It is interesting that during my time of prayer and studying I came across several passages regarding the Apostles and disciples of the early church where fasting is mentioned.
The first passage is where Cornelius, a Gentile was praying and fasting. Acts 10:30;
And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing.
The passage continues where an angel was sent to Cornelius to let him know that God was sending Peter to him to bring the good news. Shortly after Peter arrives, preaches and this is the beginning of conversion of the Gentiles in the early church. They were baptized in the Holy Spirit and finally accepted by other Jewish believers.
I thought it interesting that Cornelius was fasting and seeking God's direction and will for his life. Isn't that what we are doing when we commit to prayer and fasting for God's will in our lives? This excites me because now, more than ever before in my life, I need to know Christ more intimately, know His will and direction for my life, and be refilled with the Holy Spirit in a way that will take us through the days ahead. I remember reading years ago the scripture in
Matthew 6:25
Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
This is a day that the Lord has made, and we will rejoice in it (Psalm 118:24). This was the scripture the Lord gave me January 25, 1999. This was the day my youngest son was shot in the eye at point blank range. The devil tried to kill him, destroy my other son and take my blessings. He did not succeed.
Today, I sit here very uncertain of where I will be in 36 days. But I must stand fast in the words that God gives me during this time. He is saying take no thought about our lives, what we shall eat, drink, or what we should be wearing. God will provide for us through thick and thin.
The second scripture in my reading today was when Paul and Barnabas are chosen to go out. Acts 13:2
As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Desperate me Barnabas and Saul for the work where unto I have called them. 3) and when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
I don't know about anyone else, but as I minister to the Lord and seek His face, I am praying and believing that He will show me where to go and what to be doing. I have already received more opposition than I can mention in this blog from the day I said I was going to do this. I suspect others are also being tempted to throw in the towel.
The last scripture that caught my eyes today was at the end of my reading in Acts 14:23. Paul and Barnabas were on their first missionary journey. The scripture says,
And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting they commended them to the LORD, on whom they believed.
Paul and Barnabas went out and preached with boldness and power. They might have thought the prayer and fasting was tough. From what I've read they had great success. At one point the people were even bowing down and worshiping them calling them gods. When Paul corrected them, they turned just like they turned on Jesus and began to beat and stone them.
I suspect we will all meet with some opposition after this is done, especially when we are moving and doing what God wants us to. Many may lose the support of loved ones because of our quests and callings. I am already experiencing great loss, but am having to press through the darkness that tries to take over my determination to seek the Lord with gladness, hope and expectation.
My prayer is that you will continue day four through forty with much hope and expectation that God is a rewarder of those that diligently seek Him.
Hebrews 11:6 (NLT) says,
So, you see, it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that there is a God and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.
Galatians Chapter 5 begins with the following verse;
Satan and/or my mind (sometimes I can't decide which) will project a false picture of who I am, or worse yet, who others are. This really hurts us and Christ. Satan is always going about like a roaring lion accusing and putting out false projections. When this happens grab the truth; you are free in Christ. Turn off the projector. 
Our dream or hope is not real, it was just a false projection or perhaps we weren't willing to pay the price of casting down vain glory, envy and strife.
How do you respond even in prayer to an entire country who has been turned upside down in just a few minutes? The aftermath, the grief, the loss.
Today I sit and listen to rain falling outside and wonder to myself, 
It is interesting that during my time of prayer and studying I came across several passages regarding the Apostles and disciples of the early church where fasting is mentioned.
