Thousands of people fasting and praying together is setting the stage for God’s miraculous power unlike what we have ever seen before. There is something powerful in the number of people fighting spiritual battles together. In Acts 12, we see an amazing miracle as a result of the church praying together.

In your journey of prayer and fasting, you are realizing more and more just how powerful prayer is. And what’s exciting to think about is how you aren’t the only one fasting and praying during this time – countless others are doing the same thing.

We see in verse 5 says, “But while Peter was in prison, the church prayed very earnestly for him.” And in response to their earnest requests, God not only protected Peter from the coming sentencing, but he exceeded their expectations through a miraculous escape. We see in verses 7-10 that a supernatural prison break took place where an angel led Peter past multiple prison guards, the city gate opened all on its own, and no one could see him as he left.

Verses 12-17 show how even the believers were shocked and unsure it was really Peter when he showed up to the house where they were praying.

All of this is because the church earnestly sought the Lord.

Not only should this encourage you to continue to fight off the physical cravings for greater spiritual breakthrough, but it should also build your expectations and faith because when the church prays, the power is exponential.

So be encouraged that because we are all earnestly seeking the Lord together our prayers are not only being answered, but they are exponentially powerful. God is bringing breakthrough in ways we can’t even imagine.

Scriptures

Acts 12:1-17 (NLT)

About that time King Herod Agrippa began to persecute some believers in the church. He had the apostle James (John’s brother) killed with a sword. When Herod saw how much this pleased the Jewish people, he also arrested Peter. (This took place during the Passover celebration.) Then he imprisoned him, placing him under the guard of four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring Peter out for public trial after the Passover. But while Peter was in prison, the church prayed very earnestly for him.

The night before Peter was to be placed on trial, he was asleep, fastened with two chains between two soldiers. Others stood guard at the prison gate. Suddenly, there was a bright light in the cell, and an angel of the Lord stood before Peter. The angel struck him on the side to awaken him and said, “Quick! Get up!” And the chains fell off his wrists. Then the angel told him, “Get dressed and put on your sandals.” And he did. “Now put on your coat and follow me,” the angel ordered.

So Peter left the cell, following the angel. But all the time he thought it was a vision. He didn’t realize it was actually happening. They passed the first and second guard posts and came to the iron gate leading to the city, and this opened for them all by itself. So they passed through and started walking down the street, and then the angel suddenly left him.

Peter finally came to his senses. “It’s really true!” he said. “The Lord has sent his angel and saved me from Herod and from what the Jewish leaders had planned to do to me!”

When he realized this, he went to the home of Mary, the mother of John Mark, where many were gathered for prayer. He knocked at the door in the gate, and a servant girl named Rhoda came to open it. When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed that, instead of opening the door, she ran back inside and told everyone, “Peter is standing at the door!”

“You’re out of your mind!” they said. When she insisted, they decided, “It must be his angel.”

Meanwhile, Peter continued knocking. When they finally opened the door and saw him, they were amazed. He motioned for them to quiet down and told them how the Lord had led him out of prison. “Tell James and the other brothers what happened,” he said. And then he went to another place.

Over the years, psychologists have studied the power of our words and found that they have a profound effect on the human brain. One study of how encouragement helps athletes’ performance concluded that successful athletic performance is not just based on natural skill and level of training, but on frame of mind. When athletes are motivated with encouraging words, their performance increases for the better.

The truth is, words have great power. Words can either breathe life or death into the soul, build up someone’s spirit or tear it down. They either encourage or discourage – there is no middle ground.

That is why both the words we digest and the words we speak each day are so critical. Reading the Word of God is a way to build yourself up. We are encouraged when we read Scriptures like Isaiah 41:10, “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”

The Apostle Paul emphasizes the importance of encouragement in 1 Thessalonians 5:11, “So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.” One of the amazing results of intentionally encouraging others is how encouraged you become through it!

The reality is that encouragement is not natural; therefore, it must be cultivated. So, what are some ways we can become carriers of courage and build up the hope of those around us?

Smile – Did you know that smiling is contagious? In fact, studies show that smiling increases mood-enhancing hormones while decreasing stress-enhancing hormones. It also reduces blood pressure and releases happy endorphins in your brain. When you smile, it not only changes you, it has a direct impact on those around you and leaves them more encouraged.

