Prayer and Fasting-One Meal (at least) Today-Nov Election (and beyond if more Algoritis hits)

self ^ | 9/27/02 | self

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Hello.

This is a call to any who might want to be part of a "fasting and prayer" effort for the 40 days leading up to the elections on Nov 5th.

The call to prayer is specifically regarding our nation, and a need to earnestly seek God's help in electing Godly men or men who will do God's will to our nation's offices - believing we will receive that help as we follow God's call to us (His people) to humble ourselves before Him, in repentance and sincere seeking of His face and His will.

He is able to confuse and confound and overturn the enemy by bringing Godly people into office all over this nation - especially in the US Senate.

This prayer and fasting effort does not take the place of active work for candidates and causes. That work MUST continue. But we can do both. If we are not actively working to help elect Godly people, why not? Every little bit of help matters!

But, those who are called by God's name, have a special responsibility to our nation in times of trial and tribulation (which describes our times). Many have been given desire to fast and pray for our nation especially at this critical election time because we understand that the enemy we face is strong, powerful, and well entrenched. That strong enemy does not come "out" but by fasting and prayer.

Many Americans think nothing will change. Elections do not make a difference.

Tell that to the little bables now being cruelly slaughtered by a procedure called partial birth abortion which is nothing short of a grotesque form of infanticide. This is just one example of the enemy's stronghold in this country.

Just a few votes in the Senate will stop this horror.

But the stronghold preventing this atrocity from being stopped is Satanic and will not "come down" without us calling out to God in repentance, fasting, and prayer - I am convinced.

We (His People) need to turn back to our Good Shepherd, our Captain, our Deliverer, Jesus Christ the Righteous One, because we are commanded to do just that-to turn from our wicked ways, to seek His face, and He will hear from heaven and heal our land. If only we will seek Him knowing what we face an enemy, Satan and all the forces of darkness, who is stronger than we are - in our human nature. Our nation has opened many doors to the enemy and he has come in like a flood.

But, in Jesus Christ, our rock and our fortress, we have our deliverer! He came to set the captives free, to bring sight to the blind, to bring hope and life to all who are bowed down. Let us go to our God, pleading for His help in these elections for the downtrodden, the captives, even for those who are dying daily in our land from the violence that has spread like a plague across it.

Like Jehoshaphat of old, we can come to God, we can bring ourselves, our loved ones, our states and cities and our nation before Him in prayer, taking the time and self-nourishment of a mealtime, and offering that time and that self-feeding to God as a time to feed on HIS WORD and to DWELL IN HIS PRESENCE by prayer and supplication, letting all our needs as a nation and as individuals to be made known to Him in prayer - with THANKSGIVING and PRAISE for His great goodness to us and for His hearing and answering of our prayers!

Read 2 Chronicles 2:20. Here are some of the passages from that part of GOD'S LIVING WORD TO US:

2 Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, "A vast army is coming against you from Edom,
from the other side of the Sea.
It is already in Hazazon Tamar" (that is, En Gedi).
3 Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the LORD , and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah.
4 The people of Judah came together to seek help from the LORD;
indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him."

"12 O our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you."
13 All the men of Judah, with their wives and children and little ones, stood there before the LORD."

15 He said: "Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's."

17 You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.'"
18 Jehoshaphat bowed with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the LORD." >/b>

America is under attack - in many ways - and in need of God's deliverance, help and healing.

At the heart of the sickness and attack is our loss of regard for human life which is based in our loss of regard for God, our Creator. Into that door, Satan and his minions have come and have done a mighty work against the Truth and against people, bringing darkness, enslavement, blindness, destruction, and death. Not just in the case of the abortion slaughter, but also in all the other ways destruction is being wrought.

That's the bad news.

But the GOOD NEWS is that Jesus Christ came TO DESTROY THE WORKS OF THE DEVIL! Praise God!

