For Wednesday 9/9/20 Prayer and Fasting – Victory

Daily PBJ Reading (I Samuel 6, I Samuel 6, Hebrews 9:5)

After decades of sin, the nation of Israel finally turned back to God and trusted Him for deliverance. They came together to fast and pray. They asked for forgiveness from God. In response, God brought about a great victory against the Philistines.

1 Samuel 7:6,10 (NIV)
⁶ When they had assembled at Mizpah, they drew water and poured it out before the LORD. On that day they fasted and there they confessed, "We have sinned against the LORD." And Samuel was leader of Israel at Mizpah.

¹⁰ While Samuel was sacrificing the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to engage Israel in battle. But that day the LORD thundered with loud thunder against the Philistines and threw them into such a panic that they were routed before the Israelites.

As we put our faith in God and diligently seek Him, He hears us and He brings the victory.

Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)
⁶ And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Note that, even though God frightened the Philistines with His thunder, the Israelites still went out and fought them. Today, God wants us to join Him and share in the joy of the victory. Any time God is glorified, the whole church (Body of Christ) should rejoice.

For Tuesday 9/8/20 Prayer and Fasting – Power of God in us

Daily PBJ Reading (I Samuel 4, I Samuel 5, Hebrews 9:1-4)

After the ark of God (representing God’s presence) was captured by the Philistines (representing evil), the presence of God brought destruction to the Philistine gods and eventually brough sickness to the people.

1 Samuel 5:2-4 (NIV)
² Then they carried the ark into Dagon's temple and set it beside Dagon.
³ When the people of Ashdod rose early the next day, there was Dagon, fallen on his face on the ground before the ark of the LORD! They took Dagon and put him back in his place.
⁴ But the following morning when they rose, there was Dagon, fallen on his face on the ground before the ark of the LORD! His head and hands had been broken off and were lying on the threshold; only his body remained.

Today, the Spirit if God is with us. We carry the truth and the message of the Light of Christ within us and where the light shines, the darkness is confused (John 1:5). The Light of Christ in us produces goodness, righteousness, and truth (Eph 5:9). As we live our lives, expect the power of God in you to change lives around you.

John 1:4-5 (NIV)
⁴ In him was life, and that life was the light of men.
⁵ The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.

Ephesians 5:8-9 (NIV)
⁸ For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light
⁹ (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)

For Monday 9/7/20 Prayer and Fasting – Passion for God’s deliverance

Daily PBJ Reading (I Samuel 2, I Samuel 3, Luke 1:57-80)

As Hannah is giving her young son Samuel up to the priesthood, her prayer is one of passion for the deliverance of the oppressed and for the salvation of Israel. It is also considered to be prophetic about Christ.

1 Samuel 2:8-10 (NIV)

8 He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honor. "For the foundations of the earth are the LORD's; upon them he has set the world.

9 He will guard the feet of his saints, but the wicked will be silenced in darkness. "It is not by strength that one prevails;

10 those who oppose the LORD will be shattered. He will thunder against them from heaven; the LORD will judge the ends of the earth. "He will give strength to his king and exalt the horn of his anointed."