WAIT PRAY MOVE
Week of Prayer and Fasting 1 to 7 February 2021
Hatfield Christian Church Slimy pit. You slip and slide and can’t get a footing. You’re down low and you can’t get out.
Mud and mire. It squelches between your toes. It gives way beneath your feet. It makes you unsteady and bogs you down.
Rock. It’s firm and steady beneath your feet. You can stand tall and secure. It’s immovable. You can take in the view. A NEW YEAR A NEW SONG Psalm 40: 1-3
I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.
A NEW YEAR A NEW SONG “Wait patiently for the Lord.”
2020 was a year of mud requires full engagement as and mire and slimy pits we actively trust God. for many people. While our circumstances may The early disciples also be different to David’s, learnt about waiting on many of us can relate to God. They faced uncertain his experience of feeling times after Jesus’s death stuck, unsteady or finding and resurrection. How did ourselves in a dark place. they respond? They obeyed Psalm 40 shows us how Jesus’ instruction to gather David responded when he and wait on God together in found himself in slippery or prayer (Acts 1:4,14). sinister spaces, and how we can too. This week, as we pray and fast together, we’d like David waited patiently for to create a similar space, the Lord. Counterintuitively, to wait on God. We trust waiting is not passive. It that God will lift us and set
4 our feet upon a rock from this place of watchful and patient prayer. Jesus says that His words are the rock on which we should build our lives (Matthew 7:24-27).
Jesus’ words sustain us when the storms hit (Romans 14:17). As we allow his words to transform us, our speech changes. We start to sing a ‘new song’ and ‘hymn of praise’, proclaiming God’s goodness and encouraging others to put their trust in Him.
5 On each of the coming seven days, we will focus on a particular foundational truth.
Each daily devotional consists of three parts.
01A structure for prayer.
Pray through the four sections of the acronym PRAY.
Pause take time out to quieten your mind and heart.
Reflect on a piece of Scripture. What is God saying?
Ask God to help you and our community apply what He says.
Yield to His will and way in your life.
6 7 02 03
8 Intercession Set time aside to pray through 02 these prayer pointers each points day individually, as a family and/or community group.
Soundtrack A soundtrack of songs 03 relating to the theme for each playlist. day is included to enhance your prayer journey. You can listen to these on your favourite music subscription or via the Hatfield Christian Church playlists, we’ve created for you.
A daily video devotional will enhance the written devotionals and will be available every day via our YouTube and Facebook platforms.
You might want to consider fasting during this significant week. Fasting is the practice of making room for God by giving up one (or more) of your dependencies, such as food, coffee, streaming (Netflix), social media, ect.
9 Before we begin, reflection...let’s spend some time in What was your experience of 2020? For what are you grateful? Where have you seen the Lord’s goodness?
What are your expectations for this coming week?
Wait on the Lord for a while… write down what He says to you.
10 Before we begin, reflection...let’s spend some time in
Is He challenging you to fast this week? If so, what?
Who or what situation would you like to intercede for this week?
* All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the NIV.
11 MONDAY | 1 FEBRUARY He will deliver you
As I enter prayer now, I pause to still my heart and mind and focus on your presence.
Pause for a moment.
01Jesus, your name means “God who saves.” You came to live the life I should have lived, and die the death I deserved to die so that I could be saved. You conquered death for me! How much more can I trust You to rescue me amid my current fears and troubles.
12 Reflect
PSALM 143
A psalm of David.
1 Lord, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief. 2 Do not bring your servant into judgment, for no one living is righteous before you. 3 The enemy pursues me, He crushes me to the ground; He makes me dwell in the darkness like those long dead. 4 So my spirit grows faint within me; my heart within me is dismayed. 5 I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done. 6 I spread out my hands to you; I thirst for you like a parched land.
13 7 Answer me quickly, Lord; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit. 8 Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life. 9 Rescue me from my enemies, Lord, for I hide myself in you. 10 Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground. 11 For your name’s sake, Lord, preserve my life; in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble. 12 In your unfailing love, silence my enemies; destroy all my foes, for I am your servant. PSALM14 143 What stands out to you from this Psalm?
Troubled times are inevitable. David often finds himself in turmoil so deep it threatens to overwhelm him. Psalm 143 reveals his prayerful response to intense pressure. Notice how his disposition transforms as he prays. He starts by lamenting his situation, bringing it honestly and earnestly before God. Then, he calls to God for help and ends by remembering God’s goodness and unfailing love.
