Day 40 : Go Deeper still

This is our final day of this time of fasting and prayer, or is it? No matter how deep you are in now, wade in even deeper still. Don't doubt and don't worry about what is going to get wet in His "Ocean of Mercy". Go on... I double dog dare you....Don't stop at the point where you can still keep your feet under you and touch . Allow yourself to be swept away. What are you still holding on to? What are your hesitations to living a more Spirit-filled life in all-out faith? What illusion of control are you still clinging to? Go all in. Pray today these 40 days of prayer and fasting is just the beginning of a deeper and more intimate relationship with God who loves you. Pray that He will continue to beckon you, challenge you to dive deeper and allow Him to take complete control of your life. May this coming week be the most revealing, healing and life changing ever.  

Read: Ezekiel 47:1-12; Matthew 14:22-36

Day 39 : Parade of Hosannas

Just days before, the people were amazed at what Jesus had done for Lazarus but, they were not crowding around him to ask anything from him, they just wanted to worship him. Seeing what Jesus had done, the poeple from Bethany, Jerusalem and even farther away couldn't do anything except to walk before him with palm branches and cry out: "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, Hosanna in the highest!" Have you ever approached God in prayer and say something like this: "God I don't want anything other than to tell you how much I love you and give you glory!" Notice there isn't a: "and while we're on the subject lord, could you...? request. Today empty yourself out before the Lord in prayer. Like a clean slate waiting to have new directions given and written upon you. 

Read: John 12:12-19 

Day 38 : What has changed?

In the scripture we see that many people wondered if their fasting and prayer changed anything and they wondered if they should continue with the practices. Should they continue to keep the festivals of fasting and feasts? Weren't both designed by God to draw a people closer to himself? If drawing closer to God is your every-day goal, then both fasting and prayer must be a part of that, and both are still holy to the Lord. What has changed in you during this time? What revelations have you been shown, what transformation has been taking place during this time. Have you experienced any? Anything at all? Today, ask God to reveal what He has changed in you; a willing heart can do much. How have you treated others differently? Where is God calling you to and what is he calling you to do? To make a change, one must be willing to take a chance.  

Read: Zechariah 7; Psalm 51:7-13

Day 37 : If prayer is all we had; Prayer is all we need

Tonight, we celebrate with Jesus the communal meal, the time of his bitter agony in the garden and his betrayal. THe most difficult of times is hwere nothing can be done except to fall on our knees and pray, surrendering our will and our circumstances to theHoly Will of God. We can give in to anguish and grief or be consumed by fear; the bitter temptation to quit and not to believe in a Loving Father's plan for the ultimate good of our lives. Jesus understands this because at the end of the day of his last night on earth he spent that time in prayer with the Father. When we are overrun by life's despirate moments where best to be? 

Read: Matthew 26:36-44

Day 36 : Tear open your heart

"Rend your hearts and not your garments". That's what the Lord said to his people. He is literally saying tear open your heart so that I may rebuild, repair and restore it. Tearing your heart wide open today is the most powerful and painful thing you can do; but, it's an absolute necessity in this stage of your life! Why, you ask is it necessary for me to tear open my heart? Because God is the ultimate healer when we are the ultimate hoarder. We hold on to too much stuff that does not belong to us; hurt, pain, doubt, fear...the list of negative feelings goes no and on. Only when we tear open our hearts to reveal what's inside can the healing light of God penetrate the dark and festered pain and suffering we harbor within. Today as you bare your heart to the Lord and his mercy, rest in his compassion and unfailing love. Ask him for vision, for dreams that reveal his plan for you, and be amazed!  

Read: Joel 2:12-32 ; Psalm 51

Day 35 : Be still and listen

The last week of your journey may be quite revealing to you, and there is much to say to the Lord; but for today, be still and listen. Listen to what God is telling you about what he has revealed to you over these few weeks. Even if you haven't noticed any changesin your life, God does. Ask him to show you the differences he has made in your life during this time of prayer, meditation and sacrifice. Transformation in Christ no matter how subtle, is change for the better

Read: Ecclesiates 5:1-7; Psalm 46:10

Day 34 : Pray without ceasing

You've heard it said: "Pray for others; others have prayed for you". It points out a fundamentally important aspect of all Christians: Christians need other Christians, to associate with; to worship with, to be with. In your prayers today, ask God to reveal to you someone who is in need of prayer. Prayers for strength or mercy; for healing, for guidance. Offer up to the Lord today prayer for the one or the many that God puts on your heart today. If throughout the day someone randomly comes to mind, know that it is the Holy Spirit at work in you bringing this person in thought and laying them on your heart. May today be a day filled with poerful prayer and miraculous action.

