INVITATION TO PRAYER & FASTING

Ryan Brammer, Pastor of Ministry Support

Hello RockPointe Family!

I am inviting each of you, who are able and willing, to join me in prayer & fasting. Over the past month God has been guiding me to Scriptures and into prayers regarding spiritual protection. God has been reminding me that the prayers of the faithful are powerful and effective. This is not because we prayed so well or it sounded so good, rather, it is because God is so powerful and He recognizes our faith, even faith as small as a mustard seed, and answers the call of His people.

I am reminded of Matthew 17. The disciples wondered why they couldn't help a young man who was demonized. Jesus answered them,

“I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible. But this kind of demon won’t leave except by prayer and fasting."

I am reminded of Matthew 4. Before His ministry was underway, Jesus retreated to the wilderness for prayer and fasting, engaging in a spiritual battle.

I am reminded of Ephesians 6 and the Armour of God”.

"A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places."

As I have read these scriptures, and others, pertaining to the spiritual battle that is waged every day, I was encouraged because it is overwhelmingly obvious that victory in this battle does not rely on my righteousness, but Jesus'. It doesn't rely on my personal strength, but Jesus’ strength and power. It doesn't rely on my ability, or lack thereof, but on Jesus' presence. The name of Jesus, the presence of Jesus, the purity of Jesus, and the power of Jesus is what wins battles.

Our role? To recognize the spiritual battle that is being waged, and not fall into the trap of complacency. To have faith, even a mustard seed size, and respond in obedience. To put on the Armour of God, and to step into the call to pray and fast.

Do you long for greater freedom in your life? Breakthrough? Do you want to take a step of spiritual leadership over your family and home? Will you fight a spiritual battle alongside your brothers and sister in Christ right here at RockPointe - for each other and for the protection of the church?

Come with me on a journey of prayer and fasting this weekend. I am starting Friday evening and finishing up Monday evening. Over these three days I will be abstaining from food, focusing on the scriptures, and stepping into intentional prayer.

Fasting

Depending on your limitations, you may not be able to fast from food, so simply ask God what you could give up or abstain from for three days, and do so.

Prayer

I will be reading through the Psalms over these three days, letting them guide my prayers for RockPointe. You can do something completely different, and maybe you have a pattern already in mind for this from past experience. Go where God leads, be in His word and pray however you feel led.

Of note, pray for God's protection over our people, staff and sites. Pray for freedom and protection from spiritual oppression and attack. Pray for Jesus' presence and power to be overwhelming in both minds and hearts, but also in the physical spaces we meet as a body. Finally, pray for the hearts of each of us - that we would all be moved to a posture of openness to Jesus' power and presence and that freedom/breakthrough would occur in those who are calling out to God.

Thank you for standing alongside one another in this way - God is good!

Psalm 89:5-8

"All heaven will praise your great wonders, Lord; myriads of angels will praise you for your faithfulness. For who in all of heaven can compare with the Lord? What mightiest angel is anything like the Lord? The highest angelic powers stand in awe of God. He is far more awesome than all who surround his throne. O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies! Where is there anyone as mighty as you, O Lord? You are entirely faithful."