IPHC World Intercessors Network Chosen Fast

A Day of Global Fasting & Prayer Guide

The Chosen Fast

Fasting that God approves is more than voluntary abstinence from food – or anything else precious to us, such as time or money. Yes, the fasting that God approves will challenge our hearts and change our lives. It calls for a deliberate sacrifice, but benefits of that sacrifice will extend far beyond one’s self.

God calls for the Chosen Fast; and this fast moves us to experience such dramatic personal transformation that the overflow will pour out like a river of life-giving love to the needy around us.

For the IPHC, January 10, 2001, is a Global Day of Prayer and Fasting. Read Isaiah 58 and let God speak to your heart. Don’t fast as usual. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you what more the Father wants this Chosen Fast to mean to you , your business, ministry or local church, for it’s impossible to observe the Chosen Fast and ignore the poor and hungry. It’s impossible to observe the Chosen Fast and ignore unfair treatment of people who work for you, including wage inequities. It’s impossible to observe the Chosen Fast while refusing to assist relatives who need your help, or while misusing the Sabbath day.

Pray for a revelation of truth that will set your heart, hands, feet into action. Pray for the fire of God’s love to consume you so that every day, including the Sabbath, your actions will verify and witness to your words of love. Adjust, where possible. Repent, as necessary. Obey God’s Word and reap the bountiful harvest of its reward. Let’s become the people who “rebuild their walls and cities” with God’s help, people who “ride high” in the Lord and get their “full share of the blessings” as promised to Jacob (Isaiah 58).

Celebrate the Mercy

God’s heart was revealed in the compassion of Christ as He wept over Jerusalem (Matthew 23:37-39), the city where He would be crucified. But God’s heart was also revealed in the mercy that brought our Saviour back to life in resurrection glory. That river of mercy still flows in the power of His spilled blood!

Because of God’s indescribable love, poured out in the gift of His Son, “whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). And it is this High Priest, who “was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin,” that encourages us to invite the amazing mercies of God as we approach boldly “the throne of grace” (Hebrews 4:14-16).

Early church disciples gladly received this privilege. We marvel at the gift of God’s indescribable mercy that lifted and ignited the hearts of Paul and Silas to sing at midnight while bound in prison stocks. It was the gift of God’s mercy that shook the earth and opened the prison doors. It was the gift of divine mercy that poured into the jailor’s household through words of life that brought salvation (Acts 16:16-40).

Psalm 34:8 (LB) says: “Oh, put God to the test and see how kind he is! See for yourself the way his mercies shower down on all who trust in him.” And the prophet Jeremiah has declared that these mercies multiply day by day so we can greatly rejoice as we receive fresh portions every morning (Lamentations 3:21-23)!

Instructional Note: Take time to praise God for His awesome mercy. When have you wept for someone’s salvation and your prayers were heard? Share personal testimonies of mercies that have come to you over the last year. What about Mission 21 breakthroughs? This is a day to celebrate blessings of mercy and Jesus, the mercy gift.

Scriptures for Meditation and Prayer: John 3:16, 17; 2 Peter 3:9; Matthew 23:37-39; Hebrews 4:12-16 (LB); Acts 16:31(LB); Psalm 34:8 (LB); and Lamentations 3:21-23.

Celebrate the Mission

Though God’s rich mercies are available, bountiful, undeserved and impossible to earn, they operate on a kingdom principle that challenges our ability to love with Christ’s love.

The psalmist wrote, “Lord, how merciful You are to those who are merciful” (Psalm 18:23a LB) and Jesus said, “Happy are the merciful, for they shall be shown mercy” (Matthew 5:7). As mercy recipients, we are called to walk continually in the light of divine love as mercy-extenders.

I John 3:16,18 (LB) reads: “…we know what real love is from Christ’s example in dying for us. And so we ought to lay down our lives for our Christian brothers…let us stop just saying we love people; let us really love them, and show it by our actions.” Thus, “if our consciences are clear, we can come to the Lord with perfect assurance and trust, and get whatever we ask for because we are obeying him and doing the things that please him. And this is what God says we must do: Believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another” (I John 3:21-23, LB).

Obedience to this command releases an amazing miracle, for “as we obey this commandment, to love one another, the darkness in our lives disappears and the new light of life in Christ shines in” (1 John 2:8b-9, LB). Luke expressed it this way: “If you are filled with light within, with no dark corners, then your face will be radiant too, as though a floodlight is beamed upon you” (Luke 11:36, LB). Moses knew about this glory-light from being in the presence of God (Exodus 34:29-35, LB). While being stoned, Stephen’s countenance shone radiantly as he cried out for God’s mercy and forgiveness to be extended to those participating in his death. Moses and Stephen were mercy-extenders by intercession and witness. Through the intensity of their faithful and obedient love, each revealed the brilliance of the Father’s glory (Acts 7:54-60).

