Declare a holy fast;
Joel 1:14
call a sacred assembly.
Summon the elders
and all who live in the land
to the house of the Lord your God,
and cry out to the Lord.
When Crisis Calls
Have you ever felt so overwhelmed by circumstances that you didn’t know what to do next?
Maybe you’re in that place right now. In Joel’s time, the nation faced a devastating crisis, and God provided a powerful solution – one that still works today.
Understanding Sacred Assembly
Think of a sacred assembly like an emergency family meeting – but with your spiritual family.
It’s not just another church service or prayer meeting.
It’s a special time when God’s people:
- Set aside regular activities
- Come together with purpose
- Focus completely on seeking God
- Unite in prayer and fasting
The Power of Together
You might wonder, “Why can’t I just pray alone?”
Of course, personal prayer matters deeply. But there’s something powerful about joining with others.
It’s like the difference between a single match and a blazing fire.
Breaking Down the Elements
The Holy Fast
Fasting isn’t about earning God’s attention. Instead, it:
- Shows our serious intent
- Helps us focus on spiritual matters
- Demonstrates our dependency on God
- Creates space for deeper prayer
The Sacred Gathering
This isn’t about numbers – it’s about unity.
When Joel called for the elders and all residents, he was emphasizing that everyone matters in this spiritual endeavor.
The Urgent Cry
Notice how Joel says to “cry out” to the Lord. This isn’t a casual conversation. It’s an urgent, heartfelt plea that comes from:
- Recognizing our need
- Admitting our dependency
- Trusting God’s mercy
- Believing in His power to help
Making It Personal
Preparing Your Heart
Before you can join others in seeking God, take time to:
- Examine your own heart
- Confess any known sin
- Release personal agendas
- Open yourself to God’s leading
Joining with Others
Sacred assembly works best when you:
- Come with humility
- Unite in purpose
- Set aside differences
- Focus on God’s glory
Practical Steps Forward
In Your Personal Life
Start preparing by:
- Setting aside regular distractions
- Making prayer a priority
- Considering a personal fast
- Inviting others to join you
In Your Community
Consider how you might:
- Initiate prayer gatherings
- Support existing prayer meetings
- Encourage unity in your church
- Share the vision with others
During the Assembly
When you gather, remember to:
- Keep the focus on God
- Pray with sincerity
- Listen for His guidance
- Support one another
The Heart of the Matter
Beyond the Event
A sacred assembly isn’t just an event – it’s an invitation to see God work in powerful ways. It reminds us that we’re not meant to face our challenges alone.
God’s Response
While we can’t demand specific outcomes, Scripture shows that God honors humble, unified prayer. He responds to hearts that:
- Seek Him sincerely
- Come together in unity
- Demonstrate real commitment
- Trust in His faithfulness
Your Next Step
Today’s circumstances might be different from Joel’s time, but the principle remains:
There’s power in God’s people coming together to seek Him wholeheartedly.
Starting Small
You don’t need to organize a nationwide gathering to apply this truth. Start where you are:
- Gather with a few believers
- Set aside specific time
- Focus on prayer together
- Trust God with the results
Remember, every great movement of God started with a few people who took His call seriously.
Your response to this invitation could be the beginning of something powerful in your community.
Will you take that first step today?
Upside Down: 15 Week Bible Study
You Have Been Seated with Christ in the Heavenly Realms
God’s great hope for us is not simply the forgiveness of sins and a place in heaven when we die; but rather, He wants us totally restored, in heart, mind and soul . . . NOW!
As we enter into this amazing adventure with God, we soon recognize that we are a part of something tremendous, something that is beyond our earthy perspective, and we are transported into the heavens with Christ; we live, breathe, and find our being in Him!
This Bible study will help you rediscover how it all began, what happened in the Garden of Eden, who is the Devil really, and what is he up to today.
- Head into the heavenly realms and discover profound truths concerning your relationship with God, and His incredible plan for you.
- Search your heart, preparing for a fresh baptism of the Holy Spirit. In this study, you will enter into God’s armory, suiting up with the whole armor of God.
- Discover the Keys to the Kingdom given to you, and learn what they unlock; discovering your true nature in Christ, the authority given, the Sword of the Spirit, the covering armor, and the mission ahead, you will truly learn to pray . . . Upside Down!