Launching a New Year with Prayer and Fasting

Call to Prayer by: Patricia Bootsma

 Isaiah 60 speaks of the Gentiles blessing Zion.  “Arise, shine, for your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; but the Lord will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you. The Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising….And they shall call you The City of the Lord, Zion of the Holy One of Israel.” (verses 1-3, 14b).  

   There has been much darkness in the earth - wars, antisemitism, political strife, lawlessness, and much more.  And yet, the promise of the glory of the Lord arising remains, and the Gentiles coming to the light of Zion.  I think we need to put ourselves in that passage. This is our day and the hour in which we are alive to bless Israel and be part of the rise of the glory of the Lord. 

  To that end, as we begin a new year, let us launch the first 21 days of 2025 with prayer coupled with fasting.  May the Lord cause 2025 to be a year of great breakthroughs as the trials of 2024 are overcome.

   There are many scriptural examples of fasting. Samuel, Ezra, Esther, Elijah, Daniel, and David are some examples of those who fasted and saw a breakthrough as a result. David said he humbled himself with fasting (Psalm 35:13). The annihilation of the Jews was thwarted as a result of God’s intervention after the fast Esther initiated. Daniel was on a 21-day fast when he was visited by an angel who instructed him that from the first day he had humbled himself in prayer and fasting, the angel had been sent to come. The archangel Michael was needed to take out the demonic entity over Persia. The angel said to Daniel (10:2-3), “...your words were heard, and I have come because of your words.” How incredible that fasting and prayer can move angels in and demons out!

   We pray for all of you participating in the fast as well as for Israel and the Jewish people.  In the words of Isaiah 58, in this fast may the following be accomplished for all and Israel:  Your voice will be heard on high (vs. 4). Your healing will spring forth speedily, your righteousness will go before, and the Glory of the Lord will be your rear guard (vs. 8).  You will call, and God will answer (vs. 9), and He will guide you continually (vs. 11).  

   Lou Engle, also participating in this fast, once said, “There are moments in history when a door for massive change opens, and great revolutions for good or evil spring up in the vacuum created by these openings. In these divine moments, key men and women and even entire generations risk everything to become the hinge of history, the pivotal point that determines which way the door will swing. We have taught a generation to feast and play, but the times demand we fast and pray.” 

   Let’s all enter 2025 and this 21-day fast as we set our hearts towards the Lord and ask for him to use us to be a hinge in history for the rising of His Glory in Israel, the USA, and the nations of the earth.