Read: Colossians 4:2-4; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22

Day 33 : Fearless trust

Today is about seeking a "fearless trust" in God. There is one thing we must seek: the face of God. During these past 5 weeks you have been seeking much; our focus may shift from this to that. It's easy to focus on seeking things from God, it's quite another to seek God Himself, to seek his face and not just his open and giving hand. Think of it this way: There is a difference between approaching the king and seeking to kiss his hand, it's another to approach a loving Father and kiss his face. God is both: king and Father, he is more than capable of meeting our needs and answering our prayers. But, he also loves you more deeply than you can possibly know. when you seek his face, you end up in a much closer posture to him. Today pray that you will seek God's face and get closer to him than you ever have before.

Read: Psalm 27

Day 32 : Broken and poured out

Six days before the Passover, Jesus resurrected Lazarus from the grave. Mary and Martha prepared a thanksgiving banquet in honor of Jesus. Mary came to Jesus; her grief was turned to joy, and her joy would turn to sorrow as she would break open the alabaster jar of highly expensive perfumed oil and pour it all over Jesus. 

The oil was highly expensive (over a year's wages). In preparation for Easter, what within you are you willing to break and allow yourself to be poured out for Jesus? Today pray for the courage to go all the way in an extravigant display of your love and devotion to Christ. 

Read: John 12:1-11

Day 31 : Let us pray

One of the greatest gifts is the opportunity to pray for others and equally important is the gift to pray with others in a corporate way. Because of the pandemic many have been unable to worship in-person, and because of that they feel that their prayers go unanswered. Today, ask the Father to join your prayers with those around the world for the concerns that are laid upon your heart. Rest assured that the Lord hears and answers prayer, all prayer.

Read:Acts 1:1-14; Psalm 88:13; Hebrews 10:23-25

Day 30 : Run the race

Just 10 days left of this time of preparing for the joy of Easter! Palm Sunday is just 10 days away and the start of the Holy Week when the real tests of faith will begin. If you've ever run in a race you may know that some folks don't compete fairly, some will strive to cheat, cutting you off or tripping you up. It's unfair! But what if that person is us? What do we do to cheat ourselves out of the victory? Maybe there's sometihing that we're still holding on to hidden in the dark recesses of our hearts.

You may feel like you're in your "groove" running smoothly and then all of a sudden, BAM! We're off course and maybe even side-lined. It doesn't have to end here. Remember there's still time and the race is still on. Get up and get on course. Even though it may seem difficult the Lord is waiting for you, beside you , to guide you.  Today, ask God to shine the light on those still - dark places and reveal any "crud" that you have not yet surrendered that threatens to keep you from running the race. When God shines the light, what is there may dry up and fall away, freeing you. If you don't know what it is allow the Lord to expose it to his healing and then....let it go.  

Read: Galatians 5:7; 2 Timothy 4:1-8

Day 29 : Joy, Joy, Joy

Rejoicing, thanking and praying without ceasing; an endless cycle of praise! This is what God calls us to do, this is what we were created for. Today ask yourself: "do I feel like rejoicing, thanking God and praising him for everthing"? If the answer is "No" then ask God today to remove the stumbling block that is preventing you from being all that you were meant to be: "Joy-filled, appreciative and above all, totally in Love with the Lord".

Read: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-19

Day 28 : Blessed are you

Blessed are those that hunger...If you can relate to that, then spend some time meditating on todays passage called the "Be Attitudes" or the "Blessings". Make a point to count your many blessings that God brings to your mind. Pray and thank him for the wonderful blessings, especially the ones that have come as a result or enduring hardships and trials.

Read: Matthew 5:1-14

Day 27 : Love someone past the hurt

We thank God for all the "good" people that he brings into our lives, but what about the the "others"? There are those that distract us, irritate us, anger us or even frighten us, what about them? Do we thank God for them? After all they're a big part of our lives too! Perhaps God has chosen to put these people in our lives for a specific purpose. Maybe, we are meant to be transformed by God through them in a powerful way, or maybe we are meant to be a blessing to them and share God's love in a different way that helps to transform them. Sometimes we are the only "Jesus" some may recieve, so we ought not waste the opportunity. Ask the Lord to reveal to you someone who needs the Father's love brought to their life and ask our Father in heaven to use you for that very purpose. 