We who are called by His name have the great privilege of interceding for our nation. Prayer with fasting is an effective way to do just that. In so doing, we join with God in His desire to bring redemption and healing and deliverance for America and its people (and the people of the world).

(God says Jeremiah 29:11: "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD , "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Our nation once knew all of the above, we knew the One who called this nation into being quite well and depended upon Him for all our help and strength.

But we have lost our way, we have each gone our own way instead of God's way, and mighty are the strongholds of Satan all over our land. Apart from God's help, our nation will perish. It is that simple. And the death and destruction that we have seen will only increase.

Some of you may know much about prayer and fasting. I don't-am only learning. But I have found Dr. Bill Bright's teachings (in the URL above) regarding prayer and fasting as very helpful. Perhaps you will, also.

IMPORTANT NOTE: PLEASE CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR IF YOU HAVE HEALTH PROBLEMS OR WANT TO BE SURE A PHYSICIAN'S OKAY IS GIVEN BEFORE YOU BEGIN THIS EFFORT. SEE THE WARNINGS GIVEN AT THE WEBSITE LISTED ABOVE - WHICH IS ONLY A GUIDE BUT HAS HELPFUL INFORMATION. IF YOU HAVE SPECIAL HEALTH NEEDS OR YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE EFFECTS ON YOUR HEALTH IF YOU MISS A MEAL, OR UNSURE ABOUT THAT ACTION, DO NOT ENTER THIS PRAYER AND FASTING REGIMEN WITHOUT A DOCTOR'S GUIDANCE, APPROVAL AND, IF NEEDED, MONITORING.

Again, Dr. Bill Bright's website listed above includes much helpful information: Please go there and find answers to these questions/issues:

• How to Begin Your Fast
• While You Fast
• Breaking Your Fast
• A Final Word
• How to Experience and Maintain Personal Revival

  IN addition - there are many other resources in books and on the internet for people seriously interested in fasting and prayer for this election season, particularly, but also for our nation as a whole in all its wanderings away from the Truth of God. God bless you for reading this and for considering this call.

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

If you want to participate, please freepmail me with one date (and note the one meal-at least) for which you will commit to fast and pray.

The dates begin today, 9-27-02 and continue through 11-5-02 (election day). That encompasses 40 days. However, if algoritis hits and more days of fasting and prayer are needed until the final resolution of the critical elections occur, I will continue fasting and praying on beyond the 40 days. Others who are so led may do so as well.

My personal plans are these: I plan to fast one meal a day for each of the 40 days beginning today.

However, if anyone joins this effort, for the days when others tell me they WILL COMMIT to fast and pray on a certain day, I may not fast a meal that day, knowing someone else is "standing in that gap".

Those who make this commitment - I would like to get an email list and send you email reminders. If that does not work, I will use Freepmail to remind you. If you forget, that's ok. You can fast and pray another day.< We can make revisions as needed to the 40 day prayer and fasting list.

And, again, any and all help, resources, added prayers, spreading of the word, will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you! Thank GOD He is our very sure Refuge and Strength, a Mighty Fortress, and a strong Deliverer in our time of great need! God be with you who commit to prayer and fasting for our nation at this critical time.

If you cannot commit to the fasting part of this effort, perhaps you would commit to the prayer part - for one day - of these next 40 - you will dedicate yourself to prayer throughout that day.

Again, God bless you and be with you and with all who are called to intercede with praise and thanksgiving for our nation and for the people affected by the path America takes.

And, if anybody has a prayer ping list, please use it for this message. If this has been posted by anyone else before now, I did not know it. My apologies if it is a repetition of someone else's message.

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

And - that should say: electing Godly men AND WOMEN. Apologies. There are Godly men and women both in election contests across this land. There are others who maybe are not "God's" - they have not give their lives to Him - but who are able to be used of God to accomplish His will.

Please forgive that omission.

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Just a note to call you to this post. I have been spending a great deal of time in prayer lately and this call to prayer and fasting - especially during this election season - came from that time.

