As I watch/read the headlines {maybe I should say read in between the headlines as they’re rarely fair or accurate} over the past few weeks and months, I am moved to increase the practice of fasting. Admittedly, I have not made enough of an effort to make fasting a priority in my walk with the Lord. Scripture speaks of when we fast, not if we fast, which implies that it should be a regular practice. May we all draw closer to the Lord in these days and times.
Matthew 6:16 “Moreover, when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites; of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward.”
I suppose I should begin by saying that I have never written an article or posted commentary like this before, so forgive me if it doesn’t meet the standard. My heart has been so heavy recently as the evil in this world grows increasingly darker by the minute. The great deception is shifting into high gear. I have so many lost loved ones that are so blinded, it’s heartbreaking. I know many of you understand this all too well.
Romans 1:28 “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient….”
2 Timothy 4:3-4 “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”
I would like to invite you to fast and pray with me in regards to a couple of things of great concern.
First, Covid19… the news is all about a vaccine. The wealthy are pouring millions into a vaccine which they have declared “the only answer” and are wanting to force it on every single human being. {If you do refuse the vaccine, there will be a high price to pay… denied entry to grocery stores, higher health insurance premiums and denied employment.} It may include a digital ID, and who knows what else they will try to sneak in to “track us.”
I am, in no way, claiming that the pandemic is not real, but I don’t believe we have any real, accurate knowledge of how many people have been affected or died from it. The test results and reporting have been a disaster. I believe that although this has been unleashed by Satan to destroy the church and to divide and conquer humanity, God is using it to open the eyes of the unsaved and those who have been lukewarm. {What Satan meant for evil, God worked it for our good.} There have been many people turning turn to the Lord during this time of trial.
First and foremost, I’m praying for the will of God to be done… whatever that turns out to be. But I allowed myself to imagine, just for a moment, the reaction of humanity if the Lord spoke and calmed this storm. One word from God, and the miracle of healing could sweep across this land, and Covid19 would be gone even quicker than it came. Doctors, nurses, first responders and all humanity… I dare say even some “Christians” would be speechless. The millions poured into the “only thing that can save us,” a vaccine, would be for naught. I pray and fast that the Lord would make his healing power known to a lost and dying world and that an end times revival would take place.
James 5:16 “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that you may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”
Secondly, the upcoming election. I read an article today that had celebrities {why anyone gives their advice any consideration is beyond me}, urging people to vote as if their lives depended on it. I would implore you to vote as if your freedom and right to worship depended on it. Because it does. The persecution of the church has increased with lightning speed. If we speak anything Biblical, it is considered hate speech, and our right to worship has been absolutely trampled on, all the while people are gathering in the streets to loot, injure, kill and destroy everything in sight. Our right to bear arms, to have police protection, and most importantly our right to worship our Saviour are all at stake. If the wrong person is elected, the consequences will be swift and severe {Marxism/socialism/communism}.
I spoke with a friend a few days ago who, not unlike myself, has not been overly political in the past. She made the comment to me that she just goes by how the candidate seems to treat his family and his/her ease of speaking. In a word, charisma… if they have charisma, she votes for them. The man of lawlessness will be very charismatic, and that will be one of his greatest tools. As I said to my friend, please do your homework… know who you’re voting for and what they stand for. It is critical in this election. Through prayer and fasting, we must make our requests known to God.
Philippians 4:6-7 “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
There are many evil forces coming against our sitting president, and the disrespect shown to him is mind boggling to me. Democrat, Republican or Independent… we are all human beings. Whatever happened to disagreeing or even disliking someone without wishing them dead. The present world is filled with so much hate and evil… we must, as Christians, cry out to God and say we need you here, Lord.
I understand that we are on the fast track to rapture or tribulation, depending on whom you serve, but I will fast and pray for just a little more time so that my lost loved ones might turn around before it is everlastingly too late. It is an emotional time for many of us, longing for the Lord to come for us on the one hand and crying out for just a little more time on the other hand.
I’m calling on all Christians to fast and pray with me that the Lord’s will be done and for protection in these last minutes before we are caught up to be with the Lord forevermore, and that our lost loved ones will have moments of clarity to repent before the Lord calls us home.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall arise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”
If you haven’t accepted Christ as your Saviour, now would be a good time to pray, repent of your sins and invite Christ into your heart. Time is short; don’t put it off. If you take one step in his direction, he’ll run to meet you where you are. He is longsuffering and doesn’t want anyone to perish.
2 Corinthians 6:2 “For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”
2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
Teresa Purtee
All scripture is from the KJV.