Open Heaven: 21 Days of Fasting and PrayerSample

KNOWING WHO YOU ARE 
Today is grocery day. This means the fridge is loaded with goodies for the family. Expectantly, you pull open the freezer door and see a glorious box of your favourite ice cream bars. Without a second thought, you help yourself to one, sinking your teeth into the cracking chocolate shell and velvety smooth ice cream. You don’t pause for even a moment to ask if you could have one because you know who you are. You are family, and that gives you access.

Knowing who we are is so essential. Even Jesus’ ministry on Earth began with the Father declaring at Jesus’ baptism that He was His Son! Similarly, if we want to live out all that God has for us, we need to first know who we are in Christ. The problem is, we sometimes struggle with accepting this God-given identity because of past mistakes or flaws, or we don’t feel like we’re there yet. But identity is not a feeling. We may not be the perfect child or feel like the best parent, but that does not make us any less of a child or a parent! Likewise, ‘not feeling it’ does not change who God already says we are. This is precisely the enemy’s plan - for us to believe ourselves to be less so that we will deny ourselves access to Heaven’s resources and live our lives shortchanged.

We can begin to accept our God-given identity in simple faith. Put your doubts aside for a minute and tune in to God’s voice - you are who He says you are. You are chosen, not forsaken; a child of God, deeply loved, richly blessed, and highly favoured! This means you are a deliberate part of God’s plan and not an accident! He made you intricately, loves you unconditionally, and watches over you unceasingly! Now, declare it and experience for yourself the power of a declaration, especially in moments when you don’t feel like it.

When we truly know who we are in Christ, we access the authority, power and resources that are available to us. That makes us a threat to the kingdom of darkness. This is why the enemy works to steal or distort our identity in order to cripple our potential. We can make a decision today to not let him have his way. Know who you are, and guard it fiercely!

Response:
Make a list of some of the things that God says about you. These could be Bible verses, or truths from past encounters you’ve had with God. 

Declare your God-given identify and how it can help you get through difficult situations you might be facing today.

Prayer:
Dear God, help me to accept that I am who You say I am - deeply loved, richly blessed, and highly favoured. Help me know that this is not because of what I have done or what I can do, but simply because You have chosen to delight in me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.