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 From Wednesday, August 2 to Friday, August 4, 2023, we will participate in a three-day period of prayer and fasting with the goal of fasting each day from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

The theme for these days will be "Adam, where are You?" The pertinent scripture reference is Genesis 3:8-9 “And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou”?

Certainly, Genesis chapter 3 stands as one of the most sorrowful tales in the Bible. In the preceding chapters, we witnessed the holiness and joy of our first parents, Adam and Eve. Those chapters painted a vivid picture of God's grace, favor, and tranquility that encompassed all of creation's beauty. In the beginning, God declared everything to be good. However, in Genesis 3, the narrative took a different turn. It presents a somber account of sin, misery, divine wrath, and the ensuing curse. The once serene creation was now marred by disturbance and its beauty tainted. Lamentation 4:1 “How is the gold become dim! how is the most fine gold changed! the stones of the sanctuary are poured out in the top of every street”. This is what happens when we sin against God, we are no longer shining bright, but we lose our luster. The plan of the devil then and now is to draw us to sin which will ultimately separate us from God. The serpent as he spoke to Eve questioned whether it was a sin or not to eat of the tree. We know that he does the same even now. He draws us into sin by having us question what God has clearly stated is sin, he does not remind us of the consequences of sin. So, let’s not be oblivious to Satan’s devices. His plan is to cause us to disobey God’s command. However, we must constantly remind ourselves of the consequences that our first parents faced due to their disobedience, using it as a powerful deterrent against sin.

Have you ever asked yourself “Why did God ask Adam where are you? Was it truly the case that God did not know where Adam was? Absolutely not! The question was not about Adam's physical location but rather his spiritual state. God wanted Adam to recognize the division that his sin had created between them. Sin has the power to lead us astray and keep us away from God, hence it’s not to be taken lightly. Prior to his disobedience, Adam enjoyed fellowship with God in the cool of the day, but sin caused a rift in that relationship. God is Omnipresent (He knows where we are at all times) Proverbs 15:3 “The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good”. David also brings home this point in Psalms 139:8-10. “Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? 8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. 9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; 10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me”.  God asked Adam this question to make him realize his spiritual distance from God. He wanted Adam to recognize that what he had done had caused a wedge to be formed between him and his creator God. His sin had separated him from Almighty God. It is said that “sin will take us further than we want to go and keep us longer than we want to stay”.  Sin is not something that we should be flirting with. Adam was given the responsibility to tend to the garden and protect his wife. The command not to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil was placed upon the shoulders of Adam. God was not interested in Adams’ physical location but his spiritual location. Adam along with God enjoyed meeting in the cool of the day. Prior to his disobedience, he was always at the place where he met with God. Saints, sin will always cause separation. We are told that in Proverbs 14:34 “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people”. We are told to be ye Holy for God is Holy. It’s important that we as believers strive daily to live a life that pleases the Lord.

God has not changed. He’s still the same yesterday, today, and forevermore. God has so much love for humanity that after Adam sinned and mankind was in jeopardy of being lost throughout eternity, He became our sacrificial lamb. We know salvation is free for us, but it costs God everything. The Bible declares the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). This was not physical death but spiritual. God made the ultimate sacrifice so that you and I can obtain eternal life. Deuteronomy 30:19 “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:” We are also told in Isaiah 1:19-20 “If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: but if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it”.

As we engage in this month of Prayer and Fasting, let us seek to please the Lord by walking in obedience to His divine plan and will for our lives.  We should choose life by embracing His ways and be willing and obedient to partake in His blessings.

Wednesday, August 2, 2023:

Prayer focus: Pray that we live godly and sober life until Jesus return.

(5am ~ 2 Timothy 3:1-16), (12 noon ~ Ephesians 6:10-18) (8 pm ~ Titus 2)

Prayer points:
  • Pray that we will awake to righteousness (I Corinthians 15:34).
  • Pray that we will be sober minded ((Titus 2:6).
  • Pray that we will live a life which is blameless so Christ will be glorified (2 Corinthians 6:3)
  • Pray that we will not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of our mind (Romans 12:2)  
  • Pray that we will deny ungodliness and worldly lust (Titus 2:12)  

Thursday, August 3, 2023

(5 am ~ 2 Timothy 4), (12 noon ~ I Timothy 3)

Prayer focus: Pray that our leaders will be true ambassadors of this Apostolic truth. That they will preach and teach the word of God without compromise.

Prayer points:
  • Pray that the anointing of God will always be evident in the house of the Lord that yokes will be destroyed (Isaiah 10:27).
  • Pray that our leaders will be instant in season and out of season (2 Timothy 4:2).
  • Pray that our leaders will stand and not be overtaken by the onslaught of the devil (James 4:7).
  • Pray that our leader will stay at the feet of Christ to hear from the throne of God for His people (Hebrews 13:7)
  • Pray that our leaders will not be novices but will rightly divide the word of truth (I Timothy 3:6).  

Friday, August 4, 2023

(5 am ~ Matthew 9:9-38) (12 noon ~ (12pm ~ Romans 10:1-15).

Prayer focus: Pray that we’ll become laborers in God’s vineyard.  

Prayer points:
  • Pray that God will give those who we minister to, a heart of flesh so they will be receptive to the word of God (Ezekiel 11:19).
  • Pray that God will pull down the stronghold that binds the mind of those within our communities (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).
  • Pray that we’ll be passionate about soul winning and those that we encounter will be won to the kingdom (Proverbs 11:30).
  • Pray that God will destroy every territorial demon assigned to those in our sphere of influence (Matthew 10:1) 

 You are being asked to pray at least thrice daily: Morning, Noon, and Evening/Night. Please make a special effort to participate in all prayer sessions. The number for UAC Prayer Line is (551-258-6254).

Members who are taking medications are encouraged to consult with their doctors before participating in fasting. If your doctor advises you against fasting, we encourage you to give full participation in praying each day for the prayer needs previously stated.

God bless you richly!