Daily Devotional by Chris Hodges
One Prayer Daily Devotional
By Chris Hodges, Senior Pastor, Church of the Highlands
Isaiah 58:6-9
Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
Do you know what is so amazing about this One Prayer campaign? We are all doing something together that has never been done before—more than 1,400 churches participating in a simultaneous message series. It’s going to be a great series but I have to admit, part of me loves One Prayer just because I like the challenge of breaking new ground.
If you like the challenge too, here’s another challenge for you—and for many of you, this is something that you’ve never done before. Fasting. That’s right. Prayer coupled with fasting is absolutely one of the most powerful tools available to the believer—and for the most part is a lost discipline in the church. In fact, most Christians have never even heard about fasting or attempted to fast.
For me, fasting and prayer is the best way to hear the voice of God and tap into His power. Do I like to fast? No, I hate it. Because I hate being hungry. I’m from Louisiana. I consider eating one of my spiritual gifts. But I love the intimacy with God that it facilitates —and I love the results.
The question is, “how do you fast?” Isaiah 58 makes it clear that fasting is more than just starving yourself. True fasting is about denying your fleshly desires (not just food) so that your spirit man can come alive. When that happens, you’ll touch the heart of God and develop a burden for others.
Go ahead—take the challenge!
Check out these great fasting resources:
7 Steps to Successful Fasting and Prayer
Jentezen Franklin’s Fasting Resources
Please tell us if you are fasting with us. Feel free to ask any questions about fasting.
Today, a team went to New Orleans from the OKC and Tulsa area Lifechurches to build a house and minister to the homeless. Please pray with me that they will be able to reach those in need with their love.
Tuesday was my first time to fast, i mean no food for 24 HOURS, I had dinner planned out with friends already and everything not realizing that this was the tuesday that fasting was starting for the ONEPRAY series. It was REALLY tough sitting at Buffalo Wild Wings with my friends teasing me about not eating but it REALLY gave me a better feeling and understanding of what JESUS went through for me and everyone. I would recommend it to anyone who has thought about fasting but has never done it. YOU WILL GET A LOT OUT OF IT!
Last Tuesday--June 3rd--was my first fast. I lifted my brother's name up all day to the Lord. He battles with severe schizophrenia and is unable to maintain a normal life style. He wouldn't seek treatment, b/c the disease put him in severe denial, and he believed he didn't need help. Well, Friday I got a call from him at the hospital saying that he had checked himself in to be evaluated and to get on the proper medication and treatment plan. Now when I talk to him he sounds so healthy and full of life. He wants to come to Life with me this weekend...I AM SO EXCITED to introduce him to Christ's love! God is SO good and faithful to us, and we more than owe the same to Him; it is amazing!!! I look forward to hearing more and more stories of how we all shared Christ's love with those who don't know Him;)
Yes, i did fast yesterday! From 7 AM until 5 PM. I enjoyed drinking in God's water all day. The spiritual water, too! It was not fun near 3 PM but there is cleansing when you feast on Him. God is good. Somehow burdens are lifted and prayer ideas come: who to pray for and how. I looked to God all day. Thank you for this every Tuesday fast. May God bless us in Christ as we continue to seek to be the answer to His prayer of One and Unity.
I am a single mom from Lifechurch.tv in Oklahoma City.
My family is fasting...my kids are fasting from T.V., while I am fasting from T.V. and food (part of the day since I have hypoglycemia). It was wonderful! God is so powerful! We prayed several times as a family. I went into quiet time several times that morning as I fasted from food.
God is so faithful. He listened to me and he spoke to me about many things. One thing was the need for His body of believers to love those outside the faith who need to see that we can love them and embrace them without condeming. We need to accept people where they are and pray for God to lead them to become followers of Christ. They feel our love - they feel the love of Jesus. They will want more of Him.
:)
I am fasting on Tuesdays and believing for the salvation of my brother and for all the other loved ones listed on the one prayer site. How amazing to be standing with so many other believers?! AWESOME!
Yes, I am fasting and praying for the salvation of Sara's family and Karen's family among others!
Praise –
Before concluding my fast from Tuesday on Wednesday morning the Lord moved on my heart to give Philip a chance to respond to an invitation to accept Christ into his life – and he did.
I want to thank all who shared in praying for Philip. The Lord moved on his heart and he surrendered his life to Christ Wednesday at 5am – to God be the glory. I will be meeting Philip this Sunday to share the move of God through One Prayer.
Continue to pray for him that as he puts Christ first he will gain wisdom in dealing with his life issues.
