40 Days of Prayer and Fasting 2006 - Day 3

Focus: Faith in the Word
By: Winnie Dray, Africa Mercy

Scripture Reference:
But what does it say? “The Word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” – that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. But I say, surely they have never heard, have they? Indeed they have; “Their voice has gone out into all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.” (Romans 10:8, 17-18, NASB).

Devotional: There are a number of Greek words that are translated ‘word’ in the New Testament. We often hear about the ‘logos’ which is defined as ‘the expression of thought.’ A second word is ‘rhema’ which is defined as ‘that which is spoken, what is uttered in speech or writing.’ Rhema is the Greek word used in the Romans passages above.

The Greek word rhema is also translated in other ways such as in Luke 2, “When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing (saying/rhema) that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us” “And when they saw it, they made known what had been told (rhema) them concerning this Child,.” “But Mary was keeping within herself all these things (sayings/rhema), weighing and pondering them in her heart.”

A study of rhema in the New Testament shows us there is usually a personal message for an individual or group implied by the use of the word. My desire to understand the theme of this time of fasting and prayer - "Your Kingdom come . . . Your will be done," prompted the awareness that the primary way to know God’s will is in His Word. We need to fill ourselves with His Word, both the logos and the rhema as they are what the Holy Spirit uses most often to show us the will of the Father.

We also need to understand the author. From the first five words in Genesis, “In the beginning God created..,” the opportunity to know Him as creator for who He is and what He desires to do in and through us, is essential to learn His will and see His Kingdom grow. During the time of prayer and fasting, we are encouraged to include a component of meditation on His Word and ask the Lord if there is a rhema for yourself, your place in Mercy Ships and for the ministry to the poor and needy. We pray we can continue to be part of fulfilling the rhema - “Their voice has gone out into all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.” This is one way His Kingdom will come.

Prayer Points:
* Pray for new revelation of who He is, as the author of our faith.

* Pray for a deeper understanding of the role He has led you to fulfill.

* Pray for special ways to share the rhema of God with the poor and needy where you are right now.