40 Days of Prayer and Fasting 2006 - Day 5

Focus: Highway of Holiness
By: Pamela B. Borgert, Africa Mercy

Scripture Reference: Say to those with anxious heart, “Take courage, fear not. Behold, your God will come with vengeance; the recompense of God will come. But He will save you.” Then the eyes of the blind will be opened and the ears of the deaf will be unstopped. Then the lame will leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute will shout for joy, for waters will break forth in the wilderness and streams in the Arabah. The scorched land will become a pool and the thirsty ground springs of water; in the haunt of jackals, its resting place, grass becomes reeds and rushes. A highway will be there, a roadway, and it will be called the Highway of Holiness. The unclean will not travel on it, but it will be for him who walks that way, and fools will not wander on it. No lion will be there, nor will any vicious beast go up on it; these will not be found there. But the redeemed will walk there, and the ransomed of the Lord will return and come with joyful shouting to Zion, with everlasting joy upon their heads, they will find gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing will flee away (Isaiah 35:4-10).

Devotional: The Highway of Holiness . . . what does that truly mean to you? Are you walking the straight and narrow? Are you drawing close to God so that He will draw close to you? Are you filling the empty spots deep within yourself with the love of the Lord or with something worldly? The enemy would just love to find a little crack we have neglected to give to the Lord. We must allow the Lord to fill us full of His Spirit, affording forgiveness where we would not be able to forgive . . . love when we have nothing left to give . . . hope when all seems lost and peace in the midst of chaos. . . . extra patience and understanding that comes from deep within, not from us. . . . thanksgiving and joy in all circumstances . . . along with kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control in all circumstances. Against such things there is no law (Galatians 5:22-23).

We must abide in Christ for all this fruit to be ours. Then our lights can shine for Jesus like the brightest star in the darkest night, so that we are able to go into all the world to preach, teach, and make disciples in the name of Jesus by the power of His Holy Spirit. We are to be the hands and feet of Jesus! I hope and pray that this encourages you today to abide in Him, to walk justly and humbly with your God by the power of His Holy Spirit. May the body of Christ of Mercy Ships grow stronger and stronger each day!

Prayer Points:

· Pray that we abide in Him through prayer, Bible study, accountability, church participation, fellowship, and obedience.

· Pray that the Lord will bless us and keep us and fill us to overflowing with our helper, the mighty and powerful Spirit of the Living God.

· Pray that He will work in us and through us in a mighty way. Today let's pray Colossians 1: 9-10 for one another . . . to grow in knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that we will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.