5 AM Prayer | 21 Day Fast + Prayer | Day 1 | Dr. Mike Woods

Well, praise the Lord, everybody! Welcome! It's 5:00 AM and it's day 1. Glory to God of our fast. I'm super excited to be with you this morning in our time of prayer. Listen, we're not gonna take a whole lot of time to go through a lot of preliminaries, but I'm super excited about this fast in these next 21 days, and this is literally our first 5 AM session together. Listen, do me a favor and share this video with me really quick. Just share it with your friends, share it with your family. Uh, today we're going to actually pray about fasting and actually standing, glory to God, all the way through the fast, because a lot of times people start a fast and they cannot finish it. They give up midway. But we're gonna pray that no weapon would be formed against you would prosper. Glory to God. And we're going to pray that the very gates of hell would not prevail against you during this fast. I'm like I said, I'm super excited, and I believe that a lot of breakthrough is going to happen during this fast. Listen, we're fasting. We have 3 different tiers. The first 7 days is going to be about overflow of our faith. We're fasting for the overflow. We believe this is the year of overflow. Glory to God. So we're going to be fasting the first 7 days, overflow of faith. The next 7 days, overflow of finances. And the last 7 days, overflow of spiritual power. So you want to make sure, my God, that you are in on this. Glory to God. And that you are experiencing— glory to the name of God— every aspect of what we're praying about. Listen, God is real. I said it yesterday at church. When we pray, there's actually a person, a deity, on the other side of our words with ears wide open to the prayers of the righteous, ready to listen with an intent to do what he hears. So as we pray also at 5, you're gonna find that we're gonna do a lot of confessing. We're gonna say a lot of things together. Glory to God. And I just really trust, praise God, that you will, uh, just kind of make sure that you're in sync with that, because we're gonna pray the word. Glory to God. And we're gonna believe God to respond. So today our prayer basically is going to be rooted, praise God, in a few scriptures, and I'm going to read them for you. Uh, first we're going to look at Matthew 17 and 18, and we're just going to read. Glory to God, we're going to read. Praise God. And I, I really believe that again, God is going to manifest himself in such a supernatural, uh, powerful way. Glory to God. And I, I just believe we're not going to be the same after this fast. Glory to God. I believe God's going to meet us here and he's going to bless us tremendously. Glory to God. So Matthew 17:18 first, and then 1 Thessalonians 5:23. We're going to just read those two, right? All right, so let's go. Matthew 17:18, the Bible says, and Jesus answered and said unto him, listen, blessed art thou, Simon Barjona, for flesh and blood have not revealed it unto thee, but my Father listen, which is in heaven. So let's start right here. This fast— and again, I'm not going to take a lot of time teaching it, fam— but this fast, uh, it's not something we're just doing out of our flesh. It's not just a good diet. Glory to God. We're literally believing God that by turning our plate down, by unplugging from worldly activities and staying focus on the King and keeping our thoughts aligned with the King. Glory to God that something great is going to happen. And we— so we didn't start this out of our flesh. Flesh and blood didn't reveal it to us. And listen, if you're fasting with us, I need you to realize, you know, flesh and blood didn't reveal it to you neither. You decided to get on board, to align yourself. Listen to me, because there's a revelation in your spirit that this is something that's going to give you an overflow of faith, an overflow— hear me— a she— a overflow of spiritual power and an overflow, glory to God, of finances. We're trusting God for it. Let's go to 1 Thessalonians, praise God, 5:22-23. And listen, if you have the fast guide, I'm just reading 2 of the daily scriptures. It is incumbent upon you to go down that column yourself because there's some things that you have to do as well. During day 1, make sure you read all the scriptures that are on the day 1. Glory to God, because this is a part of our focus for today. Glory to God. 22 and 23, the Bible says, verse 22 1 Thessalonians 5. It says abstain from all appearance of evil. So as we move through this fast, this is an instruction. It's going to be very important, hear me, that you abstain. Listen, oh God, from all appearance of evil, because evil things, things that are outside of the realm of the spirit can be extremely distracting. Listen, so you want to stay focused, you want to stay locked in so that God can do what he wants to do in and through you during this fast. Verse 23: And the very God of peace sanctify— set you apart— holy, whole. And I pray your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless until the coming of the Lord. So my prayer during this fast, not, not just to the coming of the Lord, but I want during this fast, I want your whole body, soul, and spirit— we're tripartite beings. So keep your spirit clear of things that are not of God, that are ungodly. Work on your thought life. We're going to be praying a lot about that during this fast. Your soul, your mind, your will, and your emotions— that's your intelligence, that's your ability to make decisions, that's the place where placated and stimulated. Make sure that we keep it whole. Glory to God. And we're going to be praying today about that so that you can keep the fast, that it be preserved, kept blameless until the coming of the Lord. And especially during this 21 days, listen, this will work hard to keep the sin thoughts out, to keep the sin acts out and under subjection. Praise God. Oh, hallelujah, we give you praise, God. Hallelujah, we give you glory. And again, I'm going to ask you today, praise God, we're going to make