“Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” - St. Matthew 11:28.
On Wednesday, May 7, to Friday, May 9, 2025, we will engage in our monthly three days of Prayer and Fasting, starting each day at 5:00 AM and concluding at 5:00 PM.
The focal point will be “God Knows, So Trust Him” Job 23:10 “But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold”.
In Job chapter one, God declares that Job was a perfect and upright man who feared God and hated evil. Yet, his righteousness did not exempt him from experiencing trouble; it set him up for it. Because Job walked according to God's will, he became a target on Satan’s hit list.
We, as believers, face a similar reality. When we walk upright before the Lord, we invite opposition from the enemy, who seeks to destroy us. However, Satan can do nothing unless God allows it. We are under God's umbrella; nothing can harm us unless He gives permission. This assurance should strengthen our faith, especially in challenging times. God has always promised to be with us, even to the very end.
Therefore, when trials and tests come our way, we must remember that they are not meant to destroy us but to strengthen us. Job endured immense suffering - not because he was sinful or had done anything wrong, but because his ways pleased God. When Satan challenged God, claiming that Job was only faithful because of the blessings he received, he sought permission to touch Job’s wealth, family, and health.
Confident in Job’s unwavering love and commitment, God allowed the enemy to test him. Although it must have grieved God to see His faithful servant endure such affliction, He knew Job would remain steadfast in his faith.
This leads us to a crucial question: Can we remain faithful if God allows the enemy to challenge us? There was no doubt in God's mind that Job would endure, despite the severity of his trials. His challenges were extraordinary: the loss of his livestock, his children, and eventually, his health. Many of us today are enduring hardships of our own - whether in finances, health, marriage, children, housing, etc. Whatever the trial, rest assured that our Heavenly Father is with us. He has not abandoned us; He is our present help in trouble.
Numbers 23:19 reminds us: “God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?” God’s Word is unshakable! He has set His Word above His name, declaring that heaven and earth would pass away before even one of His promises fails.
St. Matthew 28:20 reassures us of His everlasting presence: "Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world." This truth should anchor our souls. No matter the trial, we must continue trusting God and standing on His Word.
After a season of suffering, God will strengthen, establish, and restore us. While suffering is painful, it also serves as a catalyst for growth and transformation. Romans 5:3-5 reminds us that "Suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope."
Job’s story does not end in despair. He was restored abundantly. Job 42:10 declares: "And the Lord released Job from captivity when he prayed for his friends. Also, the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before." God is no respecter of persons. Just as He restored Job, He will restore you and me when the appointed time comes.
Let us remain faithful, trusting that God's plan will unfold perfectly.
As we embark on these three days of fasting and prayers, let us daily lift our hearts in prayer, focusing on these prayer points:
Wednesday, May 7, 2025 - Remain resolute in your faith:
Scriptures: (5 am – Job Chapter 1); (12pm – Job 2), and (8 pm –Job 42)
~Pray that we will remain resolute in our faith (Job 1:22).
~Pray that we remain united in obedience to God's Word, steadfast and faithful, no matter the challenges or sacrifices we may face. (Job 1:12-19).
~Pray that we will be committed to the plan and will of God for our lives (Job 1:8).
~Pray that we lift our eyes to God, our true source of help and strength. (Psalms 121:1)
~Pray that we put on the full armor of God, standing firm against every attack of the enemy (Ephesians 6:11)
Thursday May 8, 2025 - Pray for UAC Leadership:
Scriptures: (5am – Job 14:1-14); (12pm – Colossians 2: 1-10) and (8pm – Ephesians 5:1-16)
~Pray that God sustains the United Pentecostal Church International leaders and their families, keeping them deeply grounded in His truth, wisdom, and guidance. (Colossians 2:7)
~Pray that UAC leaders and their families remain firmly rooted in God's Word, standing strong in faith and conviction (Galatians 5:1)
~Pray that our leaders will live clean lives so they will not be a reproach to the ministry (Isaiah 52:11).
~Pray that our leaders will give themselves to Prayer, fasting and studying of the Words of God, so they will not be trapped by the enemy. (St. Luke 18:1).
~Pray that God will give our leaders wisdom, knowledge and strength that they will weather the storms of life (Ephesians 5:15-16).
Friday, May 9, 2025 - Pray for the Salvation of our community:
Scriptures: (5 am - St. John 4:23-42), (12 pm - St. John 3:1-21)
~Pray God will bind the strong man in our community, allowing hearts to seek and follow Him (St. John 3:17).
~Pray that our community's ears and eyes will be open to God’s call (St. John 6:44).
~Pray God will send laborers to UAC so we will reach our community for Him with this great Apostolic doctrine (St. Matthew 9:37).
~Pray that God will give UAC wisdom, knowledge, and a desire to win lost souls for His Kingdom (Isaiah 11:2).
~Pray that God will pull down every stronghold within our communities, that the gospel may flow freely (2 Thessalonians 3:1).
