The Prayer Project 40-Day Guide

The Prayer Project 40-Day Guide draws key points of revelation and intercession from the Global Jesus Fast prayer guide, and other sources, while adding content that’s specifically relevant to the Trinity Church family.

The last three weeks of Lent, our daily prayer focuses will compliment the Prayer Project Small Group Curriculum, so we encourage you to fully engage by joining a Prayer Small Group.

Click a link below to view daily guides for each week.

The Jesus Fast

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan… Immediately the Spirit drove Him to go out into the wilderness. And He was in the wilderness forty days. – Mark 1:9,12-13 (ESV)

“Before there was ever an original Jesus movement, there was an original Jesus fast.” – Lou Engle

During Trinity Church’s 21 days of fasting and prayer, Holy Spirit released revelation and invitation for consecration. “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow I will do wonders among you” was the instruction Joshua and the Israelites received from the Lord while on the banks of the Jordan River. Desiring to see His children enjoy their promised inheritance, God miraculously stopped the flowing waters of the Jordan, so they could all cross over.

Our spiritual house has been caught up into and aligned with revelation given to prophets around the world. Carrying out the call to consecration, we’ve arrived at a Jordan river crossing into a new era of a Jesus Movement; an outpouring of God’s Spirit, marked by spiritual awakening for evangelism and salvations!

Jesus came out of His wilderness fast filled with the power of the Holy Spirit and those who sat in darkness saw a great light. As we follow the Master in these 40 days of fasting and prayer, His glory is being released in cities across the earth and sickles of evangelism are being loosed to every believer for the global harvest.

Pray: Jesus, across the world, release the grace of the Jesus Fast to unleash a world-wide Jesus Movement. Lord, stir hearts for such a time as this! Let the whole Church set their face in this fast, believing for the manifestation of Jesus the Evangelist!

The 70-Year Cycle

“As the Creator is greater than that which he has created, so is the power wielded by the Christian through fasting and prayer greater than that wielded by the atomic scientist.” – Franklin Hall

“I, Daniel, observed in the books the number of the years which was revealed as the word of the Lord to Jeremiah the prophet for the completion of the desolations of Jerusalem, namely, seventy years. So I gave my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and supplications, with fasting…” – Daniel 9:2-3

It was 1946 when Franklin Hall released the booklet, Atomic Power Through Prayer and Fasting. For an extended season thereafter, this book traveled the world and the spirit and grace of fasting seemed to rest on the church. Reports of fasting from around the world came forth, with many testifying of God’s supernatural power and salvation. A season of focused fasting and prayer always precipitates harvest.

Within the following years, healing evangelists like Oral Roberts launched their ministries with extended fasting. Billy Graham began his first extended evangelistic Tent Crusade, and Bill Bright started Campus Crusade for Christ. The Jesus Fast was releasing Jesus the Evangelist!

With the recent passing of Billy Graham and the release of his mantle for evangelism, it seems we’ve reached a 70-year cycle of the message and sovereign call released through Hall’s book. When Daniel knew that the 70 years of Israel’s captivity were up, he set himself to fast and pray to birth the next era of redemptive history. We can shape history through fasting and prayer to birth Stadium Christianity and a new Jesus Movement for the whole world!

Pray: Father, we believe we have come to Your appointed time. Loose the fast into the earth and impel your Body into the place of fasting and faith! Put Your Son on display for the whole earth! We pray for a double-portion fast for a double-portion Jesus Movement!

Partnership in Prayer

“…he does not want any to perish but all to come to repentance.” – 2 Peter 3:9

““God does nothing on the earth save in answer to believing prayer.” – John Wesley

God desperately wants to save America and He is the sovereign and all-powerful God who can do anything He wants at any time. So why fast and pray for awakening? Why cry out to Him for the harvest?

As a way to draw us into relationship with Him, God’s chosen to hold back His sovereignty and make room for us to partner with Him. Psalm 115:16 says, “The heavens belong to our God; they are his alone, but he has given us the earth and put us in charge.” (TPT) In order to see His Kingdom come and His will be done—including the Church awakened, the gospel spread wide, the lost saved, and revival released—He has chosen to work in partnership with us, not independently of us. He’s chosen us to be His link to authority and activity on the earth!

Throughout these 40 days, as we set ourselves to pray, we choose Him again and again!

Pray: Father, thank You for choosing to partner with us to release awakening, harvest and healing in the cities and nations of the earth. Sweep over the heart of Your church worldwide until we burn with a resounding “YES!” Yes to Your dream for a Church revived, Your heart for the lost to be saved, and Your desire to do it through us!

Fasting Intensifies the Power of Prayer

“When you pray…. And when you fast…” – Matthew 6:5a, 16

Fasting and prayer is one of the most powerful spiritual combinations on earth. True fasting brings humility and alignment with God. It breaks the power of flesh and demons. It kills unbelief and brings answers to prayer when nothing else works.

It has been well said that prayer is not preparation for the battle – prayer IS the battle. And of all the things we can do to enhance the power and focus of prayer, fasting is doubtless the most potent. This was demonstrated in the life and ministry of Jesus.

“When Jesus went into the wilderness He was already full of the Holy Spirit. But when He came out again after fasting, He returned in the power of the Spirit. It would appear that the potential of the Holy Spirit’s power, which Jesus received at the time of His baptism in Jordan, only came forth into full manifestation after He had completed His fast. Fasting was the final phase of preparation through which He had to pass, before entering into His public ministry… In John 14:12 Jesus says, “…He that believeth on Me, the works that I do shall he do also…” By these words Jesus opens the way for His disciples to follow in the pattern of His own ministry.”* – Derek Prince, Shaping History Through Prayer and Fasting*

Pray: Thank You, Father, for releasing a grace for fasting like never before.As we pass through these 40 days, manifest your strength in our weakness and activate the power of the Holy Spirit within us to do the works that Jesus did and even greater works! Make us catalysts for awakening and revival for the harvest!

Can Dry Bones Live?

Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry. And He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” – Ezekiel 37:2-3

In Ezekiel 37, God uses a graveyard of dry bones to reveal Israel’s spiritually dead condition to the prophet Ezekiel. As the prophet gazed upon the dry bones, the Lord asked him, “Can these bones live?” Ezekiel, not knowing how to respond, simply said, “Oh, Lord God, You know.” (see v. 3) God’s response was to have Ezekiel prophesy to the bones and prophesy to the wind of the Holy Spirit. In the vision the bones came together and the wind—or breath—of God’s Spirit came to them, causing them to live again.

God is challenging you to believe Him for the saving of your city, for genuine revival and a great harvest of souls. His prophetic promise requires a prophetic response. Can the dry bones around you live?

Pray: Father, ignite faith within me to believe for the saving of my city, for genuine revival and for a great harvest of souls. Prophesy: these dry bones can live and receive a revival that results in Resurrection life!

