Fast Day 1: Identity – Who is God?

If we are going to minister effectively and boldly, it helps to be secure in knowing who our God is and what He is capable of. Our beliefs in who we perceive God to be can either hinder or help us as we minister to others. We want to position ourselves to care for others from a place of health and wholeness, to the best of our abilities, while allowing God to cover the difference. In such a time as this, it is imperative to anchor and secure ourselves to Jesus who is full of truth, power and love. We saturate ourselves in his unchanging truths—truths about who he is and who he says we are.

While we fast and pray, it is valuable to remind ourselves of the attributes of God. Keeping short accounts with the Lord, and taking inventory of any area where we need to renew our trust in him, or adjust any place where we have embraced doubt, is vital. It is easy to filter our view of God through our circumstances, interactions with others, and our emotions. But the truth is God never changes. As we invite Jesus to renew our minds, he replaces the lies with truths and removes the obstacles we have placed between him and us to create greater intimacy and connection. Jesus is our place of hope and transformation. In him is the power to set people free. Apart from God, we are powerless to accomplish any of this.

So, let’s meditate for a moment on who God is:

• He is the Almighty, all powerful, all-knowing God.
• He is the God who parts the sea.
• He is the God who raises the dead.
• He is the God who sent his son to the cross to make it possible for all of us to have an unhindered personal relationship with him and who forgives us of all our sins.
• He’s the God who provides manna in the desert and produces water from rocks.
• He’s the God who multiplies loaves and fishes.
• He is the God who gives children to the barren.
• He is the God who gives sight to the blind and makes the lame to walk.
• He is the God who casts out demons and sets us free.
• He is the God who breaks down walls through marching and shouting and defeats an army through clay pots and fire.
• He’s the God who honors the widow’s mite, searches out the lost sheep, and welcomes the prodigal with open arms.
• He is the one who died in our place and rose from the dead for the forgiveness of our sins.
• He is good, all the time, no matter our circumstances. 
• He is the God who makes the impossible possible.
• He never gives up, always forgives, always redeems, always loves, always protects, always sees the best in us.
• He is filled with power, might, and strength.
• He has endless resources; he always has more than enough.
• He is a loving Father.
• He is the God who loves to partner with his children.
• He fills us with His power and authority to go in His name and do what He asks of us.
• He is the God who speaks to us and directs us.
• He is the God who heals and delivers.

Listening Prayer: Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you any lies you have believed about God. Write down what you hear.

Heavenly Father, I confess in my humanness, there are things about you that I have doubted. There have been times I have believed that you fell short or were not there for me. I have believed things about you that are untrue and my faith has fallen short. I confess that I have felt or believed ______________________(say how you have doubted, or the lie you have believed). Loving Father, forgive me. I break agreement with those lies and renounce them. 

Listening Prayer: Instead, Abba, would you show me the truth of who you are? Listen for His response and write it down. 

Father, I choose to believe the truth that you are ________________(say the truths he revealed to you). Thank you for showing me truths about you. Help me in my unbelief, and help me to grow in my faith. Help me to grow in intimacy with you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Worship Song: 

Listen to “1,000 Names” by Phil Wickham.

Reflection: Ask God to highlight one of his names/attributes. What Bible verse(s) describes that name or attribute? Meditate on it and ask the Holy Spirit to give you new revelation into that aspect of God’s nature.