Celebration Podcast

Welcome to Day 18 of our 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting! Today, we focus on the transformative power of gratitude and its role in our spiritual journey.

Studies consistently show that some of the happiest people on earth are those who excel in expressing gratitude. The more a person recognizes and shows thankfulness, the happier they become! This truth is not just a scientific observation; it is rooted in Scripture and reflects the very nature of who God created us to be. Psalm 100:4 invites us to “Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!”

One of the essential keys to effective prayer and fasting is gratitude. Before we ask God for anything, we should start by thanking Him for what He has already done! Psalm 143:5 reminds us: “I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands.”

Reflecting on what God has accomplished in our lives serves as a powerful reminder of His faithfulness. When we remind ourselves of His goodness, we can’t help but respond with gratitude! As we enter into God’s presence with thanksgiving and praise, we open ourselves up to experience even more of His joy and true happiness in our lives.

Your purpose is found in the mind of your Maker!God created you with intention and gave you everything needed to walk in the purpose He designed for you! When we lose sight of His original plan, we can forget who we’re truly meant to be…But here’s the good news: your purpose isn’t lost—it’s waiting in the hands of the One who made you!Seek Him, read His word, and let Him show you who you are.

Welcome to Day 17 of our 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting! Today, we reflect on the powerful truth that Jesus is building His Church and what that means for us as His followers.

In Matthew 16:13-19, we find an exciting moment as Jesus and His disciples approach the region of Caesarea Philippi. Jesus asks His disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” They respond with various answers, but then Jesus turns the question personal: “But who do you say I am?” Without hesitation, Peter declares, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

From this profound declaration, Jesus makes a powerful statement that has shaped history: “On this rock, I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” The “rock” refers to Peter’s realization of who Jesus is. Once they understood His true identity, Jesus could begin using them to build His kingdom.

What’s remarkable is that the unstoppable force behind building the Church is not a unique growth strategy or influential leaders. Instead, it lies in ordinary people recognizing who Jesus is and joining Him in His mission. This realization is transformative; when we understand who Jesus is and what He has done for us, the only logical response is to serve Him whole-heartedly.

The true power of this understanding is not merely our dedication to a cause, but the empowerment Jesus promised to those who confess Him as Lord. He said He would give us the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven, enabling us to bind the powers of darkness and set people free from their chains.

As we pray and fast, we wield these keys. Our prayers are powerful and effective. Jesus is actively building His Church, and He is using us to do it! Nothing in all of Heaven or earth can stop this movement.

Welcome to Day 16 of our 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting! Today, we focus on the important theme of preparing for a miracle as we look to God’s promises.

In life, there are significant moments when we make special preparations for something new. For example, when a family expects a new baby, they prepare by painting walls, purchasing furniture, and creating a room for the new life. Similarly, when buying a new home, preparations abound, from packing boxes to parting with items that have gone unused for years. Preparation is essential before something new can come forth.

In Isaiah 54, we find a prophecy about Israel’s future and the preparation for a miraculous day ahead. The prophet writes in Isaiah 54:2-3, “Enlarge your house; build an addition. Spread out your home and spare no expense! For you will soon be bursting at the seams. Your descendants will occupy other nations and resettle the ruined cities.”

At this time, the Israelites were living in exile under Babylonian oppression, enduring shame and humiliation. But Isaiah brought a message of hope, calling them to prepare for change.

When we receive a word from the Lord, we have a responsibility to steward that word by believing, praying, and preparing.

First, we must believe the word by holding onto it in faith, trusting that the God who spoke will fulfill it in His perfect timing.

Second, we need to pray over the word. One of the best things you can do with a promise is to write it down and keep it somewhere you can read and pray over regularly.

Finally, we must prepare for the word to come to fruition. For example, if you’ve been praying for a family member who doesn’t follow Jesus, consider preparing for your miracle by purchasing a Bible with their name engraved on it, believing that the Lord is answering your prayers for their salvation. This isn’t about forcing God’s plan but about preparing by faith for the promise that is sure to come.

As Numbers 23:19 states, “God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?” The answer is a resounding No! God is faithful.

Joshua 21:45 reminds us of the reliability of God’s promises: “Not a single one of all the good promises the LORD had given to the family of Israel was left unfulfilled; everything he had spoken came true.”

God will complete every word He has spoken, and our preparation makes way for the miracles He desires to fulfill in our lives!

Welcome to Day 15 of our 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting! Today, we focus on the powerful truth that greater things are coming as we place our faith in God.

In Joshua 3, we witness one of the great miracles of the Old Testament as God’s people prepare to enter the promised land. Forty years earlier, due to unbelief, the Israelites failed to enter this land. Now, Joshua, who had believed God would deliver them the first time, would lead them into the promised land four decades later. God was about to perform a miracle for this generation of Israelites—a miracle that would accomplish something even greater than they anticipated.

Joshua 3:15-16 tells us, “But as soon as the feet of the priests who were carrying the Ark touched the water at the river’s edge, the water above that point began backing up a great distance away at a town called Adam…” Unlike the parting of the Red Sea, where the waters split into two sides, the water here began backing up several miles upstream.

As the people watched the priests and the Ark of the Covenant step into the water as instructed by God, nothing seemed to change at first. If we allow our expectations of how God will perform a miracle to overshadow our faith, it can lead to disappointment and doubt.