Read: Philippians 1:3-5; Philemon 1:4-6; John 13:34-35

Day 26 : You are deeply loved

You are chosen, holy, set aside for a special and noble purpose. You are called to be a part of a royal priesthood, you are a child of the most high God. You may be in need of an anchor point right now, perhaps much has taken place that has shaken you and fill you with doubt that this is even for you. Rest assured of this: God who called you to this will see you through. Set Jesus Christ as your cornerstone. Write down the ways God has brought you back from the darkness into light. Spend time in prayer today thanking God the Father for beginning the work in you with His Son Jesus Christ, set as your foundation for Him to build upon. 

Read: 1Peter:2; Isaiah 43

Day 25 : Not So Sweet Temptations

It's been said that opportunity knocks, but temptation pounds. Temptation goes way beyond distracting, it can be totally derailing! Jesus understands our struggles not just because he is loving and compassionate, but, because he resisted temptation from Satan as well during his 40 days of praying and fasting in the wilderness. Yes, even Jesus was tempted; physically, emotionally and spiritually. Today, draw near to God and allow him to cover you with his righteous right heand. Offer up today your suffering and allow it to be a vehicle of God's amazing grace.

Read: 1 Corinthians 10:13; Matthew 26:41

Day 24 : Conversation between God and I for Lent: 

God: Have you chosen what will you sacrifice this Lent?

ME: I don't know yet, I can't decide.

God: I will for you. Let's see, well, you will have to give up going out to eat.

Me: That's OK I really don't have the money to anyway.

God: ...And I'll need you to give up toilet paper and hand sanitizer too

Me: Uhh, I'm not really cool with that...

God: No socializing, gathering with family, school's closed...

Me: wait, what?!

God: And no church for a while

Me: ...I have no words...

It seems this time of "return" or Lent has been different. During this time as we strive to give up (fast) to give in (repent) maybe it's that our efforts at fasting has been somewhat strange. After all, We sacrificed so much because of COVID. Last year we could not gather to worship at Easter, we could no longer eat out with family and friends, we could not gather. Many who were in hospitals and extended care facilities would die alone without loved ones near by. Jobs, lost, schools closed, everything was rooted in what we could no longer do. Maybe you chose not to fast this Lent as part of your returning to the Lord; but you really have, not just for 40 days, but a whole year! As we were forced to stay home, shut in and shut down for COVID, God has had our almost undivided attention. This time has not been for nothing! We've cherished family more, helped those who were in trouble, adapted and strived to over-come. Where are you now in your journey? Are you closer or farther? One thing is for sure, you have changed! This day ask God to reveal to you what strides have been made during this slow transformation process. 

Read: Psalm 19; Psalm 40:1-7; Hebrews 10:23-25

Day 23 :  Food, Social Media, smoking, TV and so many other distractions are a source for creature comfort to many of us. They become our "go to" when we're trying to relax, are too stressed or just in need of disconnecting from our surroundings for a while.

Take a moment to really reflect, how much of your thoughts have been overtaken by craving various things like food or activities that you have committed to 'fast' from during these forty days. If these were drugs or alcohol would you consider yourself "addicted"especially if your desires for them were this consuming? Perhaps, this time can bring about a deeper awareness of how harmful these things have become and how we have permitted them to rise to the level of idol in our lives.

Time and discomfort may have revealed an actual addiction. Desireing and craving can be very different. We desire God, but crave the counterfit source of comfort. Pray that God who is all compassion and love, will again be your primary source of comfort and guidance over the cravings for the "knock-off" that has been allowed to interfere in your relationship with God. Today ask Him to use this experience of silent suffering to remove anything that has usurped the His holy presence as the principle comforter of your life.

Read: 1 Corinthians 1

Day 22 :  This chapter has many convicting challenges; one of being for you to match your faith with action. This is where “being” meets “doing” because being a disciple means doing what the teacher instructs. Don’t just contemplate what God’s Word says, DO what it says. You are now beginning the difficult time where temptation lures you to give up and give in. But strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord! Reflect on whether your time of prayer and fasting has been more focused on listening rather than  doing. Ask God for wisdom about where He wants to lead you during this time, and wait on Him to answer you.