If you think others might want to know about such an effort, please pass the word.

Thank you.

[billbears]

FYI

[Ff--150]

Thanks for the ping. Fasting and prayers can get the job done in a hurry.

[ohioWfan]

A GIANT PING for Prayer and Fasting.......to uphold our country, and the upcoming elections in prayer!

THANK YOU, FWI! May God richly bless you for this! (I'll freep you with my info....)

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Thank you, billbears.

[Molly Pitcher]

Will gladly join you in this....and follow your plan FWI...1 meal a day...

[homeschool mama]

Thank you for forming this effort, freedom and ohio. So wonderful!

On my way out the door for daughter's coop class...will pray about this today and let you know where the Lord leads me specifically.

Thank you again...and God bless you both. <><

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Hello and thank you both!!!! Molly - you want to do this every day? You can - or you can just pick a certain day or days to commit to the fasting. Either way you ant to do it - is great! Thanks!

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Homeschool Mama - hello! Welcome. So glad you are praying about this and will look forward to however God leads you!

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Good to see you and to read your comments. Any additional suggestions, Scriptures, encouragements, examples, you have that will help the effort are appreciated.

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

I realized those links may not work - if not - here is the Bill Bright Fasting and Prayer web page:

http://www.billbright.com/7steps/

The correct links are at the bottom of that page.

[4CJ]

I will pray, and fast. As God directs.

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Thank you, 4Conservative Justices! How wonderful!

I will put you down for prayer and fasting as God leads you!

AMEN!

[Molly Pitcher]

:-) Everyday... yes!

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Let me try that link again: Bill Bright's 7 Steps to Fasting and Prayer

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Molly. That is fantastic. Thank you. God bless you as you go on this "Prayer and fasting" journey. May we consecrate this time for our nation but to our Lord!

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

All - these first steps in prayer and fasting were are good to go over - so here they are - from the link above:

(thank you, Dr. Bill Bright)

I have been eating a LOT Of raw vegetables and fruit - but others may not have. That may help in preparing for your fasting and praying.

I know this - when you fast and pray - you will be a target of spiritual attack. So let's pray for each other that God will protect and defend all who respond to this call to fast and pray - themselves and their loved ones will be under the Blood of Jesus Christ and in His Mighty Fortress for protection.

(NOT ON TO DR. BILL BRIGHT'S 7 STEPS: FIRST 4 OF THESE BELOW:)

How you begin and conduct your fast will largely determine your success. By following these seven basic steps to fasting, you will make your time with the Lord more meaningful and spiritually rewarding.

STEP 1: Set Your Objective

Why are you fasting? Is it for spiritual renewal, for guidance, for healing, for the resolution of problems, for special grace to handle a difficult situation? Ask the Holy Spirit to clarify His leading and objectives for your prayer fast. This will enable you to pray more specifically and strategically.

Through fasting and prayer we humble ourselves before God so the Holy Spirit will stir our souls, awaken our churches, and heal our land according to 2 Chronicles 7:14. Make this a priority in your fasting.

STEP 2: Make Your Commitment

Pray about the kind of fast you should undertake. Jesus implied that all of His followers should fast (Matthew 6:16-18; 9:14,15) For Him it was a matter of when believers would fast, not if they would do it. Before you fast, decide the following up front:

	How long you will fast - one meal, one day, a week, several weeks, forty days (Beginners should start slowly, building up to longer fasts.)
	The type of fast God wants you to undertake (such as water only, or water and juices; what kinds of juices you will drink and how often)
	What physical or social activities you will restrict
	How much time each day you will devote to prayer and God's Word

Making these commitments ahead of time will help you sustain your fast when physical temptations and life's pressures tempt you to abandon it.

