Prophetic Focus: PRAYER AND FASTING EMPOWERS. EXHORTATION LINES January 9th 12th, 2017 Introduction Believers are largely used to praying to God to do things for them. But more often than not, what we need is to know what to do to come out of our challenges Is. 5:13/ Jn 8:32 Getting things from God may be great, but obviously gaining command over things is far greater Luk. 4:14/ 32-35 The altar of prayer is the altar of empowerment, which enhances our level of spiritual authority Luk. 9:28-35/43 The altar of prayer is also the altar of answers to our questions and our access to divine secrets - Jer. 33:3/ Dan. 2:16-19 The exhortation line for the first week of this fast is captioned: Maximizing the Blessedness of the Altar of Prayer and Fasting. Day1: Monday, 9th January, 2017 Maximizing the Blessedness of the Altar of Prayer and Fasting We serve a Prayer answering God Every good thing of life is our entitlement in Christ and we can demand for them from the altar of prayer Matt. 7:7-8/11/ Jam. 4:2 One Jabez demanded for a change of story and he prevailed 1Chr.4:9-10/ (Gen.32:24-28) Fasting facilitates answers to prayers Is. 58:6/9/ Esth. 4:16-18 But faith is a must to receive answers to our prayers Matt. 21:22/ Mak. 11:24 Day2: Tuesday, 10th, January, 2017 Maximizing the Blessedness of the Altar of Prayer and Fasting God empowers His people through the altar of prayer and fasting But God will only empower those who crave for it Is. 41:17-21/Luk. 11:13 Empowerment of the spirit usually triggers supernatural breakthroughs Is.45:1-3/Is.61:1-7 While Jesus is the baptizer of the Holy Ghost, God is the one that anoints for exploits Matt. 3:11- 12/Acts 10:38/ Is. 45:1-3 Prayer and fasting is a non-negotiable requirement for empowerment and re-empowerment Acts 2:1-4/Acts 4:30-33/Acts 13:1-5 Day3: Wednesday, 11th January, 2017 Maximizing the Blessedness of the Altar of Prayer and Fasting We serve a question-answering God The altar of prayer is the altar of answers to our questions - 1 Sam.30:6-9/ 2 Sam.5:18-22 What shall I do to inherit the kingdom of God? someone asked and he got his answer Mak.11:17-21 The people that gathered on the day of Pentecost asked, men and brethren what shall we do? and they got the answers Acts 2:37-38 This is not about questioning God, but asking pertinent questions in our areas of interest is what entitles us to answers Acts 16:33/ Job 9:4 Day4: Thursday, 12th January, 2017 Maximizing the Blessedness of the Altar of Prayer and Fasting Prayer and Fasting Empowers our Access to Divine Secrets The secret things of life belong to our God Deut. 29:29/ Pro. 25:2 The secret of God will make a star of any believer Job.29:4-18/ Ps 25:14 God reveals His secrets to His people mostly through the altar of prayer Dan. 2:16-19 Daniel, a man of prayer, praying three times a day, had unusual access to divine secrets Dan. 6:10/ Dan. 5:5-17(11) Job, a consecrated man of prayer traded divine secrets into realms of supernatural breakthroughs Job 29:4/Job 1:1-3 Jesus is Lord! Note: there shall be No evening prayer service on Friday, because of the One Night with the King programme.