Strengthen Yourself In The Lord - 90 Days of Prayer & Fasting

      Hello everybody, my name is Dean Davis and this is “Multiply,” the podcast that

provides a word of encouragement for Village Church Planters.

My life was very busy before the 90 Days of Prayer, Fasting and Church Planting

got started. And I’m pretty sure your live was very busy as well. You are a

church planter. Church planters have all the responsibilities of home and farm

and community activities that other people have, but they also have the huge

responsibility of planting a church and leading it into healthy growth and

multiplication. Church planters are busy people.

And now, on top of all your other responsibilities, you are supposed to fast and

pray more. Not only that, but you are also supposed to lead your disciples as

they find persons of peace and start new churches. You probably feel

exhausted. I understand. Sometimes I feel exhausted too.

What should a servant of God do when he or she feels so very tired? What steps

should a follower of Christ take to find energy to keep walking in faith? We

need to strengthen ourselves in the Lord.

This is what King David did when he was exhausted and discouraged after the

Amalekites destroyed the town where his family was staying and took captive

his soldiers’ children. 1 Samuel 30:6 says, “And David was greatly distressed,

for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in soul,

each for his sons and daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his

God.”

I hope you are not distressed because people are turning against you. But even

if you are, you can strengthen yourself in the Lord. If you are tired because of

the challenges of life, you can strengthen yourself in the Lord. If you are not

sure you can continue to devote more time to prayer, you can strengthen

yourself in the Lord. Here’s how:

First of all, we take rest. God gave us a sabbath, one day out of seven, to rest.

During the 90 Days of Prayer, Fasting and Church Planting, be sure to take a

sabbath rest. You may be afraid to rest for one day each week. You may fear

economic ruin or that your church will collapse if you rest. Fear not, trust God

to meet your needs and protect your ministry. By faith take a sabbath rest.

Strengthen yourself in the Lord.

Secondly, draw near to God in prayer. Find a quiet place and talk to your

heavenly Father alone. He delights to meet with you. Cast your cares upon

him. He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7). Don’t worry about anything, instead, pray

about everything. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will

guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4;7).

Third, feed on God’s Word. When you are exhausted, it is hard to study the

Bible. So save Bible study for when you are rested. But even in your

exhaustion, read small passages of Scripture, repeat Bible verses that you have

memorized. Draw near to God by meditating on his word. Strengthen yourself

in the Lord.

We are in a battle. This battle will be won by prayer and fasting. We press on

together until October 29. Strengthen yourself in the Lord.

This has been “Multiply,” and I’m Dean Davis asking, “Who will you share this

encouraging word with today?

#EncouragementForVillageChurchPlanters #FastAndPray

#StrengthenYourselfInTheLord