Message from the Senior Pastor

Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ,

The Lord our God is really an amazing and faithful God! We prayed to the Lord that He would enlarge our borders and He did. Looking back at 2011, we saw several new churches planted, existing frontiers in government, military, police and the corporate world expanded, and several more new opportunities opened.

But Pastor Britt Merrick, pastor and author, reminded our leaders during a recent Leaders’ meeting that the chief end of man is to love God and enjoy Him forever. Therefore, ministry for God has to flow from our ministry to God. We were created to love Jesus and enjoy Him every moment of our lives.

Because of this, we need to live a life that is intimately dependent on God. And the most practical way to do this is to make prayer the central activity of our lives.

Ronnie Floyd says:

“Prayer occurs when you depend on God. Prayerlessness occurs when you depend on yourself.”

Many Christians say that they are dependent on God, but it is in one’s daily prayer life that we see the reality of this. When we become intimately dependent on God, prayer becomes as natural as breathing. Everything we do is brought before the Lord, and there is no aspect of life that is outside the realm of prayer.

As we begin 2012, we have an excellent opportunity to start on the right foot. This week of Prayer and Fasting will help us develop the attitude. It is my ardent desire that we use this time, not just as an end itself and try to experience total dependence on God for one week in a year, but that it will prime the pump in us to become more and more intimately dependent on the Lord every day of our lives.

May the Lord grant us success in this!

Pastor Peter Tan-Chi

Table of Contents

Guide .................................................................................................................................................. 2

Prayer and Fasting ................................................................................................................... 4

Why Fast? ..................................................................................................................................... 5

Four Kinds of Fasting .............................................................................................................. 7

Preparing to Fast ....................................................................................................................... 8

Caution ........................................................................................................................................... 9

During a Fast ............................................................................................................................. 10

Breaking the Fast .................................................................................................................... 12

Conclusion .................................................................................................................................. 13

Schedule ....................................................................................................................................... 14

Devotions .................................................................................................................................... 16

Day 1 Who Am I? ..................................................................................................................... 18

Day 2 Having the Right Attitude ...................................................................................... 20

Day 3 Cursed or Blessed? .................................................................................................... 22

Day 4 Rest under God’s Shadow ...................................................................................... 24

Day 5 God’s Problem or Ours? .......................................................................................... 26

Day 6 Our Ever-Present Helper ........................................................................................ 28

Day 7 Fruitfulness by Dependence ................................................................................. 30

Prayer List .................................................................................................................................. 32

1

Jesus has many lovers of His kingdom of

heaven, but he has few bearers of His

Cross. Many desire His consolation, but

few desire His tribulation. He finds many

comrades in eating and drinking, but He

finds few hands who will be with Him in

His abstinence and fasting...But those who

love Jesus purely for Himself, and not for

their own profit or convenience, bless

Him as heartily in temptation and

tribulation and in all other adversities as

they do in time of consolation. And if He

never sent them consolation, they would

still bless and praise Him.

Thomas a Kempis

2

Guide

3

We tend to think of fasting as going

without food. But we can fast from

anything. If we love music and decide to

miss a concert in order to spend time with

God, that is fasting. It is helpful to think of

the parallel of human friendship. When

friends need to be together, they will

cancel all other activities in order to make

that possible. There's nothing magical

about fasting. It's just one way of telling

God that your priority at that moment is

to be alone with him, sorting out

whatever is necessary, and you have

cancelled the meal, party, concert, or

whatever else you had planned to do in

order to fulfill that priority.

James I. Packer

4

Prayer and Fasting

Consecrate a fast, proclaim a solemn assembly; gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land to the house of the Lord your God, and cry out to the Lord.

Joel 1:14 Throughout history, God has called on His people to humble themselves through prayer and fasting. As a spiritual family we practice prayer and fasting to deepen our intimacy with God. Fasting is a spiritual weapon God used to advance His kingdom, move nations, spark revival and bring victory to the lives of His people.

In 2 Chronicles 7:14, God says, “If My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” Prayer and fasting fulfill these requirements.

If you fast, you will find yourself being humbled. You will discover more time to pray and seek God’s face. And as He leads you to recognize and repent of unconfessed sin, you will experience special blessings from God.

