Consecrate a Fast

Posted on November 19, 2021 by Jennifer Grace

Blow the trumpet in Zion,
Consecrate a fast,
Call a sacred assembly. Joel 2:15 (NKJV)

Dear Ones, Can you hear the trumpet blowing? God is calling us to fast!* Our nation has been in an uproar this past year with mandate after mandate, vile law after vile law, immorality after immorality… we cannot deny that we are on the course for a train wreck unless something changes immediately. Some very hard-working people spent the past year researching evidence to prove that the 2020 election was stolen (God bless these courageous souls!).

On Tuesday, November 23, they will be taking this case to the Supreme Court of the United States of America. Dear ladies, if the election can be overturned and Christian leaders put in office, we will have more time to bring people to Christ before He returns (which is imminent). If the election is not overturned, if the justices close their ears to the evidence, the judgement of America will be just days away with Jesus standing at the door! Either way, we want to get our hearts and houses in order!

...then they will fast in those days. Luke 5:35 (NKJV)

God has held out a plumb line (Amos 7:8) to our nation and we are not plumb, in fact, we are very crooked! The handwriting is on the wall. We’ve been measured in the balance and found wanting. Our days are numbered (Daniel 5:25-28). We are not prepared to meet our God (Amos 4:12).

A few weeks ago I was at a prayer meeting where the November 23rd court date was mentioned. When I arrived home, I read an email from our old church in Ohio, calling everyone to fast on that day. Then I started reading many fasting verses in my Bible and I knew this is God’s calling. I invite and exhort you to join us in fasting that day, not just for one meal, but for the entire day. Rend your hearts, not your garments. Feed on God’s Word, not your fridge. Consider it not a pre-holiday diet, but a fast so that we may continue to celebrate those Holy days!

As these brave men and women take their evidence to the gates of our nation’s highest court with this crucial case, let us storm the gates of heaven with our prayers and fasting, begging the Lord for His favor and and mercy for this great nation that was started in His name.

No one is too old or too young to fast. When Baby Jesus was brought by Mary and Joseph to the Temple to be dedicated, an 84-year-old lady named Anna, who had been fasting and praying, greeted and blessed them (Luke 2:37). In the book of Jonah (3:5-7), the entire city of Nineveh, from the king to his youngest servant to even the animals, gave up food and water. When King Saul died, valiant men fasted for seven days before asking David to be their new king (1 Chronicles 10:12). Even wicked King Ahab fasted and God heard his prayers (1 Kings 21:27). And King Darius fasted for Daniel when he was forced to throw him in the lions’ den (Daniel 6:18). Esther, Ezra, Isaiah, Nehemiah, Moses, Jehoshaphat, Paul and many others… even Jesus all fasted and prayed, and we must follow their example.

Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river of Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from Him the right way for us and our little ones and all our possessions… So we fasted and entreated our God for this, and He answered our prayer. Ezra 8:21,23

Now, therefore,” says the Lord,
“Turn to Me with all your heart,
With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning. Joel 2:12 (NKJV)

And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. 2 Chronicles 20:3 (NKJV)

Our Father who art in heaven, we boldly come before Your throne this day, pleading with you for mercy for our nation, the United States of America. We know we don’t deserve Your forgiveness, but ask that You show Your grace and mercy yet again. Help us lay aside all filthiness and receive with meekness Your salvation and the implanted Word of God. Help us return to You, Lord. For You have torn, but You will heal us. You have stricken, but You will bind us up. We set up kings, but not by You, we made princes, but You did not acknowledge them. Bring the ark of God, Your Word, the Bible, back to America, our schools, our courthouses, and our government. I claim Your promise for Mike Lindell and all his helpers who asked You, “Shall I go up against the Philistines?” And You replied, “Go up, for I shall deliver them into your hands.” Help our judges and leaders to do as You command and overturn the 2020 election, reinstating the rightful president. And You, O God, will break through our enemies like a breakthrough of water! May justice run down like water, and righteousness like a mighty stream. May You use President Trump and all the new Christian leaders to cleanse this land of all the evil doers and wickedness. Like David, his fame will go into all lands, and the Lord will bring the fear of him on all nations. Most of all, people will know Jehovah God, the Great I Am, has done this! Send a last Great Awakening before Jesus Christ’s return, where missionaries can travel without fear nor vaccine mandates, and are welcome to bring the Good News of God’s salvation through Jesus Christ to open hearts. Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to Thy Name be the Glory! We pray all this in the precious Name of Your Only begotten Son Jesus whose blood was shed even for us and even for such a time as this. Amen.

