“…I pray also for those who WILL BELIEVE in me through their message.”
John 17
“The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.”
2 Corinthians 10:4
I know a young man who went to church his entire life. He swore that when he turned 18, he would leave home and never go to church another day in his life. When asked by his Sunday School teacher if he wanted to go to Heaven, his answer was, “No. I’d get tired of all of that whoopin’ and hollerin’ around the throne.” His plan was to go to college, party hard, live the way he wanted to live, and die an atheist.
Soon the young man graduated from high school and went off to college. During his first semester in college, his oldest sister, who stood no more than 5 feet tall, began to earnestly pray and fast for his salvation. After only a few months of his sister praying and fasting for him, the young man decided to attend one church service during the Christmas break- only to see some old friends.
That church service happened to be quite anointed. Soon, young people from all over the church began to flock to the altar. The man looked to his right and left and watched as many of his friends wept and rushed the altar. God spoke to the young man in his seat and he found himself compelled to go to the altar as well. As he knelt at the altar, he began to weep and repent. The young man fully gave his life to Jesus that night!
The woman who fasted for her brother was my aunt and the young man, my father. My aunt may only be 5 feet tall, but her “weapons of warfare” had “power to pull down strongholds” over my dad. My dad had his plans, but he was no match to the power of a fasting and praying woman. One year after receiving Jesus, my dad began preaching the gospel. Many years later, he has composed hundreds of Christian songs, written Christian literature, pastored churches, operated Christian schools, and impacted thousands of lives. It often moves me to tears when I think about how his story can all be traced back to a little woman who fasted and prayed for one thing- souls. There is power in fasting and praying for souls.
Many believe California is too dark, too far gone. But, when California meets a fasting and praying church, she will encounter Jesus and preach the Gospel to a dying world. I am burning to see the church fast for souls again. For the soul of California. For the lost souls in California. For the hardest, bound, and most broken souls to be set free.
Will you join me in fasting for the salvation of California? For every hardened unbeliever you know? For family and friends who are mocking God and you? Matthew 4:16 says, “the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” Pray that the people living in darkness in California will “see a great light,” Jesus.
As a part of HopeCalifornia initiative of prayer and evangelism, during the 40 day fast, we are asking everyone to:
1. List 10 people who don’t know Jesus.
2. Pray 10 minutes / day for their salvation.
3. Invite & bring their friends to one of the 10 regional Hope Tents from Oct 1 – October 10.
Blessings!
Mando Matthews
