Welcome to Day 3 of 21 Days of Prayer + Fasting 2024. To learn more or purchase a book, visit FoursquarePrayer.org.
Today’s Scripture
“One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.”
—Psalm 27:4 (NIV)
“I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of His resurrection and participation in His sufferings, becoming like Him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
—Philippians 3:10-14 (NIV)
Reflect on the Word
When we look at Scripture, we don’t see stories of morally superior heroes and faultless churches; what we find again and again are people who set their hearts on seeking after God. Even the holiest saint needs to enter God’s presence to keep their faith and love for Him from growing cold. Prayer and fasting are a way to accomplish this. Through our actions, Jesus stirs up and renews our love and longing for Him.
Prayer + Contemplation
- We live in a world with endless counterfeit options for what can “fill” us, but often what we think will guide us merely distracts us. Pray for God to fill your soul to the brim with His goodness.
- As you fast in the way that is best for you, pray that God will fill the void left by whatever you have cut out and that your love for Him will grow.
- Take time right now to pause and wait on the Lord. Open yourself to Him and be content in silence. As you pray, welcome His transforming Spirit.
Family Moment: Seeds of gratitude
Read Psalm 27:4. What does it mean to “seek”? The Bible shows us that seeking is what we think about, the things we love and where we spend our time. God knows our lives are filled with lots of distractions. Thankfully, followers of Jesus have the Holy Spirit as guide and helper. Make and decorate a “telescope” out of a paper-towel tube, and write the words from Psalm 27:4 on the tube. Play a game of I Spy and “seek” things while only looking through the telescope. Adults, now guide kids toward finding things like the Bible, the nature God created or framed Scripture. See how much easier it is to seek and find when you have guidance? That’s what the Holy Spirit does for us every day!
