Perious Times? or Glorious Times!

Dearest Friends,
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2 Timothy 3:1 says, “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.” The word Perilous is the Greek word that means: hard times, troublesome times, and dangerous times.
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Few would argue that the times in which we live could be easily described in those terms. Due to the economic situation facing this Nation many have found themselves falling on hard times. Companies are making cutbacks. Businesses are suffering inflationary challenges and families are having to make hard decisions.
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These are also very troublesome times. I cannot think of a time in recent memory where there was such division and uncertainty. One look at today’s political landscape and you see the reflective condition of our Nation. If you think that there is trouble now—just a wait a few months until the November elections!
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One would also have to admit that these are also dangerous times. Over 4,000 American soldiers have given their lives in Iraq. Hundreds of thousands of others have also lost their lives in the past few years in middle east conflicts, ethnic cleansing and civil wars in Africa and the standard heinous crimes which occur each day in this World’s cities.
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There are now an increasing number of drug-resistant diseases and have you ever heard of as many cases of staph infection occurring among hospital patients? A recent article was published that said a staggering percentage of young women had contracted sexually transmitted diseases.
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Having said all of that: I am personally very encouraged!
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These are indeed Perilous Times—but they are also Glorious Times as well. In the midst of all of the mayhem and madness we are seeing some of the most powerful moves of God that we have seen in twenty years of ministry. In a time where downsizing is common place—we are seeing the Lord Jesus “extend the places of our tent” like never before!
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The depth, breadth and scope of this ministry has never been greater. What was just a few people out in the streets trying to be faithful to the call of God a few years ago—has now expanded to a proverbial ARMY of soul-winners and people passionate about seeing this world impacted by the message of the Gospel.
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What we are seeing God do now cannot be contained in the cozy-confines of a stained glass edifice. It is spilling out into the streets of places like New Orleans (Louisiana), Miami (Florida), Philadelphia (Pennsylvania), Santa Rosa (California), and Albuquerque (New Mexico).
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You may not hear about it on the evening news or on a special report from your favorite Christian television station. It may be “under the radar” of the casual observer—but it has certainly caught the attention of Heaven!
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Luke 15:7 “I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.”
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We are doing our best by the grace of God to keep “Heaven Rejoicing” over the lost and dying coming to repentance! What we are doing for His Kingdom will never be measured in memberships to the local Church of the Frozen Chosen. It will never be validated by a best-selling book chronicling our exploits.
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No. What we are seeing the Holy Spirit do will only be fully realized when, “…the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.” Matthew 16:27
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These are GLORIOUS TIMES!
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Each day as we come together before the crack of dawn in order to get the mind of Christ, we are challenged to die to ourselves a little bit more. We are compelled to examine our own hearts and minds that we might be greater representatives of the Lamb slain before the foundations of the World. The “things” in our lives that once seem benign have now become the very things that we would seek to rid ourselves of. “Be ye holy, even as I am Holy,” says the Lord God of Hosts.
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I want to encourage you with a couple of scriptures:
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Isaiah 55:6-7 “Seek the LORD while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.”
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Psalm 91:1-3 “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust. Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence.”
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These are not times to draw back, these are times to draw nigh to the presence of the living God and find rest, hope, salvation and deliverance in His glorious presence.
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If you have been holding on to wickedness, unconfessed sin and living in lukewarm complacency---then you just simply need to repent and turn to the gracious and forgiving hand of the Lord Jesus Christ---before it is too late!
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NOW is the time to respond to the voice of righteousness that is calling out to your soul. NOW is the time to “repent and be converted that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.” NOW is the time for the wicked to “forsake his way.”
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Holiness and righteousness are the what will differentiate between perilous times and glorious times. Which will define your life and walk with the Lord Jesus?
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UPDATES:
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If you haven’t had the opportunity to be a part of our LIVE Raven Institute of Ministry & Biblical Studies you have really missed out! (Well, not totally though)
Each morning from 9-10 AM (Eastern) I broadcast a live expository teaching from the Word of God.
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We are presently in the midst of a year-long study in the Book of Romans. Today actually marked our 178th class! If you missed any of these classes, we now have them all available for FREE listening or download on our website. You can go to any of these locations to begin your own study in this tremendous Book of the Bible:
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www.BigGrace.com (click on Raven Institute)
www.RavenInstitute.Blogspot.com (dedicated site)
www.myspace.com/raveninstitute (become my friend!)

