Prayer and Fasting to Know God's Will

Summary

The service opens by dedicating a newborn to the Lord and blessing the family. From Scripture the pastor reminds parents that God entrusts children to them to be raised in His fear and brought to Christ (Matthew 19, Ephesians 6, Deuteronomy 6), and he recalls how his own father once taught him honesty as a boy.

Before prayer, the pastor urges the church to declare the whole counsel of God. Just as the angel told the apostles to speak all the words of this life, and as Paul held nothing back, believers must not be ashamed of the gospel or hide its harder truths, for God's people perish for lack of knowledge.

The main message calls the church into a twenty-one day fast at the start of the new year, modeled on Daniel, who set his heart to seek God in prayer and fasting and received heaven's answer. Fasting is humbling yourself before God, not a diet; it is real spiritual warfare against unseen powers and a way to break what holds us. The three weeks are given to personal cleansing, to families and youth, and to revival, healing, and evangelism.

Key Points

• God entrusts children to parents to raise them in His ways and bring them to Christ for blessing.
• Preach and live the whole counsel of God, never softening or omitting the harder truths.
• Like Daniel, let the Word of God stir you to seek the Lord in prayer and fasting.
• Fasting is humbling yourself before God, not a diet; its goal is to know His will.
• Prayer is real spiritual warfare against unseen powers, so put on the full armor of God.
• True breakthrough over stubborn habits and strongholds comes only through prayer and fasting.
• Dedicate yourself to God while young, as Daniel resolved in his heart not to be defiled.