God is faithful - Isaiah 58: 9&10
Brother John - Naples, Fl
The Best Is Yet To Come
http://pluggedinchurch.com
Yes I am fasting, but here is the wonderful thing...before fasting I pray about it... asking God if It is his will that I fast...remember when the Isrealites did what was right in his own eyes? I will continue to ask God every Tuesday through the One Prayer series if I may fast...here is the second wonderful thing...if it is his will, you will not be hungry, I am not hungry...believe me that is of God, because I am overweight by a good bit, and it did not happen by acccident so when I say that my lack of hunger is of God...believe it...I pray now for all lost souls to come home. jan
Pastor Chris, Thank you for the great devotional!!
Everyday that I get on this website & see the wondeful things God is doing in everyones life, I feel so bless to be a part of it. Today I fasted fast food. Like Liane, I am hypoglycemic, so I can't give up all food, but fast food. I also give up watching TV tomorow (my day off) that is the true sacrefice for me, I watch way too much of it & it keeps me from spending time with my Maker. I hope to be able to keep that up even
after the serie.
rebeccagood, I join with you in prayer & aske God that he gives your Brittany & Cody the strenght
to go throught with it.
Ok, now I am totaly tearing up, how amazing that a 11 & 10 yo child would want to experience that!!
How amazing! How inspiering! Here is another story that made me cry; On Sunday, as I was standing by the door at our church (we meet in a theater in a high school) I was enjoying a great worship, I glanced over my left side, right by the tech team & saw Brandon, 10 yo worshiping with such sicerity &
passion, that again, my eyes swelled up with tears! His hands were up in the air as he was
singing every word with such passion & understanding! I thank God for this momment & the youth of today!
I am praying for my sister in law Brittney today.
Today was my very first fast ever. I prayed today more than I have ever prayed before and amazingly the hunger was not that bad.
Today I enjoyed fasting with everyone. I decided on a partial fast, fasting all food until 6 pm. Every hunger pain today reminded me to pray for those who are lost. Thank you to all of you have joined me today in fasting, praying, and worship. God is so good!
Please pray for my daughter Brittany (11) and cousin Cody (10). After hearing about my fast today and after many questions, they have decided to spend tomorrow fasting and praying for their friends at school. One is fasting food (breakfast and lunch), the other TV, computer, and electronic games. Neither have ever fast before, so I pray that draw closer to our Father as they learn to deny their flesh.
This fast is such a blessing and it is great to be able to walk this journey of faith with others. I am thankful for the thoughts shared and really appreciated the mention of Isaiah 58. God is so good and faithful and I really believe He is manifesting Himself in an through us as we put aside our desire for food and seek His kingdom first.
Blessings – Brother John, Naples Florida
This is so cool because I couldn't find my notes from Sunday and I just prayed Lord what would you like to show me in your word today and I turned to Isaiah 58:6 and started reading through to the end. God is on the move and working in all of us.
Standing on God's Word and NOTHING else!
Thanks PC for sharing! We love you being our pastor!
May Salvation come quickly to those seeking Him!
It's such a blessing to read all of these comments. I don't like to fast because I like food...A LOT....possibly too much. I think that's why fasting during this time is so important for me though. It shows God that I'm willing and able to put Him first. It's also caused me to focus more on the people that need prayer that I never really think to pray for. This morning I just listened to some awesome music, did yoga and then just laid in silence on the floor in awe of God and all the amazing things I've seen Him do in my life and in the lives of others. Yes, I am very....very hungry. But it's more than worth it ;o)
As the pastors of Oasis Life Church, Caryl and I are standing with One Prayer to fast during this time! Today we are away for a mini-retreat/vacation and we've elected to participate as well. Today we pray for all the churches involved, for marriages, for ministry direction and for salvations.
Today I pray for: Scott, Dawn, Mike, Elaine & more!
Pastor Chris, thanks so much for your blog on fasting! The insights are great and I know people who were very interested to check out the resources you linked. Jennifer and I are fasting today. Each time we want to reach for something to eat, we are praying for salvation of those we know who do not know Christ. I'm excited to see what God does as a result. It's also humbling to be fasting with so many others. I love being a part of this!
Hey,
This is Philip from LifeChurch NWOKC. I am so glad to hear that so many of you are fasting for the first time. I have had more intimate conversations with God during times of fasting. I also discovered that it is a great teaching tool for my young children. When daddy's not eating it shows and they ask (they always ask). TEACHABLE MOMENT!
I'm praying for my LifeGroup as well. We're starting our fast in less than an hour and we will break it together every week at our small group meeting. I've never fasted with so many people. It is exciting to have someone to encourage and to encourage you. Be good everyone. Let's never stop worshipping together.