Fasting is part of a believer’s life of faith in Christ. In a fast, the believer chooses, for a set period of time, to do without something that is hard to do without.

Biblical fasting is not just “not eating”, but it is abstinence from food with a spiritual goal in mind. It always occurs together with prayer in the Bible and is also a form of worship. Luke 2:37c says that fasting is a way of serving God, while Acts 13:2 says that fasting is ministering to the Lord.

As we begin our fast this year, let us all be reminded that whatever we do, we do for the glory of God.

5

Why Fast?

“Let fasting be done unto the Lord with our eye singly fixed on Him. Let our intention herein be this, and this

alone, to glorify our Father which is in heaven.”

John Wesley

God expects us to fast. Matthew 6:16-17

“And whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance in order to be seen fasting by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. But you, when you fast, anoint your head, and wash your face.”

Jesus said “When you fast”, not if you fast. This means that fasting, like prayer, is not an option. Fasting is part of the Christian life.

Jesus Fasted. Matthew 4:2

And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry.

Before He began His ministry, Jesus fasted for forty days. He knew He was going to need spiritual strength to fulfill His purposes. Fasting may make us feel physically weak, but we will become spiritually stronger and more prepared to do God’s work.

The early Church fasted. Acts 13:3 (See also Acts 14:23)

Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

The Church fasted for Saul (Paul) and Barnabas whom the Holy Spirit had set apart for His use. Later, Paul and Barnabas appointed leaders in various churches, fasting and praying before commending these leaders to the Lord.

Fasting demonstrates humility before God. Psalm 35:13 (See also 1 Kings 21:27-29; Ezra 8:21)

But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth; I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer kept returning to my bosom.

Humility allows us to experience the grace of God, who delights in answering the prayers of His children. When we humble ourselves in prayer and turn from our wicked ways, God promises to hear us and answer us according to His perfect will.

6

Fasting makes us sensitive to the leading and power of the Holy

Spirit. Luke 4:1-2 (See also Acts 13:2, Luke 4:1-2, Matthew 17:21, Mark 9:29)

And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led about by the Spirit in the wilderness 2 for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And He ate nothing during those days; and when they had ended, He became hungry.

We are prone to forget our priorities. Fasting is a visible reminder to us that God takes precedence over all our needs. Fasting lifts up the matter at hand to God who is able to bring about awesome works that bring Him great glory.

Fasting brings about personal and national spiritual revival. 2 Chronicles 7:14

If My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Daniel 9:3 So I gave my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.

Fasting prompts revival to an individual and to the country. It brings forth a stirring that will heal and change us and prepare us for greater things in God’s kingdom.

Fasting is good for our health. Fasting improves our physical condition. Many impurities in the body are burned up when the body is denied food, thus, clearing the mind, cleansing and healing the body. “Even people who are underweight who fast for spiritual purposes have been known to gain weight after completing their fasts”. Many Bible teachers say that a three-day fast is especially beneficial for spiritual cleansing and also for breaking addictive habits.

(What Does the Bible Say About Fasting?, Christ Unlimited Ministries, www.bible.com)

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Four Kinds of Fasting There are probably as many ways to fast as there are ways to pray, but these four ideas are a starting point:

1. Normal fast. In a normal fast, a person goes without food for a predetermined amount of time - 1 day, 3 days, 1 week or longer. Water is allowed and necessary of course. Extreme care should be taken with long fasts, especially if there are any underlying medical conditions. It is wise to consult your physician if you are planning on embarking on a long fast.

2. Partial fast. This fast allows certain foods, or is on a schedule that includes limited eating, possibly one meal or two meals a day, or only eating vegetables for several days. Daniel and John the Baptist followed this sort of fast, while John Wesley ate only bread and water for many days as his fast. This is a better option for those who cannot do a water fast.

3. Juice fast. This is the same as normal fast in 1. above, except the one fasting also eats fresh vegetables or drinks fruit juice.

4. Object fast. Some people decide to fast on something completely unrelated to food, such as TV or computer time. This is a very commendable type of fasting also. There are very valid reasons to choose this sort of fast, but for the rest of this article series we will deal with food.

8

Preparing to Fast

“My spiritual drought ended, but this taste for the majesty of God only made me thirst for more of HIM.”