Faith Prepares The Way

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we do not faint. – Galatians 6:9

While looking out over your valley of dry bones, you may find it hard to summon sustaining faith and continue to believe they can all be raised up with Resurrection life.

Abraham and Sarah looked upon their own wrinkled, dry up bodies and laughed at God’s promise for a son. Interestingly, the New Testament states very clearly that it was because of Abraham and Sarah’s “great faith” that God was able to fulfill the promise. This was not a contradiction. Romans 4:20 tells us they “grew strong in their faith.” The seed of God’s Word went into their hearts and caused something to transpire within them. In just three short months, twenty-four years of unbelief was overcome, enabling them—out of great faith—to conceive their son. If God could do this for them, He can do it for you!

What might be mustard-seed sized faith right now, can certainly grow to full measure!

Pray: In Jesus’ Name, we dare to believe for the answer to these prayers and fasting! We will not grow weary in following through to the end of our 40 day fast. Our measure of faith for the harvest grows as we walk with You and talk with You, Jesus.

Nurturing Seeds of Faith

Faith, then, is birthed in a heart that responds to God’s anointed utterance of the Anointed One. – Romans 10:17 TPT

The generation of Israel came out of bondage in Egypt did not receive their inheritance because of their inability to believe (Hebrews 4:1-2). Jesus could not perform miracles in Nazareth because of the unbelief of the people (Mark 6). Unbelief can also cause us to not receive that we have asked for, even though it may be within the scope of God’s will. But faith really does release God’s power.

So how can we cultivate a greater measure of faith? Our faith grows by a revelation of the Word of God as we carefully read and meditate on it. To mediate is simply repetitious thinking on and speaking of God’s Word. Doing this releases Holy Spirit’s power to water the seed of God’s Word and transform it to full fruition. If you need faith for the harvest, faith for someone’s salvation, feed on scriptures and prophetic promises related to that subject. Here’s just a few: (2 Peter 3:9, Isaiah 59:1, Matthew 1:21, 1 Timothy 4:10, Luke 19:10)

Pray: Holy Spirit, as I carefully read and meditate on God’s Word, transform the seed of Your Word from information in the mind to revelation of the heart. Awaken my heart with a fully alive vision, and compelling passion for the harvest!

No More Delay

You know the saying, ‘four months between planting and harvest.’ But I say, wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest. – John 4:35

Scripture says the harvest is ripe, plentiful, and waiting on us to position ourselves as reapers who lovingly bring weary souls to the arms of Jesus. This harvest of souls—a coming to Jesus among your family, friends, neighbors and co-workers—is not for some far off time; it is for now! Tomorrow is not promised. Salvation is for today! (Proverbs 27:1, 2 Corinthians 6:2))

In this year of the mouth, the Lord is calling us to eliminate the vocabulary of delay. What if shifting what you say and how you pray concerning the harvest serves as a catalyst for the salvation of souls all around you? Yes, the uncle you’ve been praying in for decades. The friend you’ve been crying out for And that coworker you’ve ben witnessing to for years.

Pray:Lord, I declare that there is no more delay in my thinking, my speaking or my actions concerning the harvest.Today, I choose to make the shift from one who casually says, “one day they’ll come to Jesus” to one who urgently decrees, “today, they must be saved!”

In A Moment

For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.- 2 Corinthians 6:2

“I very recently saw a loved one who I have been praying for many years, give their life to Jesus in a MOMENT. Though it looked completely impossible the day before, it was turned around in one single MOMENT. Years and years of prayer, years and years of crying out on their behalf was answered in ONE MOMENT. It sent shock waves through my entire family, so much so, that others within my family, who were previously closed to Jesus, are now open to Him.” – Christy John

The things that impact our lives often happen in a moment. They surprise us yet have the power to shift the trajectory of our lives. What about salvation for your family? I know you’ve been praying for them for so long, but what if this was the moment that God breathes on your prayers and causes your unsaved family members to experience a moment that becomes an eternity out of hell and into heaven with Him? Isn’t that worth all you’re giving to fast and to pray?

Pray:Father, help me to see the divine moments You have ordained for those I love. I know that in a moment you can save my family members, so let me be a participant in those holy moments of encounter with the Lover of their souls.

Moments With God

“Here’s what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.” Matthew 6:6 MSG

Friend, as you fast and pray, make sure you’re not filling intimate space with excessive noise and distractions. Jesus said, “When you pray, go into your closet and close the door.” Find your prayer place and shut out the noise so you can truly meet with Him. Your sacred space can be anyplace!

Susanna Wesley, mother of revivalists John and Charles Wesley, had 19 children. While in the living room, with children reading or playing all around her, she experienced powerful moments in God’s presence by simply pulling her long apron up over her head and focusing her attention on Him.

Pray: Father, I want to discover new depths of intimacy with You. Whether in a car, at the office or by the kitchen sink, help me find our secret place. That place is the fountain of grace for these 40 days. Thank You for drawing me into moments of encounter with you so I can create encounters with You for others.

Hearing His Heart

“The almighty could intimidate us with His outside voice, but he woos us with His whisper.” – Mark Batterson, Whisper

“And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper.” – 1 Kings 19:12

Isn’t it interesting that even before Jesus fasted, the Holy Spirit came upon Him as a dove and the voice He heard was more like a whisper saying, “You are My beloved Son, with You I am well pleased.” Regardless of what kind of fast you’re doing, or if you’ve already messed up and need a restart, the Father was pleased with you before you began. His heart was filled with joy the moment your face turned toward Him.

Face to face and at a whisper are the most intimate ways of communication. In fact, to hear a whisper you have to draw near to the breath of the whisperer. Secrets are shared in that special place. His gentle whisper carries names and destinies.

Pray: Father, thank You for wooing me with Your whisper and washing me with Your words of love. Let me hear Your heart cry for the lost and give me visions and dreams about their destiny. Awaken the God-whispers within me for drawing them back to you.

Hearing His Heart

Fasting is not a tool for gaining discipline or piety. Instead, fasting is the…act of ridding ourselves of fullness to attune our senses to the mysteries that swirl in and around us. Sometimes God shows up. Sometimes He feeds us. And every now and then, He throws His wild glory before us like burning constellations.” – Dan Allendar

“Moses said, “Please show me your glory!”, and He said, “I will make my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you My name The Lord…” – Exodus 33:18

Have you ever had a face-to-face encounter with Jesus? Have you seen His “shekinah glory”? In fasting, God takes the dimness of our soul away so that heaven becomes more. real. His wrap-around presence becomes tangible, supernatural activity is discerned, and we experience an ecstasy that births deep hunger for Him.

In ridding our souls of fullness, we are being attuned to the mysteries that swirl around us. The realm of dreams opens and the whispers of God become more like a roar. In those dreams we have glimpses of eternity. Keep fasting, let the veil of your soul become so thin it’s almost like you can reach out your hand and taste of the goodness of God like Moses did on his 40-day fast.