STEP 3: Prepare Yourself Spiritually

The very foundation of fasting and prayer is repentance. Unconfessed sin will hinder your prayers. Here are several things you can do to prepare your heart:

	Ask God to help you make a comprehensive list of your sins.
	Confess every sin that the Holy Spirit calls to your remembrance and accept God's forgiveness (1 John 1:9).
	Seek forgiveness from all whom you have offended, and forgive all who have hurt you (Mark 11:25; Luke 11:4; 17:3,4).
	Make restitution as the Holy Spirit leads you.
	Ask God to fill you with His Holy Spirit according to His command in Ephesians 5:18 and His promise in 1 John 5:14,15.
	Surrender your life fully to Jesus Christ as your Lord and Master; refuse to obey your worldly nature (Romans 12:1,2).
	Meditate on the attributes of God, His love, sovereignty, power, wisdom, faithfulness, grace, compassion, and others (Psalm 48:9,10; 103:1-8, 11-13).
	Begin your time of fasting and prayer with an expectant heart (Hebrews 11:6).
	Do not underestimate spiritual opposition. Satan sometimes intensifies the natural battle between body and spirit (Galatians 5:16,17).

STEP 4: Prepare Yourself Physically

Fasting requires reasonable precautions. Consult your physician first, especially if you take prescription medication or have a chronic ailment. Some persons should never fast without professional supervision.

Physical preparation makes the drastic change in your eating routine a little easier so that you can turn your full attention to the Lord in prayer.

	Do not rush into your fast.
	Prepare your body. Eat smaller meals before starting a fast. Avoid high-fat and sugary foods.
	Eat raw fruit and vegetables for two days before starting a fast.

[marylina]

So good to hear from you, FWI! Have missed you lately, but have had you in my prayers. I would love to participate in this effort, and since the prayers are already a part of my day, all that is left is the fasting. I'll freepmail you with my intentions, and blessings to you!

[4CJ]

Going without coffee is what will kill me ;o)

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Here are some more of Dr. Bright's recommendations and helps:

Your time of fasting and prayer has come. You are abstaining from all solid foods and have begun to seek the Lord. Here are some helpful suggestions to consider:

	Avoid drugs, even natural herbal drugs and homeopathic remedies. Medication should be withdrawn only with your physician's supervision.
	Limit your activity.
	Exercise only moderately. Walk one to three miles each day if convenient and comfortable.
	Rest as much as your schedule will permit.
	Prepare yourself for temporary mental discomforts, such as impatience, crankiness, and anxiety.
	Expect some physical discomforts, especially on the second day. You may have fleeting hunger pains, dizziness, or the "blahs." Withdrawal from caffeine and sugar may cause headaches. Physical annoyances may also include weakness, tiredness, or sleeplessness.

The first two or three days are usually the hardest. As you continue to fast, you will likely experience a sense of well-being both physically and spiritually. However, should you feel hunger pains, increase your liquid intake.

STEP 5: Put Yourself on a Schedule

For maximum spiritual benefit, set aside ample time to be alone with the Lord. Listen for His leading. The more time you spend with Him, the more meaningful your fast will be.

Morning

	Begin your day in praise and worship.
	Read and meditate on God's Word, preferably on your knees.
	Invite the Holy Spirit to work in you to will and to do His good pleasure according to Philippians 2:13.
	Invite God to use you. Ask Him to show you how to influence your world, your family, your church, your community, your country, and beyond.
	Pray for His vision for your life and empowerment to do His will.

Noon

	Return to prayer and God's Word.
	Take a short prayer walk.
	Spend time in intercessory prayer for your community's and nation's leaders, for the world's unreached millions, for your family or special needs.

Evening

	Get alone for an unhurried time of "seeking His face."
	If others are fasting with you, meet together for prayer.
	Avoid television or any other distraction that may dampen your spiritual focus.

When possible, begin and end each day on your knees with your spouse for a brief time of praise and thanksgiving to God. Longer periods of time with our Lord in prayer and study of His Word are often better spent alone.

A dietary routine is vital as well. Dr. Julio C. Ruibal - a nutritionist, pastor, and specialist in fasting and prayer - suggests a daily schedule and list of juices you may find useful and satisfying. Modify this schedule and the drinks you take to suit your circumstances and tastes.