Just before His death, Jesus reminded us of our love mission: “I demand that you love each other as much as I love you. And here is how to measure it – the greatest love is shown when a person lays down his life for his friends; and you are my friends if you obey me…I demand that you love each other, for you get enough hate from the world!” (John 15:12-14,17,LB). His prayer for future believers spoke of this love: “O righteous Father…I have revealed you to them, and will keep on revealing you so that the mighty love you have for me may be in them, and I in them” (John 17:25, 26,LB).

If we are to celebrate mercy, we must be able to extend mercy to one another before we can extend it to the world. Love is the foundation of our mission.

Instructional Note: Examine your heart and relationships according to Christ’s words (see Scriptures for prayer and meditation below). This is not a day to boast of accomplishments. It’s a day to extol Jesus, the eternal mercy gift. This is a day to repent for your lack of godly love and to pray that the light of God will illumine the darkened corners of your heart (Luke 11:33-36, LB). Think of specific ways to extend God’s love in 2001. In a spirit of repentance, petition God’s help in discerning the enemy’s access points and closing the door to his advance through places of imperfect love. Give us, O God, the heart of true mercy-extenders.

Scriptures for Meditation and Prayer: Matthew 5:7 ; 1 John 3:16,18,21-23 (LB); 1 John 2:8b, 9 (LB); Luke 11:36 (LB); Exodus 34:29-35 (LB); Acts 7:54-60; John 15:12-14,17 (LB); John 17:25, 26 (LB); Galatians 5:6b,3-14 (LB); 1 Peter 1:3-7 (LB); John 3:29, 30; Psalm 31:7, 8; and 1 Timothy 2:1-4.

Celebrate the Miracle

The mercy principle does more than open the door for us to receive. It draws us into Christ’s heart as we travail over the lost (Isaiah 53:11-12), weep over our cities (Matthew 23:37-39), love with His love (1 Peter 1:22, LB), share the Good News (Colossians 1:6, 27b – 29, LB), and minister to the poor (Matthew 25:34-40).

This mercy principle encourages us, not only to live “by the Holy Spirit’s power,” but to “follow the Holy Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives” (Galatians 5:25, LB). It calls us to endurance: “And let us not get tired of doing what is right, for after a while we will reap a HARVEST OF BLESSING if we don’t get discouraged and give up” (Galatians 6:9, LB).

Mercy compels us to consider, even anticipate and welcome, the exaltation of Christ that draws captives out of bondage (John 12:32). Mercy reminds us continually of the love that provided our liberty; “For, dear brothers, you have been given freedom: Not freedom to do wrong, but freedom to love and serve each other” (Galatians 5:13, LB). Obedience to God’s Word leads us to the lives of fruitfulness that please Him (John 15).

Jesus admonished us as mercy-extenders: “Take care to live in me, and let me live in you…whoever lives in me and I in him shall produce a large crop of fruit. For apart from Me you can’t do a thing” (John 15:4a-5, LB). Because of the miracle of mercy, He also could declare, “My true disciples produce bountiful harvests. This brings great glory to my Father” (John 15:8, LB).

Finally, we pray to stand in Paul’s unswerving resolution: “As for me, God forbid that I should boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Galatians 6:14a, LB), for “long ago, even before he made the world, God chose us to be his very own, through what Christ would do for us; he decided then to make us holy in his eyes, without a single fault – we who stand covered with His love” (Ephesians 1:4, LB).

Instructional Note: As mercy-extenders, we must repent of our lack of love for the needy, our lack of compassion for our cities, and our lack of commitment to intercessory travail. Cast off any weariness, independence and pride that hinder your fruitfulness and stifle your intercessory power. Give specific attention to responsibilities and rewards of the Chosen Fast (Isaiah 58), for this is a day to humbly seek God’s forgiveness for our sins and find the place of mercy that will rend our hearts and revolutionize our lives. Set your course with God, plan for and celebrate bountiful harvests by faith.

Scriptures for Meditation and Prayer: Isaiah 53:11-12; Matthew 23:37-39; 1 Peter 1:22 (LB); Matthew 25:34-40; Isaiah 58; Galatians 5:13,25 and 6:9, 14a (LB); John 15; Ephesians 1:4.