Read: Isaiah 40: 28-31; James 1:22-25; Psalm 27

Day 21:  You are now half way through your journey and the Lord has revealed much to you as you've been attentive. But there may exist a lingering doubt in your heart. You may feel somewhat apprehensive or even a little ashamed to admit that you have not surrendered yourself fully to the Lord's will. Maybe you're more than a little afraid of giving Him full control of your life. God is a loving God, rich in mercy and slow to anger we're told, but we still resist; afraid to yield control of our lives to what we cannot see. Today ask God to give you the strength to  see the places in your heart that prevent you from fully relying on and trusting God for all things and in all circumstances. Oh how sweet it will be to "let go and let God".

Read: Psalm 5:1-3; Psalm 139:23-24

Day 20:  You've made it to day 20 and by now God may have revealed to you some things that you may not have known either about you or Himself. Be wary, Satan lies waiting to ambush you! You may be tempted to ask God to remove the weaknesses or "thorns" He has revealed so that you may be perfect like the Father in Heaven is perfect. Having weaknesses is one thing, surrendering them to the Lord to be used for His purpose is quite another. Ask God to reveal to you the "thorns" afflicting you right now and how He may use them to pour great graces into your life in response to them. Then thank Him for each thorn that He reveals and for the sufficient grace He has given you to endure the work He will have you do.

Read: 2 Corinthians 12:7-9; Mark 12:38-40

Day 19:  Forty days of nothing? Not hardly. Even though Jesus fasted for forty days, He clearly came out stronger than ever based on the events following it.  How is your praaying and fasting strengthening you? Do you feel like you're floundering? Maybe you're not experiencing the outcome that you expected. Ask God today to lead you into the same kind of preparation, power and purpose that Jesus gained from His time of prayer and fasting in the wiulderness. Be strong, be bold, be courageous, after all you were not given a timid spirit or one of fear. Bold prayers equal bold outcomes, that's how the Spirit works.   

Read: Luke 4

Day 18: When Moses was gathered up to heaven, Joshua was there to take the reigns and lead the people to the promised land through uncertainty and conflict. He was apprehensive because he did not want to fail like so many others before him. God said to him: "Be strong and courageous". There are times when we are afraid to press forward because we fear that we will not succeed. In other words, we're afraid to go because failure seems immenant, to places where we know we will be tempted and pushed beyond our limits.

Go anyway, be strong and courageous because your God goes before you. The first step is to begin with prayer. Today ask God to watch over you and to strengthen you for what lies ahead and ask that God would reveal His plan to sustain you as you move forward in courage and boldness.  

Read: 1 Kings 8:44-50; Luke 9:23-24

Day 17:  In the time of Jesus, The temple was the center of Hebrew culture, worship and identity. It was also the focus of commerce, specifically when it came to the selling of "approved" sacrifices according to the law. One of the greatest sights was the shear amount of blood from living animals that was sacrificed during the Holy season of Passover. Living sacrifices that were given in the place of the people's transgressions. Doves, rams, lambs, bulls, the list went on and on, The Kidron valley at the base of the Temple mount flowed red. For the sinner it was a contribution; for the sacrifice it was a total commitment. 

Now is the time that we look at what it means to present ourselves as a "living sacrifice" to God. The passages in the scripture of Romans offers many ways we may express this. In what new has this time of transformation and redirection helping you to experience true and authentic worship? Pray today and ask God to continue to reveal His will for you during this time of sacrifice and worship. 

Read: Romans 12

Day 16:  During our earthly stay, many people come and go in and out of our lives including those people who will test us in every way. There are people who specialize in pushing our buttons and even succeed in stealing our joy. How do we treat them? (pause and think about this) No, really, think about it.  Outwardly we may put on our best Christian game face, but inwardly how do we deal with them? There will be circumstances and people involved that are going to be more than we can handle at times.

The strong person  may lash out, or enagage the on-coming fight in an effort to shut it down...We will excuse our crassness and even our brutal honesty by calling it 'exercising healthy boundaries', but this isn't what we are called to do. We are called by Christ to "turn the other cheek, and to pray for those that persecute us,. Ok we get that part from Sundayschool you may say, but what about the people that just plain annoy us, constantly?

If you're getting a vision in your mind right now, ask yourself: Hasn't God created everything and called it good?

So what are we to do with constant interuptors, the over-talkers, the (dare we mention) the 'unlovables'?

We love them, after all that's why God allows our paths to cross. Jesus died once for all, for everyone. In your prayers today, ask God to bring to you someone that will bless you with a test of your faith and a fresh opportunity to love. Also pray for discernment and strength to do what is right, just and loving.

