FAITH AND FASTING

Readers, it is time to prepare ourselves for battle on behalf of our beloved nation, America. We’ve watched enough news, struggled with frustration and despair, and shouted our views on social media long enough. It is time for God’s people to fight in a better, more effective way: in prayer and fasting.

For the weapons of our warfare are not material, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds… 2 Corinthians 10:4

We will not have to worry as much about elections and the will of legislators if we’ve done the spiritual work to purify ourselves before God and taken down the satanic principalities and their kingdoms in America. That is the goal.

Elections are not our salvation. Humans are not our salvation. The Lord is our salvation.

To prepare for this spiritual battle, let’s begin by reviewing the story of Nehemiah. When he heard the news his beloved homeland was broken down and God’s people were being persecuted, the first thing he did after weeping and mourning was fast and pray for several days.

Will you join me in a bit of time travel back to Nehemiah’s day? See his prayer for his land and people, and let’s join our heart and spirit with his, for our nation today:

Nehemiah 1:3-11
3 And they said to me, those in the land are in great distress and reproach: the walls of Jerusalem are thrown down, and its gates are burned with fire. 4 And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for several days, and continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven.

5 And I said, No, I pray, O Lord God of heaven, the mighty, the great (one) to be revered, keeping your covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to those that keep his commandments: 6 let now your ear be attentive, and your eyes open, that you may hear the prayer of your servant, which I pray before you at this time, this day both day and night, for the children of Israel your servants, and make confession for the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against you: both I and the house of my father have sinned. 7 We have altogether broken covenant with you, and we have not kept the commandments, and the ordinances, and the judgments, which you commanded your servant Moses.

8 Remember, I pray, the word with which you charged your servant Moses, saying, If you break covenant with me, I will disperse you among the nations. 9 But if you turn again to me, and keep my commandments, and do them; (even) if you should be scattered under the utmost bound of heaven, then will I gather them, and I will bring them into the place which I have chosen to cause my name to dwell there. 10 Now they are your servants and your people, whom you have redeemed with your great power, and with your strong hand. 11 Turn not away, I pray, O Lord, but let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants, who desire to revere your name:

Let’s agree with Nehemiah in our own prayer:

Yes, Lord, we agree now with Nehemiah’s words, for us, your people and America. We praise your great and mighty name, worship and adore you. Holy Spirit of God, fill us today and remind us to be filled continually as Paul taught. Be our oil, our balm of healing, and grow our trust in you, precious Comforter and Guide. Take over each of us, your temples, and make us completely yours. Lead and guide us in your thoughts and ways, that your will be done in America as it is in heaven. Remember your people, incline your ear to us and your eyes, that you may hear our prayers. We have sinned against you, both we and the house of our fathers have sinned. We have broken your heart, not kept your ways, failed to value purity, life, and truth. Draw us to true repentance, and renew our strength. Rise us up on wings as eagles, your wings, Jesus. Prepare us to be spiritual warriors for our nation, make us ready. May you receive all the glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Be prepared for push-back, the enemy won’t like what we are doing. Gird your loins. We must establish and/or notify our prayer teams, praying friends, family and churches, to cover us, our lives and loved ones as we battle spiritually for our nation. Let’s also pray for each other!

Nehemiah and the people of his time also faced opposition:

Nehemiah 4:1
When Sanballat heard we were building the wall, it was grievous to him, and he was angry and railed against God’s people. 2 And he said to his brethren, is it true these people are building their city?

(Note, God’s righteous ones are not the only ones who pray:)

Nehemiah 4:4 (Sanballat’s prayer against God’s people)
Hear, O our God, for we have become a scorn; and return their reproach upon their head, make them a scorn, and do not cover their iniquity…

Can you imagine praying for someone not to be forgiven, to remain in punishment? That is hell’s plan, not God’s.

Still, Nehemiah had a wise plan to resist the enemy:

Nehemiah 4:13
And it came to pass, when God’s people said to us, they are coming up against us from every quarter. So I set watchmen on the wall where they lurked and even set armed citizens from every family on the wall. 14 And I looked, and arose, and said to the nobles, to the captains, and to the rest of the people, Be not afraid of them: remember our great and terrible God, and fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses!

17 Those which built the wall, with one hand did the work, and with the other held a weapon.

This is us! We will pray for the renewing of God’s nation on one hand while on the other hand also praying against and removing the spiritual powers destroying our nation!

Lord, please provide extra protection for every prayer warrior joined together in spirit for this battle. Please, strengthen each of our support networks and cover our lives, homes and loved ones. Watch over us, draw us under the shelter of your great wing. Keep us standing strong in the storm of this battle. We love and adore you and will give you all the glory. In Jesus name, Amen.

Fasting for America 24 Hours a Month will begin September 1, 2023. (Hint: we at FAF will begin at 6:00 PM, August 31, and conclude at 6:00 PM, September 1, for a 24-hour, one-day fast. The plan is to do the same each month thereafter into the Fall of next year, 2024.)

Please share the idea with your church leadership. Our Pastor is establishing a small group of fasting prayer warriors to meet together the first of each month to pray for America. How amazing would it be to spread the idea far and wide in our churches?

Guys, if the first day of the month doesn’t work for you, pick your own 24-hour period when you can set aside food and focus on the Lord and prayer. We do not live under the law, we live in His good grace!

For some worship inspiration today, listen to powerful song, with Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Break Every Chain (live at Passion City Church); fyi, I also love the Kristene DiMarco version:

[Scripture Source: Brenton, Sir Lancelot C. L., English Translation of the Greek Septuagint. E.C. Marsh. Kindle Edition. (Language modernized for ease of reading.)]