By Bane and Barbara James, World Intercession Network (WIN)

Last update on 8/15/07
©IPHC Ministries. All rights reserved

The Chosen Fast

Fasting that God approves is more than voluntary abstinence from food – or anything else precious to us, such as time or money. Yes, the fasting that God approves will challenge our hearts and change our lives. It calls for a deliberate sacrifice, but benefits of that sacrifice will extend far beyond one’s self.

God calls for the Chosen Fast; and this fast moves us to experience such dramatic personal transformation that the overflow will pour out like a river of life-giving love to the needy around us.

For the IPHC, January 10, 2001, is a Global Day of Prayer and Fasting. Read Isaiah 58 and let God speak to your heart. Don’t fast as usual. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you what more the Father wants this Chosen Fast to mean to you , your business, ministry or local church, for it’s impossible to observe the Chosen Fast and ignore the poor and hungry. It’s impossible to observe the Chosen Fast and ignore unfair treatment of people who work for you, including wage inequities. It’s impossible to observe the Chosen Fast while refusing to assist relatives who need your help, or while misusing the Sabbath day.

Pray for a revelation of truth that will set your heart, hands, feet into action. Pray for the fire of God’s love to consume you so that every day, including the Sabbath, your actions will verify and witness to your words of love. Adjust, where possible. Repent, as necessary. Obey God’s Word and reap the bountiful harvest of its reward. Let’s become the people who “rebuild their walls and cities” with God’s help, people who “ride high” in the Lord and get their “full share of the blessings” as promised to Jacob (Isaiah 58).

Celebrate the Mercy

God’s heart was revealed in the compassion of Christ as He wept over Jerusalem (Matthew 23:37-39), the city where He would be crucified. But God’s heart was also revealed in the mercy that brought our Saviour back to life in resurrection glory. That river of mercy still flows in the power of His spilled blood!

Because of God’s indescribable love, poured out in the gift of His Son, “whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). And it is this High Priest, who “was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin,” that encourages us to invite the amazing mercies of God as we approach boldly “the throne of grace” (Hebrews 4:14-16).

Early church disciples gladly received this privilege. We marvel at the gift of God’s indescribable mercy that lifted and ignited the hearts of Paul and Silas to sing at midnight while bound in prison stocks. It was the gift of God’s mercy that shook the earth and opened the prison doors. It was the gift of divine mercy that poured into the jailor’s household through words of life that brought salvation (Acts 16:16-40).

Psalm 34:8 (LB) says: “Oh, put God to the test and see how kind he is! See for yourself the way his mercies shower down on all who trust in him.” And the prophet Jeremiah has declared that these mercies multiply day by day so we can greatly rejoice as we receive fresh portions every morning (Lamentations 3:21-23)!

Instructional Note: Take time to praise God for His awesome mercy. When have you wept for someone’s salvation and your prayers were heard? Share personal testimonies of mercies that have come to you over the last year. What about Mission 21 breakthroughs? This is a day to celebrate blessings of mercy and Jesus, the mercy gift.

Scriptures for Meditation and Prayer: John 3:16, 17; 2 Peter 3:9; Matthew 23:37-39; Hebrews 4:12-16 (LB); Acts 16:31(LB); Psalm 34:8 (LB); and Lamentations 3:21-23.

Celebrate the Mission

Though God’s rich mercies are available, bountiful, undeserved and impossible to earn, they operate on a kingdom principle that challenges our ability to love with Christ’s love.

The psalmist wrote, “Lord, how merciful You are to those who are merciful” (Psalm 18:23a LB) and Jesus said, “Happy are the merciful, for they shall be shown mercy” (Matthew 5:7). As mercy recipients, we are called to walk continually in the light of divine love as mercy-extenders.

I John 3:16,18 (LB) reads: “…we know what real love is from Christ’s example in dying for us. And so we ought to lay down our lives for our Christian brothers…let us stop just saying we love people; let us really love them, and show it by our actions.” Thus, “if our consciences are clear, we can come to the Lord with perfect assurance and trust, and get whatever we ask for because we are obeying him and doing the things that please him. And this is what God says we must do: Believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another” (I John 3:21-23, LB).

Obedience to this command releases an amazing miracle, for “as we obey this commandment, to love one another, the darkness in our lives disappears and the new light of life in Christ shines in” (1 John 2:8b-9, LB). Luke expressed it this way: “If you are filled with light within, with no dark corners, then your face will be radiant too, as though a floodlight is beamed upon you” (Luke 11:36, LB). Moses knew about this glory-light from being in the presence of God (Exodus 34:29-35, LB). While being stoned, Stephen’s countenance shone radiantly as he cried out for God’s mercy and forgiveness to be extended to those participating in his death. Moses and Stephen were mercy-extenders by intercession and witness. Through the intensity of their faithful and obedient love, each revealed the brilliance of the Father’s glory (Acts 7:54-60).

