January 3 - 23, 2021
Prayer and Fasting
Join Pastor Walt Monday-Friday at 8:00 AM during these three weeks:
Daniel Fast in a Nutshell (Daniel 1:1-14 & 10:2-3, 12-13)
The following is a GUIDELINE - pray for personal direction…
Foods to include during a Daniel Fast:
-all fruits, all vegetables, all whole grains (brown rice may become one’s staple), all nuts and seeds, all legumes (peas and beans), all quality oils (olive, canola, peanut, etc), water, soy, tofu, various seasonings…
Foods to avoid on the Daniel Fast:
-all meat and animal products, all dairy products, sweeteners, all leavened bread (anything with yeast), refined and processed foods (artificial flavorings, additives, white rice, white flour, sugar, artificial preservatives), fried foods, solid fats (shortening, margarine, lard), carbonated beverages, energy drinks, alcohol…
REMEMBER: this is a fast not a diet and not just going without food – fasting means that we choose to go without food and that we choose to spend more time with God. We choose to read His Word and we choose to pray – to talk to God – and we choose to remember that we need to LISTEN while we pray.
1. The Gate
The Gate to the Tabernacle, and later to the Temple in Jerusalem faced to the east. There was only one way in.
Ps 100:4 NKJV
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
The Outer Court - Court of the Congregation
2. The Altar - The Cross
The Altar was a place of sacrifice. It is where the shedding of blood took place. This represents the cross of Jesus Christ, where He paid the ultimate sacrifice for sin. We must all come by the cross.
Heb 9:22 NKJV
And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.
The Cross provides for us salvation, healing, redemption from the curse, a new nature and newness of life.
Ps 103:1-5 NKJV
Bless the Lord, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits:
3 Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
4 Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
3. The Laver of Water – Washing, Cleansing, Reflection and Repentance
The Laver was a place of cleansing and reflection. This is where we now see ourselves through the reflection of God’s Word and ask for mercy and help. At the Laver we recognize our need of purification.
Phil 4:8 NKJV
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — meditate on these things.
Ps 101:3-4 NKJV
I will set nothing wicked before my eyes;
I hate the work of those who fall away;
It shall not cling to me.
4 A perverse heart shall depart from me;
I will not know wickedness.
Prov 17:20 NKJV
He who has a deceitful heart finds no good,
And he who has a perverse tongue falls into evil.
Ps 144:1 NKJV
Blessed be the Lord my Rock,
Who trains my hands for war,
And my fingers for battle
Ps 18:32-34 NKJV
It is God who arms me with strength,
And makes my way perfect.
33 He makes my feet like the feet of deer,
And sets me on my high places.
34 He teaches my hands to make war,
So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
Prov 6:16-19 NKJV
These six things the Lord hates,
Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:
17 A proud look,
A lying tongue,
Hands that shed innocent blood,
18 A heart that devises wicked plans,
Feet that are swift in running to evil,
19 A false witness who speaks lies,
And one who sows discord among brethren.
Gal 5:22-23 NKJV
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
The Holy Place
4. The Lampstand (Menorah) – The Holy Spirit
The Tent of Meeting had two sections – the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies. Behind the first veil of the Tent of Meetings were three articles. The Lampstand represents the Spirit of God. We need to pray to be filled with the Holy Spirit and desire spiritual gifts.
Isa 11:2 NKJV – The Seven Spirits of the Lord
The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him,
The Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
The Spirit of counsel and might,
The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.
1 Cor 12:1 (8-10) NKJV
Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant:
Word of Wisdom
Word of Knowledge
Faith
Gifts of Healings
Working of Miracles
Prophecy
Discerning of Spirits
Tongues
Interpretation of Tongues.
1 Cor 14:1 NKJV
Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.
5. The Table of Shewbread – The Word of God
The second item in the Holy Place was the Table of Shewbread which represents the Word of God. God will speak to us through His Word. As we pray, not only do we talk to God, we must also listen to His Word.
Josh 1:8-9 NKJV
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Ps 119:10, 11 & 105 NKJV
With my whole heart I have sought You;
Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!
11 Your word I have hidden in my heart,
That I might not sin against You.
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path.
6. The Altar of Incense - Worship
The third item in the Holy Place was the Altar of Incense; incense represents worship. In the Tabernacle, incense was lit by the coals from the Brazen Altar and burned daily at the time of morning and evening sacrifices. The offering of incense (worship) had to take place after the sacrifice at the Brazen Altar, because only after the sacrifice was made (the Cross) could communion with God take place.
Heb 13:15 NKJV
Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.
Jehovah-Tsidkenu – The Lord our Righteousness
Jeremiah 23:6 NKJV
In His days Judah will be saved, And Israel will dwell safely; Now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Jehovah-Mekoddishkem – The Lord Who Sanctifies (He calls me and sets me apart)
Ex 31:13 NKJV
Speak also to the children of Israel, saying: 'Surely My Sabbaths you shall keep, for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the Lord who sanctifies you.
Jehovah-Rapha – The Lord our Healer
Ps 30:2 NKJV
O Lord my God, I cried out to You, and You healed me.
Jehovah-Raah – The Lord is my Shepherd
Ps 23:1 NKJV
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Jehovah-Jirah – The Lord will Provide
Gen 22:14 NKJV
And Abraham called the name of the place, The-Lord-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day, "In the Mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”
Jehovah-Nissi – The Lord is my Banner (of victory/refuge – He has defeated my enemy)
Ex 17:15 NKJV
And Moses built an altar and called its name, The-Lord-Is-My-Banner
Jehovah-Shalom – The Lord is Peace
Judg 6:24 NKJV
So Gideon built an altar there to the Lord, and called it The-Lord-Is-Peace.
Jehovah-Shammah – The Lord is There
Ezek 48:35 NKJV
All the way around shall be eighteen thousand cubits; and the name of the city from that day shall be: THE LORD IS THERE."
Elohim – God, Judge, Creator
Ex 20:7 NKJV
You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.
Adonai – My Lord and Master (I belong to God; my ownership is His)
Ps 38:15-16 NKJV
For in You, O Lord, I hope; You will hear, O Lord my God.
16 For I said, "Hear me, lest they rejoice over me,
Lest, when my foot slips, they exalt themselves against me."
El Elyon – The Most High God
Gen 14:19-20 NKJV
Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth;
20 And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.
El Shaddai – All-Sufficient One, Lord God Almighty
Gen 17:1 NKJV
When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, "I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless.”
The Holy of Holies
7. The Ark of the Covenant - Intercession
Behind the second veil in the Tent of Meetings - the area known as the Holy of Holies - was where intercession was made. This is the place of the Mercy Seat - the Ark of the Covenant, where God’s presence dwelt.
Rom 8:26-28 NKJV
Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
1 Tim 2:1-4 NKJV
Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Prayer/Intercession Pattern:
God (Our Father in heaven…/enter into the Holy of Holies)
Spouse (Serving God if single)
Children
Extended Family
Occupation
Church
Pastors
Board/Leadership
Small groups
Members/attenders
Vision, mission and provision
Those in authority
Spiritual authority
Civic authority
Family authorities
Workplace authorities
City/community, nation, world
Personal needs
End with thanksgiving and praise