John Piper

1. Set your objective and commit to a type of fast. Why are you fasting? Is it for spiritual renewal, for guidance, for healing, for the resolution of problems, for special grace to handle a difficult situation? Ask the Holy Spirit to clarify His leading and objectives for your prayer fast. Once you know the reason you have for fasting, you must make a commitment. Pray about the kind of fast you should undertake.

• Choose the type of fast God wants you to undertake (such as water only, water and juices, what kinds of juice, and how often).

• Determine how much time you will daily devote to prayer and God’s Word.

2. Be expectant. Be reminded that the Lord listens to a prayer from the heart. Be true and contrite as we expect results from our God.

3. Prepare yourself spiritually. The very foundation of fasting is repentance. Unconfessed sin hinders your prayers. Seek forgiveness from all whom you have offended and forgive all who have hurt you. Make restitution as the Holy Spirit leads you.

4. Prepare yourself physically. Fasting requires physical precautions. If you are taking medication or have a chronic ailment, consult your physician first before beginning the fast.

5. Lessen physical activities. Limit your physical and social activity during this period. Conserve your physical energy, and devote more time to prayer and reading the Bible.

6. Be in faith. Be strong and vigilant in prayer as you dedicate more time in fellowship with the Father. Ask the Holy Spirit for guidance. Be clear and specific about your faith goals in your personal life, family, finances, and church. These are what you will be believing God for during the fast and the entire year. Expect God to answer. Maintain a thankful heart throughout and after the fast.

9

Caution In spite of the absolute safety and benefits of fasting, there are certain persons who should not fast without professional supervision.

For example:

• Persons who are physically too thin or emaciated. • Persons who are prone to anorexia, bulimia, or other eating disorders. • Those who suffer weakness or anemia. • Persons who have tumors, bleeding ulcers, cancer, blood diseases, or who

have heart disease. • Those who suffer chronic problems with kidneys, liver, lungs, heart, or

other important organs. • Individuals who take insulin for diabetes, or suffer any other blood sugar

problem such as hyperglycemia. • Women who are pregnant or nursing. • For people taking prescription drugs, do not abruptly stop without

consulting your attending physician.

Consult your doctor before you begin your fast but be aware that many doctors have not been trained in this area and so their understanding may be limited.

Albert Haase

Fasting can be a painful admission that I am not free, that my life is enslaved, obsessed or addicted to external things such as food, drink,

codependent relationships, sex, television, privacy and the like.

10

During a Fast

“The greater the satisfaction you experience from God while still in this world, the greater your desire for the next.”

John Piper

1. Seek the Lord. Commit to prayer and Bible reading during the times you usually allocate for meals. Remain accountable to your small groups, for what you don’t eat physically you should compensate for spiritually. One way is by attending the daily evening prayers in CCF at 7-8pm. Be ready to respond when you hear from God.

2. Commit to change. Whatever God tells you or puts His finger upon, apply it immediately. If you need to make restitution, immediately contact people you have broken relationships with. If there are habits that need to change, make the adjustment immediately. Ask your small group leader to hold you accountable.

3. Pray for suggested items. Pray for the items on your prayer list and other items as the Spirit leads. Let us use this time to intercede for our family, for CCF, our country, the government, our D-group and D-12 members, Christians around the world, mission, etc.

4. Saturate your mind with the Word of the Lord. We must fill our mind with the Word of God and saturate it fully. Although our body may hunger, our soul must be filled with the spiritual food that we crave and that is enough to strengthen us to deny our flesh. Consider a fast from food as a spiritual feast.

5. Put yourself on a schedule. For maximum spiritual benefit, set aside ample time to be alone with the Lord. Listen for His leading. The more time you spend with Him, the more meaningful your fast will be.

• Praise and worship. • Confession and repentance of sin. • Read and meditate on God’s Word, preferably on your knees. • Pray for His vision for your life and empowerment to do His will.

11

• Spend time in intercessory prayer for your community’s and nation’s

leaders, for the world’s unreached millions, for your family and special needs.

• Take short, spiritual walks. • If others are fasting with you, meet together for prayer. • Avoid television, computer games, internet entertainment surfing, movies,

parties, or other distractions that may dampen your spiritual focus.

