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Fast + Read + Pray — Part Three
January 26, 2025
WHEN MY FAST JUST LEAVES ME HUNGRY
“The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers.”
(1 Peter 3:12, New Living Translation)
“Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.”
(Psalm 27:14, NLT)
Persecution and Faith in Action
“A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem; and all the believers except the apostles were scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria. Saul was going everywhere to destroy the church. He went from house to house, dragging out both men and women to throw them into prison.”
(Acts 8:1-3, NLT)
“But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went.”
(Acts 8:4, NLT)
Actively Wait on the LORD
1. Check Your Motives
“When Simon saw that the Spirit was given when the apostles laid their hands on people, he offered them money to buy this power. ‘Let me have this power, too,’ he exclaimed, ‘so that when I lay my hands on people, they will receive the Holy Spirit!’”
(Acts 8:18-19, NLT)
Stephen’s Example of Surrender
“As they stoned him, Stephen prayed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ He fell to his knees, shouting, ‘Lord, don’t charge them with this sin!’ And with that, he died.”
(Acts 7:59-60, NLT)
2. Check Your Relationships
“If you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.”
(Matthew 5:23-24, NLT)
“In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She… is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered.”
(1 Peter 3:7, NLT)
3. Check Your Faith
“‘You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it.’”
(Matthew 21:22, NLT)
Faith in Action
“Paul and Barnabas came upon a man with crippled feet. He had been that way from birth, so he had never walked. He was sitting and listening as Paul preached. Looking straight at him, Paul realized he had faith to be healed. So Paul called to him in a loud voice, ‘Stand up!’ And the man jumped to his feet and started walking.”
(Acts 14:8-10, NLT)
A Prayer for Faith
“The father instantly cried out, ‘I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!’”
(Mark 9:24, NLT)
Actively Wait on the Lord with Godly Friends
- Meals were shared in a group (Acts 2:46)
- Expenses were covered by the group (Acts 2:45)
- Ministry was done in a group (Acts 6:3)
- Heartache was shared in a group (Acts 8:2)
- Prayer was done as a group (Acts 2:42)