Scriptural reference: 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
We take Four steps. God takes three steps.
The 4 steps we take:
1] Humble ourselves because pride is a barrier to answered prayers. Fast.
2] Seek God’s face. This means pray until you get into God’s presence.
3] Start praying daily at a specific time e.g. 5pm etc. In the light of the countenance of God things will look different and we can see our weaknesses. Turn from your wicked ways.
4] For a prolonged period hear from God, take redemptive steps (repent) on revelations from God on whatever weak areas are opened up to the church.
God ask us to humble ourselves, pray, seek his face and turn from our wicked ways.
The 3 steps God takes:
God will in turn hear, forgive our sins, and heal our land.
Establishing Churches
Scriptural reference: Acts 14:21 -23
21 They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, 22 strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said. 23 Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.
Steps
1] They had A group of Disciples. Then they needed to establish churches.
2] To transition from a group of disciples to a church they had to appoint elders. Disciples become a church when they have elders. When they have government. To get their government they got God’s mind on this by fasting.
3] the decisive appointments of the early church were apostles and elders, and both of these were arrived at by fasting.
4] The key here is not to improve on this method but to follow it. God has not changed. We have not found a better way. Follow God’s way. Pray and fast.