When you face troubled times, remember that you are not without help. Like David, you can hide in God and trust that He will deliver you (Psalm 143:9).
What do you feel God is saying to you through this Psalm?
PSALM 143 15 Ask
Jesus, please remind me to turn to You when I face trouble. You are the God Who Saves. 02 Write down your prayer requests
Yield
Jesus, thank you that You work all things for the good of those who love You, and who have been called according to your purpose. In this, I trust, and I submit myself to your loving care. 03
16 Prayer 02and intercession Who do you know that is facing a crisis? Pray for redemption and deliverance.
Ask God to rescue our nation from the effects of COVID-19, including the resultant economic downturn.
Soundtrack 03for the day Listen to these songs today as you meditate on the deliverance of God. The playlist is available via YouTube Music: www.bit.ly/HCC1Feb
I will sing BY MARTIN SMITH Deliverance BY GATEWAY WORSHIP Oceans (Where feet may fail) BY HILLSONG UNITED Promises BY MAVERICK CITY MUSIC
17 TUESDAY | 2 FEBRUARY You are never alone
As I enter prayer now, I pause to still my heart and mind and focus on your presence.
Pause for a moment.
01Lord, as I start this day, I thank You that You are with me. Holy Spirit, my Helper, remind me to be sensitive to your promptings. I devote this time to You. Please have your way.
18 Reflect
MATTHEW 1:23
The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him “Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).
JOHN 14:16
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever…
19 What stands out to you from these verses?
Loneliness can be a puzzling thing. You can be happily married, have children, good friends, and co-workers you enjoy, and yet feel alone.
Feeling alone is not related to what is going on around us, but rather to what is going on inside us. Change can stir up feelings of emptiness and reveal our loneliness. Our world erupted with change with the COVID-19 pandemic. While global lockdowns have curbed the coronavirus, they have also exacerbated loneliness. However, this is not necessarily a bad thing. Often, we try to distract ourselves from our empty and lonely spaces. But Jesus came to fill these voids once and for all. He is Immanuel, God with us.
Have you felt lonely this past year? Talk to God about it. Listen. What is He saying to you?
20 Ask
Where do you feel empty and in need of comfort? Ask the Holy Spirit to fill and comfort you.
Yield
May you be strengthened as you pray this prayer by Ann Spangler,
Immanuel, I praise You for your faithful love – drawing me near when I was far from You. Instead of casting me away from your presence, You came to call me home. Instead of punishing me for my sins, You came to free me from them. Immanuel, my God, You are here with me today. Live in me and glorify your name, I pray.
21 Prayer 02and intercession Ask God to fill you and your family afresh with the Holy Spirit.
Pray that people would reach out to God as they are confronted with loneliness.
Soundtrack 03for the day Listen to these songs today as you contemplate Immanuel, “God with us.” The playlist is available via YouTube Music: www.bit.ly/HCC2Feb
Spirit, Break Out BY KIM WALKER-SMITH Come Holy Spirit (Uthando) BY WORSHIP CENTRAL SOUTH AFRICA, TIM HUGHES, LANGAMBONAMBI AND LIV VILLAGE Yahweh BY WE WILL WORSHIP
22 BY KIM WALKER-SMITH BY WORSHIP CENTRAL
23 WEDNESDAY | 3 FEBRUARY You are highly favoured
As I enter prayer now, I pause to still my heart and mind and focus on your presence.
Pause for a moment.
01Lord, thank you for this new day. Thank you that we can be in Your presence, a safe place where Your unfailing love quietens our hearts. Thank you for the privilege of knowing and being adopted by You.
24 Reflect
ROMANS 8:32
He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all – how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
1 JOHN 3:1
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
25 What stands out to you from these verses?
We are not here by accident. God planned us and predestined us to be his children. He loved us even before we knew Him. He loved us so much “that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
He continues to lavish us with his steadfast, self-giving love. We are his highly favoured children, and He withholds no good thing from us. When we are in trouble, we take refuge in Him. We feast on the abundance of his house. The world does not understand us because it does not know Him. We know Him by the Holy Spirit who opens our eyes to see the light.
Is it difficult for you to receive God’s favour? If yes, why? What is God saying to you about your identity as a child of God?
