Prayer and Fasting

There are two ways of fasting: A Personal Fast (private fast) and a Joint-Corporate Fast.


When believers and a church joins together for a common purpose, we call it a corporate fast. 

Fasting is a spiritual dynamics that brings supernatural manifestation.

God rewards Fasting. God wants us to fast so that we are disciplined and are not controlled by our soul and flesh.

In the book of 2 Chronicles 7:14-16, we are taught to humble ourselves before God. Fasting is one of the way that we humble ourselves to the Lord. Fasting doesn't work alone. Fasting has "twins" that aids it for better results and supernatural breakthroughs. We cannot just fast (not eating)...that would be a dieting! Spiritual Fasting is accompanied with something. We fast and PRAY. We fast and WORSHIP. We fast and PRAISE. We fast and REPENT. We fast and GIVE. We fast with THANKSGIVING. These are "power twins" to fasting. TOGETHER they produce results!

When we fast, we are seeking God's face for direction and instruction - it is a way of waiting upon the Lord.

Fasting brings discipline and deliverance.

 In 2 Chronicles 20: 3-5, King Jehoshaphat received a threatening message. Strong armies gathered together to battle against him. These armies had a reputation of destroying and wiping off any opponents. Jehoshaphat gathered the people together and proclaimed a time of fasting and seeking God.

Fasting takes your eyes off yourself and your circumstances 

and helps you to focus on God and His Word.

 (Read: 2 Chronicles 20:12)

As the sought the Lord, He gave them specific instruction and direction. Suddenly they knew what to do. They were no longer dependent on their strength and ability but they looked and leaned upon God. Our educational, physical, mental, financial strengths has limitation! But God is all-powerful!
Jehoshaphat and his people heard the voice and instruction of God because of prayer and fasting. They then moved into fasting and praise and the Lord caused a confusion in the enemy's camp and they enjoyed a great victory!

In 2 Chronicles 20:30, we see that Jehoshaphat and his people enjoyed peace and rest. This is because of prayer and fasting. How long will we be threatened with the same oppositions and words? It is time to enjoy peace and rest in security knowing we have overcome an enemy. Prayer and fasting brings complete deliverance from the enemy that constantly pursued us. It can break generational curses and bring freedom from spirits of familiarity.

Fasting and Prayer enables us to be dependent on the spirit and not the soul and flesh.

Fasting is associated with afflicting the soul (Isaiah 58: 5-14). The soul is the mind, emotions and will. Through fasting we can break addictions and bad habits. Whatever is controlling our mind and emotions...whatever is controlling us can be broken through the power of fasting and prayer.

Emotional eyes are blinded with tears

Fearful eyes are blinded with terror

Spiritual eyes are open with fasting and prayer

Natural fasting cleanses the body - Spiritual fasting (fasting according to God's Word and principles) cleanses the soul. Prayer and fasting helps us to make quality spiritual decision. It helps us to see life the way God sees.

In Acts 13, in the church at Antioch, they gathered together in worship and fasting. The Holy Spirit spoke and gave them divine appointment and instruction. Fasting and worship brings corporate growth in leadership. It provides spiritual guidance and assistance.

Personal fasting builds personal spiritual strength and Godly character

Corporate fasting builds corporate spiritual strength and unity 

Fasting produce revival!

Make a commitment to fast for 7days.
Ask God to lead you (Matt. 6: 9-15).
Know the purpose, plan and length of your fast - write it down.
Make a promise to God and keep your fast for the intended time.

At Christian Family Church International, MAURITIUS, we have declared a seven days fast for

·         ·         Divine direction

·         ·         Open heaven

·         ·         Divine favor

·         ·         Spiritual and Financial Breakthroughs

·         ·         Peace and security of God 

As a church, we stand in unity, pray and confess:

·         We repent of our ways and seek God's face.

·         We declare that we depend on God's grace and leadership.

·         We declare that the Holy Spirit is our guide and leads us into our God-given destiny.

·         We declare that our church in united.

·         We declare that we have divine direction.

·         We declare we have the wisdom of God.

·         We declare that the Christian Family Church Int. Mauritius will have land and building in the vicinity of Port Louis.

·         We declare that all our churches will grow and be successful in Jesus' name.

·         We declare that we are a people that are strong in the power of His might.

·         We declare that we are victorious.

·         We declare that we have all finances to do the work of the ministry.

·         We declare that we have the victory in Jesus' name.

·         We declare that no harm will come to our dwelling in Jesus' name.

I will be tweeting about fasting for seven days between Monday 11th to Sunday 17th. Follow and be blessed.