Just before His death, Jesus reminded us of our love mission: “I demand that you love each other as much as I love you. And here is how to measure it – the greatest love is shown when a person lays down his life for his friends; and you are my friends if you obey me…I demand that you love each other, for you get enough hate from the world!” (John 15:12-14,17,LB). His prayer for future believers spoke of this love: “O righteous Father…I have revealed you to them, and will keep on revealing you so that the mighty love you have for me may be in them, and I in them” (John 17:25, 26,LB).

If we are to celebrate mercy, we must be able to extend mercy to one another before we can extend it to the world. Love is the foundation of our mission.

Instructional Note: Examine your heart and relationships according to Christ’s words (see Scriptures for prayer and meditation below). This is not a day to boast of accomplishments. It’s a day to extol Jesus, the eternal mercy gift. This is a day to repent for your lack of godly love and to pray that the light of God will illumine the darkened corners of your heart (Luke 11:33-36, LB). Think of specific ways to extend God’s love in 2001. In a spirit of repentance, petition God’s help in discerning the enemy’s access points and closing the door to his advance through places of imperfect love. Give us, O God, the heart of true mercy-extenders.

Scriptures for Meditation and Prayer: Matthew 5:7 ; 1 John 3:16,18,21-23 (LB); 1 John 2:8b, 9 (LB); Luke 11:36 (LB); Exodus 34:29-35 (LB); Acts 7:54-60; John 15:12-14,17 (LB); John 17:25, 26 (LB); Galatians 5:6b,3-14 (LB); 1 Peter 1:3-7 (LB); John 3:29, 30; Psalm 31:7, 8; and 1 Timothy 2:1-4.

Celebrate the Miracle

The mercy principle does more than open the door for us to receive. It draws us into Christ’s heart as we travail over the lost (Isaiah 53:11-12), weep over our cities (Matthew 23:37-39), love with His love (1 Peter 1:22, LB), share the Good News (Colossians 1:6, 27b – 29, LB), and minister to the poor (Matthew 25:34-40).

This mercy principle encourages us, not only to live “by the Holy Spirit’s power,” but to “follow the Holy Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives” (Galatians 5:25, LB). It calls us to endurance: “And let us not get tired of doing what is right, for after a while we will reap a HARVEST OF BLESSING if we don’t get discouraged and give up” (Galatians 6:9, LB).

Mercy compels us to consider, even anticipate and welcome, the exaltation of Christ that draws captives out of bondage (John 12:32). Mercy reminds us continually of the love that provided our liberty; “For, dear brothers, you have been given freedom: Not freedom to do wrong, but freedom to love and serve each other” (Galatians 5:13, LB). Obedience to God’s Word leads us to the lives of fruitfulness that please Him (John 15).

Jesus admonished us as mercy-extenders: “Take care to live in me, and let me live in you…whoever lives in me and I in him shall produce a large crop of fruit. For apart from Me you can’t do a thing” (John 15:4a-5, LB). Because of the miracle of mercy, He also could declare, “My true disciples produce bountiful harvests. This brings great glory to my Father” (John 15:8, LB).

Finally, we pray to stand in Paul’s unswerving resolution: “As for me, God forbid that I should boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Galatians 6:14a, LB), for “long ago, even before he made the world, God chose us to be his very own, through what Christ would do for us; he decided then to make us holy in his eyes, without a single fault – we who stand covered with His love” (Ephesians 1:4, LB).

Instructional Note: As mercy-extenders, we must repent of our lack of love for the needy, our lack of compassion for our cities, and our lack of commitment to intercessory travail. Cast off any weariness, independence and pride that hinder your fruitfulness and stifle your intercessory power. Give specific attention to responsibilities and rewards of the Chosen Fast (Isaiah 58), for this is a day to humbly seek God’s forgiveness for our sins and find the place of mercy that will rend our hearts and revolutionize our lives. Set your course with God, plan for and celebrate bountiful harvests by faith.

Scriptures for Meditation and Prayer: Isaiah 53:11-12; Matthew 23:37-39; 1 Peter 1:22 (LB); Matthew 25:34-40; Isaiah 58; Galatians 5:13,25 and 6:9, 14a (LB); John 15; Ephesians 1:4.

By Bane and Barbara James, World Intercession Network (WIN)