Release: (n) the act of freeing or state of being freed, as from captivity or imprisonment; (v) to make (news or information) known - Collins English Dictionary
We have traveled a ways together, beginning with an emphasis on intimacy, moving on to cultivate a greater attentiveness to and dependence on God.
How has he been speaking to you? Have you sensed Him giving you greater space in life to connect with Him so that you can press deep into the heart of the Savior?
We have one final 10-day segment to delve into: Release... which is just what we want to do in light of all the ways Jesus has been moving in our lives.
To pray is nothing more involved than to lie in the sunshine of His grace, to expose our distress of body and soul to those healing rays which can, in a wonderful way, counteract and render ineffective the bacteria of sin. To be a man or woman of prayer is to take this sun-cure, to give Jesus, with His wonder-working power, access to our distress night and day. -- O. Hallesby
Matthew 28:18-20: Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
How is Jesus calling you to respond as you reconsider this pivotal passage?
All to Jesus I surrender, all to Him I freely give; I will ever love and trust Him, in His presence daily live. I surrender all, I surrender all, all to Thee, my blessed Savior, I surrender all. -- Judson Van De Venter
This beloved passage is a perfect place to draw our 40 days of fasting and prayer to a close. Here, in these verses reside the four themes we have followed in our journey together: intimacy, attentiveness, dependence and release. Treasure the ways the Father has chosen to reveal himself to you in recent days and consider sharing those thoughts with some friends on Facebook or Twitter.
How we end an extended time with the Lord is an important part of the process. Journal the sacred rhythms that you have developed or have fine-tuned during these 40 days. Consider how your times with Jesus may be changed forever because of the space you've given him. Is he more precious to you? Do you long, as a way of life, to dedicate more time just to be with him? Depending on your giftedness would it be an act of worship to write a poem, devotional or song? The Lord delights when we use the talents he's given us.
Psalm 131: My heart is not proud, O Lord, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me. O, Israel, put your hope in the Lord both now and forevermore.
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