Pray, pray, pray

"And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples."

Luke 11: 1

The disciples asked to be teach them to pray. They did not ask "Lord, teach us how to do miracles, or how to walk on water or raise the dead"

The supernatural manifests as a result of prayer. 

Prayer in communion and intimacy with God. Prayer is a dialogue. We speak to God and God speaks to us. Through prayer, we connect our spirit, soul and body to God.

Prayer should be first and foremost personal - my time alone with God - then congregational - our time with God.

Matt. 26: 36-44

Jesus encouraged His disciples to join in prayer with Him.

Jesus dealt with depression and discouragement by prayer.

Jesus dealt with sorrow through prayer

Jesus expected His disciples to join Him in prayer

Jesus saw THEM asleep and spoke to PETER (verse 40): " What could you not WATCH and PRAY "with me" one hour?"

Jesus never forced His disciples to pray (verse 43-44)

Jesus repeated the same words in His prayer

Jesus revealed that the way to deal with temptation is through prayer

Matt. 21: 13 

Jesus said: " My house shall be called a house of prayer"

In the book of Acts of the Apostles, 

they continued as Jesus instructed and taught:

Acts 1: 14

They ALL continued with one accord in prayer including the women and the mother of Jesus.

Acts 2: 41-42

After the preaching of Peter, there were 3000 new converts, that:

1. Gladly received the Word

2. Were baptized

3. Continued steadfastly in the Apostle's doctrine

4. Fellowship

5. Breaking of bread - Holy Communion

6. And in prayers

Acts 3:1

Although the church was growing, Peter and John went up together at the HOUR OF PRAYER

MIRACLES, SINGS AND WONDERS FOLLOW PRAYER

Acts 4: 24

After a testimony, they lifted up their voice with one accord in prayer...

Acts 4:31 

...and when they had prayed, the place was shaken and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and with spoke the Word with boldness

Acts 9: 10-12

Once Paul was converted (saw the light), one of the first thing that he did was to PRAY

Acts 10: 2-3

Cornelius was a man of prayer...because of prayer, he had a Godly vision and favor from God

Acts 10: 9-11, 13

Peter spent time praying and saw the same vision and heard a voice from heaven

Acts 12: 1,5, 12

Peter persecuted in prison...But the church prayer! 

Prayer brought deliverance!

Acts 13: 1-3

The church prayed and God spoke and sent people out on missions and church plants

We should continue in prayer...Prayer brings results and a supernatural manifestation.

God open doors

 "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;

I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name." 

Rev. 3:6-8

When God opens door, no man or devil can shut. This demonstrate the sovereignty of God!

It's a spiritual door granting us access to a new level, new dimension, promotion, increase...

Three things that church believed in and held on to:

1. The Word of Jesus Christ

They held onto the Revelation about The Word. 

As a disciple of Jesus, they kept the Word (John 8:36)

2. Not denied the name of Jesus

The Lordship of Jesus. Evidently Jesus was their Lord and the one they worshipped.

Today there is not a spirit of anti-god but anti-Christ 

There is only ONE way to God - Jesus is the way, the truth and the life (Jn. 14:6)

3. The patience of Jesus

Perseverance & patience (as Jesus) in times of adversity

God allows us to go through certain things. 

At times He provides a "Escape" (deliverance) route and at times He allows us to "Endure" (discipline)

Doors:

Doors can be PULLED (spiritual attraction) towards you or can be PUSHED (spiritual effort).

Communion with God through prayer and the Word help us to know and discern the doors which God opens. Prayer is the PULLING and the PUSHING in the spiritual realm. 

Faith in the Word of God - Faith in the name of Jesus and the power twins of Faith and Patience (perseverance) takes us through every circumstances in life.

Faith opens the door and patience (perseverance) keeps the door open!

Different types of doors:

A) Door of revelation and instruction - Rev. 4:1

B) Doors of faith - 1 Cor. 16:9

C) Doors of utterance - Col. 4:3

D) Doors of ministry - 2 Cor. 2:12

E) Doors of opportunity - Rev. 3:6-8

3 ways to know an OPEN DOOR is from God:

The Door that God Opens Will Never Contradict His Word

The Door that God Opens Will be Accompanied by Confirmation 

The Door God Opens Will Require You to Depend on Him

Breakthrough to blessings - following Abraham's footsteps

It was an honor to be ministering at Christian Family Church International, South Africa for Drs. Theo and Beverley Wolmarans. 
People were blessed by the teaching and some emailed me and asked for the notes.
This is Sunday evening service message: "Breakthrough to blessings - following Abraham"

Gal. 3:26-29, Gal. 3:7-9

Those of faith are children of Abraham

The same blessing of Abraham is duplicated on those that walk by faith

Gen. 12:1-4, 7-8

Abram believed God - God said: "Follow me...trust in me..."

