Asking God to Open Hearts

It is estimated that the average American gained 3-5 pounds last week. I won't ask how you did on average, but it does give us pause. Pause to thanks God for the abundance He has blessed us with. Pause to wonder if we use our resources well.

One of our greatest resources is our ability to come before God and ask Him to open people's hearts to be receptive to the call of God. This week, on scores of campuses across this country, there will be ads taken out in student newspapers identifying Christian professors and staff on these campuses. Let me encourage you to lift up these Christmas theme ads in prayer, that God might open hearts and minds. We have heard from hundreds of students who tell of the encouragement these ads have provided.

It might be appropriate for you to skip a meal (or an entire day) to fast and pray for the impact of these ads. I have found that fasting helps me concentrate on what I am praying about. Let me remind you of some of the benefits of fasting I mentioned in an earlier MMM. This comes from Bill Bright's book on fasting, The Coming Revival.

1. Fasting is primarily a means of restoration. It helps us focus our attention on the important details of life.
2. It brings purification of our body, soul and spirit.
3. It increases our spiritual receptivity to God's leading.
4. It brings about yieldedness and brokeness to our lives.
5. It calls for sacrifice and self-denial that refocuses our vision.
6. It produces power in our lives because we learn to submit to His plan, His timing and His purposes.

Thanks for joining with me this week to fast and pray! Let me suggest you pray through Ephesians 1:15-23 for the Christians on campus and Ephesians 2:1-9 for the non-Christians.

Scripture: Ephesians 1:18.19 - "That ... the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us who believe."

Action Point: Pick a day this week you will fast and pray for the Christmas ads on campus. Perhaps take a lunch off to pray in your office.

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