before God so the Holy Spirit will stir our souls, awaken our churches, and heal our land according to 2 Chronicles 7:14. Make this a priority in your fasting.

STEP 2: Make Your Commitment

Pray about the kind of fast you should undertake. Jesus implied that all of His followers should fast (Matthew 6:16-18; 9:14,15) For Him it was a matter of when believers would fast, not if they would do it. Before you fast, decide the following up front:

	How long you will fast - one meal, one day, a week, several weeks, forty days (Beginners should start slowly, building up to longer fasts.)
	The type of fast God wants you to undertake (such as water only, or water and juices; what kinds of juices you will drink and how often)
	What physical or social activities you will restrict
	How much time each day you will devote to prayer and God's Word

Making these commitments ahead of time will help you sustain your fast when physical temptations and life's pressures tempt you to abandon it.

STEP 3: Prepare Yourself Spiritually

The very foundation of fasting and prayer is repentance. Unconfessed sin will hinder your prayers. Here are several things you can do to prepare your heart:

	Ask God to help you make a comprehensive list of your sins.
	Confess every sin that the Holy Spirit calls to your remembrance and accept God's forgiveness (1 John 1:9).
	Seek forgiveness from all whom you have offended, and forgive all who have hurt you (Mark 11:25; Luke 11:4; 17:3,4).
	Make restitution as the Holy Spirit leads you.
	Ask God to fill you with His Holy Spirit according to His command in Ephesians 5:18 and His promise in 1 John 5:14,15.
	Surrender your life fully to Jesus Christ as your Lord and Master; refuse to obey your worldly nature (Romans 12:1,2).
	Meditate on the attributes of God, His love, sovereignty, power, wisdom, faithfulness, grace, compassion, and others (Psalm 48:9,10; 103:1-8, 11-13).
	Begin your time of fasting and prayer with an expectant heart (Hebrews 11:6).
	Do not underestimate spiritual opposition. Satan sometimes intensifies the natural battle between body and spirit (Galatians 5:16,17).

STEP 4: Prepare Yourself Physically

Fasting requires reasonable precautions. Consult your physician first, especially if you take prescription medication or have a chronic ailment. Some persons should never fast without professional supervision.

Physical preparation makes the drastic change in your eating routine a little easier so that you can turn your full attention to the Lord in prayer.

	Do not rush into your fast.
	Prepare your body. Eat smaller meals before starting a fast. Avoid high-fat and sugary foods.
	Eat raw fruit and vegetables for two days before starting a fast.

[marylina]

So good to hear from you, FWI! Have missed you lately, but have had you in my prayers. I would love to participate in this effort, and since the prayers are already a part of my day, all that is left is the fasting. I'll freepmail you with my intentions, and blessings to you!