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I know that you will be challenged (and encouraged!) by these timeless truths given to us by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit through His servant, Paul the Apostle. Also—you can continue to join us for the LIVE program as we continue into the 14th Chapter this week.
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We have students “LIVE” from all across the USA, Canada, India, Africa and other parts of the World. These classes are being downloaded at the rate of 6,000-10,000 times each! Let’s get the Word Out!
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ALSO---We REALLY need your help!
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If you have been praying about a good time to give financially into Raven Ministries---this is it! If you haven’t been praying about it—please do and then give! Praise God!
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God has and will continue to take care of us and meet our needs—but things have been somewhat “tight” for us (as it has probably been for many others). Some of the regular supporters of the ministry have not been able to continue in their support for various reasons and this has caused us to cut back and hold off on some of the things that we know God has directed us to do.
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RIGHT NOW—we need to raise $600 to finish paying for the bus repairs on Raven Bus #2 that blew an engine and has been stranded in Texas since February. The new motor will be in the bus this week and we need to pay the balance of the $3000 that it cost to get it up and running again. Can you send “something” right away so that we can pay the balance of that bill before Friday?
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RIGHT NOW—we are needing to book (3) flights to NYC for the May outreach there. We will be hosting a tremendous team that will be taking the Gospel of Jesus Christ to “The Big Apple.” Flights can be booked right now for just $222 each (round trip), but with rising fuel costs and time restraints—those prices will escalate quickly.
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Maybe you would want to sponsor one ticket (or all three if God has blessed you in that way) or maybe you would just want to give towards getting us on the streets of America’s most populated City with the Gospel.
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RIGHT NOW---we need partners willing to stand with us financially on a monthly basis. You don’t know just how far your gift of $25 or $50 each month goes. We are a DEBT FREE ministry. We do not function off of credit and we are not behind on bills. We “do as much as we can with as much as we have.” If we don’t have it, we don’t do it! There is so MUCH THAT NEEDS to be done—and your regular support helps us take the message of Jesus to a lost and dying world each and every day.
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As you all know…we are not ones to “sit back” and talk about what we are “going to do” for Jesus. We believe in actively pursuing the promises of God with a passion—and that is what we will continue to do. Your investment in this ministry is not an investment in something that “might happen” it is an investment on something that is already reaping the eternal dividends of souls for Jesus!
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We love and appreciate you greatly and may the Lord Jesus anoint each of you mightily in all that you do for His Glory!
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Blessings,
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Pastor Troy D. Bohn
Raven Ministries International, Inc.
P.O. Box 1897
Daytona Beach, Florida 32174
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Contact: PastorTroy@BigGrace.com
Prayer Requests: Pray@BigGrace.com
Bible Questions: Study@BigGrace.com
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24 Hour “Holy Ghost Hot Line” 1-Go-Zap-Souls

"When you see it like JESUS saw it then you will do it like JESUS did it."

The "Church" of Oprah Exposed!

Each day over 6,000,000 Viewers tune into watch the Oprah Winfrey Show--most of the audience is made up of women. Oprah is often looked upon as hero for her chraritable acts and her generosity towards her studio audience--she has even given the entire audience cars before! She has started schools in Africa and supports efforts following Huricane Katrina in New Orleans. She is the wealthiest woman in the entertainment industry. Her book recommendations guarantee that they will be instant best sellers and she is now looked upon to endorse Presedential candidates! Is there NOTHING that this woman cannot do?

2 Tim 3:1-71 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will (have) a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them. They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over weak-willed women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth.

"That is the line to HELL!"

