Fast and Pray: Be Filled with God-Confidence

WORSHIP

January 4, 2015
Vol. 15, No. 1

Suggested Worship Songs:

Lift Him Up, The Battle is the Lords, God is Here, Still, Christ is Enough

WELCOME

New Years Entry. How do you describe your January 2015?

WORD

2 Chronicles 20:3
And Jehoshaphat was afraid and turned his attention to seek the LORD; and proclaimed a fast throughout all
Judah.
After King Jehoshaphat brought Judah back to God,
the threat of invasion came from the Ammonites,
Moabites and Meunites.

As we enter 2015, what can we learn about Godconfidence from the story of the battle in the time
of King Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicle 20)?

First, we can learn that even when we are obeying

God, we are not spared from problems. In fact,
when we are doing Gods will, there will definitely
be opposition. So do not be surprised if this
happens.

The Response of King Jehoshaphat

The great multitude of army invasion was too close

with no more time for the people of Judah to
prepare. As the commander in chief, what did
Jehoshaphat do in this time of national emergency?
Jehoshaphat was afraid. He sought God and
proclaimed a nationwide fasting (2 Chronicles
20:3). They needed this to be filled with Godconfidence amidst the national threat.

We may be entering the New Year with pains,

sorrow, threats, challenges, or loss. As the body of
Christ, we also come together in prayer and fasting
to be filled with God at the start the year, before we
take any actions to proceed.

Prayer and fasting should be a year-round life path

and not an annual exercise at the start of the year.
We are encouraged to take a regular individual
private fast and daily prayer. This must be a
spiritual discipline for the whole family (2
Chronicles 20:13).

The Prayer of King Jehoshaphat

King Jehoshaphat stood before the kingdom of

Judah and prayed this way (2 Chronicles 20):

1. Who God is (vv. 5-6)

Jehoshaphat started his prayer by recounting
who God is.

When we pray, begin with adoration and

worship of who God is: God is merciful,
sovereign, the God of the impossible, the God of
second chances; He is who He claims to be.

2. What God has done (v.7)

Jehoshaphat remembered how God drove out
the people of the land to give it to them as He
promised Abraham.

We are mostly forgetful people who need to be

reminded of what God has done in our life; to
recount His faithfulness, grace and power.

3. What God has promised (vv. 8-9)

Jehoshaphat knew that God is a prayeranswering God. He remembered the prayer of
King Solomon. He claimed Gods promise that
He will hear and deliver them.
What do we know about the promises of God?
We can only claim unless we know. We can
claim Gods promises not because we deserve
them but because of who God is.

Jehoshaphat also remembered that God could have

allowed the Israelites in the past to destroy these
people. But God did not let it happen then to
reserve a miracle to come in His time.
If we have some questions in mind why God
allowed or did not allow things to happen, rest in

WORD (contd)
the Lord and trust that His plans are better than
ours.

The Petition of Jehoshaphat and the Response

of God (2 Chronicles 20:12-26)
Jehoshaphat humbly admitted their powerlessness
against their enemy, but they trusted God (v.12).

Gods answer was, Do not fear or be dismayed, for

the battle is not yours but Mine. (vv. 14-15). They
trusted God and gave thanks (vv.20-21), even
before Gods answer to their prayer came (ref.
Philippians 4:6). As soon as they arrived where God
told them to go, they found the corpses of their
enemies on the ground. They did not fight the
battle, God did. While they were singing and
praising, God had already set their enemies to fight

Discussion Questions:

against each other until all were destroyed (vv.2025). God even gave them a bonus of so many
valuables from the spoils of their enemies. Its
amazing how God can turn a threat or a trial into so
much blessing.

We are dependent on God not only in times of crisis

but moment by moment. We cannot boast about
our plan as we do not know exactly what would
happen next (James 4:13-16).

Wherever we are right now, let us enter the brand

new year 2015, not with self-confidence but with
God-confidence, for God alone is sovereign and fully
in control. He can turn the mess in our life into a
blessing. When we are filled with God-confidence,
our life will overflow and bless others.

(Leaders: Please choose questions that are appropriate to the level of spiritual maturity of your members)
1. Pray and Fast. What was the response of Jehoshaphat amidst the national emergency?

2. Mayday. When you are in any kind of battle or distress, what is your usual response? How can you apply
what you learned from Jehoshaphat in the passage?

3. Remember. Who is God and what has He done in your life? How can all of these about God help you face 2015
with God-confidence? What promised of God do you carry this New Year?

WORKS

Do not be afraid
Personalize the prayer of Jehoshaphat and the
answer of God to your life. What battles are you
facing this 2015? How can you apply Gods
promise/s in your life?

Weekly Prayer Points

I. Thanksgiving
Worship God for who He is, what He has
done, and what He will do in our lives

II. Country and the World

Upright and moral governance of Public
Servants and a God-centered Philippines
Repentance and Salvation

III. Church
That CCF Members would honor and love God
and make disciples
Elders, Pastors, Leaders, and Families
Ministries and Churches worldwide
IV. CCF Facilities
New Worship and Training Center
Prayer Mountain

V. Personal Concerns
Deeper intimate relationship with God
Righteous living
Salvation of family and friends