6. Attend evening watches. Try to attend the daily evening prayer time at 7-8pm. D-group and D-12 meetings during the fasting period are at the discretion of the D-Leader in order to give the members the option to attend the evening watches.

7. Have the right motive. Remember that your motive in fasting must be to glorify God, to listen to Him and be more intimate with Him and to bring your burdens to Him. When your motives are right, God will honor your seeking heart and bless your time with Him in a very special way.

12

Breaking the Fast

“Every fool can fast, but only the wise man knows how to break a fast.”

G.B. Shaw

1. End your fast gradually. Begin eating gradually. Do not eat solid foods immediately after your fast. Suddenly reintroducing solid food to your stomach and your digestive tract will likely have negative, even dangerous, consequences. Try several smaller meals or snacks. If you end your fast gradually, the beneficial physical and spiritual effect will result in continued good health. You may start with fruits, fruit juice, salads, and soups, then gradually eat more solid foods.

Overall, the following four factors represent what we are trying to accomplish when breaking a fast:

• Frequent meals to less frequent meals • Small meals to larger meals • Easy to digest to harder to digest • Less variety to more variety

2. Continue to pray. Don’t let your prayer end on the day you finish the fast. Build from the momentum you gained during the fast. Let it transform your prayer and devotional life. Carry the newfound passion with you throughout the year.

3. Expect greater intimacy with God. If you sincerely humble yourself before the Lord, repent, pray, and seek God’s face, if you consistently meditate on His Word

4. Experience the joy of God’s presence. Psalm 16:11

Thou wilt make known to me the path of life; In Thy presence is fullness of joy; In thy right hand are pleasures forever.

Let us bask in the fullness of joy in the Lord as we abide in His glorious presence. When we have denied our flesh, empowered our spirit with prayer, and solely depend on God for nourishment, there is a joy in the moment we experience God’s magnificent power.

13

Conclusion

Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think,

according to the power that works within us.

Ephesians 3:20 Our seven-day prayer and fasting gives us the opportunity to realign our lives according to His will and consecrate the rest of the year to Him. As we humble ourselves corporately before Him in prayer, we can expect Him to move mightily in our midst.

God’s will is for each and every one of us to grow in our understanding of Him. Every year we need to experience a greater awe of His inexhaustible love, power and holiness. So seek Him with all your heart, and the promise is that you will find Him!

James Hudson Taylor

In Shansi I found Chinese Christians who were accustomed to spend time in fasting and prayer. They recognized that this fasting, which so many dislike, which requires faith in God, since it makes one feel weak and poorly, is really a Divinely appointed means of grace. Perhaps the greatest hindrance to our work is our own imagined strength; and in fasting we learn what poor, weak creatures we are - dependent on a meal of meat for the little strength which we are so apt to lean upon.

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Schedule

15

Day 1. Monday □Drink water only □Drink juice only □Eat one meal only □Eat two meals only □ Other: ___________

Day 2. Tuesday □Drink water only □Drink juice only □Eat one meal only □Eat two meals only

Other: ___________

Day 3. Wednesday □Drink water only □Drink juice only □Eat one meal only □Eat two meals only

Other: ___________

Day 4. Thursday □Drink water only □Drink juice only □Eat one meal only □Eat two meals only

Other: ___________

Day 5. Friday □Drink water only □Drink juice only □Eat one meal only □Eat two meals only

Other: ___________

Day 6. Saturday □Drink water only □Drink juice only □Eat one meal only □Eat two meals only

Other: ___________

Day 7. Sunday □Drink water only □Drink juice only □Eat one meal only □Eat two meals only

Other: ___________

If our fasting is not unto God, we have failed. Physical

benefits, success in prayer, the enduring with power, spiritual

insights – these must never replace God as the center of our fasting. Richard Foster

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Devotions

17

But what I would like to say is that the

spiritual life is a life in which you

gradually learn to listen to a voice that

says something else, that says, "You are

the beloved and on you my favour

rests."... I want you to hear that voice. It is

not a very loud voice because it is an

intimate voice. It comes from a very deep

place. It is soft and gentle. I want you to

gradually hear that voice. We both have to

hear that voice and to claim for ourselves

that that voice speaks the truth, our truth.