Pray: Lord, show me Your glory! Make my life a landing strip for revelation. Unveil things my natural eyes cannot see. I ask for dreams, visions and personal encounters with You. I want to see you more clearly, and hear You more clearly, so others can see and experience Your glory though me.

Victory Over Temptation

“But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” Matthew 17:21

Many would think that when Jesus was driven into the wilderness to fast 40 days, the weakness of the fast would make Him more susceptible to Satan’s temptations. In actuality, the weakness of the fast subdued the power of His flesh so He could overcome. Jesus was driven by the Spirit into the fact, not as a weak being, but as the dread champion Son of God! God was picking a fight with the Devil through His own Beloved Son. After having gained internal victory over temptation, Jesus went forth in the power of the Spirit with external victory over demons, sickness, disease, and mental illness.

In fasting, we find a greater power to subject the fleshly desires that seek to doming our soul. Our spirit man is strengthened, and carnal desires are subjugated to Christ within me. This is great news! Jesus said, “This kind (demonic oppression) comes out only by prayer and fasting.” Addictions, sin cycles and curses can be broken in these seasons of self-denial. Believe for breakthroughs in your personal lives! Jesus is fighting for you with great love in the midst of your own fasting experience!

Pray: Jesus, I pray that out of this worldwide fast, a mass deliverance anoint would be unleashed! Lord, break addictions and cycles of sin in my own life. Deliver me from temptation and release internal victory for external authority over the future of my life and personal journey. Thank you, Lord, for my personal breakthroughs in this fast.

Finding Your Fire

“He was a burning and shining lamp and you enjoyed his light for a little while.” – John 5:35

“Millions don’t defy God consciously; they default to cake and television. Except for the periodic rush of sex and sport and cinema, life yawns. There is no passion for significance. For many, no passion at all.” – John Piper

Jesus described John the Baptist as a bright and shining lamp. Where did John get his passion? It began with a prophecy given to Isaiah was a young boy. “A voice crying out in the wilderness, prepare the way of the Lord.” Can you imagine while reading Isaiah 40 one day, John would find his name written in the book? What a fire must have been lit inside of him! You may not have a roar like that of John had, or an archangel prophecy, but the little whisper spoken to you, if followed after, can light a fire beyond what you can dream or imagine.

John knew he would be the voice of Isaiah 40, but he had to follow its pathway into the wilderness of fasting. It was in the years of fasting and separating himself that the passion would increasingly burn within him until revival fire broke out in Israel. Passion is not imparted, it is forged through tests, separations, hiddenness, prayer, and fasting. Jesus said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your mind, all your soul, and all your strength.” That doesn’t leave a whole lot of room for the desire of other things. Passion is forged in the deserts of fasting, not in the desserts of feasting.

Jim Elliot the great Martyr to the Auca Indians made this his prayer: “He makes his ministers a flame of fire. Am I ignitable? God deliver me from the dread asbestos of ‘other things.’ Saturate me with the oil of the Spirit that I may be a flame.”

Pray: Father, out of this fast I pray that men and women would hear their name being called and their response would set them on a course toward their destiny. In this fast burn away all competing voices and desires until their small flame becomes a raging fire that cannot be quenched and fires of revival break out everywhere. Do this first in me. Help me find my fire and set souls ablaze as they watch me burn for the glory of Your Name.

Don’t Grow Weary

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” – Galatians 6:9

The harvest is indeed RIPE. So do not grow weary in well doing. Don’t allow the enemy to convince you that your prayers aren’t working. Your prayers are hindering and tying his hands, keeping him from moving, and releasing angels on assignment to bring fulfillment to the prayers you have long been praying.

So keep praying. Keep declaring the end from the beginning. Keep prophesying whom you see others to be in Christ. Keep thanking the Father for both their salvation and their destiny in Him. Your loved ones will play a pivotal role in the end-time harvest in days to come. Just like the woman at the well who led her whole city to Jesus, and the nail technician who is now sharing Jesus with her clients, you are going to see your loved ones turn into WITNESSES who will break the chains of others who’ve been bound. If you don’t give up praying and fasting, you’ll reap a harvest of souls!

Pray: Lord, help me to not get so caught up in the work of preparation for the harvest that I fail to see the abundance of ripe fruit just waiting to be harvested all around me. Infuse me with new strength and vigor to be a faithful harvester for your Kingdom.

Bread From Heaven

“But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ” – Matthew 4:4

In this passage, Jesus quotes from the book of Deuteronomy where Israel wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. God sought to train His people that Manna from heaven is far more satisfying than the sweet bread of the earth. What a generation failed in for 40 years, Jesus fulfilled in His 40 day fast. A 40 day fast can feed you with bread from heaven to shorten the span of testing in your life and break the cycle of temptation and failure.

Focusing on God’s promises concerning the harvest will carry you through this fast as visions of you and I —the joy and prize set before Him—carried Jesus; enabling Him to endure the cross; enabling us to endure this fast.

The Psalmist said, one word from God is sweeter than honey! (Psalm 119:103). So feast on the Word of God today and every day of your fast. Review prophetic words released about the harvest. Meditate on what you read. Let Holy Spirit satisfy your hunger with the truth of God’s Word. Fasting is not only abstaining from food; it’s feasting on God and His word! Jesus is living bread!

Pray: Father, I invite Your Spirit of wisdom and revelation to rest upon Your Church and draw us into spending more time ingesting Your Word. Holy Spirit, help us seek and find Your words of life! Loose dreams and visions of the harvest to keep us moving forward through this fast. Let my hunger be satisfied with Your words of truth.

The Harvest Is Here

“Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest.” – John 4:35

“In this hour of global fear, the Lord is inviting His harvesters to lift our eyes above the panic and confusion to see the true urgency of the hour. The fields are ripe for the harvest! Hungry hearts are crying out for help, for solace, for solutions! God promised that you —the one in whom Jesus the Anointed One lives—are to be the answer to their plea!

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,

Because He has anointed Me

To preach the gospel to the poor;

He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,

To proclaim liberty to the captives

And recovery of sight to the blind,

To set at liberty those who are oppressed;

To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” – Luke 4:18-19

Pray: Father, ignite a holy urgency within me for the harvest. Awaken me to the reality of their eternity spent in heaven or hell. Cause me to be uncomfortable with the ordinary and to hunger for the harvest fields. Loose the anointing of Luke 4:18-19 upon the earth!

The Protection in Purim

“And the king said, “Who is in the court?…and the king’s young men told him, Haman is there standing in the court”…so they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai.” – Esther 6:4, 5, 10

In the month of March, we observe Purim, a Jewish holiday that commemorates the saving of the Jewish people from Haman, who was planning to kill all the Jews. Haman released a genocidal decree that would annihilate the Jewish population around the world.

