We also believe revival will only come in answer to prayer. So each day of REVIVE :: 2017 will include a specific call to prayer.
Last year, the Revival and Reformation Ministries department of the General Conference organized a 10 day prayer event at the beginning of 2016. At the time, Melody Mason, wrote a short piece called Take the 10-Day Prayer Challenge worth reading by anyone getting ready for our REVIVE :: 2017.
The article uses the story of Daniel and his three friends, to illustrate the importance of special prayer. It describes how they were brought to Babylon in captivity, and how they were tested in the area of diet, and how they made the commitment to remain faithful to God. And then the results: "At the end of 10 days their features appeared better and fatter in flesh than all the young men who ate the portion of the king’s delicacies" (Daniel 1:15And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat.). God blessed their 10 day trial.
Melody then goes on to point out, how our world today is being held captive by a cruel tyrant. The heartache and pain all around us is evidence enough. But we serve a mighty God, who can give us great victories, if we will but seek Him, as did Daniel and his friends.
In the article, Melody describes how she has made it a tradition to begin each year with a special prayer focus of 10 days or more, and gives three suggestions for getting the most out of that time:
1) Consider doing a natural juice fast, or following a simple "Daniel fast" of fruits and vegetables. Making healthy food choices, and eating sparingly can help give you a clear mind for your 10 day prayer focus.
2) Set aside unnecessary digital distractions, including social media and worldly entertainment. Someone once suggested FAST should stand for "forsaking all secular thoughts" and doing that is an important key to keeping your mind fixed on God.
3) Invest extra time in personal prayer and Bible study, particularly in ways that strengthen your own personal walk with God. The goal is to begin the new year as closely connected to Christ as possible.
Melody concludes, by observing that God works "in miraculous ways" when we take "specific time for prayer and fasting each year". And I too can share first-hand stories of times the Spirit of God was poured out in response to prayer. It can happen again.
Why not join with us, in starting out the New Year in pursuing revival, through prayer. Let's make 2017 our most powerful year yet!
You will find 10 additional suggestions at the end of her article for making a 10-day prayer focus more meaningful. It's worth checking them out as you get ready for REVIVE :: 2017. Melody also has a best-selling book out called Daring to Ask for More. It would make a great supplement to the revival series coming out soon from FAST! See you in REVIVE :: 2017.
Comments
Have you ever spent 10 days or longer in a special prayer focus? What were the results? More important, how did it impact you? Share a story in the comments below...![]() |
Posted by Dan Vis on 12/16/16 - Coach | ||
I think you said it well Qing, while we need to walk closely with Christ day by day and even moment by moment, it's important to set apart special times for even more ernest and fervent connection. Let's pray the upcoming REVIVE :: 2017 event will help many of us to experience that. | |||
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Posted by Qing Ling on 12/16/16 - Coach | ||
I was SO blessed to be invited to partner with a friend for 10 days of prayer - reading together a book on Spirit Baptism and Prayer, and praying daily together. It is an experience that has been imprinted in my memory as one of the most powerful, God-connection times in my life. Whilst I believe in daily walking ever closely with Jesus, even moment by moment, there are certainly some moments that shine more than others. There is power in prayer, power in praying together, and even more power in praying the very words of God Himself (a key concept a learned first in FAST:) ). Matthew 18:20,1For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. . . . 0 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. John 5:14-1514 Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee. 15 The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole. to quote a source: there are 7959 promises in Scripture made by God. If we use one promise each day it will take us 22 years to use each of the promises once. |
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Posted by Orley Ringering on 12/13/16 | ||
God's richest blessings to each of you in the coming year. There are exciting difficult times ahead. Orley |
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Posted by Alice on 12/13/16 | ||
Hi all! I am really blessed to find this link! my Friend send it to me, may God bless her much. I really love my Savior Lord Jesus and want to walk with Him like Daniel and his friends did. That will be my first time in 10 days of prayer, i hope that something new will happen in my spiritual life. Dear friends let's pray unceasingly, be watchful, there is no time at all. very soon our Lord is coming. God bless all his children around the world. I love you all even if don't know you but i hope that soon i will meet you, knowing each other. Let's be prepare, we will meet in the sky. John 1:12But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:; Mark 13:37And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch. |
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Posted by Dan Vis on 12/12/16 - Coach | ||
Actually Diane, the GC prayer focus this year starts the day after ours ends (January 11). So you can do both with no problem. In fact, I plan on mentioning it in Revive :: 2017, and encourage people to continue on there, to get a double blessing! Remember Zechariah 9:12Turn you to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope: even to day do I declare that I will render double unto thee;? | |||
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