Speak Encouragement – People everywhere need encouragement – in your workplace, in your neighborhood, at your sporting events, and even in the church. An encouraging word can literally change the course of a person’s day and even their life!

Many are aware of the close friendship of renowned authors C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. Tolkien was highly influenced by Lewis’s encouragement for him to write “The Lord of the Rings.” The encouraging words of C.S. Lewis spurred Tolkien on toward what has become a literary masterpiece read by millions.

Write it out – Spoken words are powerful, but there is something special about written words – they last forever. A simple card or text message reminds someone that they are valuable and seen can go a long way.

Compliment – Enter your day with the mindset of what you can give rather than what you can get. How can I compliment someone I interact with today? How can I make them feel valued?

To encourage someone is to impart courage to them. Every day we have the opportunity to leave a conversation, a meeting, or an interaction better than we found it, and that happens through our words. Choose to use your words to bring life everywhere you go!

Scriptures

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NLT)

So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.

Proverbs 12:25 (NLT)

Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up.

It’s hard to believe that as you are sitting reading this devotional today, you are on a planet that is spinning at 1,037 miles per hour and moving through space at 1,525 feet per second. Due to the force of the gravitational pull, we don’t feel the movement at all. This physical reality demonstrates a powerful spiritual truth: even when it seems like nothing is happening, things are always moving!

Yesterday we considered the power of our thoughts and words as a weapon to utilize when in a season of waiting. As King David and some of his loyal men are hiding in the mountains, he writes:

Psalm 62:5-8, “Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.” 

Nowhere in this passage does King David deny his present circumstances, but instead of making his challenges the focus, he turns his trouble into trust and declares with confidence that “victory and honor come from God alone.”

In this psalm, King David writes “trust in Him at all times.” Trust God when we can see Him working and trust Him when it seems like everything is at a standstill. Trust Him on the mountaintop and trust Him when walking through a valley.

But he doesn’t end there. King David understands that part of fostering trust is through communication and encourages us to “Pour out your heart to him…” The Hebrew word for heart means the “inner part, soul.” King David is encouraging us to pour out our inner soul to the Lord. This is an incredible invitation to come to our Lord and share what’s on our heart.

You can tell God how you feel, tell Him what you need, but also acknowledge the truth that He is your rock and your fortress, the One who will bring your victory. The One who will heal your body. The One who will provide for your every need.

As you turn your trouble into trust, you may not see things moving with your physical eyes immediately, but you will have a certainty within your spirit that God is working even through your waiting!

Scriptures

Psalm 62:5-8

“Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.” 

According to a recent study, the average person will spend five years waiting in lines. Six months of that waiting is at traffic lights alone! So, that means, in your lifetime, you will spend nearly 2,628,000 minutes waiting. With the high value our culture places on speed and time management, the idea of waiting is often considered time wasted.

Biblically though, nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, waiting could be considered a spiritual discipline vital to one’s growth and maturity when utilized well. Psalm 62:1-8 recounts a waiting period King David experienced while fleeing his son, Absalom, who had stolen the allegiance of many in Israel.

During this incredibly challenging time, King David provides helpful direction when in a season of waiting:

Psalm 62:1-8, “I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken. So many enemies against one man all of them trying to kill me. To them I’m just a broken-down wall or a tottering fence. They plan to topple me from my high position. They delight in telling lies about me. They praise me to my face but curse me in their hearts. Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.”

Two times King David says he waits quietly before the Lord. The Hebrew word could also be translated as rest. It’s the idea that although his situation is chaotic, his spirit is at rest. But how is that possible? The next verse tells us how: “He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken.”

King David immediately turns his focus to God’s nature. His hope is not in a dwindled army or the fact that he’s the true king, but rather is anchored in the truth that God is his rock and salvation, and nothing will shake him to ultimate despair.

In times of waiting, the focus of our thoughts and words will create either a fortress of fear or a fortress of faith. When you choose to make the characteristics of God the center of your focus, you will find your faith strengthened during your season of waiting. This turns waiting into a weapon that will thwart the plans of the enemy.

Whether you’re waiting for healing, that financial breakthrough, or the salvation of a loved one, utilize the weapon of waiting, which will transform your prayers into powerful arrows against the enemy.

Scriptures

Psalm 62:1-8 (NLT)

I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken. So many enemies against one man all of them trying to kill me. To them I’m just a broken-down wall or a tottering fence. They plan to topple me from my high position. They delight in telling lies about me. They praise me to my face but curse me in their hearts. Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.