(Hebrews 4:16, James 1:21, Amos 5:24, Hosea 6:1, Hosea 8:4, 1 Chronicles 13:3, 1 Chronicles 14:10,11,16, 17, Psalm 115:1)

Today’s TEA CUPP: Please fast on Tuesday, November 23 for God’s justice to prevail at the Supreme Court hearing. Please also consider fasting again the following Tuesday, November 30th to pray for the December 1 Supreme Court hearing to overturn Roe vs. Wade and turn back God’s wrath on America for the deaths of all the innocent babies. Thank you and God bless you!

* Fasting is when you give up food for a time, that’s why the first meal of a new day is called “breakfast” because you are breaking your nightly fast. When we fast and pray, we give more power to our prayers, and with each hunger pain, we are reminded to pray yet again). For someone who has a lot of trouble with food, fasting can be hard for me, but when God calls me to do it, I do it with all my heart and steadfastness and by His strength. This is one of those times!

P.S. Please share this with others, God hears our prayers!

…“Save us, O God of our salvation;
Gather us together, and deliver us from the Gentiles,
To give thanks to Your holy name,
To triumph in Your praise.” 1 Chronicles 16:35 (NKJV)

But let justice run down like water,
And righteousness like a mighty stream. Amos 5:24 (NKJV)

Blessed are you who hunger now,
For you shall be filled.
Blessed are you who weep now,
For you shall laugh. Luke 6:21 (NKJV)

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 (NKJ)

I have not departed from the commandment of His lips;
I have treasured the words of His mouth
More than my necessary food. Job 23:12 (NKJV)

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they shall be filled. Matthew 5:6 (NKJV)

He has put down the mighty from their thrones,
And exalted the lowly. Luke 1:52 (NKJV)

To grant us that we,
Being delivered from the hand of our enemies,
Might serve Him without fear,
In holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life. Luke 1:74-75 (NKJV)

Thank you for stopping by My TEA CUPP Prayers. If you enjoyed today’s post, you might also like to read My Fasting TEA CUPP and Prayers for Our Nation.

Of Course, There’s a Plague!

Posted on September 16, 2020 by Jennifer Grace

We have sinned with our fathers,
We have committed iniquity,
We have done wickedly. Psalm 106:6 (NKJV)

Oh, what a year! People will always remember 2020 as the year of COVID19, the coronavirus, quarantines, masks, closures… although we won’t want to remember it because of all the deaths, fear, loneliness, rules, and missed events. We all wonder why this had to happen. Yet, when we search God’s Word we find so many relevant verses.

Psalm 106 is one that speaks to our current situation, summing up our nation and world’s troubles, “We have sinned…we have committed iniquity…” (Ps. 106:6). Psalm 106 goes on to list all those sins from so long ago. Can we see all these in our country today?…

We did not understand God’s wonders (Ps. 106:7)
We did not remember the multitude of God’s mercies (Ps. 106:7)
We rebelled (Ps. 106:7)
We forgot His works (Ps. 106:13)
We did not wait for His counsel (Ps. 106:13)
We lusted (Ps. 106:14)
We tested God (Ps. 106:14)
We envied our leaders (Ps. 106:16)
We made idols and worshiped them (Ps. 106:19)
We forgot God our Savior (Ps. 106:21)
We despised the pleasant land (Ps. 106:24)
We did not believe God’s Word (Ps. 106:24)
We joined ourselves to the devil (Ps. 106:28)
We rebelled against His Spirit (Ps. 106:33)
We did not destroy God’s enemies (Ps. 106:34)
We followed the way of unbelievers (Ps. 106:35)
We served our idols (Ps. 106:36)
We sacrificed our children (Ps. 106:37)
We shed innocent blood (Ps. 106:38)
We defiled ourselves and played the harlot (Ps. 106:39)

