Prayer

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

*CHURCH UPDATES: Digital and paper connect Card

DECLARATION:

Ephesians 2:20–22 (ESV)

20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

SVCC is built by God, upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, and with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone.

We are joined together by union with Christ, we are growing, and we are a dwelling place of God by his Spirit.

Prayer for...

INTRODUCTION:

Review:

WHY?…

TODAY: 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting

FASTING

· Definition of fasting:

Fasting is going without (often food or drink) to humble yourself before God

(***humble dependence upon God***)

o Context of Ezra 8 – Ezra returning from exile with other Israelites to Jerusalem…returns with precious lives and valuable possessions.

o Ezra 8:21 (NKJV) 21 Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river of Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from Him the right wayfor us and our little ones and all our possessions.

Ezra 8:21 NKJV

21 Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river of Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from Him the right way for us and our little ones and all our possessions.

· “Fasting is an action contrary to that first act of sin in the human race, which was eating what was forbidden” (HBH)

PRAYER

Prayer is communication with God (Listening - Intercession - Warfare)

James 5:13–18 ESV

13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. 18 Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.

· Shows us the will of God when someone is cheerful…sing praises

· Shows us the will of God when someone is suffering…they themselves should pray

· Shows us the will of God when someone is sick…call for others to pray and anoint

Daniel 10:12–13 ESV

12 Then he said to me, “Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words. 13 The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia,

· Daniel had been praying for 21 DAYS!!! (v. 13)

· God had sent the messenger to Daniel right away (v. 12)

· v. 10:5 indicates that these are supernatural beings with the one addressing Daniel referred to as “the man in linen” (cf. Ez. 1, 9-10)

· The prince of Persia is clearly a satanic agent but of what kind we cannot be certain (i.e. could be satan acting behind a human)

· There is some battle that is finally won when Michael, a higher angel/prince, helps.

· The answer to the prayer was sent immediately by God but it was delayed by the enemy. However, the spiritual battle was won and the answer to Daniel’s prayer came to him.

· The principal is to pray with persistence...

Luke 18:1 ESV

1 And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.

Conclusion/Reflection:

Persistence means...

Pray according to God’s will and not your will

Pray until you see God’s will accomplished

***