Throughout history, many death decrees have been released over nations. Today we’re faced with global reports of a virus threatening to take life in all forms—physical health, mental health, emotional stability, and the freedom to gather together. However, for us that love Him, the Lord’s promised to turn around for our good, all the enemy’s meant for evil. (VERSE) Take hold of this promise today! It’s time for the Esther intercessory movement to arise and step into the court of heaven to overturn demonic decrees!

For the next three days, we are entering into fervent prayer and fasting like Esther, to decree life, strength and the victory of Jesus for the church at home and worldwide. Alongside practical wisdom, we must deploy spiritual weapons to fight and win this spiritual battle.

Hell never would’ve crucified Jesus had it known of the victory made available to us through His death and resurrection. The enemy also thought using this virus to shut down corporate gatherings and community life would quench the effectiveness of the church Decree it’s tim

Pray: Lord, show me Your glory! Make my life a landing strip for revelation. Unveil things my natural eyes cannot see. I ask for dreams, visions and personal encounters with You. I want to see you more clearly, and hear You more clearly, so others can see and experience Your glory though me.

Faithful To His Promises

“God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?” – Numbers 23:19

Focusing on God’s promises concerning the harvest will carry you through this fast. According to promises of Scripture and prophetic promises released through many prophets, 2020 has been marked by Holy Spirit as an era of stadium Christianity and explosive advance of the Kingdom through fasting, prayer, missions and evangelism.

It has become the conviction of many Christian leaders that this global storm has been stirred up to hinder the surge of the Church’s mighty assault on the global gates of Hades. When Jesus and His disciples were going over the Sea of Galilee to deliver the Gerasene demoniac in Mark 4, a demonic storm was stirred up to stop Jesus’ mission. A panic took hold of the disciples when Jesus expected them to use their authority with mighty faith and rebuke that storm! Jesus said to His disciples, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith” (Mark 4:40)? Then He spoke to the storm, “Peace! Be still!” and the storm obeyed.

In this Purim season, consider that when faced with the threat of death coming to the Jewish people, Mordecai sent this message to Queen Esther: “Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king’s palace any more than all the other Jews. For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” – Esther 4:13-14

Pray: Father, just as Esther fasted, prayed and boldly presented herself before the King to petition on behalf of her people, in this prophetic year of the mouth, I will not remain silent. This plague presents a clarion call and opportunity for all to return You in repentance, and seek Your mercy. I accept your call to contend through prayer for the promises of God for this generation. I will take my place at Your right hand and rule in the midst of my enemies! In Jesus’ Name, I say to this storm: “Peace! Be Still!” Let the storm abate, let churches and stadiums be filled, and let 2020 go down in history as the year of the great advance of evangelism, missions and harvest worldwide!

The Promise Of An Outpouring

“When there is no hope for a nation, when there is no remedy, God has a holy prescription.” – Lou Engle

”Blow the trumpet in Zion. Consecrate a fast, call a sacred assembly, gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders… Let them say, “Spare Your people, O Lord.” … Be glad you children of Zion, for He has given you the former rain faithfully, and He will cause the rain to come down for you, the former rain and the latter rain. And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions.” – Joel 2:12-28

The first chapter of Joel depicts a scene of a devastating plague, leading to economic collapse and agricultural devastation. Fortunately, Joel gives a prescription for the extreme national crisis and the removal of the plague: a mass turning to the Lord in humility, united fasting, and prayer. “Now, therefore,” says the Lord, “Turn to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.” – Joel 2:12

In the midst of the devastation being caused by the coronavirus plague, let’s lay hold of Joel’s prescription and in humble repentance, confess and forsake our sins and the sins of our nation. In response, the Lord promises to release a great outpouring of His Spirit and send the rains of revival. He promised great harvest!

Pray:Father, I choose to draw near and consecrate myself to You once again. I confess and repent for my sins and the sins of my nation (take a few moments to be specific on these two points). Release mercy, healing and the promised outpouring of Your Spirit. In this time of great shaking, prepare us and send us out to reach the world that is ripe for the gospel.

Nothing Is Impossible For God

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long- suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9)

“Prayer will reach down, down, down into the deepest depths of sin and ruin and take hold of men and women who seem lost beyond all possibility or hope or redemption, and lift them up, up, up until they are fit for a place beside the Son of God upon the throne.” – R. A. Torrey, “The Place of Prayer in Evangelism”

Sometimes we are tempted to believe that some people will never respond and, during these times, we fail to prevail in our praying. We have been given a promise from God to pray back to Him when these times come. The words are in Mark 10:27.

The rich young ruler had rejected Christ in exchange for his wealth. Jesus then makes the statement that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to be saved. His disciples asked, “Who then can be saved?” That is when Jesus gives the promise: “With God all things are possible” (Matt. 19:26). You are to prevail in your praying for the lost realizing that no one is beyond the reach of God.

Pray: Father, I’m so grateful that Your heart’s desire is that all people be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Tim 2:4) In accordance with Your word and Your will, I confidently bring before you those seemingly impossible cases now (name them) and ask that You arrest their hearts with the power of Your love. Give me the grace to pray without ceasing until I see them saved.

Hearts Receptive to Heaven

“Other seed fell into the good soil, and grew up, and produced a crop a hundred times as great.” – Luke 8:8

“your prayers have ascended as a memorial before God…your prayers have been heard” – Acts 10:4, 31

Kanye West. Justin Bieber. People have prayed them into the Kingdom and many more people will enter Heaven because of your intercession! This is part of your destiny and inheritance as a Christian. In Acts 10, an angel visited a man named Cornelius and said, “your prayers have ascended as a memorial before God…your prayers have been heard” (v. 4, 31). This man’s prayers resulted in salvation taking place for the first time in the Gentile (non-Jewish) world. The Holy Spirit fell upon them causing a glorious meeting between God and people, all because God heard one man’s prayers. Prayer is the key to salvation. However, it is not our prayers in and of themselves that bring a person to salvation, but rather, heaven’s response to our prayers through the work of the Holy Spirit. Only He can perform the necessary work of preparation within an individual’s heart so that they’re made ready to receive Jesus’ gift of salvation. As the birthing agent of the Godhead, Holy Spirit broods over and brings forth the church. We must pray persistently for Holy Spirit to be released over hearts and make them receptive to the life-changing Word of God.

Pray: Father, release Your Holy Spirit to hover over the unsaved and soften the soil of their hearts. Let the seeds of Your Word spoken over them take root and bear the fruit of repentance unto salvation. Prepare my heart as well, to rightly receive and respond to heaven’s promptings toward prayer for the lost. Let my intercession rise before You and cause salvation to come forth. Pour out Your Spirit on all flesh, that they might be saved!

Lifted Veils, Open Eyes, Open Ears

The apostle Paul said a part of his mission to the lost was “to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of satan to God.“ Acts 26:18.

In 2 Corinthians 4:3-4, Paul said, “And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”

Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David. (Isaiah 55:3)

Scripture tells us there’s a veil or covering the minds of unbelievers, keeping them from rightly seeing and understanding God and the spiritual realm (2 Cor 4:3, 1 Cor 2:1). Therefore, apart from a supernatural revelation, they cannot perceive and receive things concerning God.

