Number 1 - CLOSENESS (Personal Blessing) The term, "Blessing", has lost much of its true meaning. In today's Me First culture, a blessing is considered as any good fortune that happens to go your way. But true blessing exists as the bestowal of favor from our Heavenly Father, given to those with whom He is pleased. Therefore to have true blessing you must get in right-relationship with Him. So we are fasting to strengthen our fellowship with Him, by seeking first (in priority and prominence) His Kingdom and righteousness, and making the necessary course adjustments. This is sanctification: realignment with GOD. In fasting we are seeking GOD to help us correct any misalignment in our lives, so that our entire spirit, soul, and body are moving freely in alignment with Him and His will. Because our spirit, mind, and body can be functioning, and even committed to GOD, and moving in His general direction for your life. But sins, compromises, and carnal appetites cause misalignment, just like a car that's hit too many pot holes, and hasn't been serviced. Then that misalignment produces a constant "pulling" to one side or another. Just keeping yourself on the road is a constant stress that wears down parts. Fasting and prayer lifts us up into GOD's Hands so that He can perform a realignment, replace worn parts, and get us moving freely again in His grace, instead of having to fight ourselves just to stay on track. So your personal realignment with Jesus is necessary before you can be effective in praying for others or successful in service to others.
Here are some key verses to base your prayer upon... 1Th. 5:23 And may the God of peace Himself sanctify you through and through [separate you from profane things, make you pure and wholly consecrated to God]; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved sound and complete [and found] blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah).
1Th. 4:3-4 For this is the will of God: your sanctification, that you abstain from sexual immorality, that each one of you know how to possess himself of his own vessel in sanctification and honor...
1Th. 5:23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1Pet. 3:15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;
Number 2 - DELIVERANCE (Deliverance & Rebirth of Downtown Clearwater) Downtown Clearwater is the heart of "our land". But it's presently occupied by an enemy force that wants to keep it to themselves. And as a result, the prosperity that our city could experience is being robbed! Therefore we are fasting for the deliverance of Downtown Clearwater from the spiritual choke-hold of Scientology. And we are praying for the revitalization of the downtown. Specifically for new residents and new businesses (not affiliated with Scientology), patrons, and visitors, to flood back into the city. In our fasting and prayer we are asking the Lord to send Christians back into downtown Clearwater, not to antagonize the Scientologists, but to be the "Light & Salt". And by our active presence, to dilute the influence of the cult, and bring GOD's presence and blessing back into our city.
Here are some key verses to base your prayer upon... 2Chr. 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Hos. 10:12 Sow righteousness for yourselves, reap unfailing love. Break up the unplowed ground for yourselves, for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and showers deliverance on you.
Number 3 - SUCCESS (Our Church To Be Closer With Jesus, and Grow) We are fasting for a Stronger-Closer Connection (i.e. actual fellowship) with our Heavenly Father. One that will be evident by our fruit, resulting in greater impact on our community and church growth. That our members will be:
Bolder
Greater hunger for the Word
Seek and Experience the Gifts of the Spirit...
Add Laborers to the ministry
Here are some key verses to base your prayer upon...
Acts 2:1-4 ...They were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Acts 4:13 When they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and discovered that they were uneducated and ordinary men, they were amazed and recognized these men had been with Jesus.
Acts 6:7 And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly...
Acts 19:20 So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily.
1Cor. 12:1, 7-11 With regard to spiritual gifts, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed...To each person the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the benefit of all...Word of Wisdom...Word of Knowledge...Gift of Faith...Gifts of Healings...Working of Miracles...Gift of Prophecy...Discerning of Spirits...(prophetic) Tongues...Interpretation of Tongues. It is one and the same Spirit, distributing as he decides to each person, who produces all these things.
1Cor. 14:1 Pursue love and be eager for the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.