some faith confessions, and I'm going to ask you to just pray along with me. Glory to God. And today we're again, we're praying about committing to a fast. This is day 1 because a lot of time again we sign up for something because we see it. You know, and, uh, but we need to be committed to it. And, um, so I just want to break a few things down, then we're going to pray. We're going to confess this at the end. So first of all, there are different types of fasts. A total fast from foods and liquids for a short period of time or a long period of time in which water is only drank. Uh, there are juice fasts which only involves drinking water and a certain amount of juices. Um, And then there are fasts that, like what we're doing, we're doing, we're taking all of the snacks, all of the sugar. Oh my God, we're taking all of the sodas, all of the juice, everything out of our diet except water and fruits and vegetables. No meat, no chicken, no poultry. Uh, and we're doing that, we're eating fruits and vegetables one time a day after 3 PM. All right. We come off the fast at 3, and anytime after 3 you can have that one meal. Uh, it's important to understanding— to understand that the effects on your spirit, soul, and body are going to be prosperous through the fast. So you want to commit to it, right? That's why we're going to pray about committing to it, because you're going to have some positive effects on your body, on your spirit, on your soul. And I want you to study the word that we're giving you, you know, make sure you stay in the word, you know. I want to give you also, in committing to your fast, don't give in to flaunting the fast, you know. People like to walk around, oh, I'm fasting, I'm consecrated, squinting your eyes, acting deep. That's not what it's about. It's between you and the Father, right? And what God is getting ready to do in you. It has nothing to do glory to the name of God, with appealing to the outside world that you're this deep and wonderful person and you're fasting. I would encourage you, I strongly encourage you to limit your social media time during this fast. Listen to me, to just our time of prayer and our time of teaching daily at 12 noon, because at the end of the day, social media is a major distraction. So for these 21 days Let's let our social media be all about Praying at Five and the teaching we get at 12 noon. And if you're not a member of our church and can't be in service in person, listen, you need to make sure on Sundays when we stream that you're listening to the word also, because this is going to be your food, this is going to be your strength as we go. So here, I just want you to repeat after me. We're going to get into this prayer, man. Hallelujah! We're going to commit to this fast and we're going to stand. Glory to the name of God throughout the entire fast. So help me, say this with me. Say, Father, hallelujah, I consecrate this fast to you. Say this, and set my mind to gain understanding in these matters for which I'm concerned. And the matters, God, that we put before you during this fast are matters that pertain to overflow. Say this with me, say, Father, I trust you during this fast to give me an overflow of finances, an overflow of faith, an overflow of spiritual power. Say, in the name of Jesus, I humble myself before you, the Most High God, in accordance to Daniel chapter 10 and verses 1 through 3. Glory to God. Hallelujah. And I decree and declare, God, that for the next 21 days I will eat no sugar, I will eat no snacks, I will drink no sodas, no juices. I will drink only water. I will eat only fruits and vegetables. And in the name of Jesus, I obey the words of Jesus. Hallelujah. By not flaunting my fast, I will not put on festive clothing, as Jesus said, to flaunt my past. I will not be posting on social media to flaunt my past. Glory to God. Say this, say, in the name of Jesus, Father, you know every secret. Glory to God. And I look to you for my reward. Thank you, Jesus. Say this with me, say, I'm assured. See, we're praying the word, God. I'm not getting on this Live at Five, hollering and screaming and doing all that. Because at the end of the day, let me tell you something, when we pray, we should pray the word. Glory to God. Thank you, Jesus. We should find promises that cover our need and pray the word. Say this way: I am assured that you hear me when I pray according to your will. And I know, glory to God, that I shall have the petitions that I desire of you. Thank you, Lord. Say, Father. Come on, say it. Father. I know you're sleepy, but say it. Father, glory to God, I delight myself in you, and you cause my desires to be agreeable with your will. Thank you, Lord. Say, I choose to fast. You have chosen to loose the chains of injustice. Glory to God. And untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and to break every yoke. Say this with me. Say, I share my food with the hungry and provide the poor wanderer with shelter. When I see the naked, I will clothe him, and I will not turn away from my own flesh and blood. Say this with me, say, then my light will break forth like the dawn, and my healing will quickly— glory to God— appear. Then my righteousness— say it— will go before me, and your glory, Lord, will be my rear guard. Say, Father, hallelujah, thank you for cleansing me. Glory to God, spirit, soul, and body. Say, all my ways seem innocent to me, but my motives are weighed by you. Thank you, God, my Lord and Master. I commit this fast to you. Say this: and my plans will succeed. Say: I thank you, Lord, that it is you who gives the wise answer of the tongue. Glory to God. Thank you, Jesus. Yes. Forever, oh Lord. Thank you, Lord. Your word stands firm in heaven. Come on, say it with me. Your faithfulness extends to every generation like the earth you created. It endures by your decree, for everything serves— hallelujah— your plans. And say this with me, say, in the name of Jesus, I decree and declare that I will fast these 21 days. I will last these 21 days. And because of my commitment to you, oh