5 a.m. - 8 a.m.

Fruit juices, preferably freshly squeezed or blended and diluted in 50 percent distilled water if the fruit is acid. Apple, pear, grapefruit, papaya, watermelon, or other fruit juices are generally preferred. If you cannot do your own juicing, buy juices without sugar or additives.

10:30 a.m. - noon

Fresh vegetable juice made from lettuce, celery, and carrots in three equal parts.

2:30 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Herb tea with a drop of honey. Avoid black tea or any tea with caffeine.

6 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Broth made from boiling potatoes, celery, and carrots with no salt. After boiling about half an hour, pour the water into a container and drink it.

Tips on Juice Fasting

	Drinking fruit juice will decrease your hunger pains and give you some natural sugar energy. The taste and lift will motivate and strengthen you to continue.
	The best juices are made from fresh watermelon, lemons, grapes, apples, cabbage, beets, carrots, celery, or leafy green vegetables. In cold weather, you may enjoy a warm vegetable broth.
	Mix acidic juices (orange and tomato) with water for your stomach's sake.
	Avoid caffeinated drinks. And avoid chewing gum or mints, even if your breath is bad. They stimulate digestive action in your stomach.

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Marylina! So good to hear from you!!!! Yes, adding the fasting is what I will be doing too. This will be an adventure - with God. And with all of you! God bless! And thank you for your prayers! They have meant a great deal!

[McLynnan]

It's so good to see you and you've been in my prayers daily. Yes, I would like to join in, and will FReepmail you shortly with my intentions.

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

(Billbears - yes, giving up coffee is going to be quite a sacrifice! Other things for others. You will have my prayers (and the prayers of fellow praying fasters for God's great blessings as you perservere in that effort, though!

Below is another part of Dr. Bright's helps. Again - remember - he went on a 40 day FAST - Yes he fasted 40 days. This was in 2000 or leading up to 2000.

Some may be called to do that and if so, that is something they can discuss with God and get physical supervision for and mega prayer support for. At this time, I am not able to do that. But others can do whatever God leads them to do - but these are some awesome helps to whatever kind of fasting and prayer we are beginning.

AGain - GOD BE WITH EACH OF YOU WHO ARE GOING ON THIS PRAYER AND FASTING ADVENTURE!

One idea - KEEP A NOTEBOOK BESIDE YOU WHEREVER YOU ARE WHEN YOU ARE FASTING AND PRAYING. JOT DOWN ANYTHING GOD SHOWS YOU. HAVE A BIBLE HANDY OR SOME SCRIPTURE PRINTOUTS. GOD IS OUR GUIDE ON THIS JOURNEY!

Now on to more helps from Bill Bright:

When your designated time for fasting is finished, you will begin to eat again. But how you break your fast is extremely important for your physical and spiritual well-being.

STEP 6: End Your Fast Gradually

Begin eating gradually. Do not eat solid foods immediately after your fast. Suddenly reintroducing solid food to your stomach and digestive tract will likely have negative, even dangerous, consequences. Try several smaller meals or snacks each day. If you end your fast gradually, the beneficial physical and spiritual effects will result in continued good health.

Here are some suggestions to help you end your fast properly:

	Break an extended water fast with fruit such as watermelon.
	While continuing to drink fruit or vegetable juices, add the following: First day: Add a raw salad. Second day: Add baked or boiled potato, no butter or seasoning. Third day: Add a steamed vegetable. Thereafter: Begin to reintroduce your normal diet.
	Gradually return to regular eating with several small snacks during the first few days. Start with a little soup and fresh fruit such as watermelon and cantaloupe. Advance to a few tablespoons of solid foods such as raw fruits and vegetables or a raw salad and baked potato.

[McLynnan]

Thank you for the ping, OWF.

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Hello, there!!!! It is so good to see you also! And thank you so much for your prayers. I cannot tell you how much they are appreciated!