Gen. 12:1-3 : If you do what God says then He "shows" (vision) and He will "make" (provision)...

1. Abram acted on what he believed - He did what God asked :  Abram operated in FAITH

Faith requires "confession" and "action"

Abram walked by faith and not by sight

2. Abram built altars - Gen. 12:7-8, Gen. 13:4, 18

Gen. 13:2 - Abram built altars before and after he became very rich 

Altars are place of worship, sacrifice, communion, covenants, spiritual gates - the place where man and spirits meet

Make your house an altar - a place of worship, serving and covenant

3. Abram refused to quarrel and strife - Gen. 13:5-17

Quarrel and strife brings confusion and every evil work - Js. 3:16

Confusion = no decision or direction - you are lost!

*THOSE WHO QUARREL WILL BE INFLUENCE BY THEIR NATURAL EYES - Gen. 13: 10

*PEOPLE OF FAITH WHO DONT QUARREL WILL BE DIRECTED & INFLUENCE BY SPIRITUAL EYES - Gen. 13:14-17

4. Abram was humble - he was Lot's senior spiritually and physically yet he gave Lot first choice. (1 Pet. 5:5)

5. Abram refused offense and vengeance - he went out to rescue Lot his nephew (Gen. 14)

Offense leads to vengeance

Forgiveness leads to grace

God is a God of grace and mercy - as children of God, we must become people of grace and mercy.

6. Abram trusted God. He met Melchisedek: bread and wine and then gave TITHES of all.

Abram was a TITHER

7. Abram refused to depend on the hand of corrupt and perverse king of Sodom - Gen. 14:23

Melchisedek - King of justice and King of peace

He depended on justice and peace

8. Abram covenanted with God and broke the curse of barrenness - Gen. 15: 8-18 & Gen. 17, Gen. 21:5

9.  Abraham interceded for Sodom and Gomorah - Gen. 18:22-33

He did not accused, judge or condemn others, he stood in the gap and prayed for them

10. Abraham put God first (offered Isaac) - Gen. 22, Ps. 126:5-6, Heb. 11:4

We must develop faith to receive and to GIVE

God blessed Abraham in ALL things - Gen. 24:1 

Visit: www.jamesarekion.com

Email us: soteriamauritius@intnet.mu

 

Don't give up!

Don't give up.
(excerpt from the new book "7 Dimensions of the anointing"
Visit us online

Jairus...Mark 5:22-43

Jairus had a family problem. His daughter was ill to the point of death. We are not told how many children Jairus had but we know he had a very sick daughter! My wife and I have only one daughter and I can tell you that twice she has had life-threatening situations. So I can just imagine his anxiety as he goes searching for solution and ends at meeting with Jesus.

As a ruler of the synagogue, Jairus was well known in the community. He was a man in leadership. It took courage and humility to come and fall at the feet of Jesus publicly. He did not come in his official capacity but as a man desperately looking for a solution. His action was totally against Jewish custom, tradition and culture. Jews don't worship man! Jairus must have recognized that Jesus was no ordinary man. When he bowed before Jesus, he recognized higher authority. His action proclaimed Jesus was the Christ, the Messiah, the son of David sent to save the world.

As I have mentioned before, in Mark chapter five, we see the supernatural power of God at work through Jesus as he delivers a young man possessed by demons name legions, healing a woman suffering from blood disease for twelve years and then miraculously resurrecting Jairus daughter. Jesus delivers, heals and operates miracles. But all three of these had an attitude in common. They all fell at His feet. Falling at the feet of Jesus shows humility and worship. Their worship was not a private affair. They did this openly. People saw them coming and worshipping Jesus.

After the deliverance of the man of Gadara, Jesus crossed the lake and went to the other side of the country. A crowd followed Him and Jairus approached him with a request: "Master my daughter is about to die, come and lay your hands on her that she may be healed and live." That was faith speaking out of his heart. Although he left her at the point of death, he approached Him with faith in his request believing that he can do something for his daughter. His prayer was coupled with faith. Jesus agreed and followed him. An attitude of worship and faith always attracts the presence of God. They begun to walk towards the house. In the process, a woman also having faith approached Jesus and seized her healing. Suddenly Jesus stopped! He asked: "Who touched me?" Imagine what is going through Jairus' mind at this point. Time was against them and he approached Jesus first, yet here comes a woman testifying how His power healed her.