The team from Northwest is fasting... it's great! (...and funny as we keep encouraging/nagging each other...) it really does bring you closer to God... it's weird.... it's like a cleaning system. Cleans out all the junk that separates you from God...
I'm doing a liquids-only fast today (but no coffee) and wow am I hungry right now! But when I get irritable or hungry, I've been taking that time to pray, which has added up to lots of prayer today ;) I've also been resisting talking about it too much so that the focus doesn't become the act of fasting. I'm going to try giving up different things each Tuesday and see how it goes - so far, so God!
I loved the reference to Isaiah! I fasting today and praying for a revival in my heart and across the globe. Praying for salvation for Rick.
Chris,
Thanks for the great thoughts on fasting. More so, you and the people at your church are great examples of people with true hearts for God. I admire your annual 21 day fast!
I'm fasting with you all today and praying for salvations of your loved ones.
Wow, I just read that passage last week in Fancis Chan's book Crazy Love! When I read it I thought, Isaiah 58 would be perfect for One Prayer. I'm going to post it on the blog! So awesome that that's what God is putting in other people's hearts too. I challenge people to read the rest of the chapter also.
Our life group has been texting each other today with one message "r u fasting?" Since I've been a 'lifer', I've begun to see that fasting is more than something you do during lent. It's a really humbling experience, affecting me more than I thought it would.
The passage from Isaiah is amazing.
I am fasting today. Also praying for Mary, Gene, Evelyn and Kemper.
I have never fasted before. I am starting out slowly by today giving up "caffiene"! It is about 2:30 and I am starting to get headache....I pray everytime I need a glass of tea! I am not only praying for "one prayer" but for the salvation of my brother-in-laws and other family members who are lost. I feel so close to God each and every day! I love LifeChurch and the messages that apply to my life and situations. I know God is listening to us and we are making a difference!
I have felt like for some time now God has been calling me to start fasting and this series has given me the shove I needed to get it started. There are no coincidences with God. I pray God will show us his power thru fasting to inspire others to fast. I know God has great things in store for the united body of Christ.
Fasting is something that most Christians do not do. But it is humbling and exciting. To know and see that God can and does take your hunger when you ask. To fast and pray and later see the result. People WILL be saved because YOU fasted and prayed. Your direction for your life will never be so clear. I have fasted before and God is AMAZING. I have never fasted with so many people for a common goal. You know God is smiling today on all his children ;)
I have already seen this great campaign moving in my lifegroup this morning as we prayed for One Prayer and as we fast together. This is my first experience fasting in such a large way. Can I just say how BEAUTIFUL this movement is? I've even shared one prayer and our fasting with friends outside of the church and they have come forth with their own miracles that have happened since their own fast. Great stuff! I can't wait to see how God is going to move in my own life.
Liane,
Fasting is giving up things you need, like food, or things you desire, like cokes and sweets. You can fast lots of things, food, drinks, even things like watching tv. Fasting is just sacrificing something you desire and filling that desire with prayer and God. He would never want you to do something unhealthy, so fasting the sweets and sodas is a great thing for you to do. I am fasting coffee and food and I'll tell you right now that coffee is the hardest thing to give up! I really had to keep talking myself into it this morning, it was a fight. Anyway, I'm glad I stuck with it, it really does bring me closer to God.
Blessings to you and everyone else out there fasting and praying, through God, we are making a difference in the Kingdom.
Ok it is about 1:40pm here where I am at. I agree with you Chris, fasting is a huge challenge for me as food is a large part of my life and I do like it. I just got my young son lunch about an hour ago. Sonic, try being in the car with food and knowing you are not getting any of it. There is no place to get away from it. :) Fasting has always been a challenge for me, but I do find that when I just do it, God shows me things that I could not see before. It is an incredible way to draw close to him. Thank you for bringing us all together with "One Prayer" and fasting. I will pass the irritability stage in about an hour and it will all be good! :)
Hi! I'm from the Lifechurch.tv Stillwater campus and I can't tell you how excited I am about One Prayer! I have never fasted before and had never considered it before this series. My concern is that being hypoglycemic, it wouldn't be healthy for me. Does fasting mean you have to give up all food or can you give up certain things that are your vices such as refined sugars, soda, fried foods, etc.? I made a decision to not eat any sweets or drink soda today and I can tell you I've prayed more today than I have in a long time. I believe in the power of fasting coupled with prayer and I want to do it all the way, just safely.
P.S. I loved your daily devotional. Very inspiring!
I am fasting today. I am praying for salvation for my co-workers and praising God for taking care of my kids and I during a very difficult year.