We were out witnessing this past weekend in front of Daytona Beach’s most popular Dance Club when I was approached by a group of three college students visiting the City for Spring Break.
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“Is this the line?” (College Student)
“Its one of the lines.” (Pastor Troy)
“Oh, there are two lines?” (College Student)
“Yes there are. The one over there is a line straight to HELL and this one right here is where you get in line for HEAVEN.” (Pastor Troy)
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You should have seen their faces as they were stupefied by the exchange that we had there in front of the Dance Club. It was if reality had set in and they were now being confronted with a choice unlike any that they had ever had to make.
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Folks—THAT is the reality of it! There are only two choices: Heaven or Hell—and the sad news is that most people are standing in the line that will carry them to an eternal hell! (Matthew 7:13)
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As I stood there and watched as hundreds of young people walked into this den of iniquity the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart, “They are trying to steal the very souls of this generation.”
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I knew right then that God was giving me a mandate to go after the 16-26 year old generation with a vengeance! He placed upon me an urgency to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ to them with the same urgency that He had given me when we moved to New Orleans which resulted in 1000’s being brought to Christ by our teams over the course of three years.
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Right now the Spirit of God is “…Turning the hearts of the Fathers to the Children and the hearts of the Children to the Fathers…to get a people ready…” (Mal 4:6, Luke 1:17)
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There is a generation right now teetering on destruction and on the verge of spiritual annihilation. They have been targeted for moral assassination by an adversary who knows that their demise will result in untold millions perishing in an eternal hell!
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This generation has been VICTIMIZED by a “Lot-like” deal that has been made with the invading armies of evil.
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Genesis 19:8 “Look, I have two daughters who have never slept with a man. Let me bring them out to you, and you can do what you like with them. But don't do anything to these men, for they have come under the protection of my roof."
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They are not safe in the womb—as we have allowed open access to their still forming bodies by the burning sting of saline and the razor sharp edge of an abortionist scalpel.
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They are not safe in their grade schools—as they are seduced and molested by pedophile teachers and homosexual priests.
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They are not safe on the college campuses—as liberal professors twist their minds and inject the godless indoctrination of evolution and secular humanism.
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They are not safe in the market place---as our sons are enticed into rebellion, drugs and alcohol by a Hollywood machine churns out motion pictures glamorizing wickedness and our daughters are being presented as sex objects and the pleasure toy of the demonic minded entertainment industry.
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They are not even safe in their own homes—as parents present a dead, powerless religion that neither delivers, saves, or introduces them to a genuine relationship to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!
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THIS IS JUST NOT OKAY WITH ME! Our hearts have been turned towards them---and we are trusting that their hearts will also be turned towards righteous men and women who would dare to go and contend with the adversary for their eternal souls!
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Pray for us as we make a strategic advance in the areas of this Nation where our young people are the most vulnerable to Satan’s treachery. We are planning on taking the Message of Jesus Christ to the dance clubs, beaches, bars, and college campuses over the next few months with the expectation of seeing a Joshua-like Generation rise from the ruins of the past generations complacency and compromise!
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In addition to your prayers, we need your financial help. This ministry is all about SOULS. We are not spiritual snake oil salesmen or charismatic carnival barkers who promises you wealth with out end for your “special seed offering”–we are men and women of faith and integrity who GO THAT OTHERS MAY KNOW.
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We depend upon the Lord Jesus to speak to the hearts of those who share our passion to give sacrificially so that we can more effectively take the Gospel to a lost and dying World.
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Would you consider giving your VERY BEST offering for souls this month? This is such a strategic time and your financial gift will help enable us to do more in the coming weeks. You can give online through our PayPal account by clicking the donate icon at the side of the page or by sending your gift to the address below.
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Raven Ministries International, Inc.
P.O. Box 1897
Daytona Beach, Florida 32115
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I also want to extend to you an invitation to join us for our 3rd Annual “Boot Camp in the Big Apple” Outreach to New York City scheduled for May 22-26.

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We will be joined by Raven Ministries leaders and team members from across the USA and Canada and we will once again be blessed to also have Bobby Chance of Streetwise Ministry of Hollywood, California helping to lead the outreach.
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The cost of the outreach (in addition to your airfare/travel expense) is only $125 which will cover your place to stay (sleeping bags at a local church), your subway pass, and RAVEN GEAR (some outreach T-shirts to wear on the streets).
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If you want to join us (or if you would like to sponsor someone to go) email me at PastorTroy@BigGrace.com with your information and I will call you back as soon as possible. We need to set a deadline for this of May 1st to cut down on the last minute confusion.
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ALSO—Please pray concerning our being able to get back into Amsterdam’s Red-Light District this coming Summer. I got a message this past week from a man that I led to Jesus when I was last there. His name is Steven and he had previous worked as a pimp and drug dealer---but is now serving Jesus! He wrote:
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Hi Pastor Troy,
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I am doing great. In my new life is all the best, but it is definitely not always easy.
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I've learned a lot about the Christian way of living (a normal, humble life, serving the Lord and others), and am feeling welcomed and at home in my church.
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Now I have my own flat and am working hard for the first time in my life. The Lord shows that it makes Him happy when I live for Him.
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I am looking up to you as an evangelist and would love to do that full time as well in the future, because that is where my heart is and I can't speak of anything else than what the Lord has done to me and what He can mean to other people.
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God bless you and your beloved ones, and all the work you are doing in His name.
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In Christ, Steven (Amsterdam-Netherlands)
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I was supposed to go there last summer but the finances just never were there to take myself and another there. We do not operate on credit cards or in debt—that is just not something the Lord will allow us to do (and) we don’t believe that God tells us to GO somewhere and then He “changes His mind” and inform us by starving us out financially.
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NO—what happens is that those in possession of the Kingdom’s Resources often refuse to turn them loose, or they are squandered in areas that they were never intended to be used in. God is not broke, nor is He greedy when it comes to providing for those who are going out to win people for His Kingdom. We just need to pray for those who have been made “caretakers” of His possessions to “distribute” them appropriately.
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DO YOU HAVE PRAYER REQUESTS? We are praying daily from 5-6 AM and would love to stand with you in prayer for your need, healing or breakthrough. Just send your prayer requests to me at Pray@BigGrace.com
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WE ALSO WANT TO INVITE YOU to join one of our live BROADCASTS during the week on the World Wide Web!
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LIVE PRAYER: Everyday from 5:00 – 6:00 AM (Eastern)
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Raven International Church: Sunday’s from 10:00 AM – Noon (Eastern)
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The RAVEN NATION LIVE: Tuesday’s from 8:30 – 10:00 PM (Eastern)
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The Raven Institute of Ministry & Biblical Studies: Monday-Friday 9-10 AM (Eastern)
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You can join any of these LIVE and INTERACTIVE webcasts by going to http://www.biggrace.com/ and then click on RAVEN TV
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May God bless & anoint you mightily in His service!
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Pastor Troy D. Bohn
Raven Ministries International -Director