It tells us who we are. That is where the

spiritual life starts - by claiming the voice

that calls us the beloved.

Henri J.M. Nouwen

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Day 1 Who Am I?

Who am I, O LORD God, and what is my house that You have brought me this far?

1 Chronicles 17:16

Reflection 1. Read 1 Chronicles 17:1-20. Trace the blessings of David from verses 7 to

14 by marking the verbs used to describe God’s actions on David. What tenses were used? What do the changes in tenses indicate?

2. David wanted to honor God by building a house for Him (v. 1). Instead what did God do for David (v. 10)? What does this tell about the Lord?

3. Name some of the blessings mentioned (vv. 7-10). Who are the other beneficiaries of God’s blessings in David’s life?

4. How did David respond to all of God’s blessings to him (vv. 16-20)? How did David regard himself in verse 17?

Application 1. In accordance to the past, present and future blessings that God gave David,

spend time to write down the blessings that the Lord has given to you including the future blessings that He has promised you.

2. Despite David’s intimacy with the Lord and his being the leader of Israel, he didn’t have any entitlement mentality. He recognized how God “has brought me this far” (v. 16). Reflect on this reality in your own life and spend time now to humble yourself before God and worship Him.

Anonymous

You aren't loved because you're valuable. You're valuable because God loves you.

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Day 1 Prayer Journal Passage on Fasting: Jonah 3:4-10

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Day 2 Having the Right Attitude

…We have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.

2 Chronicles 20:12

Reflection 1. Read Isaiah 22:5-13 (preferably from a paraphrase). What situation was

the land of Israel facing in verses 5 – 8a? Describe what was going on.

2. What was the reaction of the leaders of the land to the problem they were facing (8b-11)?

3. What was their attitude in facing such a situation (12-13)? In verse 13, what do the feasting and partying reveal about their attitude?

4. What was the result of their disregard for God in their problems (v. 14)?

Application 1. As you ponder on your own life, how dependent are you on the Lord? On a

scale of 10, 1 being “Not at all Dependent on God” and 10 being “Fully Dependent” how would you rate yourself? In what ways do you express your dependence on Him?

2. When someone places his dependence on God fully in addressing his problem, does that make human efforts unnecessary?

3. The attitude to “eat, drink and be merry” demonstrates the people’s resignation to defeat or lack of hope. What are the ways in which this attitude creeps into your own life? (E.g. when a prayer is not answered a person tends to stop praying or he prays without any expectation anymore)

4. How does fasting and prayer help you in this kind of a disposition?

E.M. Bounds

When trust is perfect and there is no doubt, prayer is simply the outstretched hand ready to receive. Trust perfected is prayer

perfected. Trust looks to receive the thing asked for and gets it. Trust is not a belief that God can bless or that He will bless, but that He

does bless, here and now. Trust always operates in the present tense. Hope looks toward the future. Trust looks to the present. Hope

expects. Trust possesses. Trust receives what prayer acquires. So, what prayer needs, at all times, is abiding and abundant trust.

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Day 2 Prayer Journal Passage on Fasting: 2 Chronicles 20:1-25

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Day 3 Cursed or Blessed?

Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD And whose trust is the LORD.

Jeremiah 17:7

Reflection 1. Read Jeremiah 17:5-8. The Hebrew concept for “cursed,” means “to

deliver over a transgressor to misfortune.” It includes the idea of divine withdrawal or displeasure such as God’s “hiding” or “turning away the face.” On the other hand “blessed” is a pronouncement of God’s favor upon a person. The effect is that the person advances or progresses and therefore attains success and prosperity. Who are the two persons being contrasted in this passage (vv. 5 & 7)?

2. To whom are these two persons likened (vv. 6 & 8)? In the two columns of your prayer journal, write down the words or phrases by which they are contrasted. Write as many as you can find.

3. Reflect carefully on these differences what they represent in real life (Consult a paraphrased bible for difficult translations or a dictionary, preferably bible dictionary, for unclear words).

Application 1. Who do you first run to whenever you have a problem? God? People? Self?

2. When do you depend on God the most?

3. When do you depend on God the least?

4. What changes do you need to do in your daily activities in order to develop greater dependence on God?

Horatius Bonar

Seeing that distance and distrust will do nothing for you, try what drawing near and confidence will do.