According to biblical definitions, revelation is a “lifting of the veil” or an uncovering. We must pray that the eyes of unsaved people will be opened (revelation) in order that they may see Christ and His gospel clearly. This must be more than an intellectual grasping, but rather an understanding that penetrates the hearts. Only then will a person have true Biblical faith that is of the heart, not just the mind.

Romans 10:8-10 describes this revelation and the transforming faith it produces. “But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.”changing Word of God.

Pray:Father, we ask You to lift the veil up off the minds of those who’ve been blinded by satan. Open eyes to see the love and hope found in You only. Holy Spirit of Truth, release revelation of Jesus and His gospel for hearts’ eyes to see clearly. Open the ears of the unsaved too, that they’d hear Your loving voice and draw near, so their souls would live in an everlasting covenant and steadfast love relationship with You.

God’s Attitude Toward Sin

“Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived…” (1 Corinthians 6:9a)

“And when he comes, he will expose sin and prove that the world is wrong about God’s righteousness and his judgments.” (John 16:8).

We are living in the days of Judges 17:6 where, “Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.” Many are deceived into thinking morality is “relative” and they don’t understand the seriousness of sin or God’s judgment.

To receive Jesus’ free gift of salvation, one must admit they’re a sinner who will face judgment and are in need of the righteousness of Jesus. Quite simply, they’re in need of a king—The King—to protect them from harm and direct them in the way of abundant living.

God’s searching for one who will stand in the gap interceding for the lost to be spared from the destruction a life of sin brings (Eze 22:30). Warring and weeping, let Him find you there. A powerful partnership with Holy Spirit is available to you in this; it’s His role to convict and convince of sin. Now is the day salvation. Now’s the time to respond to God’s grace. Let’s pray the harvest in!

Pray:Father, release Your Holy Spirit to convict the lost of the seriousness of sin and convince them of their need for a Savior. Awaken this generation to Your hatred toward the bondage of sin and Your heart’s desire for their freedom. In the midst of this crisis, release a baptism of repentance so many turn and are saved from an eternity without You. Give them God’s attitude toward sin, in Jesus’ Name.

Release To The Captives

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives, And recovery of sight to the blind, To set free those who are oppressed,” – Luke 4:18

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).

When unsaved people hear the Gospel, before they even have time to think or reason about what they’re hearing, it’s filtered through the subconscious or memory where all other information is stored. Trauma, rejection and all kinds of painful experiences wrongly shape their perceptions, causing the message heard to actually be distorted. This means that the unsaved don’t just hear what we’re saying, they hear what we communicate plus what they already believe. (2 Tim 2:25-26)

Prayer for the unsaved is warfare. Satan will go to any extent to keep a person deceived and bound to his dark kingdom. Prayer for a lost individual tears down the veil of distorted perceptions, destroying strongholds of the heart and mind. A stronghold is any place of strong enemy influence within an unbeliever, from which satan can hold on to them, making them prisoners, captives, slaves. However, Jesus The Anointed One—who now lives within you and me—declared that the Spirit of the Lord was upon Him to set the captives free!

Pray: We rise up today in the anointing and authority of Jesus, The Deliverer, to release prisoners and set the captives free! We send the truth of God’s Word to tear down and overcome contradicting belief systems, philosophies, logic and pride among the lost. Grant them repentance. Thank You, Jesus, that Your salvation also heals and delivers from all trauma, callouses and heart pain that create and sustain false logic. Let prisoners of darkness turn to the fortress of God’s love as prisoners of hope, joy and peace! (Zech 9:12)

True Transformation

”I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable, and perfect will of God.” – Romans 12:1-2

“And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” – 2 Corinthians 3:18

The moment someone surrenders their life to Jesus, they are fully saved. They’ve been rescued from the kingdom of darkness and transferred into God’s Kingdom of light. The work of salvation, however, doesn’t end there. Every believer is saved and is continually being saved, healed, delivered, and transformed into the image of Jesus. God’s Kingdom is one of ever-increasing glory. Through the transforming work of the Holy Spirit and the renewal that comes as we wash ourselves in the Word of God, we become more and more like Him.

Let’s not just pray for radical salvation, let’s also pray for radical transformation!

Pray: Father, we pray that the lost who are saved would experience genuine and radical transformation through Jesus. We pray ungodly soul ties are swiftly undone, addictions suddenly cease and minds are fully renewed and aligned with Your Truth. May all that belongs to their earthly nature be put to death and may the life of Christ arise (Col 3:5, Gal 5:22-23). Holy Spirit, draw them into a life union with Jesus, The Vine, so they may bear long lasting spiritual fruit. Release a new Jesus Movement on the earth!—A generation no longer conformed to this world but who reflect the image and glory of Jesus!

Bearing God’s Burdens

“I do not mean to say that is is essential to have this great distress in order to have the spirit of prayer. But this deep, continual, earnest desire for the salvation of sinner is what constitutes the spirit of prayer for revival.” – Charles Finney

“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)

“For Christ’s love compels us…” (2 Corinthians 5:14a)

When Nehemiah heard of the horrible spiritual condition of his nation, Israel, he “sat down and wept and mourned for days” (Neh 1:4). Ezra did as well, “weeping and prostrating himself before the house of God.” And others “wept bitterly” with Ezra (Ezra 10:1). Both situations resulted in breakthroughs. There are times when only God’s passionate heart, released through us, will produce the needed results.

We must allow ourselves to receive the burdens of the Lord. We must let His heart for people become our own, so much so that when we pray, it is really Him praying through us. Christ has given us the ministry of reconciliation, to work together with Him to draw the hearts of people back to Him (2 Cor 5:18-20, 6:1)

Let’s give ourselves for this labor of love, offering up our spiritual womb for the birthing of many saved souls.

Pray: Father, I repent for being lukewarm in my approach to lost souls. I choose to accept your heartache for them. Give me this heartbreaking burden. Let me be compelled by Your love to labor in intercession for their sake, refusing to allow Satan to steak, kill and destroy them any longer. Release the power of Your Holy Spirit to hover over me and cause my tears sown in prayer become seeds that produce a harvest of souls.

Breakthrough For Your Family

“Moses said, “We will go with our young and our old, our sons and our daughters, and our flocks and cattle.” (Exodus 10:9)

“…do not be afraid of them; remember the Lord who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses.” (Nehemiah 4:14)

“But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” (1 Timothy 5:8

Throughout these forty days of fasting and prayer, we are believing for a move of God, praying for the harvest, and contending for an outpouring of His Spirit, but what about our unsaved family members still in slavery?

Last month, Pastor Becky preached a sermon titled “Not Without My Children!” She recounted the story of Moses and Israelites’ exodus from slavery in Egypt. After fleeing from Egypt as a young man and spending 40 years living safely and freely in the desert, the Lord called Moses to go back to Egypt and deliver his family.

