2025 Consecration

To set the heart of Greater New Birth Church in line for service unto the Lord. Primary Scripture - Ezra 8:21-23: “Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance. For I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way: because we had spoken unto the king, saying, the hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him; but his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him. So, we fasted and besought our God for this: and he was entreated of us.”

By starting the year with a corporate fast, many Christians and Churches have found that God meets with us in very unique and special ways. His presence grows greater and greater with each day of the fast. Without fail, He always shows up! Corporately fasting in January is much the same precept as praying in the morning to establish the will of God for the entire day. I believe along with many Pastors that, if we will pray and seek God and give Him our best at the first of the year, He will bless our ENTIRE year! "But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you" (Matthew 6:33).

Fasting is a principle that God intended for everyone to be able to enjoy. It's not a punishment; it's a privilege! By making fasting a way of life, you can get closer to God and grow in your spiritual walk like never before. Fasting is one of the most powerful weapons God has given us for our daily lives.

Through fasting, you can: experience a release from the bondage of sin, gain restoration in your relationships, experience financial blessings, obtain spiritual renewal, receive supernatural healing and so much more!

Another reward of fasting has to do with your future. God has given you a vision- a divine dream for your life. When you fast, you open up the blessing and opportunities He has provided for you to pursue that dream. As you fast, pray for God’s direction and guidance. Focus your faith on your dream and God will show you how you can turn your vision into a reality. Begin pursuing your divine dream today and make the rewards of fasting part of your lifestyle.

When you fast and pray you will see amazing results from God. You will see godly changes in your home/family prayers answered in incredible ways, wisdom gained about hard issues, you will mostly appreciate that your own desires become secondary to God's. It's all about putting Him first, and letting our Shepherd lead the way all year long. Fasting is a joy! It's only our flesh that complains, but the joy you can find in fasting can even show your children how good and pleasant it is to serve God.

Some of you, because of medical issues, will not be able to join us in our fast but I would like you to pray along with us and read the daily scriptures. If you can't fast, you can join, with equal impact, by praying for God's grace and strength for those who do! Pray for God to move with divine direction and that in 2025, He will give us dreams, revelation, and visions both corporately and individually. James 4:8 says, "Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you." He has amazing things in store for us, and I am encouraged and excited about our next.

1. Normal Fasting – going without food for up to 40 days (Exodus 34:28; Ezra 8:21, 23; Daniel 6:18; Luke 2:37; Mark 2:18; Matthew 4:2; Acts 13:2-3; Acts 14:23 and others).
2. Partial Fasting – abstaining from certain foods (Daniel 10:3).
3. Absolute Fasting – going without food or water no more than 3 days (Esther 4:16; This is very rare in the Bible).
4. Voluntary Group Fasting – called for a specific reason for a specific group of people (1 Samuel 7:6; 2 Chronicles 20:3; Jonah 3:5; and others).

1. Fasting as a means of worship, which must be God-centered, God-intended, and God-ordained.
2. Fasting as an expression of grief, distress, or repentance.
3. Fasting as preparation for God’s guidance and renewal (Daniel 9; Exodus 24).
4. Fasting to reveal the things that control us and hinder our intimacy with God.
5. Fasting to remind us that we are sustained “by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”
6. Fasting to help keep our balance in life.

1. Monitor your inner attitudes and maintain a worshipful attitude.
2. Be careful not to call attention to what you are doing.
3. Devote this fasting time to devotional activities.
4. Seek the Lord regarding extended fasting.*
5. Remember that the major work of scriptural fasting is in the realm of the spirit.
*If you are diabetic, diagnosed with hypoglycemia or other serious medical conditions, please seek advice from your physician prior to fasting from food.

❑ Read the Scripture of the Day - Morning, Midday, Evening
❑ Recite the Prayer of the Day - Morning, Midday, Evening
❑ Fast during the following time frames:
> 7pm Wednesday, January 1, 2025 - 7am Thursday, January 2, 2025
> 7pm Thursday, January 2, 2025 - 7am Friday, January 3, 2025
> 7pm Friday, January 3, 2025 - 7am Saturday, January 4, 2025
> 12pm Saturday, January 4, 2025 - after Morning Service Sunday, January 5, 2025

ACKNOWLEDGING GOD, THE CREATOR OF HEAVEN AND EARTH

Scripture: 1 Kings 8:22-23, Psalms 24:1-10

Prayer: Of Adoration
Father God, who is like You? There is none in heaven or on earth like our Mighty and Awesome God. O Lord, You have created all things and by You all things exist. Heaven is Your throne, and the earth is Your footstool. God we your children cannot build anything large enough to contain You and Your glory, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain You, yet You have chosen to have Your Holy Spirit live inside of us. Thank You Father for all the things You have done for us. Thank You for the wonderful creation of life we partake in each day God. Lord, we acknowledge that You are God of every living thing. We say that You are God of all flesh, the Creator, the Great I Am, The Ancient of Day, and we bless Your Holy and righteous ways. Thank You Father for Your Creation. Amen!

PREPARING HEART, SOUL, AND MIND FOR KINGDOM REVELATION

Scripture: Romans 12:1-21

Prayer: Of Godly Dependence
Dear Lord, I humble myself before You and ask You to forgive me of thinking that I am wise in my own opinion. I ask You Father to help me see when I need to be held accountable for wrong actions or thoughts. Father, take away the shame and help me to see that my need for help is not a sign of weakness. Father, I want to please You in all that I do and say, I want to be a true Ambassador for Christ sharing Your Gospel without any issues that will hold me back from being who You want me to be. Amen

READIED FOR SPIRITUAL BATTLE

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-18

Prayer: For Spiritual Strength
Praying Ephesians 3:14-21 Father, In the name of Jesus, I praise and thank You that You saved me for a purpose, and that You have a plan for my life that exceeds my most imaginative hopes and dreams. For that reason, Father, I bow my knee to You, the God of heaven and earth from whom Your whole family receives our name. I pray that by Your glorious riches You would strengthen me on the inside through the power of Your Holy Spirit and that Christ would truly live in my heart and live through me by my faith in You. Help me to understand with all of the saints the breadth, length, depth, and height of Your love which surpass all knowledge. Fill me with all of Your fullness, Your wisdom, strength, and power, so that I would live constantly to Your glory! Now unto You, Father, who is able to do exceedingly far above all that I ask or can imagine, be the glory in the church through Christ Jesus throughout all the ages and forever. Amen!

SANCTIFICATION

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:23

Prayer: For Total Sanctification
Father, in the name of Jesus, I praise and thank You for being the God of Peace. I pray that You would sanctify me completely from my inner spirit to my outer actions, making my life stand out to others as an example of Your grace, mercy, love and righteousness. Father, help me to walk worthy of my heavenly citizenship even as Jesus has made me worthy through His sacrifice on the Cross. I pray that my entire Spirit, soul and body would be sanctified and complete for the purpose to which You have called me. That I would live blamelessly, above reproach, and without any appearance of evil, fit for Your use in all things and ready to spread Your kingdom upon the earth until the return of Your Son, my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Now unto You, who called me, be the glory forever and ever, even as You will be faithful to walk out and make certain Your sanctification and will are fulfilled in my life. Amen.