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Day 3 Prayer Journal Passage on Fasting: Isaiah 58:3-11

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Day 4 Rest under God’s Shadow

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

Psalm 91:1

Reflection 1. Read Psalm 91. What are the names of God used in verse 1-2? Why is He

introduced using these different names? Write the significance of each?

2. Why is it important for us to know His name (vv. 14-16)? Is this mere head knowledge or does it mean an intimate experiential knowledge?

3. What are the different dangers from which God promises to deliver His people (vv. 3, 5-6, 10 & 13)? Compare the NASB or NIV with a Bible translation (e.g. NLT) and identify what are the general areas that each of those dangers represent?

4. What are the different instruments He uses to protect His people (vv. 4 & 11)?

5. What are the action words in the Psalm which describe our response to God for who He is (vv. 1, 14, 15)? Reflect on how you can live them out and develop the habit of doing them.

6. In verse 7, the psalmist recalls the plagues that afflicted the Egyptians in Exodus 7-12 but not the Israelites. Read Exodus 9:4-6, 9:18-26 and chapter 12. How were the Israelites exempted from the last plague?

Application 1. “Shield and buckler” in verse 4 are powerful armor pieces for protection.

According to the verse (NIV) what do they represent? How do you appropriate them in your own life? What spiritual disciplines will you do to ensure constant protection using this armor?

2. What practical steps will you take to increasingly make God your own refuge?

3. In number 6 above, from what last plague or curse is the believer in Jesus sure to be exempted? How is this made possible? Are you sure to be exempted? What are you basing it on?

Bruce Wilkinson

Dependence upon God makes heroes of ordinary people like you and me!

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Day 4 Prayer Journal Passage on Fasting: Ezra 8:21-23, 31

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Day 5 God’s Problem or Ours?

When it was evening, the disciples came to Him and said, “This place is desolate and the hour is already late; so send the crowds away, that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.”

Matthew 14:15

Reflection 1. Read Matthew 14:14-21. What situation did the disciples face in verse 15?

2. What did Jesus want the disciples to do in verse 16?

3. How many people needed to be fed? According to verse 20 how much did each of the people eat? In today’s economy, how much would such feeding project cost? (Assume each person needs 50 pesos worth of food).

4. With such a huge task that Jesus wanted His disciples to do, how did He want them to respond? What was the role of human effort and available resources in this situation?

5. Does the story teach passivity and do-nothingness? Why are those 2 incompatible with dependence on God?

6. This lesson is so important that Jesus taught this to His disciples again not long after (Matthew 15:32-38). Did the disciples learn the lesson already after this (Read Matthew 16:5-11)?

Application 1. What are the needs and concerns in your life that you are convinced to be

God’s will for you for which He is willing and able to help you (check as many as applies to you):

□ Provide for your family despite economic recession (1 Tim. 5:8). □ Make disciples despite busyness (Matt. 28:18-20) □ Overcome sinful habits by God’s grace despite difficulty (Gal. 5:16). □ Completely forgive someone despite your feelings (Mark 11:25-26). □ Others: __________________________________________________________________________

2. When facing a huge problem, what do you need to do?

Joseph Garlingen

The Christian life isn't difficult - it is impossible. If we don't know that, we will try to do things ourselves. Faith is not necessary when we think we can do it

ourselves. Faith comes along when we realize that we cannot do it on our own.

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Day 5 Prayer Journal Passage on Fasting: Zechariah 7:2-10

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Day 6 Our Ever-Present Helper

The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you.

Romans 8:11

Reflection 1. Compare Romans 8:9-11 and Ephesians 1:19-20. According to these

verses, what are the things that the amazing resurrection power accomplish in our own lives as the Holy Spirit lives in us?

2. Explain in simple words how you understand Romans 8:12-14 (specifically v. 12) in relation to our sinful desires.

3. Read Ephesians 5:18-21 and Galatians 5:16-25. How should we relate to the Spirit of God in order to be victorious over sinful habits (Eph. 5:18 and Gal. 5:16)? What are the results in our lives as we constantly relate to the Holy Spirit (Eph. 5:19-21 and Gal. 5:17-23)?