Is it no wonder the plague broke out among us? (Ps. 106:29). What can we do? We can intervene like Phinehas (Ps. 106:30) and stand in the breach like Moses (Ps. 106:23) so God’s wrath is turned away. We must pray for our country, for our neighbors, for our families. Pray for God to send a revival across this land.

Righteousness exalts a nation,
But sin is a reproach to any people. Proverbs 14:34 (NKJV)

There is HOPE, my dear friends. We have the HOPE found in Jesus Christ. Because of His saving work on the cross, all who believe in Him are rescued from this crazy world (John 3:16). Jesus died for every sin listed above and for all the others, too. Let’s pray for our nation to turn to Jesus! And God will hear our cries (Ps. 106:44)

Today’s TEA CUPP: Read and pray Psalm 106. Repent, turn to God. Ask His forgiveness through Jesus Christ for yourself and for our country. Turn over a new leaf this fall. Let’s give everyone something NEW to remember about 2020…the year of REVIVAL! Pray for our nation daily. Forgive us, O Lord.

For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. 2 Corinthians 7:10 (NKJV)

May this be THE GREAT REVIVAL, the last great revival before Jesus’ return, where many new hearts are brought into His Kingdom to welcome His coming. Will you join me in fasting for the next 7 Tuesdays, though the USA election on November 3, 2020? Our country needs our prayers now as much as ever. Check out this event happening in the coming days… https://thereturn.org/

Save us, O Lord our God,
And gather us from among the Gentiles,
To give thanks to Your holy name,
To triumph in Your praise.

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel
From everlasting to everlasting!
And let all the people say, “Amen!” Psalm 106:47-48 (NKJV)

Praise the Lord! Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Psalm 106:1 (NKJV)

The Best Water

Posted on July 22, 2020 by Jennifer Grace

Today I continue my series of running devotions for My TEA CUPP for Athletes & Runners Book & Journal. This devotion is one I ran five years ago. Water fits so well with the training we talked about last week. I pray these writings will be a blessing to you and you will be encouraged to PRESS ON in whatever God calls you to do!

Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.” John 4:10 (NKJV)

I still remember the watering trough in our high school football practice field. Our cross country team ran practices around the field in the blazing sun and gladly stopped for breaks at the water fountain. It was a metal trough about 3 feet long, standing on posts about waist-high. Several spigots squirted water out for multiple athletes to be refreshed. The water, though I’m not certain of its origin, tasted like the coldest, freshest well water on earth. Perhaps it was those half-mile repeats on a sultry August afternoon that made the water especially quenching. We would gulp and guzzle the icy liquid, putting our heads under the stream, wishing we could just climb into the trough.

I was reminded of this water when praying and fasting an Esther fast (Esther 4:16). Though during many fasts I drink water, an Esther fast is no food or water for three days. Men can do a Paul fast, who also had no food or water when God called him on the way to Damascus (Acts 9:9). My fast came at the hottest part of summer, the kind of days where you would like to just sit in the shade and sip lemonade. Though a cool drink was what my body craved, I was determined to honor God by fulfilling my fast. As my thirst grew, my thoughts flew back over 30 years to that high school watering trough. It was the most refreshing place I could imagine.

And so I prayed to Jesus, the Living Water, to be that water for me, to quench my thirsty body and soul. And He did, and He continues each day.

For with You is the fountain of life… Psalm 36:9

The Runner’s TEA CUPP: My friend, our souls all thirst for something that only Jesus can quench. Let Jesus fill that thirst within you! Drink up His Word each day. John 4 is a great place to begin. The Bible satisfies our every need as we learn about God’s mercy and love for us. Be sure to drink both from His Word and a big water bottle when you go to exercise.