Well - this is where God has led me right now and I decided to bring this suggestion here - hoping God will lead others to this place. It is surely an adventure and I hope any and all who can will consider this in prayer.

Not all can do the fasting - but all can pray.

Either way - we are going on a journey - together - and with our Lord by our side, what could be better?

God bless you - and thanks again for "hearing the call" and for your prayers.

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

The final comments by Dr. Bill Bright from his "7 Steps" linked above:

And this is critical! EXPECT RESULTS!

We do not know how God is going to answer these prayers. But we do know HE WILL HEAR AND HE WILL ANSWER!

That is the adventure. Our part is to fast and pray with all manner of prayers and supplications, with Thanksgiving and Praise!

Our part is to walk BY FAITH - not by sight.

Our part is to STAND on HIS UNCHANGING POWER and GRACE and ACTION in response to prayer!

Our part is to REST in HIS STRENGTH AND DELIVERANCE.

He will guide us through His word as to how to PRAY.

(And I will try to send some freepmails and post to this thread with anything I learn that might be helpful - others can do the same). Freepmail may work best or if people want to give me email addresses, I will do a list and do emails.)

But my focus is not to "lead" this effort. My focus is to encourage others to do this - and then to let us all discover individually the One who longs for us to "cast all our cares on Him because He cares for us". My focus is to intercede - JOINING JESUS WHO EVER LIVES TO MAKE INTERCESSION FOR US! - in this great calling.

Again - we will become spiritual "targets" of the enemey because Satan trembles when we get serious with fasting and prayer.

So, let's all commit to praying for all those involved in the fasting and prayer effort - for God's protection and deliverance of all involved - and their loved ones.

Now on to Dr. Bright's final comments on Fasting and Prayer:

STEP 7: Expect Results

If you sincerely humble yourself before the Lord, repent, pray, and seek God's face; if you consistently meditate on His Word, you will experience a heightened awareness of His presence (John 14:21). The Lord will give you fresh, new spiritual insights. Your confidence and faith in God will be strengthened. You will feel mentally, spiritually, and physically refreshed. You will see answers to your prayers.

A single fast, however, is not a spiritual cure-all. Just as we need fresh infillings of the Holy Spirit daily, we also need new times of fasting before God. A 24-hour fast each week has been greatly rewarding to many Christians.

It takes time to build your spiritual fasting muscles. If you fail to make it through your first fast, do not be discouraged. You may have tried to fast too long the first time out, or your may need to strengthen your understanding and resolve. As soon as possible, undertake another fast until you do succeed. God will honor you for your faithfulness.

I encourage you to join me in fasting and prayer again and again until we truly experience revival in our homes, our churches, our beloved nation, and throughout the world.

Here is a great comment in this last page from Dr. Bright:

Maybe some will grow in the fasting part of this and be able to do it - one whole day per week of fasting!!! Wow!

Here is what he says.

A single fast, however, is not a spiritual cure-all. Just as we need fresh infillings of the Holy Spirit daily, we also need new times of fasting before God. A 24-hour fast each week has been greatly rewarding to many Christians.

[McLynnan]

I think I will pass this post along to my teenage daughter. She is involved in a girl's youth prayer group and they are especially praying for our President, leaders, and the safety of our country. Praying that God guide voters to elect Godly people in November fits their prayer focus.

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

GREAT IDEA! Thank you! I hope all who might be led will spread the word to all those who might be interested. It is then between those who know about it and God. No matter what, we are embarking on an adventure in prayer! God bless and keep all who join in!

[Molly Pitcher]

Thanks for all you've done, here, FWI. Bookmarked and rolling.:-)

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

You are welcome - and yes we are rolling! If you know one or two others who might want to roll along with us, please send them a freepmail or a ping. THANKS! Let's roll!

[pubmom]

I'm in.