4. Stephen was repeatedly described as a man full of the Holy Spirit. Study Acts 6:1-7:60 and enumerate the effects of the filling of the Spirit in his life.

Application 1. The word “Helper” in John 14:16 (NASB) literally means “the One called to

be alongside as a helper.” How would you describe your dependence on Him? Moment by moment? Daily? Weekly? Monthly? Seldom? Never?

2. Since we are no longer bound by the spirit of slavery to commit sin or to satisfy our sinful desires (Romans 8:12-14), what unhealthy practices or habits in your own life should you avoid or get rid of so that you may not be led to follow your sinful nature again?

3. “Walking in the Spirit” is attained as we constantly ask for the “filling of the Spirit.” This condition will become more and more enduring in our lives as we develop the habit of “spiritual breathing.” How do you plan to make this a regular habit?

Charles Stanley

God is looking for imperfect men and women who have learned to walk in moment-by-moment dependence on the Holy Spirit. Christians who

have come to terms with their inadequacies, fears, and failures. Believers who have become discontent with 'surviving' and have taken

the time to investigate everything God has to offer in this life.

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Day 6 Prayer Journal Passage on Fasting: Acts 13:1-3

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Day 7 Fruitfulness by Dependence

Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

John 15:4

Reflection 1. Read John15:1-17. What is the purpose of Jesus for all disciples in verse 2? 2. If a disciple is already bearing fruit, is God already satisfied (v. 2)? What

does God the Father do to such disciples? 3. What do you think is meant by God pruning His disciples so that they bear

more fruit? What are some possible ways God prunes them? 4. When a disciple is being pruned what should his attitude be (v. 4)? 5. What is the secret to bearing much fruit for the Lord (v. 5)? 6. What are the ways by which disciples, as branches, are to abide in the vine

according to verse 7? According to verse 10? 7. What is the evidence that we are abiding in Christ (vv. 12, 17)? 8. Compare John 13:35 and John 15:8. If we do not love one another what

does this show about us (also 1 John 4:7 & 8)? 9. According to the following verses, what are some fruits of abiding in Jesus?

a. John 15:7 b. Galatians 5:22-23 c. Eph. 5:9 d. Matt. 12:33-37 e. Col. 1:3-8

Application 1. Evaluate your own fruitfulness. Are there fruits that reveal a life of abiding

in Jesus? Ask for feedback from a family member and a co-Dgroup member. 2. When was the last time you felt God’s pruning work in your life? How did

you respond, positively or negatively? 3. Is there any person in the church that you are not in good terms with that

does not show you to be Christ’s disciple in accordance with John 13:35? Knowing that the solution here is not prayer but obedience, what immediate steps will you take to correct this situation?

Phillips Brooks

Feed on Christ, and then go and live your life, and it is Christ in you that lives your life, that helps the poor, that tells the

truth, that fights the battle, and that wins the crown.

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Day 7 Prayer Journal Passage on Fasting: Matthew 6:1, 5-18

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Prayer List

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When we rely upon organization,

we get what organization can do;

when we rely upon education,

we get what education can do;

when we rely upon eloquence,

we get what eloquence can do.

And so on.

But when we rely upon prayer,

we get what God can do.

A.C. Dixon

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Prayer List A. The Philippines

1. President Aquino and government leaders – honesty and competence 2. Righteousness, justice, peace and economic prosperity 3. Evangelization of the country 4. Protection from calamities

B. The Church 1. Love, purity, zeal and graciousness of CCF members 2. Faithfulness to God’s mission and vision for CCF 3. The Leaders and their families – Elders, Pastors, Dgroup Leaders 4. Staff, volunteers and workers 5. Worship and Training Center, Prayer Mountain 6. Global Leadership Center 7. Church planters, missionaries and families 8. Missions and church planting efforts

C. Israel 1. Peace and protection from hostile nations 2. Evangelization

D. Personal Breakthrough 1. Spiritual revival 2. Physical healing 3. Breaking of bad habits, curses… 4. Christ-like character

E. Family 1. Restoration of relationships 2. Household salvation 3. Others

F. Finances 1. Freedom from debt 2. Financial blessings 3. Rich generosity

G. Other Personal Prayer Items…