Day 21: Thursday 26th Jan

1 Corinthians 3:11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

For the last 21 days we have chosen to give God the first fruits of the year. We have decided to build on our foundation which is Jesus Christ. In 1 Corinthians 3 the apostle Paul tells us to take heed and watch what we are building, how we build and what we are building with.

We can build our lives with gold and silver or hay and straw. If we continue to seek after God and His kingdom, then we are building our life with gold and silver, but if we are living for the things of this world then we are choosing to build with straw and hay.

Let’s continue to build on the foundation that we have built on over these past 21 days. Now is not the time so sit back, but must continue in our relentless pursuit of Him who deserves our very ALL.

Ephesians 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.

God has not called us to live an ordinary life but an extraordinary life; however, often we are not living the right way for God to use us. Over the past 21 days we have sought the face of God through prayer and fasting. We have allowed God to purge us of the things that don’t belong and now we are ready for God to use us in great ways.

Another translation of this verse says “He can do exceedingly abundantly more than we can think or imagine!” I love this thought because I can imagine a lot of things and ways God can use me. Sometimes I think these thoughts are too big, but God says He can do MORE! When we truly offer our lives wholeheartedly to Him, He can use us in ways we could never ever imagine!

Prayer Points:

For our city, for Salford and Manchester. For churches all across the city to proclaim the gospel. For a great awakening in the city to God's love and power and salvation.

Day 20: Wednesday 25th Jan

Hebrews 11:6 God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

The word ‘diligent’ means constant or relentless. God wants us to constantly, relentlessly pursue Him. No matter how we are feeling, no matter what the circumstances are, He wants us to keep Him at the focus of everything. We need Jesus to be at the centre of our lives, of our marriages, of our jobs, of our families, of our church and of everything!

The great thing is when we do diligently seek Him He rewards us. As God said to Abraham, He is our exceedingly great reward. As we come to an end of our fast, I pray that we will have cultivated those times of prayer and worship to God to set the tone for the year. Let’s continue to relentlessly seek Him!

Prayer Points:

Pray for our Government, for direction, for wisdom and guidance, for godly policy making, for godly leaders to be raised up who will uphold truth, honesty and integrity.

Day 19: Tuesday 24th Jan

Luke 22:42 “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.”

What a great depiction Luke shows us of Jesus praying in the garden. Jesus knew the path He had to take. He knew that it would require Him to go through trials, hardship and sacrifice, yet even in the midst of that He said not My will but Yours be done.

As we are fasting and seek God, let’s make our prayer: “God not my will but Yours be done.” It may mean we have to go through trials or hardship. It may mean we must sacrifice, but when we align ourselves to God’s will then amazing things start to happen.

Fasting doesn’t change the will of God for our lives, but when we fast and pray we start to align our lives away from our agenda and our will, onto His agenda and His will. When we do this, then He can start to use us to do the extraordinary.

Prayer Points:

Pray for jobs and employment, for promotion, winning contracts, satisfaction and fulfilment and advancement in work places, favour with bosses, wisdom to do the job, successful interviews, etc.