Lord, and because I delight myself in you, you will give me the desires. Thank you, Lord. Of my heart. Say, Ashiandolo bokoshi, briske tamandolo bokian de me, muska tabai oshianna. Say this with me. Say, in the name of Jesus, all of my needs, they are met, and I have the desires of my heart. Say, your love, your power, your joy, Your glory flows through me, God. Say, in the name of Jesus, my faith will increase, my faith will overflow. Oh my God, my faith will take me from glory to glory, and even during this fast, I will move from faith to faith. Say, I decree and declare my faith is growing abundantly. Say, I decree and declare, my faith is growing more and more. Say, in the name of Jesus, I don't start a thing and quit it. Say, in Jesus' name, I finish what I start. I endure until the end. Shetemama Mansotabaki. And I decree and declare, I will endure this fast until the end. I will not have health issues. I will not have problems in my body, but I will get great results. From this fast in Jesus' name. Father, I thank you, Lord, for your people, and we worship you this morning, and we give you glory and honor, God. We thank you, Lord, for the opportunity to fast, to sacrifice ourself, God, to lay aside our agendas, to lay aside our plans, God, to consecrate before you, God. And Father, I'm asking you, God, as we fast, release your anointing, dear God. Release your anointing that destroys yokes, that— oh, that removes burdens, God, and cause us to draw closer to you, God. God, draw close to us, for your word declares— thank you, Father— that if we draw nigh to you, dear God, that you would draw nigh unto us. So, Father, even in our sacrifice today, God, we draw draw nigh to you. Draw nigh to us, God. And we say, God, come and get us. God, lift us up out of our flesh. Lift us up out of our way of thinking. Lift us up out of our way of doing things. And, ah, and Father, We decree and declare, dear God, that our best days are in front of us. We decree and declare, God, that our day today will be supernatural. It'll be filled with power. It'll be filled with experiences in the kingdom. It'll be experience with the joy of the Lord, which is our strength. And we give you praise. Order our steps, God. We give you glory. We give you honor. We thank you that we won't miss it to the left nor to the right, but in all things will be accurate, God. In all things will be on point. Father, we give you glory, God, that in— in pursuit of growing in our faith, God. God, you're causing us, God, to trust the invisible, to trust the God that does exist. You're not a figment of our imagination. You're not a fairy tale, God. You're real. And so, Father, we thank you that as we fast, you will open up the portals of glory and let us experience things in you that we have never experienced before. And Father, we give you praise. Father, we give you glory. Father, we give you honor. We exalt you, God, for you're worthy to be praised. In Jesus' name. Thank you, Lord. In the best— in Jesus' name. Amen and thanks be to God. Oh God, yamanda labosha tabaki, umbriskata mamandiosa, lemandolo boshiki andala bashi. Now the confession that we just made, glory to God, it was born out of the word of God. Matthew 16:17 and 18, 1 Thessalonians 5:23. 1 John 5:14-15. That's all we were doing, praying the word. Proverbs 16:2-3, Psalms 37:4, Proverbs 16:1, Proverbs 16:3, Psalms 119:89-91, Isaiah 58:6-8. Listen, you need to go back and read them. If you do not have— listen to me, ladies and gentlemen, our fast guide. I need you to text— listen to me, matter of fact, let me put this up— text— glory to the name of God— text the number on the screen, 877-638-7285. Glory to God, 877-638-7285. Text the words Rada Church, or the words The Gift. Glory to God. And you can get a copy of the Fast Guide, or really simple, go to rhodachurch.com/fast23 and you can just download right now. Glory to God. The Fast Guide. If you don't want to get on the text list, go directly to the website rhodachurch.com fast23, and you can download the fast guide. It has all of the scriptures, it has everything we're going to teach for the next 21 days. Glory to God! So you can follow along. It has the prayer instructions, the food instructions for each day. So make sure you get your guide. Listen, and encourage someone else— hear me— to fast with us. Encourage someone else to fast with us. I promise you They'll be blessed if they choose to become a part of this. Glory to God. This is just day one. We're kicking it. We had a great kickoff service yesterday at the church. Glory to God. Listen, get— have a great day. Take your lunch break with me today at 12 noon. We're going to be teaching today. Glory to God. And I'm super excited about the word of the Lord that's going to come forth. We're starting part one of the Birth of Bulldog Faith. We're going to be talking about, oh my God, the overflow of Faith and the Birth of Bulldog Faith. This is going to be amazing teaching, 12 noon. If you can't catch it at noon, make sure you watch the replay before day 1 is over, and please share it because we want others to be blessed by what we're called to do. Glory to God. I love you, man. Thank you for arising with us and spending these 30 minutes with us this morning. You know, I can't wait to pray with you again tomorrow. We're going to pray tomorrow about being God-inside-minded. You can— matter of fact, what I love for you to do, even before we pray tomorrow, make sure sometime before we pray, get the Fast Guide and read the scriptures connected to the confessions. And what's going to happen, we— as you go on this journey with us, glory to God, the Lord is going to begin to birth some clear revelations about some things concerning yourself. Because remember, fasting is about you. It's about you growing. It's about you being better. It's about you getting closer to God. Listen, I love you guys. Y'all be blessed. Y'all have a supernatural day. Enjoy this day in the Lord. Thank you so much for joining us, and I'll see you at 12 noon. God bless you. Peace.