As the deer pants for the water brooks,
So pants my soul for You, O God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God… Psalm 42:1-2 (NKJV)

O God, You are my God;
Early will I seek You;
My soul thirsts for You;
My flesh longs for You
In a dry and thirsty land
Where there is no water. Psalm 63:1 (NKJV)

Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 4:13-14 (NKJV)

My Fasting TEA CUPP

Posted on October 10, 2018 by Jennifer Grace

“Now, therefore,” says the Lord,
“Turn to Me with all your heart,
With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.” Joel 2:12 (NKJV)

No tea, no cup, no plate, no food, no beverage, no water, nothing to nourish this earthly body, only God’s Word to feed my soul and His Living Water to quench my thirst. This is an Esther fast, where we give up eating and drinking for a time, to pray and focus on Jesus and God’s Word.

When I first started a daily prayer time with Jesus, I didn’t know what fasting was all about. My church didn’t talk about it, and there weren’t too many resources. I wondered what the “rules” were. As it turns out, there are no rules, only examples. In our Bibles we have the example of Esther who fasted with her maidens for three days to save her people. Esther’s fast happened one time during an extreme crisis. They had no water and no food for three days and nights. We also have the example of Daniel who gave up rich foods, eating only fruits and vegetables. Daniel’s fast was a way of life, along with praying three times a day. And, of course, there are Moses, Elijah and Jesus who fasted for 40 days and nights during a time of great trial. If you are just getting started with fasting, I would recommend a one-day juice fast, where you only drink juice, a juice and banana fast is good for nursing moms. You can work your way up to a full fast when the time is just right.

Some might think fasting is a thing of the past from Bible times, but it is still practiced by many Christians today as they seek God’s will in prayer. If you are looking for a modern example of fasting, I encourage you to read The Heavenly Man. This book gives testimony after testimony to fasting and prayer, from friends praying for the persecuted pastor to him praying and fasting himself. I highly recommend The Heavenly Man. Order a copy for yourself and share one with a friend.

For today I give you My Fasting TEA CUPP, Bible verses that highlight fasting and trials. You may pray these verses while you are fasting, or any time you sit down with Jesus for prayer and TEA. Here are conversation starters for you as you pour your heart out to Jesus in prayer:

T for Thanksgiving:
(a verse of thanks as we finish our fast and have our first meal)

And Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks He distributed them to the disciples, and the disciples to those sitting down; and likewise of the fish, as much as they wanted. John 6:11 (NKJV)

Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:20 (NKJV)

E for Exalting:
(our suffering during fasting is nothing to compared to the glory of Jesus!)

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Romans 8:18 (NKJV)

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.1 Peter 1:6-7 (NKJV)

(The prayer King Jehoshaphat prayed to exalt the Lord)

O Lord God of our fathers, are You not God in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations, and in Your hand is there not power and might, so that no one is able to withstand You? 2 Chronicles 20:6 (NKJV)

A for Admitting:
(we repent and admit our sins as we fast)

“Now, therefore,” says the Lord,
“Turn to Me with all your heart,
With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.” Joel 2:12 (NKJV)

C for Calling:

For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: 1 Peter 2:21 (NKJV)

Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work. John 4:34 (NKJV)

But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast. Matthew 9:15 (NKJV)

But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face. so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. Matthew 6:17-18 (NKJV)

But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love. 2 Corinthians 6:4-6 (NKJV)

U is for Understanding our story:
(I love it when God sends prayer answers right during our fasting!)

So 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, Acts 10:30 (NKJV)

I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. Philippians 4:12 (NKJV)

P is for Promises:
(Promises for when we are thirsty and hungry during fasting, and He will revive us!)

