Psalm 139:13-14 (NLT) 13 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14 THANK YOU for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvellous—how well I know it.

 Welcome to the first day of our 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting! Today, on our first day of prayer and fasting, we want to boldly declare our gratitude to God for the gift of life. Our verse reminds us that God has carefully and thoughtfully created each of us, including our bodies, minds, spirits, and personalities. This means that we are all unique and deserving of love and respect. This truth teaches us that we are all valuable works of divine art deserving respect and love.

When we compare ourselves to others and feel the pressure to conform, it can be easy to forget that we are each unique individuals with different talents, dreams, and paths in life. The Bible reminds us that God has made us "wonderfully complex," our diversity reflects God's love for variety. Celebrating our differences and recognising them as part of God's intentional design is important. By doing so, we can appreciate God's creativity and love for everyone.

Gratitude comes from recognising how God has blessed us. He intentionally created us with worth and purpose. This understanding can help us see life's challenges and successes in a new light, knowing that we are lovingly crafted by God.

Life itself is a gift from God. Every breath we take is a reminder of His love and care. In moments of doubt or struggle, remembering that our existence is a testament to God's goodness can uplift and strengthen us.

Our design is not random but purposeful. As we engage in prayer and fasting, let us seek to understand the specific purpose God has for each of us. In the stillness and sacrifice of fasting, we often hear God's voice more clearly, guiding us towards our divine calling.

Let's celebrate the fact that we are all unique creations of God. By recognising our talents and embracing our identities, we can live a life that honours our Creator. Our journey to discover our true selves is an important part of this process. Over the next 21 days, let's take the time to reflect on how we can align our lives more closely with God's plan. Remember, we should be confident in our worth and proud of who we are.

A PRAYER OF GRATITUDE:

Heavenly Father, we come before You today with hearts full of thanks. As we begin our 21 days of prayer and fasting, we take a moment to acknowledge the incredible gift of life You have given us. You have created us with such care and complexity, not only our bodies but also our minds and spirits, making us truly unique and precious in Your sight.

Lord, we give You thanks for the breath in our lungs, the beating of our hearts, and the complex beauty of our thoughts and dreams. You know us intimately, and yet You love us unconditionally. For this love, this incredible, unfailing love, we are forever grateful.

As we dedicate these next 21 days to seek Your face, may our hearts overflow with gratitude. We thank You for the opportunity to come together as a church, support one another, and grow in faith and understanding. Bless our time of prayer and fasting, that it may bring us closer to Your heart and Your will for our lives. In Jesus’ Name, we pray with gratitude, Amen.

CLOSING THOUGHT:

During these 21 days of prayer and fasting, I pray that you will feel closer to God and understand how special you are.

ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURES FOR REFLECTION:

Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT) 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Psalm 150:6 (NLT) 6 Let everything that breathes sing praises to the Lord!

May these verses guide you and provide a source of strength, comfort, and thankfulness as you draw closer to God in this time of devotion.