Moses confronted demonic Pharaoh multiple times, demanding he let the Israelites go. But Pharaoh repeatedly dug his heels into the ground, refusing to set them free. Praying for the salvation of our family members is no small thing; it often requires engaging in prolonged spiritual warfare but we must be willing to stay in the fight until we win—until they’ve been set free!

Pray: Father, forgive me for having forgotten or written off family members who still do not know You, when You’ve commanded me to give freely of what I’ve freely received. I choose to bring to my remembrance today my unsaved family members (call them out by name). Remove the veil blinding them to Your goodness and truth. Pour out Your Spirit and awaken them to Your great love. Fully awaken my heart to Your love for them too, and ready my heart to do Your will. Help me rest in the fact that only You can change hearts, You desire to redeem them, and nothing’s impossible for You!

Ekballo Laborers

“And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” – Matthew 9:35-38, ESV

“The number of missionaries on the field depends entirely on the extent to which someone obeys that command (Mt 9:38) and prays out the laborers.” – Andrew Murray

“In this single scripture, we have been entrusted with fuel for global revival. Matthew 9:38 packs enough dynamite to spark a worldwide reformation of evangelism and missions, mobilize tens of thousands of missionaries and reformers and literally bring back the King.” – Lou Engle.

Notice the problem is not the overwhelming harvest. The problem is that there’s not enough workers to reap the harvest. The solution to the problem: a heaven and earth shaking prayer! But why doesn’t the church prioritize this particular kind of prayer? Perhaps we’ve not understood its profound significance.

The Greek word translated “send” in this verse is the word ekballo, which is not a passive word, but rather, an intense thrusting or hurling forth. Ekballo is a violent kind of word. It’s the same word used in Matthew 4 when it says, “the Spirit drove Jesus into the wilderness” to overcome the satan. It’s also the same word used when Jesus said, “If by the finger of God I drive out (ekballo) demons…” the Kingdom comes and the demons have got to go! When Jesus ekballos laborers, the laborers have got to go!

The word for pray is another forceful term—NOT to make petitions or requests—“deomai” in the Greek, means to beg, plead, beseech, make an urgent appeal. Moved with compassion for the masses of people He saw harassed and helpless,Jesus made this heartfelt cry to his disciples, “I command you to beg me to hurl forth laborers into the harvest field!” If the church got a hold of Jesus’ passion behind that plea, we’d be praying day and night for laborers to be thrust into the inner cities, the schools, our government, the marketplace, the unreached people groups, etc.

Now is the time to move beyond a passive response to this command. Let us carry this heavenly assignment with daring diligence and prophetic passion. It is not a suggestion, it’s a command! Let’s take up this prayer and together, shift history!

Pray: Lord of the Harvest, we beg You to hurl forth laborers into the harvest fields across the earth. Move the church worldwide to pray this revolutionary prayer as You, the Master, has commanded. In response to the cry of Your heart, Jesus, we cry out for a mass sending of evangelists, missionaries and reformers to fuel global revival and prepare the way for the return of Jesus The King.

Harvesters Prepared for The Harvest

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.” – 2 Timothy 2:15

‘’For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have full endurance and patience, and joyfully” – Colossians 1:9-11

There’s a reason Paul’s prayer for spiritual boldness in proclaiming the gospel (Ephesians 6:19) followed his treatment of Christian armor and spiritual warfare. Missions work and evangelism is not for the spiritually weak—it requires recognition of the spiritual war we are in and spiritual preparation for the work and war we are sure to face.

Laborers for the harvest field need to be made strong and healthy in their thought life, their emotions and their spiritual walk so they can be victorious in the work entrusted to them God desires to pour out empowering grace through a daily infilling of His Holy Spirit.

Pray: Father, we thank You for every believer on who’s heart there’s a yes to proclaim the gospel to the lost. Awaken our harvesters to the spiritual warfare they’re engaged in, and the spiritual preparation and strength necessary for walking in victory in their personal life and their public ministry. Give them the grace to pray without ceasing, especially praying in the Spirit for the building up their Spirit man. Grow them in grace, discernment and spiritual wisdom to be fully Sprit led. Give them an increased depth of love for Your Presence, Your Word, and the precious people to whom You send them. Holy Spirit, empower Your laborers to daily take up their cross and follow You into a life of submission, resisting the devil and doing the ‘greater works’ for carrying out the full ministry of Jesus the evangelist.

Open Doors of Opportunity

“Be faithful to pray as intercessors who are fully alert and giving thanks to God. 3 And please pray for me, that God will open a door of opportunity for us to preach the revelation of the mystery of Christ, for whose sake I am imprisoned. 4 Pray that I would unfold and reveal fully this mystery, for that is my delightful assignment.” — Colossians 4:2–4 TPT

“because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us” – 1 Thessalonians 2:18

“Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you;” – 2 Thessalonians 3:1

Paul was in prison and under guard at the time he wrote this letter—on the account of the gospel. Yet it did nothing to stop the message from going out; if anything it advanced kingdom work. This is why Paul pauses in the middle of instructions on how to pray (Col 2:4) and asked for prayer himself. Because for his mission to succeed in prison he needed the power of prayer. His task was so great that these were the things he asked of them.

The prayers offered by the church in Colosse proved effective. We learn from the book of Acts that Paul successfully ministered the entire time he was imprisoned in Rome. “For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 28:30-31).

The power of prayer is greater than the forces against it. Prayer unlocks the way for the gospel message to go out unhindered.

Pray: Lord of the harvest, swing wide open the doors for laborers to witness to the lost in every sphere of society. Give us eyes to see the clear pathways to people’s hearts and specific places, and grant us a spirit of obedience to take up every opportunity evangelism that’s set before us (even in this season of quarantine, where we feel a prisoner, like Paul was.) In the powerful name of Jesus, we resist and bind the spiritual forces that would seek to hinder the spread of the gospel. Let Your word spread rapidly and be glorified throughout cities and nations of the earth!

Boldness for the Messengers

“And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel: for which I am an ambassador in bonds; that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak” – Ephesians 6:19-20

“And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness. – Acts 4:29-31

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” – 2 Timothy 1:7

Boldness, in the biblical sense, is not a personality trait. A typically soft-spoken, introverted, calm person can be bold. Boldness is acting, by the power of the Holy Spirit, on an urgent conviction in the face of some threat. If we’re missing Spirit-empowered conviction, the courage to face opposition, or a sense of urgency concerning what we have to say, then we won’t act boldly. Those God desires to raise up as messengers of the gospel cannot be halfhearted, fearful or indifferent concerning the Good News of the Kingdom. May passionate conviction rise within us and unshakeable courage be our aim.

