One Week Fast: Day 3

The theme for today's fast is spiritual protection. The Lord Jesus taught us to pray, "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one." The Christian life is fraught with dangers. More dangerous than anything are spiritual attacks. They are more subtle and dangerous because they tempt us to take our eyes off Christ. These are not from God because He does not tempt us with evil (James 1:13). Our battle is not physical but spiritual, "for we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:12).

 According to 1 John 2:16, temptations come from our flesh (Lust of the Flesh), the World (Lust of the Eyes), and the devil (Pride of Life). But . . . you can have victory in your Christian walk "because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4). Scripture promises that:


In addition to what we are doing this week (namely, prayer and fasting), the Biblical strategy to defeating the lust of the flesh is to flee from it (2 Timothy 2:22). If you are struggling with controlling your appetite for food don't stare at Fast Food commercials and do not leave food around you. The Biblical strategy for defeating the Lust of the Eyes is to do a heart check. Do you love things in this world more than God? Demas forsook the ministry and the Apostle Paul because he loved this present world (2 Timothy 4:10). However, Scripture says, "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him" (1 John 2:15). The last source of evil temptations is the evil one himself. He deceived Eve in the Garden by twisting God's word and has been doing so ever since. But Scripture promises us that if you "resist the devil . . . he will flee from you" (James 4:7). How do we resist him? By submitting to God through (1) Scripture, (2) fasting, and (3) prayer. Jesus overcame the lies of Satan in His temptation in the desert by giving him answers from Scripture (Luke 4).

Scripture, fasting, and prayer are powerful ways to have spiritual protection and spiritual victory in your life. They can help you break free from the bonds of fear, anxiety, depression, loneliness, anger, bitterness, and unforgiveness. More importantly, they will allow you to develop and enjoy intimacy with God. Nothing will give you greater peace, joy, hope, and love than developing your intimacy with God and emptying yourself from all that is in the world.

What to pray for?

1. Pray that the Lord will protect you and your loved ones "from the evil one" today. 
2. Pray that the Lord will protect your Church family "from the evil one" today.
3. Pray that the Lord will protect our community, our city, and our country "from the evil one" and that He will bring a spirit of repentance.
4. Pray the the Lord will help you "take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5).
5. Pray that the Lord will be your refuge, your fortress, and your shield (Psalms 5:11-12, 91:1-4).
6. Pray that the Lord will give you wisdom and victory in your spiritual battle over fear, anxiety, depression, loneliness, anger, bitterness, and unforgiveness.
7. Pray ultimately that you will develop greater intimacy with Him.