21 Days of Prayer and Fasting- 2021

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Day 4 - Surrender

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Author: Mary Hatch

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, one definition of surrender is to yield to the power, control, or possession of another. How many of us would feel safe surrendering to someone? Think about your own circles for a minute. Is there anyone you would feel safe surrendering to? My own life has been a journey of learning who is safe and when it is appropriate or necessary to surrender. It has also been a discovery of how significant surrendering to Jesus is in my life as a follower of Him.

Surrender is a moment by moment process of me choosing to follow Jesus, to walk in His footsteps, to open my hands and receive whatever He has for me, to become more like Him in words and actions. (Galatians 5:25, Colossians 3:1-4, Romans 12:1-2) It is a conscious effort of saying “yes” to serving another, to putting another’s needs or wants ahead of my own, to whatever He asks me to do. (Galatians 2:20, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7) Surrender is trusting that God is good, that His plans for me are to prosper and not harm me, to give me a future and a hope. (Psalm 91:2, Psalm 84:11, Jeremiah 29:11) It is believing that He loves me and His love is pure, His perfect love casts out fear, and nothing can separate me from His love. (1 John 4:18, Romans 8:38-39)

Do you believe that Jesus is one whom you can surrender to? Are you willing to join me in opening your hands to Jesus and saying “yes, to whatever You have for me?" To trust in His heart for you regardless of what lies ahead?

PRAY:  Lord, You are faithful and true; You are goodness and love. No good thing will You withhold from those who walk uprightly. I want to trust You with whatever comes my way today. Please help me to say “yes, Lord" to whatever You have for me. Thank you for being trustworthy; for being my safe place. In Jesus’ name, amen.

 

Posted by Mary Hatch with

Day 3 - Chasing Jesus

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Author: Savannah Brouwer

Recently I found myself running from the Lord. I would fill every spare second with some kind of noise or media so I wouldn’t have to confront the fact that I had been trying to hide my heart from God. I was terrified that if I finally took a second to listen to Him, He would tell me how disappointed He was. I think a small part of me also believed that if I gave God the chance to speak, I would hear that He didn’t love me anymore and that I had neglected Him for so long I was no longer worthy to be called His daughter. This was a lie; I can’t prove myself unworthy because I never was. Even though God has always known how dreadfully unworthy I am, He always chases after me. He will stop at nothing to track down my heart and pull me back to Him. 

Psalm 139: 7-10 demonstrates the reckless abandon God pursues us with: Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. (NIV) No matter what we do or where we go, God will leave the 99 to chase after us, without any hesitation or even a second thought. With a God as good and loving as that, how can we not want to chase after Him, too? Shouldn’t we honor His pursuit by using every breath to grow closer with Him and glorify His name? 

There are so many ways that we can chase after God. Maybe this year you can chase after God by getting up 20 minutes early and getting in the Word, even when the snooze button is so tempting. Beyond that, as much time as we spend reading and asking, let us spend just as much time listening. This could look like blocking out half an hour everyday to just be still and know that He is Lord. If you know that you won’t be able to stay focused just sitting, I understand. I have found that taking technology free walks with the Lord is when I can hear Him best. If you can’t block out time during the day, try turning down whatever music or podcast you listen to as you drive and welcome the Lord into your daily commute. 

I know I have a million excuses on file for when I don’t make God a priority, but it is as simple as this: if our God, the creator of the universe, does everything to chase after us, why aren’t we always chasing after Him? 

PRAY: Dear Lord, thank you so much for always chasing after me, even though I am so unworthy of Your love. I am so sorry for all the times I have neglected You or not made You my priority. God, I ask that You help me to be consistent in my pursuit of You. It is my prayer that all my days are used to know You better and glorify Your name. 

Posted by Savannah Brouwer with

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