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A Prayer and Fasting Devotional
As we begin our season of fasting together, I want to remind us of God's purpose for us through fasting. Listen to Jesus' words in Mark 7:15 to hear God's purpose for us through fasting: "Nothing that goes into a person from outside can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him. If anyone has an ear to hear, he should listen!" In verses 20-23, Jesus continues to explain this mystery to His disciples by saying: "...What comes out of a person—that defiles him. For from within, out of people's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immoralities, thefts, murders, adulteries, greed, evil actions, deceit, lewdness, stinginess, blasphemy, pride and foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a person." In our text today, the core problem of defilement is defined as what resides in the heart (things that come out), not things going into a person. Throughout Scripture, the heart refers to the center of one's being, including the mind, emotions, and will.
As you may already know, fasting, in and of itself, is not pretty. It is uncomfortable, it is
A Prayer and Fasting Devotional
Malachi 3:13-18
"Your words have been hard against me,” says the LORD. “But you say, 'How have we spoken against you?' 14 You have said, 'It is vain to serve God. What is the profit of our keeping his charge or of walking as in mourning before the LORD of hosts? 15And now we call the arrogant blessed. Evildoers not only prosper but they put God to the test and they escape.'"16 Then those who feared the LORD spoke with one another. The LORD paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the LORD and esteemed his name. 17 "They shall be mine, says the LORD of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him. 18 Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him.”
The prophet Malachi records that God’s people were questioning whether it was really worthwhile to serve the Lord. Life was hard
Devotion
Matthew 26:51-54
51 And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear.
52 Then Jesus said to him, "Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword.
53 Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?
54 But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?"
When the religious leaders came to arrest Jesus, Peter grabbed a sword in defense of his master,
Introducing 40 Days of Prayer & Fasting
Here is the second of five brief videos by Christian Union President Matt Bennett, who encourages us to join together to seek God through prayer and fasting during this special season (1:40 in length).
Click the image above to view Christian Union's 2014 Annual Report. If you do not see an image, download a .pdf version of the 2014 annual report.
A Note from Christian Union President Matt Bennett
This note went out via email to friends and supporters of Christian Union, and is published here for all to read.Dear Friends,
I hope you had a merry Christmas and that the upcoming New Year brings blessings and the joy of Christ to you and your family. I am grateful to you for your financial gifts and your prayers for the cause of the Gospel in the Ivy League. We praise God for all He is accomplishing through your generosity. More students are involved and being blessed than ever, and I think it's safe to say that never in the history of the Ivy League has a greater number of students been receiving in-depth biblical teaching and encouragement. Praise His name!
As you consider what 2014 holds for you, I would like to invite you to join with me for a special season of fasting and prayer beginning Monday, January 13 and ending Friday, February 21. I'll explain some of the details below, but first I want to communicate why such an extended time of fasting and prayer should be considered.
You Are Invited to Participate
America desperately needs a significant turnaround from its current trajectory. The nation has seen an increasing malaise over the last 60 years through decline in church attendance and belief, increasing embrace of the sexual revolution, an incredibly high incarceration rate and other problems.