Raven Ministries Prayer & Fasting Jan 1-7

STEP 1: Set Your Objective
Why are you fasting? Is it for spiritual renewal, for guidance, for healing, for the resolution of problems, for special grace to handle a difficult situation? Ask the Holy Spirit to clarify His leading and objectives for your prayer fast. This will enable you to pray more specifically and strategically.

Through fasting and prayer we humble ourselves before God so the Holy Spirit will stir our souls, awaken our churches, and heal our land according to 2 Chronicles 7:14. Make this a priority in your fasting.

STEP 2: Make Your Commitment
Pray about the kind of fast you should undertake. Jesus implied that all of His followers should fast (Matthew 6:16-18; 9:14,15) For Him it was a matter of when believers would fast, not if they would do it. Before you fast, decide the following up front:

1. How long you will fast - one meal, two meals, etc.

2. The type of fast God wants you to undertake (such as water only, or water and juices; what kinds of juices you will drink and how often)

3. What physical or social activities you will restrict

4. How much time each day you will devote to prayer and God's Word

Making these commitments ahead of time will help you sustain your fast when physical temptations and life's pressures tempt you to abandon it.

STEP 3: Prepare Yourself Spiritually
The very foundation of fasting and prayer is repentance. Unconfessed sin will hinder your prayers. Here are several things you can do to prepare your heart:

Ask God to help you make a comprehensive list of your sins.

Confess every sin that the Holy Spirit calls to your remembrance and accept God's forgiveness (1 John 1:9).

Seek forgiveness from all whom you have offended, and forgive all who have hurt you (Mark 11:25; Luke 11:4; 17:3,4).

Make restitution as the Holy Spirit leads you.

Ask God to fill you with His Holy Spirit according to His command in Ephesians 5:18 and His promise in 1 John 5:14,15.

Surrender your life fully to Jesus Christ as your Lord and Master; refuse to obey your worldly nature (Romans 12:1,2).

Meditate on the attributes of God, His love, sovereignty, power, wisdom, faithfulness, grace, compassion, and others (Psalm 48:9,10; 103:1-8, 11-13).

Begin your time of fasting and prayer with an expectant heart (Hebrews 11:6).

Do not underestimate spiritual opposition. Satan sometimes intensifies the natural battle between body and spirit (Galatians 5:16,17).

STEP 4: Prepare Yourself Physically
Fasting requires reasonable precautions. Consult your physician first, especially if you take prescription medication or have a chronic ailment. Some persons should never fast without professional supervision.

Physical preparation makes the drastic change in your eating routine a little easier so that you can turn your full attention to the Lord in prayer. Do not rush into your fast.

Prepare your body. Eat smaller meals before starting a fast. Avoid high-fat and sugary foods.

Eat raw fruit and vegetables for two days before starting a fast.

Your time of fasting and prayer has come. You are abstaining from all solid foods and have begun to seek the Lord. Here are some helpful suggestions to consider:


Avoid drugs, even natural herbal drugs and homeopathic remedies. Medication should be withdrawn only with your physician's supervision.

Limit your activity.

Exercise only moderately. Walk one to three miles each day if convenient and comfortable.

Rest as much as your schedule will permit.

Prepare yourself for temporary mental discomforts, such as impatience, crankiness, and anxiety.

Expect some physical discomforts, especially on the second day. You may have fleeting hunger pains, dizziness, or the "blahs." Withdrawal from caffeine and sugar may cause headaches. Physical annoyances may also include weakness, tiredness, or sleeplessness.

