Week 1: Day 1 - 2016 Fasting & Prayer
WEEK 1: DAY 1
A Call to Consecration - Search Me & Know Me
It is our belief that the posture from which we pray is more important to God then the words we pray. This commitment to a posture that attracts God is not a one-time thing but a lifestyle. This is why we focus week one on a call to consecration. The pursuit of a consecrated life is only possible from the revelation of God's love for us. We must recognize that today, in this moment, there is nothing we can do to make God love us more and there is nothing we can do to make God love us less! The full measure of God's pure love is available to you and I right now. Nothing will ever change that. This call to consecration is about encountering that love. We come once again to posture ourselves personally and corporately.
The motivation to pursue and sustain a consecrated life comes from the revelation of God’s love for us. King David understood this when he invited the Lord to search his heart in Psalm 139. Realizing that any sin, known or unknown would hinder his relationship with God, David invites the Lord to search his heart and examine his ways (v. 23-24). David's desire for God's presence far outweighs any desire for sin or pride of self. From this place of clean hands and a pure heart (Psalm 15, 24) David then has access to enter the Holy of Holies before the mercy seat of God and bring Him, his heart. This is the key to the posture from which we want to bring our intercession. This is our motivation to pursue a consecrated lifestyle. Remember it is not about being perfect in our actions; it is about being perfected in His love.
Each day this week we will focus on a different principle of a consecrated life.
RESPOND
Take a few minutes and read through Psalm 139. Join David in remembering your history with God and His faithfulness to you. He has searched and knows everything about you. Give Him thanks for your testimony and His faithfulness. As you read allow the Holy Spirit to speak to your heart. Meditate on a verse and allow God’s love to encounter you.
From this place of encounter ask the Lord to search your heart and to examine your hands. Ask him to reveal anything in your life that is hindering His love and your ability to hear His voice. Don't rush this process, as He reveals things to you biblically deal with each one. Ask for and give forgiveness quickly. Allow your passion for God to outweigh your flesh's desire for sin. This is the foundation to a consecrated life and a posture that draws God to come.
REPENT
Be jealous for your relationship with God. Repentance is a response to love from the place of worship and His presence. It is personal before it is corporate. As the Holy Spirit reveals any sin in your life quickly repent and receive God's forgiveness. If the Lord puts anyone on your heart that you have un-forgiveness toward deal with it quickly. Psalm 139:23-24
- Declare a day of repentance... Joel 2:15
- Turn from sin... 2 Chronicles 7:14
PRAY
Rejoice and lift up prayers of thanksgiving to God! Thank Him that His mercy is new every day and that His love for you is secure and unconditional. Declare His authority and perfect leadership over your life. "For Thine is the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory forever, Amen!" (Matthew 6:13)
WORSHIP
All prayer is an act of worship. End each prayer time by giving thanks in advance and declaring God's authority and power.
- For Thine is the Kingdom and the Glory and the Power Forever... Matthew 6:13
- Obedience is our highest form of worship and demonstration of love... Genesis 22, Luke 11:28