Day 1. Stand Still and See

Exodus 14:14
The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” (NIV)

The Israelites had spent all their lives enslaved by the Egyptians. Their default setting was to move; in fact, their entire identity was defined by their ability to move – to make bricks, anticipate the needs and whims of their slave masters, to work, produce and keep on working, to move to avoid even greater suffering at their hands. So it is completely counterintuitive for them to stand still in this moment as they watch the Egyptians advance, weapons raised. Yet that is what God asks of them, and that is how they experience miraculous deliverance in their lives.

It is only by standing still that they see. It is only by doing the very opposite of what they feel they should be doing, what the best experts of war would tell them to do, that they see victory.

Their story is our story. We have seen the victory of salvation in our own lives, not through our own good works, but through the grace of God. It was when we stood still in repentance and trust before God that we felt his grace and received His salvation.

Setting aside a time for prayer and fasting is also counterintuitive to the ways of the world. It is a conscious decision to stop, cease certain activities, limit our food intake for a time, and enter into a deeper communion with God. But I love the promise of this passage for us today. That standing still is a posture of faith, and it is in standing still that we can truly see the victory of God in our lives. Standing still then, is not passive – it is an active declaration that our faith is in God and that our victory comes from Him.

Have you noticed something else about the posture of standing still? We see what we would otherwise miss when we are busy moving. When we stand still in God’s presence – when we take on this posture of faith and trust – I believe we will see spiritual and supernatural victory in our lives, just as the Israelites did.

As the Israelites begin their journey into their promised land, the first step is to stand still. To allow God to take control. To see the miraculous power of God at work in their lives as they are still and trust in Him. You and I are embarking on a journey of sorts, over 21 days. What better way to begin our journey of prayer and fasting than by taking time today to stand still? Take up the posture of faith. Stand Still. Listen for what God is saying to you today. Stand still and ask God to show you what He wants to do in your life and your family’s life over the next 21 days. He is the God who brings victory - we only need to stand still and see what God will do.

Family Discussion Questions

1.    Take turns and share two things you are believing for during the prayer and fasting season.

2.    What are you doing to “stand still” over the next 21 days? What are you giving up during prayer and fasting?