Therefore with joy you will draw water
From the wells of salvation. Isaiah 12:3 (NKJV)

But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ” Matthew 4:4 (NKJV)

You, who have shown me great and severe troubles,
Shall revive me again,
And bring me up again from the depths of the earth. Psalm 71:20 (NKJV)

P is for Petitioning:

So He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.” Mark 9:29 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP: Once you get started on fasting and prayer, you might like to plan a regular day to fast, such as the first day of each month, the first Sunday of each month, or every Wednesday. Or when there is a great trial or event in your life. Write it on your calendar and commit to this time of prayer and fasting with Jesus. Read Isaiah 58 in preparation. Another devotion you may enjoy reading is The Empty Plate.

…did you really fast for Me—for Me?
Zechariah 7:5 (NKJV)

The Empty Plate

Posted on June 25, 2015 by Jennifer Grace

“But the days will come when the Bridegroom will be taken away from them; then they will fast in those days.” Luke 5:35 (NKJV)

An empty plate. An empty tea cupp. What is happening here? It must be time for fasting, giving up food and beverages while praying.

Sometimes God calls us to fast. I’m reminded of this every year when I read the book of Esther. In this great history, we see how God allowed Esther to become queen to save her people, the Jews, from annihilation. When Esther realized this was her duty, she asked her maids and others to pray and fast with her (Esther 4:16). For three days and nights they had no food or water. The end result was God saved the Jews.

One might wonder what to do during a three day fast. Should we pour out our hearts to Jesus on day one? What about days two and three? While there is no right way to pray and fast, we can find a good plan in 2 Chronicles 20. In this this history, King Jehoshaphat learns of an impending battle with his enemies. He declares a fast for all Judah. During the fast, there are three parts to his prayers:

1) Exalt: “O Lord God of our fathers, are You not God in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations, and in Your hand is there not power and might, so that no one is able to withstand You? 2 Chronicles 20:6 (NKJV)

2) Claim God’s Promises: …You will hear and save….the battle is not yours, but God’s. 2 Chronicles 20:9,15 (NKJV)

3) Petition: O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You. 2 Chronicles 20:12 (NKJV)

What if we use this formula for a three-day fast? The first day we exalt Jesus, praising Him for being our Savior. The second day, we claim God’s promises, underlining and repeating them from our Bibles. And the third day, we pour out our hearts to Jesus, asking for help with whatever trouble we are facing. Even Queen Esther went to see the king on the third day of fasting. She found favor in his sight as he asked, “What is your petition?” (Esther 5:1-7)

On the evening of the third day, we must open our ears and listen, for God will give us our call: ... Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord… 2 Chronicles 20:17 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP: Is God calling you to fast for a time? Is there something big in your life that needs more than a little prayer? I encourage you to try this three day fast and let God do His amazing miracles. Then you can go forth singing.

So we fasted and entreated our God for this, and He answered our prayers. Ezra 8:23 (NKJV)

7-7-7 Prayer

Posted on July 3, 2014 by Jennifer Grace

“But the days will come when the Bridegroom will be taken away from them; then they will fast in those days.” Luke 5:35 (NKJV)

Anna Graham Lotz is sharing God’s call to pray for our nation and world this July. As the Israelites marched around Jericho 7 days, we are to pray the first 7 days of July. Then on July 7th, we are to fast and pray 7 hours, sounding the trumpet for Jesus. If you’d like to read more about it, please click to see Anna’s website. Please join us in praying and fasting for our country this Monday, July 7th.
www.annegrahamlotz.com/events/urgent-call-to-prayer/urgent-call-prayer-day-three”/

“Save us, O God our Savior;
gather us and deliver us from the nations,
that we may give thanks to Your holy Name,
that we may glory in Your praise.” 1 Chronicles 16:35 (NIV) & Psalm 106:47 (NIV)

Give ear, O God, and hear; open Your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears Your Name. We do not make requests of You because we are righteous, but because of Your great mercy. O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For Your sake, O my God, do not delay, because Your city and Your people bear Your Name.” Daniel 9:18-18 (NIV)

My TEA CUPP Prayers

Praying God's Word … Inviting Ladies to TEA with the King of kings!

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