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Look to the Lord and His strength; Seek His face always. - Psalm 105:4

Our 40 Days of Prayer & Fasting are over halfway done now. Thank you to everyone who has stood in the gap in prayer & fasting during these 40 days. With so much happening in our world, we wanted to start 2021 off right by seeking God and looking to Him. He is worthy of our trust and faith. There are still several weeks to go so let's keep it up.  

During the 40 days, I have done several types of fasting. First, I started with the Daniel Fast for 10 days, eating only fruits and vegetables and drinking only water. Next, I continued after the first 10 days to give up caffeine and take days of 24 hour fasting. Finally, I have given up the news for this time. 

It's been very interesting, and the most impactful so far has been cutting out news. I think I am a bit of a news junkie, constantly checking my different apps to see what is going on and what might be coming later. 2020 had a lot of news events, and I didn't realize until cutting it all out, how much keeping up with the news affected me. My soul is so much more in peace. I realize that I am trusting God so much more and I am less anxious. At first, it was very hard, and even now I still catch myself tapping one of the many news apps I have but then realizing what I am doing and closing it back down. The world continues on without me, and that is ok. God is in control - why do I need to worry about it. This has helped me focus on what God wants me to do, not on what others are doing. I plan to continue this beyond the 40 days, and continue to see God work in me in these areas. 

The whole point of the 40 Days of Prayer & Fasting is found in Psalm 105:4 - "Look to the Lord and His strength: Seek His face always." Seeking God's face - His presence - looking to Him for answers and strength. It's not about looking for something from God so much as it is looking to God and finding what we need in Him. 

One of the key prayers I have been praying during this time is for clarity on a dream I have had for a long time. I am asking if this is from Him or something I thought of on my own, the difference between a "good idea" and a "God idea." Each day He walks me a little further down the path of clarity, and I trust that in His perfect timing, I will have the answer I seek, and it will reflect His will and His vision for His Kingdom. It is all about the journey He is taking me on just like it is all about the journey God is taking you on, as much about the process as it is about the destination. 

How is the journey going for you? 

What is God teaching you through this time?
What is He saying to you? 
What are you seeking from Him? 
What prayers are you praying? 
Has He answered your prayers yet or are you still waiting for His perfect timing?
How can we be praying for you?

Everyday someone from the church is praying and looking to God and His strength and seeking His face on our behalf. I truly believe that God will use this time to grow our faith and our relationship with Him and Bridges Church will continue to grow in our love for Him and our trust in Him well beyond these first 40 days of the New Year.  

So, keep going forward and keep praying. Keep looking for Him and His strength. Keep seeking His presence. Delight in Him and trust Him. May He bless you through this time and "May He grant your heart's desires and make all your plans succeed." - Psalm 20:4 (NLT)