As she testified and told Jesus and the people how many doctors she has seen and the amount of money she has spent, Jairus grew the more impatient! When all of a sudden a messenger arrived on a horse and announced the dreaded news that his daughter is dead. The thing that he didn't expect has occurred. Sadness and tears begun to seize Jairus. He didn't want to hear that and the messenger told him that there was no need to bother the Master. Right there Jairus could have given up. He could have abandoned his dream of seeing his daughter healed. In his mind, he can only imagine how she was happy and played with daddy but now all hope has gone as she has moved into the point of no return. But Jesus having heard the news reassured Jairus and said:"don't be afraid, just keep on believing and trusting."

At this point, many of us would have given up and would have been offended. It seemed Jesus took his time. He wanted to know who touched him even though He was crowded and then hear this lady give her testimony. "I was here first" could have echoed in Jairus' mind as he begins to contemplate the situation. He could have been offended at Jesus and then the woman with the issue of blood. He could have moved into anger when the messenger told him to not bother the Master. No one was in his shoes! No one knew how he really felt inside. The pain, the anger, the offense and the sadness all pumping inside affecting his mind and emotions. This is precisely why many Christians give up. These negative emotions and thoughts pushes us to abandon our prayer and dreams.

In this situation, Jairus is learning self-control and patience. Two important factors that keeps us strong and persevering until we receive what was promised by God. It was a test of his character. We may face trials, difficulties, persecutions, accusations and disasters but it may be a test to see where we go and what we do! Will we still depend on the Word and rely on His presence and promises? Will trouble make us walk out and go away from God or bring us closer to God? Will we be influenced by the opinions of others or do we maintain our focus in Christ? Do we allow offense to suffocate our faith? Will fear torment our mind and annul our faith? Jairus' faith has been under attack since he first went to Jesus. But the Word of God says: "Our faith overcomes the world".

If Jairus gives up, he accepts the death of his twelve year old daughter. If he gives up, he has wasted his time. If he gives up, he has showed others that they control his emotions and destiny. Many times you and I, we are "Jairus" faced with a tough decision. Either we abandon our dream, the desire of our heart and destiny or we stay strong and trust the anointed one and His yoke destroying, burden removing, unlimited power to transform our lives and circumstances. It was indeed his continual faith in the anointing of Jesus that made his dream come true. It was his attitude in a difficult situation that made him hold once again in his loving arms his daughter full of life. It was his persevering spirit that turn impossibility to possibility. I want the words "Never give up" to echo in your mind and emotions. I want your heart to fully believe that God can turn your situations around. I want you to be fully persuaded that He that has begun a good work in you will bring it to pass.

We must do what Jesus did and yield to His words of encouragement as he said: Do not fear, only believe". Simply put: "Keep on believing. Keep on keeping on". He wasn't influenced by the messenger's word and opinion. He didn't permit the crowd to follow him. He only took three of his disciples to the house of Jairus. He didn't allow an atmosphere of fear and unbelief to roam. He threw out the mockers. He cast out the death spirit! It is something that you and I must do in order to see our miracles. Chose our friends and the voices that influence and affect us. Refuse discouragement! Don't lose hope! Jesus is still here and willing. Rise up and pursue your dream. Don't let go of God's hands. The manifested presence operates in an atmosphere of faith. Faith expects to see results. It puts a demand on the anointing. The anointing never disappoints.

You must reach a point in your life where nothing and no one will stop you achieving your God-given dream and destiny. We may face delays but we will not be denied! Rise above the reproach of people. They may laugh and ridicule us, but with God we will have the last laugh! We possess the spirit of an overcomer. As an overcomer, we refuse to grow weary and lose heart or be discouraged. As an overcomer, we hold on to our due season knowing He makes all things beautiful in His time. We know that a quitter will never win!

Many men of God in the bible could have given up. Noah, Abraham, Moses, Job, David even Jesus could have given up when faced opposition, persecution and even offense. Yet they persevered and pursued their dream. Noah built the ark that saved his family irrespective of the mocking and laughter of others. Abraham held his promised son at the age of a hundred years old. Moses had the strength and courage to face Pharaoh and led the children of Israel out of the slavery of Egypt. Job stayed strong even though he lost his business, workers, children and friends. David fell in sin, lost a son but still became the king of Israel and birth the generation that brought forth the Christ. Jesus came to His own and they refused Him, beat Him, insulted Him, crucified Him yet he rose up again and conquered the grave and hell. Today, you have the same ability in the Holy Spirit and His anointing! You may be tempted to give up... But don't give up!