However, God had something much greater in mind than just a sea crossing. Biblical scholars note that many nations living near the Jordan River would witness this miracle, seeing the water stopped upstream. God was demonstrating His supreme power to the nations, showing them that there is a God in heaven who is all-powerful and capable of doing the impossible!

The Israelites crossed on dry ground, and this miraculous event became a testimony of God’s power to the surrounding nations. God desires to do even greater things through every battle we face and every miracle we are believing for. Whatever you’ve been praying and fasting for, trust that God will exceed your expectations and do more than you could ask, think, or imagine.

Welcome to Day 14 of our 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting! Today, we'll focus on the importance of spiritual growth and how fasting can help us grow in godliness.

One of the most encouraging aspects of our walk with Christ is that there is always an opportunity for more. We can experience more of His presence, more of His power, and more of the miraculous in every situation. The Bible reminds us that His mercies are new every morning, so each day we can discover more in our relationship with the Lord.

This means we continually have the opportunity to grow and become more like Jesus. Growth is healthy, necessary, and beneficial - something most people desire in various areas of their lives. However, growth doesn't always happen naturally; it often requires intentionality.In his first letter to Timothy, the Apostle Paul provides guidance and encouragement to the young leader. In 1 Timothy 4:7-8, Paul emphasizes the importance of spiritual discipline and highlights the benefits of fasting in developing a strong and steadfast faith. He writes, "Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come."

Paul urges believers to distance themselves from trivial distractions and to embrace a life of godliness. But notice that he tells us we must train for godliness - it's not automatic. This training involves orienting our lives around God's Word and putting it into practice.

Fasting and prayer are biblical ways we can train for godliness. By abstaining from food or other desires, we learn to cultivate self-control, humility, and dependence on the Lord. The result is spiritual growth that benefits us today and for eternity.

As you continue through this fast, you'll find yourself growing closer to the Lord and strengthened by His power as a result of your obedience to pursue Him in a greater way.

Welcome to Day 13 of our 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting! Today, we reflect on the theme of "Since Day One", focusing on the power of prayer and fasting as illustrated in Daniel's story.

Yesterday, we explored Daniel’s 21-day fast in Daniel 10. In this passage, we encounter a pivotal moment in verse 12, where we gain profound insight into the effectiveness of prayer and fasting: “Then he said to me, ‘Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words.'”

As Daniel speaks with the pre-incarnate Christ, he receives supernatural understanding of what has been taking place in the spiritual realm throughout his fast. Jesus reassures him that from the very first day he began fasting, things started to change. The Lord was actively fighting for Daniel in the unseen world from the moment he humbled himself before God in prayer and fasting.

The Apostle Paul reinforces this truth in Ephesians 6:12 when he writes, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” This reminds us that there are powers at work in the spiritual realm that we may not see or fully comprehend in this lifetime.

During our fasting journey, it can sometimes feel like nothing is happening. However, God wants us to understand that since the first day we began our fast, things have begun to change. Your circumstances may not appear to transform yet, but Daniel and the Apostle Paul assure us that even when we can’t see it, God is fighting for us, and victory is on the horizon!

In this episode of The Table: A Celebration Podcast, we chat with Mariah Daniel—Celebration’s Family Pastor, a wife, and a mom of four. Mariah shares her story, offers wisdom, and reflects on what trusting God has looked like through different seasons of life. We know you’ll leave encouraged!

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Welcome to Day 12 of our 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting! Today, we focus on the supernatural results that are on their way through the disciplines of prayer and fasting.

Prayer and fasting are powerful spiritual tools that can accelerate the Lord’s blessing in our lives. These practices also cultivate a greater sensitivity to God’s voice and open our eyes to the work He is doing in the unseen realms.

Daniel 10 provides an incredible story that offers us a glimpse into the supernatural realm when we fast. After receiving a troubling vision of the future, Daniel decides to fast and pray for 21 days. The results are astounding!

On day 24—three days after completing his fast—Daniel’s spiritual eyes and ears are opened as he encounters the brilliance of the pre-incarnate Christ! This miraculous encounter equips Daniel with supernatural strength and insight into the future because he chose to pray and fast. The Lord reassures him, saying, “O man greatly loved, fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage” (Daniel 10:19).God desires to strengthen His people, and fasting is a means through which we can receive that supernatural strength! Even when your body feels weak from fasting, remember that God is fortifying you spiritually.

What situation have you been praying for but have yet to see answered? Whether it’s the restoration of a broken relationship, the salvation of a loved one, or a financial breakthrough, fasting is a pathway for believers to hear from God. As you continue fasting and praying, hold on to this truth: supernatural results are on their way!

Welcome to Day 11 of our 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting! Today, we focus on the certainty of change and how fasting can prepare us for new seasons in our lives.

You may have heard the saying, “the only constant in life is change.” This simple statement holds much truth, as we witness constant changes around us—whether in technology, seasons, or our personal lives. Change is inevitable.

When we look through Scripture, we often find that significant spiritual seasons in people’s lives were preceded by fasting. For instance, Moses fasted before receiving the law, and Jesus fasted before beginning His earthly ministry. In Acts 13:2, we see how fasting can usher in new ministry: “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ Then after fasting and praying, they laid their hands on them and sent them off.”

Through prayer and fasting, new ministry opportunities emerged for the early church, and you never know what the Lord may reveal to you regarding your future as you fast! One thing is certain: whatever change the Lord brings, you can live with a holy expectation of great things. God will not send you into new seasons without anointing and preparation for what is to come.