Ohio Baptists observed the first of our First Friday Fast 2020 January 3. We had a five-point prayer focus for the fast:
Prayer Points:
Denominee Process and Future Team — Seeking His future for Ohio Baptists
Church Revitalization — Seeking His plan for the church
Church Planting — Seeking His places for church plants
Pastors and Leaders — Seeking His favor for pastors, leaders and their families
Awakening — Seeking supernatural gospel impact in Ohio and beyond
What was your experience? (See details at the bottom of this page to submit your personal insights to SCBO)
Malachi writes, “At that time, those who feared the Lord spoke to one another. The Lord took notice and listened…” (3:16) As we stand in united prayer and share about our experiences, we encourage one another and come to more clarity about how He is specifically speaking to His Bride.
Reflections:
Denominee Process and Future Team — Seeking His future for Ohio Baptists A call to listen to Him — Psalm 85 Following the Psalmist great cry for revival: ‘Will You not revive us again so that Your people may rejoice in you?’ He proclaims, ‘I will listen to what God will say…’ (Psalm 85:8-9) The greatest need in the Denominee Process is to hear from Him about His future for Ohio Baptists.
Church Revitalization — Seeking His plan for the church A call to rebuild, restore and repair — Isaiah 58:12 “Isn’t this the fast I choose…” (Isaiah 58:6) Right in the midst of a powerful chapter on fasting, revitalization is seen as a result: “Some of you will rebuild the ancient ruins; you will restore the foundations laid long ago; you will be called the repairer of broken walls, the restorer of streets where people live.” (Isaiah 58:12)
Awakening — Seeking supernatural gospel impact in Ohio and beyond A call to return to Him — Malachi 3:7 The result of returning to Him: "So that you will again see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between the one who serves God and one who does not serve Him." (Malachi 3:18) In 2020, our nation desperately needs to know the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.
(See Prayer Guide download available below)
Please share insights from your First Friday Fast 2020 by sending to SteveHopkins@scbo.org Indicate whether or not you want your name shared with the insights.
For more information and resources for First Friday Fast 2020 go to scbo.org/fast
Praise God! Wednesday, we had four unchurched and unsaved people in Galilee's very first offsite small group discipleship/Bible study in Napoleon. Expecting at least three more. The Lord is blessing us as we pray and fast for unsaved and unchurched during the month of January 2020!
We are encouraging our churches to be part of the First Friday Fast 2020. I believe if we are to see a mighty movement of God, His people must seek His face in prayer and fasting.
Cliff Hartley
Associational Leader, Buckeye Central/Erie
“Revival is ultimately Christ Himself, seen, felt, heard, living, active moving in and through His body on earth.” — Stephen Olford (Quoted by Daniel Henderson, Old Paths, New Power, p. 221-222)