Read: 1 Timothy 2:1-15; 1 Timothy 4:4-5

Day 15:  You're nearing the mid-point of this time of prayer, fasting and Godly works. Psalm 100 speaks about entering God's presence with thankfulness, gladness, joy and with praise in your heart. If you've become so focused on the hardships and burdens that you've been bringing to the Lord in prayer, then just spend today being joy-filled in the Lord. Enjoy His presence, like Mary who sat at the Lord's feet in the gospel account Jesus said "she has chosen what is better and it will not be taken from her; neither will you be deprived of it. Write down some things that bring you joy today and sing a song of praise to God. Pray that the Holy Spirit will stir an urgency in you to press in close to Him and to see what He has in store for you.

Read: Psalm 100

Day 14:  What have you learned about yourself so far? Do you like what you’ve been shown? God has called you to Himself so that He could reveal who you are in Him. This doesn’t mean that you won’t be tempted or that you won't be afraid of  failures, it means that He will be with you always and sustain you through them. Ask God to reveal in you, your potential and His power. May you be found in the fullness of His indescribable joy so that with the talents He has given you , you may use them to bless others. In doing so, what you do and who you are becoming brings God the glory! Pray also for His divine protection from the evil one who constantly seeks to destroy.

Read: John 17:1-26

Day 13:  Broken and poured out. You see those words in both the story of the woman anointing Jesus and at the last supper. Bread, wine and perfumed oil come to mind when we recall the gospel accounts of Jesus during this time of deep personal prayer and sacrifice. Think about what a great personal sacrifice and act of devotion the woman made to Jesus in front of all the guests. Could you do what the woman did? In an act of complete devotion she didn't care what anybody else thought, only the love she had for Jesus mattered. Are you willing to follow Jesus by living your life as offered up and poured out in remembrance of what Jesus has done for you? You may ask yourself how can your life be a living memorial and a sacrifice to Christ? Talk to God about the things in your life that need to be broken and poured out like that of the perfumed oil.

Read: Mark 14:1-26

Day 12:  Have you ever asked yourself the question: "why is this person's prayer answered and mine are not?" Sometimes we put ourselves in the wrong position and pass judgement on others without even realizing it. If we're not careful we may come off as being religious and legalistic instead of being faithful and pious. Today ask God to expose the places in your heart that keep you from being humble and genuine. What will your most 'real and authentic self' look like? 

Read:Luke 18:1-18

Day 11:  In Isaiah God delivers a message to his people who are frustrated with His lack of response to their fasting and prayer. It's easy to confuse fasting with a hunger strike to get God to do what we want Him to do. This chapter in Isaiah reminds us of what God wants for us. Pray to God that He will use your experience with discomfort and hunger for change to permanantly alter how you see those in the world that are lost and needy. Pray also that God empties you of that which is 'you' and to fill you up with all that is 'Him'.

Read: Isaiah 58

Day 10:  We struggle and become grouchy and irritable especially when we are under the pressure of deadlines and monumental tasks. Sometimes when life's mounting pressures are too heavy for us to stand, maybe that is the best time to kneel. How do you handle stress when it comes your way? Do you ask for help? Is your pride an issue? Today ask God to reveal to you the places in your heart that prevent you from seeking help and especially from being "helped". This is particularily important for those areas in our lives that we don't think we need any help. Then ask God into that "place" and ask Him to take over control and take charge over the circumstances that are preventing you from moving ahead. Write down what God revels to you today and reflect on other areas in your life that you need to turn control over to God.

Read: Proverbs 14:29-33; Proverbs 28:9 

Day 9:  Isn’t fasting and prayer supposed to be a secret? You've started this journey with others who have been fasting and praying along with you. Many calls to pray and  fast in the Bible were corporate fasts called by authority figures for a whole group to participate together. The purpose of this season is turn turn back to God and get back on track, but what has been the motivation behind some of your conversations with others about your prayer life and fasting especially during this time? Has it been to become more focused on God or self awareness? To encourage others or receive support? Here's a tough one: Is there some secret wish to be seen as holy or spiritual? Only two people know the answer to this question, you and God. Pray today to uncover the motives for your praying and fasting and ask for ways you can seek  the encouragement you need without clouding your heart with pride.

Read: Matthew 6:5-18

Day 8:  When an infant in a crib is hungry, frightened or uncomfortable in any way, the child cries out hoping to be heard. Sometimes the exhausted child may experience fear of being abandoned and may cry themself to sleep thinking that nobody heard them. 