One of the life-giving recreational activities in the Ozarks are the various walking and bike riding trails. Anytime you’re going to a new trail, there is a thrill in learning about the trail, where to cross rivers or streams, where the campsites are, and any points of interest that you won’t want to miss. But more than knowing all the details is the ability to see the whole path from start to finish. When you’re on the trail, your perspective is limited to what you can see right in front of you, but the map has a way of giving a bigger perspective.

As we continue our fasting, many of us are praying for situations in which, from our perspective, we cannot see the path ahead. From what we can see, things may seem impossible.

Yet fasting has a way of orienting our perspective from what we see to what God sees. God knows the whole path of our lives, from start to finish. In Isaiah 43:19, God invites us to look at things from His point of view: “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”

As we dedicate ourselves to the Lord through fasting, He begins to change our perspective so that we can see what He is doing and how He is working. It’s an incredible gift that God tells us that the path He leads us on “springs up.” When our hearts are in-tune with Him, we will not miss His plan. He makes it obvious; it springs up!

As we fast, our hearts are changing, and we are gaining a godly perspective. God already has a path picked out for us, and as we pray, He will show us the way forward.

Scriptures

Isaiah 43:19 (NIV) 

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.

One of the wonderful results of extended time in prayer and fasting is an increased awareness of God’s presence.

As we spend extended time in prayer and fasting, we become more and more aware of just how powerful this season of spiritual fervor is. The prayers we are praying while fighting our physical cravings are significant, and a supernatural breakthrough is on the way.

One of the powerful spiritual weapons we can utilize each day is the power of praise. Isaiah 42 illustrates this truth:

“Sing a new song to the Lord! Sing his praises from the ends of the earth! Sing, all you who sail the seas, all you who live in distant coastlands. Let the whole world glorify the Lord; let it sing his praise. The Lord will march forth like a mighty hero; he will come out like a warrior, full of fury. He will shout his battle cry and crush all his enemies.”

This passage demonstrates some of the powerful results of our praise. As we are praising, God is moving on behalf of His people. Through this fast, God is moving in the unseen realm to fight your battles and bring great victory to every part of your life. And as we see in this passage, praise preceded the victory.

The truth is the more time we spend in the Lord’s presence, the more we realize there is much to praise Him for. And as we praise the Lord for who He is and all He has done, we see in Isaiah 42:13 that the Lord goes before His people as the mighty hero, like a warrior that crushes the enemy.

So, as you spend time today in prayer and fasting, utilize the powerful weapon of praise.

• Praise the Lord for the answers to your prayers.
• Praise the Lord for the amazing gifts and blessings He’s already given you.
• Praise the Lord for the victories that are yet to come in your life.

And as you praise, your troubles get smaller as you make God bigger. Victory is coming, and your praise becomes a weapon that battles the enemy. Know that with every word and song of praise from your lips, the Lord is going before you and defeating the enemy.

Scriptures

Isaiah 42:10, 12-13 (NLT)
Sing a new song to the Lord! Sing his praises from the ends of the earth! Sing, all you who sail the seas, all you who live in distant coastlands. Let the whole world glorify the Lord; let it sing his praise. The Lord will march forth like a mighty hero; he will come out like a warrior, full of fury. He will shout his battle cry and crush all his enemies.

One of the most frequent responses to the question of what our world needs today is peace. From wars to tragic shootings to an unstable economy, the opportunity to allow anxiety and fear to rule our lives is very real. In fact, studies show that more people are experiencing increased anxiety and worry, which is leading to a host of physical conditions and illnesses. The Bible shows that we were designed for something much better: peace.

Jesus said this in John 14:27, “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”

What an encouraging promise we have from Jesus! People are pursuing peace in many different ways, but peace doesn’t come from a place – it comes from a person. The first step to experiencing God’s peace is to recognize that it’s a gift to be received.

Then, Paul gives us very clear instruction on how to receive the gift of peace in Philippians 4:6-9, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.”

That’s amazing! Paul says we can live not under the weight of worry but instead with the power of peace. Here’s the path to the peace only God provides:

Exchange worry with prayer. Every time you begin to worry about a situation, exchange that worry with prayer. Instead of focusing on what is seemingly out of control, remember and turn your attention to the One who is always in control!

