27 Feb Isaiah 58:6 (prayer/fasting for freedom!)
Posted on Friday 27 February, 2009
Welcome God every morning before your work by taking ~5 min to read this Living In Faith Exchange (LIFE) Group devotion (life-devotions.blogspot.com), which has snippets from Living Faith. All whatsoever you do in word or in work, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Col. 3:17
This, rather, is the fasting that I wish: releasing those bound unjustly… Setting free the oppressed… Isaiah 58:6
Living Faith snippets: “Our Lenten fasting must go beyond giving up desserts or other favorite foods. Our fasting must somehow affect other people for the better. If we give up that cup of specialty coffee, for example, we might want to contribute the money we saved to a local food bank or other charity. Fasting is best when there is a direct link between what we give up and what we give over to those in need. Set free “those bound unjustly”…someone bound by addiction, ignorance, poverty, illness, or old age [pregnant Mom considering abortion out of fear or pressure]. We help free them [and ourselves] when we visit them, listen to them, teach them, offer them advice, extend forgiveness [and] pray for them. Emancipator God, help me to free someone who is bound unjustly or who is oppressed.” by Sr. Melannie Svoboda
LIFE Group nuggets:
* While at the AF Academy chapel on Ash Wed, light on my praying hands caused a shadow that looked like the AF Academy chapel, with my finger tips as the steeples. Father Joe mentioned that our ability to say “no” while fasting strengthens our ability to say “yes” to God. The root of disciple is indeed discipline! When I woke up on Ash Wed, I thought is was appropriate that I felt compelled to take out the trash…
* Liz Curry: powerful One Pair of Hands video (3 min).
* Mike Castle: 7 min video about WWII…filled with patriotism, faith, and love for neighbor.
* Sister Francelle: her devotion titled Lent 2009.
* Pastor Don: his devotion that I titled Lent 2009.
Faith Challenge: Let’s challenge each other to joyfully live out the Good News. Suggestions?
* NEW: In preparation for Easter, let’s embrace our Lenten giving up and giving over (see Living Faith snippets above).
* NEW: In preparation for Easter, let’s embrace our Lenten giving up and giving over (see Living Faith snippets above).
Culture War/ProLife News: LifeSiteNews, American Family Association, Priests for Life
* Let’s never forget the horrific reality of abortion (images). Abortion is #1 cause of death in America.
* NOW: Please be part of the 40 Days for Life campaign (25 Feb – 5 Apr) by praying in front of an abortion mill for one hour (love for God & neighbor).
* Let’s never forget the horrific reality of abortion (images). Abortion is #1 cause of death in America.
* NOW: Please be part of the 40 Days for Life campaign (25 Feb – 5 Apr) by praying in front of an abortion mill for one hour (love for God & neighbor).
Our Prayers: Those who pray together stay together. Fasting ideas below.
* Let’s pray for courage to share ProLife Truth to those around us (John 14:6)…rebuilding a Culture of Life (Matt 5:16).
* Prayer to end abortion, abused children, chastity, peace, our enemies, our troops, depression/ despair, prisoners, ProLife politicians, lack of faith, illnesses/injuries, Mark Nelson (Pat Barton cancer), Peters family (JP updates), Rich Reich (friend’s breast cancer surgery)
* Let’s pray for courage to share ProLife Truth to those around us (John 14:6)…rebuilding a Culture of Life (Matt 5:16).
* Prayer to end abortion, abused children, chastity, peace, our enemies, our troops, depression/ despair, prisoners, ProLife politicians, lack of faith, illnesses/injuries, Mark Nelson (Pat Barton cancer), Peters family (JP updates), Rich Reich (friend’s breast cancer surgery)
* NEW: Pam Hourigan (Buffalo Awakening retreat in Boulder), Rob Ouellette (Janet, Tim, Marie & Shari), Carolyn (research advisor has terminal melanoma cancer)
Faith Quote: Angi Castle shared. “Where there’s His will, there’s a way.” author unknown
Through Christ for ProLife,
Pat
Pat
Phil 4:13
* Bible: Readings and reflections for today.
* Prayer: Prayer connects us with God’s will & His miracles, changing us & helping others. ‘If you pray that God will move a mountain and He doesn’t, assume Christ wants you to climb it instead.’
* Fasting: Let’s fast from things that take our eyes off Jesus (selfishness, bitterness, being so critical, impatience, gossip, excessive video games, etc) and take on things that fix our eyes on Jesus (selflessness, kindness, compassion, forgiveness, patience, understanding, caring, helping, listening).
* Defend the unborn: ‘Rescue those who are unjustly sentenced to death; don’t stand back and let them die’ (Prov 24:11). ‘Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you’ (Jer 1:5). ‘It is a great poverty that a child must die that you might live as you wish’ (Blessed Mother Teresa).
* Evangelization: Let’s make room for unbelievers (be a friend, make a friend, lead friend to Christ) and perpetual re-evangelization of self and those near us, by way of daily prayer (relationship) and following Christ’s example of selfless love, mercy, and service.
Let’s joyfully invite others to join our LIFE Group…Rich or Pat will gladly add them to the devotions distribution list (Mark 16:15)!
* Prayer: Prayer connects us with God’s will & His miracles, changing us & helping others. ‘If you pray that God will move a mountain and He doesn’t, assume Christ wants you to climb it instead.’
* Fasting: Let’s fast from things that take our eyes off Jesus (selfishness, bitterness, being so critical, impatience, gossip, excessive video games, etc) and take on things that fix our eyes on Jesus (selflessness, kindness, compassion, forgiveness, patience, understanding, caring, helping, listening).
* Defend the unborn: ‘Rescue those who are unjustly sentenced to death; don’t stand back and let them die’ (Prov 24:11). ‘Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you’ (Jer 1:5). ‘It is a great poverty that a child must die that you might live as you wish’ (Blessed Mother Teresa).
* Evangelization: Let’s make room for unbelievers (be a friend, make a friend, lead friend to Christ) and perpetual re-evangelization of self and those near us, by way of daily prayer (relationship) and following Christ’s example of selfless love, mercy, and service.
Let’s joyfully invite others to join our LIFE Group…Rich or Pat will gladly add them to the devotions distribution list (Mark 16:15)!