PRAYING & FASTING FOR A BREAKTHROUGH
What Are You Seeking — Part 2
Rick Warren
November 19-20, 2016
"When the Philistines learned that David had been made king of Israel, they mobilized all of their forces against him to attack and enslave him, but David heard the news and moved to his fortified place. Then the Philistine army moved in and spread out across the entire valley. So David sought the Lord in prayer. He asked 'Should I go fight these Philistines? Will you give them over to me?' The Lord replied, 'Yes, go ahead! You can certainly count on me to give you the victory!' So David went out and defeated them. Then David said, 'I watched the Lord break through my enemies like a mighty flood.' So he named the place 'The Lord Broke Through!'" 1 Chronicles 14:8-11
"After this, 3 enemies joined forces against Judah. Messengers told the king 'A vast army is coming against you!' Alarmed and afraid, King Jehoshaphatresolved to seek the Lord. Then he proclaimed a FAST for everyone. So ALL of people came together to seek help from the Lord. They came from everywhere to seek God." 2 Chronicles 20:1-4
HOW? PHILIPPIANS 4:6-8
- DON'T WORRY ABOUT ANYTHING
"Do not worry about anything!" Philippians 4:6a (NLT)
"Don't fret or fear or have ANY anxiety. . ." Philippians 4:6a (Amp)
WORRY is focusing on my fears instead of God.
"Thinking that is controlled by my sinful nature leads to death, but thinking controlled by the Spirit, leads to life and peace." Romans 8:6
How do I switch my focus? By fasting and praying
"I turned to the Lord and pleaded with him in prayer and fasting." Daniel 9:3
"We fasted and earnestly prayed that our God would take care of us, and he heard our prayer." Ezra 8:23 (NLT)
ACTION PLAN: If you did not get the chance to fast today (Monday, November 21), choose a day this week to do so (for Pastor Rick's Guide to Fasting & Prayer, click here). Also, make a commitment to pray three-times a day for the next 34 days (saddleback.com/pray34).
- PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING
"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need. . ." Philippians 4:6b (NLT)
"Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about what happens to you." 1 Peter 5:7 (NLT)
"Every day Lord, I lift my hands to you in prayer and I call to you." Psalm 88:9
LEFT: WHO to pray for
Thumb: Family & Friends
Index: Teachers & Leaders
Tallest: Influencers
Ring: The Sick, Poor, Young & Elderly
Small: MyselfRIGHT: WHAT to pray
Thumb: My Heart
Index: Priorities & Schedule
Tallest: My Influence & Example
Ring: Relationships
Small: Material Blessings
ACTION PLAN: Make a list for each finger on your left hand and one for each finger on your right hand to start the practice of how to pray each time, three times a day. This list is just to get you started, see what else God may bring up during your prayer time.
- THANK GOD IN EVERYTHING
". . . ask God for whatever you need, but always do it with thanksgiving, asking him with a thankful heart for all he's done." Philippians 4:6c
"Give thanks IN all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)
"I will offer you my sacrifice of thanksgiving. . ." Psalm 116:17a (NLT)
HOW?
- By writing out a thank you list
"Tell the Lord how thankful you are. . ." Psalm 118:1 (CEV) - By giving God a Thanksgiving offering
"Celebrate the Harvest Festival, to honor the Lord your God, by bringing him a thanksgiving offering in proportion to the blessing he has given you." Deuteronomy 16:10 (TEV)
ACTION PLAN: Write out your list of things you want to thank God for. Pray about giving a Thanksgiving Offering and make a commitment to give this week.
- STAY FOCUSED ON TRUE THINGS
"Fix your thoughts on things that are TRUE and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable, and fill your mindwith thoughts that are excellent and worthy of praise." Philippians 4:8(NLT)
Mornings: Pastor Rick's DAILY HOPE devotions (email & podcast)
Evenings: Pastor Tom's DRIVETIME devotions (audio)
"If you do this you'll experience God's peace, which is far more powerful than we can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and emotionsat rest as you trust in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7
ACTION PLAN: Sign up to receive Pastor Rick's Daily Hope for morning devotions (http://pastorrick.com/devotional/sign-up) and Pastor Tom's Drivetime Devotions for evening devotions (Drivetimedevotions.com or download the brand new Drivetime Devotions app!). Spend time with these devotions everyday and share anything that you are learning with somebody else.