When help arrives it comes with a comforting touch and gentle words to help calm their fears and soothe their troubled spirit, reassuring them that they're not alone. 

Sometimes we may feel all alone in our struggles and wonder if God even hears us above the pain and turmoil. Like a child, we're in dire need of comfort and reassurance.

Ask God today to give the assurance you seek when you cry out and then the ability to rest knowing His peace is all you need.  Like an infant in a crib, let there be an immediate response to that familiar touch of the one who loves you deeply, calming you from your fears and releasing your anxiety.

Read: Psalm 88: 1-2; Psalm 55: 16-17; Psalm 143:1 

Day 7:  Psalm 119 is the longest psalm in the Bible and it's organized by the letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Using each letter to describe why the writer loves God's instruction for life. Like the writer's passion for God's word, your life can be made richer by reading and meditating on scripture that you are combining with your fasting and prayer. Set aside time each day for your reading and mediation upon what God is revealing to you as you pray. How would you describe your passion for God's word at this moment? Pray that God will increase that fire in your heart during this time as He opens up the very words you are reading.

Read: Psalm 119

Day 6:  Nothing but vegitables and water for Daniel and his companions, and not just for six weeks but for the duration of their training in Babylon! The response from these four young men did not come out of fear of being caught, their response came from a devotion to God's commands that were formed in them from an early age and well before they were carried away to captivity. During this period of time that you have chosen to fast, you'll have opportunities deviate from your commitment, especially if you are fasting alone or think that nobody will find out. Cheating is still cheating. Don't cheat yourself of the benfits that will undoubtedly come as a result of your perserverence. Pray that God will give you the resolve and the courage to stick to this new thing that you've been called to, because this new standard is set to honor God no matter what. .

Read: Daniel 1

Day 5: There are many times in our lives when we feel  that we have lost our way and are in need of direction. Many times we come to this realization when we have come to the end of our “rope” and situations look bleak. Ask God today to direct you in what you are to do and where you are to go. If given the opportunity in your life, God will direct your success.

Read: Jeremiah 42: 1-22; Nehemiah 1: 11

Day 4: During this period of time you may be choosing how you will fast, think of it this way: You've built an alter and you are to lay a sacrifice on it that honors God.  It will cost you something; your comfort, your convenience or your routine. It will take some serious will power and commitment to get you out of your comfort zone. What will your sacrifice be during the fast? Make your commitment in writing and share it with someone who will hold you accountable to that commitment. Pray for God to show you what He wants you to sacrifice and then Let God move mountains for you.

Read: 1 Chronicles 21:18-27

Day 3: We wonder about what we’re to ask for in our prayers. Jesus tells us that the path to the Father is wide open and that we must believe. When we ask do we ask for good things, things that are healthy for us spiritually and most importantly do we ask for things that we can bless others with? What we ask for in prayer is important and we shouldn't hold back assuming that God will not give based on our understanding of our request or assumptions of God's desire to bless. God gives differently. He gives things that will bless others as well and bring Him glory and honor that reveals His unfailing love for us. Be bold today as you walk this path; pray seek and knock on heaven's door. What we find that when we ask it is given abundantly; meaning that the blessings we receive in joy are meant to be shared. 

Read: Luke 11-1-11

Day 2: This passage from the book of Daniel is one source for the idea of a praying and fasting. Both are biblical qand were the first step in seeking God's guidance.  As you set apart these coming weeks in preparation for Easter to seek God, know God has already heard your prayer. He is already at work in your life and on your behalf. What specific clarity of vision are you seeking from God during these 40 days?Spend time in pray throughout the day that God speaks to you and give you strength in this faith journey.

Read: Daniel 10

Day 1: We begin the process of self reflection for the next 40 days. We enter into a new opportunity of changing direction through prayer, fasting and acting upon what God reveals to us. The sign of ashes on our head is an outward acknowledgment of the need for an inward converstion and and outward and upward focus. Today we commit ourselves to the process of allowing the Holy Spirit to convict us. A journey that begins in the dim light of this day and goes into the blackness of Good Friday. Like Jesus, we will be tested on these forty days, beginning today and ending on Palm Sunday. When we have to come down from the high places in life that we have ascended and be healed and nourished by the Holy Spirit in the valley by the still waters. As long as we hold onto our sin and cling to it, there is nothing we are willing to let God do for us in our lives. But when we allow ourselves to be undone, God's healing grace takes over.  

Read: Matthew 6:1-13