Expectation

This week we began a corporate fast and I began with expectation. 

The morning before the fast began I journaled, " During this fast I expect to draw closer to Him, to unleash the power of the Holy Spirit and to go deeper into scripture".  I didn't even know what I was going to fast at that point.  Many in the church are fasting TV or games, some are cutting a certain food from their diet, some are following the Daniel fast, others are on a water only fast and still others are combining  some of these.  By the end of the day I knew what my fast would be because I expected God to tell me. I didn't know where I was going to start in scripture, but He told me and that was no surprise, I expected He would.   God began day one giving me tid bits and at the end of this fast I expect these tid bits are going to add up to something life changing.

Tid Bit #1: Preparation.  I need to prepare my spirit to receive.  There was a time a couple of years ago, I pleaded, "God please let your light shine through me. Let me be your light and use me to spread your glory."  He gave me what I asked for, but I was not prepared to do what He was asking of me.  This was day one of the fast and I am certain He is telling me that we need to prepare for what He will be raining down on our little God loving church.

Tid Bit #2: Pray Expectantly.  As I type this I am amazed.  I went back to my journal to see what tid bit I received day two...amazing, it is the same tid bit I received today. I think He really wants me to get this one.  This insight came to me when a friend sent a text saying her heart rate would not go down.  I knew she had been dealing with an accelerated heart rate for some time, but today she said, "It won't go down".  ...I said, "Oh yes it will!  In the name of Jesus it will! BRB praying."  Man, I have to say that was the most awesome prayer EVER!  I texted her back..."you had to feel that!"  She said she felt a sense of peace come over her and her heart rate went down while she was taking it. Amen, Amen and Amen.  I then asked another wonderful woman of God how her health was.  We had prayed for healing the day before and she said it seemed a little better but was praying that God will heal her in His time.  I thought, "No, I am going to pray expecting healing now." I told her I was going to pray hard that day.  I stopped what I was doing, got on my knees on the floor of my office and prayed that she would be healed.  Not later, now, in the name of Jesus she will pick up her mat and be free of this.  Praise God, she is!!

Tid Bit #3:  Restoration Like everyone else, I have had a few road bumps in life.  For some reason I can't get back to where I used to be.  I let life take control of me awhile back. I went from someone that just took the hits as they came and took care of what need to be taken care of to sitting back and letting things go.  God told me to prioritize and just get things done.  Prioritize.  First is Him. Start every day in prayer and schedule my day, keeping Him my priority.  If I do, my heart will be restored to a place God dwells, my home will be restored to a home where God dwells, my workplace will be a place God dwells.  It is all about restoration.

Through this fast I am preparing my spirit and praying expectantly for restoration.  I know that this is what He wants for us. 

Moses told Pharaoh that the plague would end THEN he went to God.  He prayed expectantly.  When Jesus healed the blind He didn't say I'll pray for you and then hope that the blind man would someday see.  He said, "you can see".  He didn't tell the man who hadn't had the use of his legs that maybe later he would find the strength, God willing, to walk.  He said "get up, pick up your mat and go".  He was healed.

If we have the power of the Holy Spirit within us, if we have all the power of Jesus within us, why do we throw down safety nets in our prayers?  I am not saying that sometimes the answer isn't no or later. It is true that God is God and we are not.  God will do what God wants when He wants.  But we can certainly pray expecting the answer will be yes.  Our prayers do make difference to our Daddy.  When Moses prayed to stop the plague so the Pharaoh would have another chance, God knew the Pharaoh's heart was hardened and He would have to send the next plague.  But, Moses prayed expectantly and God showed His heart saying yes to an expectant prayer warrior. 

These tid bits themselves are life changing but this is only day 6 of 21.  I am certainly expecting more and praising His mighty mighty name in advance for what He chooses to bring to light.

Glory Be to God...always.