26 Ask
Lord, help me be so aware of your unmerited favour that it infuses my life with contagious joy. Show me how I can impact others by living out your love and acceptance.
Yield
Lord, I rejoice that You favour me. I recognise that You have crowned me with your glory and You love me just as I am. I can rest secure.
27 Prayer 02and intercession Pray for people in your sphere of influence to know the love and favour of God.
As a family, pray for needs you see in your community.
Pray for an opportunity to share God’s love through an act of kindness.
Soundtrack 03for the day Listen to these songs today as you celebrate the favour of God. The playlist is available via YouTube Music: www.bit.ly/HCC3Feb
Good, Good Father BY LIBERTY WORSHIP COLLECTIVE Man of Your Word BY MAVERICK CITY MUSIC Reckless Love BY CORY ASBURY
28 BY LIBERTY WORSHIP COLLECTIVE BY MAVERICK CITY MUSIC BY CORY ASBURY
29 THURSDAY | 4 FEBRUARY A chosen people
As I enter prayer now, I pause to still my heart and mind and focus on your presence.
Pause for a moment.
01Lord, I am so grateful that You rescued me from the slimy pit, the mud and the mire, and anointed me to be a peculiar person. Thank you for calling me from darkness to light and into your family, the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ. I devote this time to You.
30 Reflect
JOHN 13:34
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
1 PETER 2:9-10
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.
31 What stands out to you from these verses?
God chose each one of us. When we accept Christ, we belong to his family, the Church. We are a peculiar people who live differently to the people of the world. We love one another, imitating the Lord’s love for us.
“But the kind of love that God created and demonstrated is a costly one because it involves sacrifice and presence. It’s a love that operates more like a sign language than being spoken outright.”
– Bob Goff
What is God saying to you through the above Scriptures and quote?
32 Ask
Who do you find difficult to love? Ask God to help you see this person or group of people through his eyes.
Yield
Lord, I yield to your irresistible love and surrender my heart afresh to You today. Help me to love others as You have loved me. Break my heart with what breaks yours. Fill me with your Spirit as I cannot do this in my own strength.
33 Prayer and 02intercession Pray for those in your community group: for protection, provision, wisdom, a greater sense of God’s love in their lives, and a deeper relationship with Him.
Pray that as the Church, we would shine God’s light wherever we go.
Pray for provision for the Church to fulfil its mandate.
Pray for unity and the protection of the Church in South Africa.
34 Soundtrack 03for the day Listen to these songs today as you remember that we are a chosen people. The playlist is available via YouTube Music: www.bit.ly/HCC4Feb
The Blessing BY ELEVATION WORSHIP FT. KARI JOBE AND CODY CARNES
Let the Church Rise BY JONATHAN STOCKSTILL No Longer Slaves BY THE WORSHIP COLLECTIVE
35 FRIDAY | 5 FEBRUARY He is speaking
As I enter prayer now, I pause to still my heart and mind and focus on your presence.
Pause for a moment.
01Lord, You promised that You would never leave nor forsake us. Thank you! Today I choose to be still and remember that You are God. In You, I am secure and safe. Your love strengthens me.
36 Reflect
JOHN 10:27
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
PSALM 85 (NASB)
I will hear what God the Lord will say; For He will speak peace to His people, to His godly ones.
37 What stands out to you from these verses?
John 10 reminds us that the Lord desires a two-way relationship with us. In this kind of relationship, He initiates, and we respond (1 John 4:19); He leads, and we follow (Jeremiah 33:3); we hear His voice, and we are fully known by Him (John 10:27). God is speaking. Are you listening? (Hebrews 3:15)
Listen to the still, small voice of your Shepherd. Write down what He says.
38 Ask
The Lord is the Shepherd of your soul. He delights in speaking with and listening to you. Are there areas of your life that concern or worry you? Present them before the Lord with confidence because He cares for you (Hebrews 4:16).
Yield
Lord, thank you for speaking peace over the chaotic spaces of my life. As I move into this new year, help me align myself with your loving and strong voice. Not my will but yours be done.
39 Prayer 02and intercession The Lord does not forget those who are not yet part of his flock (John 10:16). Pray for unbelievers you know so that they would have “life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10).
Ask God for whom He would like you to pray for.
