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WHAT?

40 DAYS TO SAVE AMERICA CORPORATE FAST

For 17 years, The Watch of the Lord has met in corporate prayer and fasting for our city and our nation. This year, we are coordinating our annual forty-day fast to coincide with thousands of other Christians, prayer networks and churches across America who will be standing in the gap for America, our economy, our national elections, and revival during this time. We are encouraging every Christian in America to join in this nation-wide corporate fast from September 28-Nov. 6, 2012.

During 40 Days to Save America we want to declare the Lordship of Jesus Christ over America. We will ask for God’s choice to take leadership of our nation. We will pray for America to continue to bless Israel and elect leaders who will honor our friendship with her. We will pray for continued religious freedom to worship both in private and in the public square. We will be praying for our economic recovery, and we will be praying for a great awakening in America.

WHY?

IF MY PEOPLE…

“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14

This is a critical hour in our nation’s history. Moral decadence, physical and economic drought, and a spiritual decline have left our nation impoverished in many ways. We do not believe this is God’s destiny for America, and we believe He has called and anointed Christians to have a say in their nation’s future. There is no higher authority than the praying Church seated in Heaven’s throne with Christ. We believe that each one of you is here on earth in this nation, in this season for such a time as this.

God has given us His prescription for national restoration and return.

First we humble ourselves. Humility is the first prerequisite God gives in His prescription for national restoration. God’s heart is moved when He finds humble hearts. Is. 66:2 says, “This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word.” When we take a low position, we open the door for God, His glory, and His presence to come and reign.

In Scripture, the way to go low is by fasting: “I humbled myself with fasting” (Ps. 35:13). Corporate fasting and prayer is what turned God’s wrath away from the wicked city of Nineveh in Jonah’s day. It is the way Ezra responded to danger, as well as Queen Esther when her people faced annihilation. King Jehoshaphat called Judah to a corporate fast (see 2 Chron. 20), and the prophet Joel called all the people of Israel to fast as well. A corporate fast is like a spiritual nuclear bomb, highly effective in breaking down the enemy’s strongholds. Time and time again we see fasting and prayer will rescue the destiny of a nation and open the heavens for spiritual revival and refreshing.

Second, pray. The first assignment of the church when it’s gathered together is for prayer. One prayer warrior on their knees can break strongholds, but the Church mantled with apostolic grace can open the heavens and release entire regions and nations from demonic strongholds. Our nation is in crisis. We are calling Christians across this nation to join forces in one unified voice to pray for turnaround, awakening, and return to the godly foundations and destiny God has for America.

Third, seek. It’s interesting that this is different from prayer. He’s indicating, “Don’t just say prayers. Pray until you get the breakthrough. Pray until you are in My face and we are face to face, and I will hear your voice.” This is the image that Jesus conveys to us in his teaching on prayer: “Ask and keep on asking and it shall be given you; seek and keep on seeking and you shall find; knock and keep on knocking and the door shall be opened to you. For everyone who asks and keeps on asking receives; and he who seeks and keeps on seeking finds; and to him who knocks and keeps on knocking, the door shall be opened” (Luke 11:9-10).

Last, we walk in repentance, turning from our wicked ways. Moses, Nehemiah and Daniel are all examples of great men of God who stood in intercession on behalf of their nation from the place of repentance. Individual and corporate repentance are important in this season of fasting. The Bible says if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship, harmony with one another, and the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin. And so harmony, right relationship and fellowship–the things that make our prayers heard on high—are also essential for the healing of our land.

As we humble ourselves individually and corporately to pray, seek God’s face and repent, God promises to hear, forgive, and heal.

HOW?

You can join in any capacity for any duration that you are able or feel the Lord is leading you to participate. There are many types and ways you can be an effective part of this corporate time of fasting and prayer. The key is that this is a corporate fast, so no one person carries the burden of the fast alone. You may feel led to fast one day a week for the duration of the fast. Others may feel led to fast for a portion of the fast, or to do a partial fast for the entire forty days.

Most people are amazed to learn how many different kinds of fasts there are in the Bible and how many unique variations God has given us for fasting.

The complete fast refers to a total fast in which you eat nothing and drink nothing. The maximum time for this kind of fast is three days and nights. If you go any longer than three days without water (except in the literal presence of God), you face very serious health risks, including permanent damage to your key internal organs, and the cells in your body will begin to break down at a rapid pace. The complete fast is found in Ezra 8:21; 10:6 (called and observed by the prophet-priest Ezra) and in Esther 4:16 (called and observed by Queen Esther and the Jews in Sushan). The complete fast is a fast of desperation, a fast of all-out hunger and urgency for the presence of God to come on the scene. It was this fast that Esther used to bring salvation to her nation and herself.

The normal fast, which Jesus observed in the wilderness, involves total abstention from food, but regular intake of water. We recommend the normal fast if you will be fasting for shorter intervals of a few days. You may want to squeeze some fresh lemon juice into your water. If you are fasting for more than three days and you would like a slight pick-up, put a little honey in your water. You may prefer to drink herbal tea, but we would recommend that you avoid drinking heavily caffeinated beverages such as tea or coffee.

The Daniel fast or partial fast is what we recommend if you have never fasted before, have health issues, or plan to fast the entire forty days. Among the most well-known “fasters” in the Old Testament is Daniel. He describes one of his fasts in Daniel 10:2-3: “In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks. I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.” Daniel pleased and honored the Lord when he observed this fast. He ate “no pleasant meat” but instead ate vegetables and drank water. In First Kings 17, you will find that Elijah went on a partial fast of cakes made of meal and oil. John the Baptist was especially creative in his partial fast. He ate only locusts and honey, according to Matthew 3:4. God will honor a partial fast just as much as He will honor a total fast or complete fast. This fast is ideal for individuals with certain types of physical conditions such as diabetes, hypoglycemia, and anemia. It is also very practical for people who must work in physically or mentally demanding jobs while they are observing a fast.

It is very important that you respect your body during the fast. Don’t abuse your body; respect it. When it is done with wisdom and care, fasting is actually a blessing for your body because it allows your digestive system to rest and purge residual poisons and toxins from your body. Fasting is a way we humble ourselves, and sometimes humility means listening to the signals you are getting from your body so that you do not harm yourself.

How do you respect your body during a fast? If you feel physically weak after several days of fasting, sit down and rest a little. It is normal to feel hunger, and less energy, so adjust your activity level to account for your fast. Let the grace the Lord gives you lead.

If you would like further resources to learn more about the spiritual, physical, and practical aspects of fasting, we have written a book that will empower you with the tools and spiritual inspiration to help you on your journey: The Hidden Power of Prayer and Fasting and companion devotional, 40 Days of Prayer and Fasting.

SIGN UP!

Sign-up to be part of the Prayer-Force. Please register and let us know you will be joining so we can keep you informed with prayer directives, resources and encouragement during this season of concentrated prayer. Sign up for the fast online and you will receive our ebook, Binding the Strongman, a powerful tool and resource in how to pray for breakthrough for your family and your nation with prayer and fasting.

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