Defeat anxiety with thanksgiving. The number one weapon for defeating anxiety is thanksgiving – it’s the strategic defense that disarms the enemy. We thank God for all He’s done – because remembering His faithfulness in the past is the key to fueling our faith for the future.

Foster a healthy mind. Paul provides eight areas to focus our thoughts on. The peace that passes understanding comes through strategic thinking. As you go through your day, take inventory of what you allow into your mind. Studies continue to confirm that the increase of social media and news intake is one of the leading causes of increased anxiety. A healthy mind is fostered by intentionally guarding our minds.

Peace is a promised gift from Jesus. Through this time of prayer and fasting, bring your needs to God, thank him for all He’s done, and immerse your mind in His Word, “Then you will experience God’s peace…His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” 

Scriptures

John 14:27 (NLT)
 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.

Philippians 4:6-9 (NLT)
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

Research shows that the older we get, the fewer questions we ask. One study shows that a 4-year-old will ask as many as 200-300 questions a day, and between the ages of 2 and 5, children will ask a staggering 40,000 questions! A few of the top 10 questions include: “Where did I come from?” “What is God?” “What does ‘we can’t afford it’ mean?” “Why do I have to go to school?” and “Why can’t I stay up as late as you?”

Kids have the inherent belief that their parents know the answers to all of their questions. Interestingly enough, parents admitted to turning to google for nearly half of their answers!

As believers, we have the most reliable source for life’s toughest questions. Scripture is clear that God desires to answer our prayers – not just some prayers, but all of our prayers. He wants to provide wisdom, direction, and guidance for anything we need. We are invited to approach God with confidence and boldness, believing He will answer, and this truth is covered throughout the pages of Scripture.

Scripture teaches that we are designed to experience answered prayer. God is not afraid of our questions and never grows weary of us coming to Him. In fact, one of Jesus’ instructions is to “Keep on asking…keep on seeking…keep on knocking” What an incredible invitation!

Are there things you’ve stopped asking God for because you either got tired of asking or thought it wasn’t God’s will to answer? Perhaps it’s praying for that lost friend, for the breakthrough in healing, that dream job, a spouse, or to become pregnant. Whatever you’re praying for through this fast, remind yourself that just because it hasn’t happened yet, doesn’t mean it won’t happen soon!

You were designed to see powerful, life-changing answers to your prayers. That’s why James 5:16 tells us, “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” Keep on asking, keep on seeking, keep on knocking, and you will see God answer in a wonderful and miraculous way!

Scriptures

John 14:13-14 (NIV)
And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

John 15:16 (NIV)
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.

John 16:23-24 (NIV)
In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.

1 John 5:14-15 (NIV)
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

Matthew 7:7-8 (NLT)
“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

Have you ever found yourself in a place where it’s been so loud that you couldn’t hear the person you were talking to? Perhaps a concert for one of your favorite bands or a busy airport with constant announcements over the intercom. Regardless of the setting, the more noise in our surroundings, the more difficult it is to hear someone speaking to us.

The same thing can happen when it comes to hearing from God. It may not be the physical environment that limits our hearing but rather the place we find ourselves spiritually. This can be a dangerous place because hearing God is a critical component of walking in His plans and purposes for our lives.

One person in the Bible who understood this was King Solomon. At the beginning of Solomon’s rule, God extended an incredible offer. He said to King Solomon, “What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!” Wow! That’s an amazing question coming from God, who can give anything. At this moment, Solomon could have asked for whatever he wanted. All the gold in the world, military dominance over the surrounding nations, or to become the greatest king who ever lived. Rather than being rash or self-centered, he asked for what he knew he desperately needed: the ability to hear from God. Verse 9 in The Message paraphrase says, “Here’s what I want: Give me a God-listening heart so I can lead your people well.” Solomon knew that if he could hear from God clearly, everything he needed in life would be taken care of.

Every believer has the opportunity to hear from God with regularity. That’s why a season of prayer and fasting is so important because it lowers the volume of the world and the voice of God becomes more easily heard. The question is never “Is God speaking?” But always, “Am I practicing a listening ear and leaning into what He’s saying?” Take time today to ask for a listening heart, and then quiet your heart and lean in to listen to what God has to say.

Scriptures

1 Kings 3:9 (MSG)
 “Here’s what I want: Give me a God-listening heart so I can lead your people well, discerning the difference between good and evil. For who on their own is capable of leading your glorious people?”