From May 13, 2019 – May 19, 2019 we are praying and fasting 12 hours per day (6am – 6pm) only drinking water. Of course, if someone needs to eat to take their medication, they should do so.
The areas of focus for this fast will be discipline, commitment to Christ, and His purpose for our lives. It is based on Luke 22:54 – 62 when Peter denied Jesus. Each day, one principle from this passage will serve as the focus of our fast.
Day 5: May 17, 2019
After a little over 3 years of walking with Jesus, Peter still denied knowing Him when Jesus was on trial.
Luke 22: 61 Then the Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. And Peter remembered what the Lord had said: “Before the rooster crows this day, you will say three times that you don’t know me.” 62 Then Peter went outside and cried painfully.
This shows that unlike Judas, who willfully betrayed Jesus by selling Him out for the cost of a slave, Peter had some unresolved issues which had previously been identified by Jesus.
Judas betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. This was the cost of a slave in their culture. The betrayal by Judas began the chain of events that led to Jesus’ arrest, trial, crucifixion, and thank God, His glorious resurrection.
Peter had previously been told by Jesus that he would deny The Messiah. Peter refuted the prophecy instead of facing the underlying reason for why he would deny Jesus in the first place. Peter had not given himself totally over to the cause of Christ.
Jesus told Peter in Luke 22: 31 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to test all of you as a farmer sifts his wheat. 32 I have prayed that you will not lose your faith! Help your brothers be stronger when you come back to me.”
The fact that Satan was after Peter was no surprise. That is what Satan does. The fact that Peter, as a close follower of Jesus, did not ask for help to not give in to the test was a surprise. Jesus was present to help him, but Peter never asked. All of us have some issues, challenges and/or habits that are internal and need to be given to Jesus.
We are only tempted by that which we desire. As a matter of fact, even Jesus was tempted by the enemy. When tempted however, Jesus used The Word of God to overcome and not give in. God always gives the answer before we take the test. He gets no glory out of our failing the tests. The glory of God is His manifested presence. Instead of crying alone in shame because we give in to temptation, God wants us to stand in His presence and invite others to do the same.
Pray today:
1. For your ears, heart and head to be sensitive to receive The Word of God,
2. For forgiveness for any time that you may not have obeyed The Word of God, and
3. That all strongholds are broken in your life so that past failures do not determine future progress.
After you read and pray throughout the day, be sure to take at least 5 minutes to listen for God to respond. Keep a journal to record what you hear Him say.