Pray:Lord, grant boldness to Your messengers, to speak Your Word in the face of intimidating circumstances. I pray even the most introverted and “quiet” Christian would find courage in seeing how You see them and confidently witnessing with passion and conviction. May Your messengers abide in the secret place of Your presence and emerge empowered with supernatural ability and filled with Holy Spirit inspired speech. Grant us wisdom for effectively communicating Your truth and compassion for revealing Your loving heart to a hurting world. I boldly declare, I will not give in to debilitating fear! Give me a united heart to fear Your name.

Creative Strategies and Kingdom Partnerships

“He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers—all of them skilled workers and designers.” – Exodus 35:35.

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” — John 15:5

“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you… because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now… I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.” – Philippians 1:3-4.

“The problems of the world cannot possibly be solved by skeptics or cynics whose horizons are limited by the obvious realities. We need men and women who can dream of things that never were.” – John F. Kennedy

Jesus was the Greatest Dreamer of dreams. When He said, “preach the gospel to every creature” it wasn’t merely a generic wish, it was the Dreamer’s command! Jesus fully expects that every person would have the gospel preached to them. We cannot take casually the commands of Christ. We must dream with Jesus and find a way!

As the world changes, attention spans decrease, communication becomes more visual, and restrictions are set in place for bringing the gospel message into certain places, missionaries and evangelists are finding it necessary to employ creative strategies for reaching the lost. These creative strategies often require strategic Kingdom partnerships with churches, businesses and organizations that provide resources to help raise support, grow their ministry, communicate creatively, and establish a presence and effective ministry where restrictions are present.

Pray: We thank You, Lord, for making a way to release Your message of salvation to every person in the face of every restriction and limitation. Holy Spirit, help our harvesters always look to You as their source for creative solutions for carrying out this Kingdom call to share the message of salvation. Give them eyes to see the strategic Kingdom partnerships that will result in multiplied power for the work of missions and evangelism. Let divine creativity and Kingdom partnerships open doors to life-changing encounters with the lost in every sphere. May Your Word go forth swiftly! May Your dream for every creature mobilize men and women across the globe, for You are worthy of it all!

Power Evangelism

“Now many signs and wonders were done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon’s Portico. None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high honor. And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women, so that they even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and pallets, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them. The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.” – Acts 5:12-16

“Therefore they spent a long time there, speaking boldly with reliance upon the Lord, who was testifying to the word of His grace, granting that signs and wonders be done by their hands.” – Acts 14:3

“Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give.” Matthew 10:8

“But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an ungifted man enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all; the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so he will fall on his face and worship God, declaring that God is certainly among you.” – 1 Corinthians 14:24-25

The Acts 5 passage cited above establishes a clear connection between signs and wonders done by the apostles and multitudes being added to the Kingdom. This is not an isolated instance but a pattern. At least 17 times in the book of Acts, a miracle helps lead to conversions. The miracle of Pentecost lead to 3,000 converts and the miracle of the lame man in Acts 3:6 lead to 2,000 converts (Acts 4:4). Acts 9 presents two of the clearest examples. Peter heals Aeneas and Luke says, “And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.” Peter raises Tabitha from the dead, and Luke says, “It became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.”

The Church must earnestly pray for and seek after signs and wonders. They are divine witnesses to the value and truth and necessity and centrality of the Word. When the Church fully demonstrates the ministry of Jesus—to heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons—people come to a saving faith in Jesus Christ.

Pray: Father, we repent for presenting a weak gospel, void of the full presentation of the ministry of Jesus. For too long, we’ve relied upon our own abilities in our witnessing but today we surrender to Your supernatural, limitless ability to save, heal and set the captive free. Confirm Your Word through us by manifesting signs and wonders among the people we evangelize to. Holy Spirit, release faith and boldness, stretching forth Your mighty hand to help us to boldly preach, prophesy, heal, deliver, and work miracles on our evangelism! We will preach the gospel not just with words but also with power and multitudes will come into the Kingdom!

Protection and Provision

”I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one.” – John 17:15.

“‘For I,’ declares the LORD, ‘will be a wall of fire around her, and I will be the glory in her midst.'” – Zechariah 2:5

“Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.” – Psalm 126:5-6

“Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” – Isaiah 40:3

The life of a full-time evangelist or missionary is not for the faint of heart. Whether for short or long stretches of time, they often leave their homes, families, and everything they know for one purpose: to share God’s message of hope and love with the world. The enemy wants nothing more than to stop the spread of the gospel and keep souls from being saved from his kingdom of darkness and added to Christ’s Kingdom of light. Missionaries and evangelists are targeted by the enemy in many ways because if he can weaken and discourage laborers, he can keep them from effectively and continually working in the harvest fields. Boldly walking into some of the darkest environments on the earth—be it the bush in Africa, inner-city schoolrooms, the halls of government or hospital wards—they confront intense spiritual and physical oppression. We must pray for their protection spiritually, mentally and physically as they preach the gospel and share their faith.

Pray: Father, we thank You for the missionaries and evangelists You’ve thrust forth into every sphere of society. Holy Spirit, hover over them, let them feel Your wrap-around presence, and guard their hearts and minds with peace. Give them eyes to see that their labors of love have not been in vain and release strength, greater faith, and a fresh resolve to persevere. Restore to them the joy of every salvation they’ve witnessed and the many more salvations they’ve yet to see. Set them ablaze with an unquenchable fire for evangelism. Make them burning, shinning lamps lifting darkness and oppression, and making way for Your saving grace.

Courage To Say Yes

”I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one.” – John 17:15

“As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, “Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them” (Acts 13:1-3).

Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease… But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. (Matthew 9:38, 10:1, 6-8)

Jesus instructed the disciples to pray for laborers in Matthew 9:38. In the next verses that follow, the disciples are called and sent out as an answer to their very own prayer. Today, Jesus is looking for those who will not just pray for laborers, but will become co-laborers to help build His Kingdom on earth.

We can fast earnestly and pray boldly—even outrageously—knowing that nothing is too big for God. But will we also stop at nothing to reach those who don’t know Jesus?

Yes, you can be used to transform lives. Yes, you can be courageous through the strength and power of the Holy Spirit. And yes, the Lord has a perfect plan and purpose for you. The Lord has a perfect plan and purpose for each of us and He is simply looking for our surrender so He can fling wide the doors to exciting adventures with Him, whatever sphere(s) of society you’re called to.

Pray: Father, grant me the courage to be the answer to my very own prayers. As I pray for laborers to be sent into the harvest field, may there be a fresh, fiery yes on my heart in response to Your command to preach the gospel and teach others how to faithfully follow You. Holy Spirit, help me to remember that Your presence is always with me and available to help me run the race well. I choose to stand against fear and put my faith in You—my great Equipper and Enabler. Lord of the harvest, thrust me forth into the harvest field. Use me for Your glory to help write Your salvation story for many souls. I want to love You with all my heart, soul, mind and strength. I commit to faithfully fast, pray and seek Your will for what I should do. Jesus, I surrender my everything to You!