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Hi, Pubmom! Thank you! Please let me know here or by Freepmail what kind of prayer and / or fasting you plan to do, ok? Thank you again and God bless. Adventures - Holy ones - ahead.

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Hello. I know many are already praying for our President and for our country. Just letting you know about something going on here. A fasting and prayer "adventure" is underway for the 40 days from now through Nov 5th election day (and beyond if needed).

DittoJed2 - has faithfully led the prayers for our President and especially the Iraq situation now - from long before he was even elected. Thank you!!! God bless you!

And that prayer effort continues and has borne much fruit!

God is with our President - there is no question about it.

I seemed to be led to begin fasting and praying for these critical elections and just decided to post about it here.

If any who read this are led to join this "adventure" - wonderful. If not - that's fine too!

Those who want to join, please read the initial posts including the message from Dr. Bill Bright which dates back also to the 2000 election year and which involved fasting and praying for our nation, for the people in it, and for the people in all the world.

I am especially praying for the elections - for the people who will shape our nation's policies - to be the ones of God's choosing. We can pray for specific election contests as people bring these up. And of course continue to pray for the President and all his team and intelligence officials and our military - especially during this time of the Iraq crisis.

But-we also have people "in crisis" for various reasons for whom we can pray - individuals, families, schools, cities and towns, as well as our states and the nation and the world.

However people are led to pray - and if they are also led to try fasting with prayer - that will be wonderful.

Also, at least two will be praying together at specific times of day.

So, if you are interested, OR KNOW OF ANYONE ELSE WHO MIGHT BE, please send me a Freepmail - and/or ping someone else. If you are not led to join this - GO ON WITH GOD HOWEVER YOU ARE LED!

Thanks. And God be with each one of you and with our President and with our nation and its people - and with all those held captive around the world.

Jesus came specifically to set captives free, to give sight to the blind, and hope for the poor. We are all of those things and so are many we know and love - and certainly are many throughout the world - including the Islamic world.

So, again, move on with God = because HE IS ON THE MOVE!

[peter the great]

Good luck with this, these were my very thoughts when I heard that we were 40 days out from the election, I will definately be there in Prayer, as for the fasting part I have cut down substantially and lunch is prety much the only big meal that I eat. Wishing you the best.

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Thanks for your wishes. NO - don't cut out your one meal!!! Thank you again. Blessings to you.

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Saturday morning prayer and fasting bump. (Or just prayer bump)

[Republic]

I want to be a part of this worthy action on behalf of our nation. I'm recovering from surgery and not certain about the fasting-but I know I can handle one meal a day. I would rather fast one day a week, to start. I will attempt to follow the ten commandments faithfully for these next 40 days-something I veer from all too often and believe I am being personally nudged to 'get it right'.

Your words have made a deep impact upon me-I am anxious to get started. INterestingly-today when I was praying for our nation and our leaders-I felt compelled to lift my hands and arms-know that feeling?

There is something very evil attempting to crush the goodness only begining to blossom throughout this nation. It's power cannot be underestimated, just as the awesome power of our Father cannot be over-estimated. Ever. It is beyond description. How did we EVER get so blessed as to be born into this nation? This wonderful rollicking family of freedom lovers?

I believe praying is our duty. I do. And I want to join in on the 'prayer march' to election day! We will be like the biblical story you posted....and we will petition our common Father with all of our hearts. And, God will hear us. He knows. Oh, how He knows.

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Hello, Republic. So good to hear from you! Your commitment to joining the "prayer march" to the election is wonderful and all you said is so true!

The enemies we face are great and powerful - but God is more powerful than all of them put together. And HE is our shield and deliverer.

