We launched 2010 with a church-wide 21 day fast and it was absolutely fantastic! Fasting not only brings self-discipline but it also bring Spiritual and Financial success! I am inviting you to join with me in making Monday's a day of prayer and fasting. God wants to release the power of prayer and fasting in your life and if you want to you need a systematic plan to make this happen. Fast a meal, fast all day, fast media, fast facebook... pray about what you will fast. Whatever you fast, make a decision to start your week by getting hungry and focused after God. Below is an article by Jentezen Franklin that will encourage you in this journey! -Sam
God has a plan for your provision and blessings that includes the power of three--praying, fasting and giving. Fasting is critical to your spiritual and financial success. Consider the Biblical story of Ezra (Ezra 7 and 8). King Artaxerxes had given Ezra silver and gold to take to Jerusalem. It was a dangerous journey and thieves threatened his financial security. Maybe you feel like thieves have stolen what belongs to you financially. When Ezra faced an uncertain financial journey, he declared a fast (Ezra 8:21). As they fasted, God's people also prayed and sought His direction. The two go hand in hand.
"So we fasted and entreated our God for this, and He answered our prayer" (Ezra 8:23). If you fast, pray and obey God's commandments, He said you will be blessed (Deuteronomy 28:2). And there is even more power available to you--when you add the power of giving.
The widow in 1 Kings 17:10-16 also faced an uncertain future. Although the woman had very little, she gave up her own food to help the man of God, Elijah. It was all part of God's plan to take care of her family. The book of Isaiah says we are called ". . . to share your bread with the hungry, And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out . . ." (Isaiah 58:6-7).
The power of three--fast, pray, give
Here are some practical ways you can use the power of fasting, praying and giving toward your financial success:
• FAST. Fast once a month for your finances. Maybe that is the day you send out your bills and payments, the day you get paid or the day you prepare your budget. If you cannot fast an entire day, fast a meal.
• PRAY. As you fast, use that time to pray for your financial situation. Pray for wisdom. Ask God to guide and direct you in your decisions. As I mentioned before, we recently saw an outpouring of God's blessings during our Miracle Prayer services in Georgia and Orange County, not to mention all those who joined us live via web streaming.
• GIVE. You can add a new dimension to your fasting if you set aside the money you would normally use for food to help a food bank, support world missions or give to some other ministry that is helping the needy. When you do that, it pleases God and He will meet your needs. In the story of the widow, God multiplied the meal in her barrel to last for three and a half years!
Matthew 6 says, "when you pray . . . when you fast . . . and when you give." The three are intertwined. When you put them together, you will be unstoppable. ". . . a threefold cord is not quickly broken . . ." (Ecclesiastes 4:12). I believe this is the year of the miraculous when God's people will experience divine direction and supernatural provision. When we pray, fast and give, we release a fresh anointing . . . and God's unusual favor!
God has a plan for your provision and blessings that includes the power of three--praying, fasting and giving. Fasting is critical to your spiritual and financial success. Consider the Biblical story of Ezra (Ezra 7 and 8). King Artaxerxes had given Ezra silver and gold to take to Jerusalem. It was a dangerous journey and thieves threatened his financial security. Maybe you feel like thieves have stolen what belongs to you financially. When Ezra faced an uncertain financial journey, he declared a fast (Ezra 8:21). As they fasted, God's people also prayed and sought His direction. The two go hand in hand.
"So we fasted and entreated our God for this, and He answered our prayer" (Ezra 8:23). If you fast, pray and obey God's commandments, He said you will be blessed (Deuteronomy 28:2). And there is even more power available to you--when you add the power of giving.
The widow in 1 Kings 17:10-16 also faced an uncertain future. Although the woman had very little, she gave up her own food to help the man of God, Elijah. It was all part of God's plan to take care of her family. The book of Isaiah says we are called ". . . to share your bread with the hungry, And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out . . ." (Isaiah 58:6-7).
The power of three--fast, pray, give
Here are some practical ways you can use the power of fasting, praying and giving toward your financial success:
• FAST. Fast once a month for your finances. Maybe that is the day you send out your bills and payments, the day you get paid or the day you prepare your budget. If you cannot fast an entire day, fast a meal.
• PRAY. As you fast, use that time to pray for your financial situation. Pray for wisdom. Ask God to guide and direct you in your decisions. As I mentioned before, we recently saw an outpouring of God's blessings during our Miracle Prayer services in Georgia and Orange County, not to mention all those who joined us live via web streaming.
• GIVE. You can add a new dimension to your fasting if you set aside the money you would normally use for food to help a food bank, support world missions or give to some other ministry that is helping the needy. When you do that, it pleases God and He will meet your needs. In the story of the widow, God multiplied the meal in her barrel to last for three and a half years!
Matthew 6 says, "when you pray . . . when you fast . . . and when you give." The three are intertwined. When you put them together, you will be unstoppable. ". . . a threefold cord is not quickly broken . . ." (Ecclesiastes 4:12). I believe this is the year of the miraculous when God's people will experience divine direction and supernatural provision. When we pray, fast and give, we release a fresh anointing . . . and God's unusual favor!