Soundtrack 03for the day Listen to these songs today as you remember that God speaks. The playlist is available via YouTube Music: www.bit.ly/HCC5Feb
King of My Heart BY STEFFANY GRETZINGER Most Beautiful/So in Love BY MAVERICK CITY Be Still BY HILLSONG WORSHIP Konke (Everything) BY WE WILL WORSHIP
40 BY STEFFANY GRETZINGER BY MAVERICK CITY
BY WE WILL WORSHIP
41 SATURDAY | 6 FEBRUARY Fulfil your purpose
As I enter prayer now, I pause to still my heart and mind and focus on your presence.
Pause for a moment.
01Lord, before I was conceived, You knew me. You knit me together in my mother’s womb to fulfil the good purposes You have for my life (Psalm 139). Show me, Lord, what You saw for me. Let me know who You are and who I am.
42 Reflect
GENESIS 1:26
Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”
EPHESIANS 2:8-10
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
43 What stands out to you from these verses?
The Lord dreamed about you long before you were born. He prepared you for good works – in your home, at your workplace, in your community. Wherever the Lord has placed you, He has called you to rule, reign and have dominion for his glory. He intends the Holy Spirit to work through you, even in the ‘everyday’ things of life. You have received a special anointing from the Lord to do your daily work and, if you do it well, you bring honour to Him (Exodus 31:1-11).
What specific “good works” is God asking of you?
Where does God want you to be a mouthpiece for truth and justice?
44 To whom does God want you to be a messenger of the gospel?
Ask
Ask the Lord for courage and creativity to do what He has asked of you in the questions above.
Yield
Lord, I yield to what You have called me to do and where You have called me to be. Thank you that You have given me all I need to fulfil your good purposes for my life.
45 Prayer 02and intercession Intercede for the people at your workplace or study institution.
Pray for the Lord to send His workers into the harvest field (Matthew 9:38). Remember that you are one of these workers.
Soundtrack 03for the day Listen to these songs today as you trust God to fulfil His purpose through you. The playlist is available via YouTube Music: www.bit.ly/HCC6Feb
God of This City BY CHRIS TOMLIN Waymaker BY SINACH Refiner BY MAVERICK CITY MUSIC
46 BY CHRIS TOMLIN BY SINACH
47 SUNDAY | 7 FEBRUARY Experience Sabbath rest
As I enter prayer now, I pause to still my heart and mind and focus on your presence.
Pause for a moment.
01Father, this past year has enabled us to reflect on matters that we may otherwise have overlooked. Grant us the perspective to see what You are doing and how we can align ourselves with You. Thank you that You are both sovereign and kind. We can truly rest in You.
48 Reflect
1 PETER 5:7
Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.
1 SAMUEL 12:16
Now then, stand still and see the great thing the Lord is about to do before your eyes.
PSALM 33:20 (TPT)
The Lord alone is our radiant hope and we trust in Him with all our hearts. His wrap-around presence will strengthen us.
49 What stands out to you from these verses?
Trusting God does not mean we do nothing. We cannot simply abdicate our responsibilities and expect God to work things out for us. That’s not faith, that’s laziness. However, Sabbath rest is about realising that ultimately our peace and salvation is dependent on what God has done through Christ on the cross for us. He has our best intentions at heart. With this in mind, we do our best and trust Him to do the rest. In this way, we can genuinely rest because we know that “God’s got this!” He will work all things together for good in the end.
Where do you feel that you are striving instead of resting?
50 Ask
Lord, help me to discern where I need to “step up to the plate” and where I need to step down from thinking that it all depends on me.
Yield
Father, we surrender our thoughts and plans into Your capable hands and trust You to guide us through these unfamiliar times.
51 Prayer 02and intercession
Choose a day this week to fast your phone, social media and/or the news. Use the time you would typically spend on this in God’s presence.
What do you need to surrender to God? Make this a matter of prayer.
Pray for somebody who needs God’s Sabbath rest.
52 53 03
54 Soundtrack 03for the day Listen to these songs today as you rest in God. The playlist is available via YouTube Music: www.bit.ly/HCC7Feb
While I Wait BY LINCOLN BREWSTER It Is Well with My Soul BY HILLSONG WORSHIP Thula Thula (Hush My Soul) BY WE WILL WORSHIP
55 012 368 2300 www.hatfield.co.za
56