In yesterday’s Bible reading, I was blessed by Exodus 2:23-25.  I’m using the English Standard Version (ESV) this year, and I was really struck by the close of verse 25, for after describing Israel’s misery while enslaved in Egypt which caused them to groan and to cry out and that God heard them and saw them, it simply says “and God knew“.

I’m sure you’ve prayed prayers and brought needs to the Lord before and in your pain & discouragement felt that your prayers weren’t rising above the ceiling, or that they weren’t doing any good at all.  But I’m encouraged today as our fast nears the end of the second week, that God knows!  He knows exactly where you are and exactly what you need, and in His perfect timing, He will take care of it!  He KNOWS!

Knowing that He knows should give us fresh hope & faith to press on a little more – to not listen to the lie of the enemy that our prayers aren’t making a difference and to believe God for the answer that may already be on the way (see Daniel 10:2-14, especially verses 12-13!)

Today’s Prayer Focus:  this is one request I’m circling (if you haven’t read Mark Batterson’s, “The Circle Maker”, you really should!) this entire fast: to extend our influence in Chicagoland, Michiana & globally (additional campuses, etc.)  In fact, there are 2 specific desires that I’m asking the Lord for in this regard, and while I don’t feel at liberty to disclose them publicly, I ask that every CLCer will agree with me for greater opportunities to impact our world!

What are you hearing?  We fully expect that the Holy Spirit will speak to us during this time of fasting, and if you receive impressions from Him that you are willing to share, we’d love to hear from you.  You can simply leave a comment below, or send your ‘word’ to us here.  We also encourage you to share those thoughts on your campus FaceBook page, to encourage your fellow ‘fast-ers’, whether Tinley Park or Lisle or South Bend.

For today’s devotional from Awake 21, go here Awakening Devotional.