Maturity and Manifestation

“…building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.” – Ephesians 4:1

“For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God.” – Romans 8:19

“You are to imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.” – 1 Corinthians 11:1

The ministry of evangelism for bringing in the harvest is not complete with out the work of the church to disciple and help mature the harvest in the truth of Word and the full stature of Christ. In praying for the harvest, we must also pray for the preparation of the holding place for the harvest—the Church—both individual believers and the corporate church. I call it the holding place because the harvest is made up of once lost sheep who’ve been rescued by The Great Shepherd, Jesus. The church is the sheepfold; the designated holding place for those sheep to be nurtured and trained to faithfully follow the voice of their Shepherd. The holding place must me healthy in order to rightly receive and retain the precious sheep from wandering back into the wilderness.

We, the Church, believe the harvest is here! But are we ready to receive them? When people visit our church or encounter us in the local grocery store, do they find a place where ministering to Jesus is our priority and where the ministry of Jesus is manifested among us? Through all we say and all we do, are we revering and revealing Jesus? When our hearts are fully turned towards God and our lives fully demonstrate the love and power of Jesus, others will be motivated to fully give their lives to Him too.

Pray: Father, we thank You for choosing us to represent Your Son, Jesus, on the earth. Empower us to mature into and manifest the image of Jesus. Holy Spirit, help us grow in our knowledge of the Son of God, causing the Word to come alive to us. Reveal Jesus to us more and more so we can reveal His beauty, love and power to this hurting world. Grace us with diligence and discipline for spiritual growth and maturity, increasing our discernment, fruit of the Spirit, and operation of Spiritual gifts among us. Help us to live in unity and show we are Christians by our love. Let us be full of Christ and overflow—that everyone who encounters us would experience an encounter with You. We want to invite others to imitate us, as we imitate Christ. We choose to behold Your beauty, Jesus, and become more like You. Today, we fix out gaze on Your fiery eyes of love, so we can be changed. Release a great revealing of the sons and daughters of God on the earth!

Equipping and Empowerment

Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. – Matthew 9:35

“And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease.” – Matthew 10:1

Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone,in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. – Ephesians 2:19-22

One of the clearest signs of revival rising is the growing recognition that the Gospel Jesus preached was not primarily a gospel of salvation but rather, a gospel of the Kingdom of God. The lost are to be saved unto becoming Kingdom citizens empowered with the Holy Spirit to partner with Christ in extending His Kingdom into every sphere of society. Adopting a five-fold ministry model is key to fulfilling this mandate and ensuring that all believers are equipped and empowered to operate in the gifts of the Spirit and in the authority and ministry of Jesus—while making disciples who do the same. May the harvest find a church that’s not full of talk, but full of genuine love and power!

Divinely inspired strategies and new wine structures are necessary to help us focus not so much on buildings and programs, but on building up people. Our church leaders need wisdom, revelation, creative strategy and resource to establish the structures necessary to hold the harvest in and train them to become harvesters themselves.

Pray: Father, I’m grateful for the paradigm shift happening within the Church at this time, allowing the five-fold ministry of Jesus to be established among us so each Kingdom citizen is rightly fitted into place. Thank You for raising up many leaders who know their authority in Christ and operate in the gifts with the power and anointing of the Holy Spirit. Release fresh vision and passion for discipleship. We desire to follow Your example, Jesus, and raise up men and women who turn the world upside down for the sake of Your Kingdom and the glory of Your Name!

New Wine Strategy and Structure

“And who would pour fresh, new wine into an old wineskin? Eventually the wine will ferment and make the wineskin burst, losing everything—the wine is spilled and the wineskin ruined. Instead, new wine is always poured into a new wineskin so that both are preserved.” – Matthew 9:17

“He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth.” – Ephesians 1:9-10

“According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it.” – 1 Corinthians 3:10

Leaders being equipped and empowered to receive the harvest need a firm foundation and solid structure for discipling the harvest of souls. The pastoral impulse is to gather, care and keep, but Jesus also died to make us priests and kings. We need a massive paradigm shift where we move from pastoral orientation to a more apostolic orientation. Our churches are not just to be a place of belonging to get needs met, but a place of becoming more like Jesus for producing real Kingdom impact.

Divinely inspired strategies and new wine structures are necessary to help us focus not so much on buildings and programs, but on building up people. Our church leaders need wisdom, revelation, creative strategy and resource to establish the structures necessary to hold the harvest in and train them to become harvesters themselves.

Pray: Jesus, You are the Master Builder and Chief Cornerstone upon which we want to build our Churches. Thank You for calling us into this co-laboring relationship with You for building infrastructure perfectly suitable for hosting the transformation of saved souls unto the full manifestation of Jesus Christ in them. Give us eyes to see the fresh blueprint You’ve set before us, and give us the humility of heart to lay down the old so we can lay hold of the new. May the Church shift into the five-fold fullness of Jesus’ ministry for establishing new wine systems and structures for effective discipleship. We receive from You wisdom, revelation, creative strategy, and all the resource necessary to establish new pathways for pouring into the rising generation.

Running Into the Ripened Fields of Harvest

“Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”” – Matthew 9:37-38

We end today’s 40-day fasting and prayer journey with the same core scripture we started with. The past 40 days were meant to cultivate a heart of compassion for the harvest, along with vision and strategy for reaching them and restoring them to their purpose and destiny in God. This is your watershed moment that will affect the rest of your life, your world, and the world around you. You can purpose within your heart to never go back to living without an awareness or care for the lost, but rise as loving laborers to the harvest fields of the lost.

The coronavirus has ripened the fields of harvest in ways we could not have imagined. Men and women are screaming for hope and help, for a foundation on which to stand. You have the message they need. Even now, tens of thousands are giving their lives to Christ during online church services and web chats. 2020 is becoming the year of the most expansive evangelistic assault on the gates of Hades. You cannot go back to normal. In fact, the world cannot go back to normal. Now, keep the fires of your fast burning brightly by intentionally and purposefully picking up your sickle and joining the tens of thousands who are running headlong into the ripened fields of harvest.

Get practical and activate movement in your prayer life. Reach out with simple acts of kindness to your neighbors. Pray regularly for 5 people who don’t yet know Jesus. Prayer walk your neighborhoods and, when God gives you the release, approach people and ask if they need prayer. Pray for boldness to preach the Word. Pray for open doors. And when they open, throw yourself into them. Friend, let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

Make This Declaration: I refuse to go back to normal! I am not a mere Christian; I am a disciple and a discipler! I am an intercessor for the harvest and a harvester of souls. I will be the answer to my 40 days of fasting prayer. I will go! I will go to my knees in passionate prayer and I will run to the ripened harvest fields too.I am coming out of this prayer fast in the power of the Holy Spirit to bring hope to the poor, healing for the broken, sight to the blind, liberty to the oppressed, and bring many souls into the Kingdom! Let there be a bold and beautiful manifestation of Jesus the Evangelist from within me!