The one day a week plan is a good one = one meal for one day a week is good, too. My original thought was that we would have at least one person committing to fast and pray for ONE MEAL for one of the 40 days. But have left that vision up to all who join to take it the way God leads them and all commitments are welcome. PLEASE DO NOT DO ANYTHING THAT WOULD JEAPORDIZE YOUR RECOVERY FROM YOUR SURGERY!!! YOU NEED YOUR STRENGTH AND THE NUTRIENTS NEED TO GET TO THOSE CELLS THAT ARE HEALING!!! So, you might want to ask your doctors about what you can do - and get their advice. Also, some extra nutrients at other meals might be needed for you. Also, please remember that when we fast a meal, we can still drink liquids - water for sure and even juices! (See Bill Bright's teachings on this matter).

But again, your commitment to PRAYER is significant and will be effective. If you can fast for one meal one day a week - that would just be a plus. But, get advice, OK?

If you know any others that would like to join - FR members or not - please tell them about this.

Blessings to you!

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Good morning everyone! We have 11 fasting pray-ers so far! God bless and keep and strengthen each one of you.

How is your "adventure" going?

I am finding that after Praising God, the next thing that comes is CONFESSING of sins. (This goes on awhile).

Then intercession - re: the election - and I began with my state, NC, which is so crucial in so many ways. Perhaps everyone could pray for the elections - state and local and National in NC today. We can interecede for a state a day - and some days put 2 on the prayer "agenda". Or just follow as the Holy Spirit leads in prayer.

Leaving with our hallmark scripture from 2 Chronicles 7:14:

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

[Molly Pitcher]

Morning FWI! Off to church prayer bump.

[Lorena]

Good morning. Thank you so much for starting this effort and for all the helpful information you've provided. I will freepmail you with my day and the meal I'm committing to fast and pray. God bless you.

[Miss Marple]

I would like to participate, but I must check because I am on an antibiotic and I need to make sure it is ok to do. I am pretty sure I can handle the one meal per day.

Thank you for this thread. I have needed a concrete plan for prayer, and you have provided a good outline. God bless you!

[McLynnan]

Good morning all! Yesterday was the first day of my commitment to fast during breakfast. I had to get up at 5:30 AM to take my daughter to a tennis tournament so lunch was a very long wait. I managed my commitment until 11:00 AM when I couldn't fight the lightheaded feeling any longer and had an early lunch. Renewing the commitment today and hope to do better.

[Howlin]

Bump!

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Hello, Howlin! Thank you for the bump. If you know anybody who might want to be "pinged" of this thread - can you please pass the ping?

Hi, Miss Marple - glad you found this thread and the idea. Yes, glad you are checking with your doctor. You may need to not fast food during the time you are on an antibiotic - but you might could fast something else? Give up some time here on Free Republic, for instance? (did I say that???) Anything that is something you LOVE doing - is something you can fast. Fasting is a sacrifice that demands our dependence on God to do it. (that's what I am finding out because this is harder than I expected!!!!)

But more importantly is that we take time from other things and devote it to prayer.

However you are guided - please do so -= and even if you don't fast food right now - join the prayers.

Yesterday I was praying about the NOrth Carolina elections - and about the people of North Carolina.

And about the families in our state and in my town and on my street.

And today I was praying mostly about the churches and the families in our churches and our ministers - but also for all of our nation that has lost its way. But I didn't focus on a particular state. It would be good if we could all focus on ONE STATE or TWO STATES per day of these 40 days (now almost 37 left).

Lorena - thank you for joining in. We are on the march. And on a journey. It is an adventure. Let us take it seriously as a commitment and call and email others (even non-Freepers) who feel the call to join us!

[Molly Pitcher]

Good evening, FWI!

As we entered our silent prayer time during the service this morning, our minister reminded us of a few things...

For one thing, we tend to use the "laundry list" type of prayer too often.

And when we do that, we are still trying to exert OUR control, rather than wait for God's will to come to us, perhaps in a quiet moment with an open heart.

Just a thought to consider...humility and obediance as we begin this period.

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

humility and obediance as we begin this period. = AMEN!

[Marysecretary]

Yes he is on the move! It's good to be part of his end-times Army of intercessors. He will never leave us or forsake us. God bless America, God Bless President Bush, and God bless YOU, Freedom!