The first two or three days are usually the hardest. As you continue to fast, you will likely experience a sense of well-being both physically and spiritually. However, should you feel hunger pains, increase your liquid intake.

STEP 5: Put Yourself on a Schedule
For maximum spiritual benefit, set aside ample time to be alone with the Lord. Listen for His leading. The more time you spend with Him, the more meaningful your fast will be.

Morning
Begin your day in praise and worship.
Read and meditate on God's Word, preferably on your knees.
Invite the Holy Spirit to work in you to will and to do His good pleasure according to Philippians 2:13.
Invite God to use you. Ask Him to show you how to influence your world, your family, your church, your community, your country, and beyond.
Pray for His vision for your life and empowerment to do His will.
Noon
Return to prayer and God's Word.
Take a short prayer walk.
Spend time in intercessory prayer for your community's and nation's leaders, for the world's unreached millions, for your family or special needs.
Evening
Get alone for an unhurried time of "seeking His face."
If others are fasting with you, meet together for prayer.
Avoid television or any other distraction that may dampen your spiritual focus.
When possible, begin and end each day on your knees with your spouse for a brief time of praise and thanksgiving to God. Longer periods of time with our Lord in prayer and study of His Word are often better spent alone.

A dietary routine is vital as well. Dr. Julio C. Ruibal - a nutritionist, pastor, and specialist in fasting and prayer - suggests a daily schedule and list of juices you may find useful and satisfying. Modify this schedule and the drinks you take to suit your circumstances and tastes.

5 a.m. - 8 a.m.
Fruit juices, preferably freshly squeezed or blended and diluted in 50 percent distilled water if the fruit is acid. Apple, pear, grapefruit, papaya, watermelon, or other fruit juices are generally preferred. If you cannot do your own juicing, buy juices without sugar or additives.
10:30 a.m. - noon
Fresh vegetable juice made from lettuce, celery, and carrots in three equal parts.
2:30 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Herb tea with a drop of honey. Avoid black tea or any tea with caffeine.
6 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Broth made from boiling potatoes, celery, and carrots with no salt. After boiling about half an hour, pour the water into a container and drink it.

Tips on Juice Fasting
Drinking fruit juice will decrease your hunger pains and give you some natural sugar energy. The taste and lift will motivate and strengthen you to continue.

The best juices are made from fresh watermelon, lemons, grapes, apples, cabbage, beets, carrots, celery, or leafy green vegetables. In cold weather, you may enjoy a warm vegetable broth.

Mix acidic juices (orange and tomato) with water for your stomach's sake.

Avoid caffeinated drinks. And avoid chewing gum or mints, even if your breath is bad. They stimulate digestive action in your stomach.

When your designated time for fasting is finished, you will begin to eat again. But how you break your fast is extremely important for your physical and spiritual well-being.

STEP 6: End Your Fast Gradually
Begin eating gradually. Do not eat solid foods immediately after your fast. Suddenly reintroducing solid food to your stomach and digestive tract will likely have negative, even dangerous, consequences. Try several smaller meals or snacks each day. If you end your fast gradually, the beneficial physical and spiritual effects will result in continued good health.

Here are some suggestions to help you end your fast properly:

Break an extended water fast with fruit such as watermelon.

While continuing to drink fruit or vegetable juices, add the following: First day: Add a raw salad. Second day: Add baked or boiled potato, no butter or seasoning. Third day: Add a steamed vegetable. Thereafter: Begin to reintroduce your normal diet.

Gradually return to regular eating with several small snacks during the first few days. Start with a little soup and fresh fruit such as watermelon and cantaloupe. Advance to a few tablespoons of solid foods such as raw fruits and vegetables or a raw salad and baked potato.

STEP 7: Expect Results
If you sincerely humble yourself before the Lord, repent, pray, and seek God's face; if you consistently meditate on His Word, you will experience a heightened awareness of His presence (John 14:21). The Lord will give you fresh, new spiritual insights. Your confidence and faith in God will be strengthened. You will feel mentally, spiritually, and physically refreshed. You will see answers to your prayers.

A single fast, however, is not a spiritual cure-all. Just as we need fresh infillings of the Holy Spirit daily, we also need new times of fasting before God. A 24-hour fast each week has been greatly rewarding to many Christians.

It takes time to build your spiritual fasting muscles. If you fail to make it through your first fast, do not be discouraged. You may have tried to fast too long the first time out, or your may need to strengthen your understanding and resolve. As soon as possible, undertake another fast until you do succeed. God will honor you for your faithfulness.

I encourage you to join me in fasting and prayer again and again until we truly experience revival in our homes, our churches, our nation, and throughout the world and most importantly for a fresh, new vision to reach this world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.