This last 19 days of prayer and fasting has brought me to a renewed understanding of the power of prayer. As a result the enemy thought that he could stop the work of God in me and my prayers. He came against me physically by causing a heart attack. As a result many things transpired, there were family members that began praying for me, and God gave me many opportunities to declare His sovereign grace over my body. I believe that Satan meant this for his devices, but our Lord God turned this around and used this attack for His glory. AMEN and AMEN!!
Healing from an infection
God awakens me for amazing times of intercession & prayer and revealed to me Joys calling upon my life destiny - even in old age.
During this time I have been drawn closer to the Lord. I have an appetite to be near him in prayer and praise, more frequently, by day and night.
What had the most impact on me during these 21 days of Praying and Fasting is the sermon Pastor Tony Williams shared 17 09 2025 during the Evening Service:
"The 10 Virgins waiting for the Bridegroom, the Glory within and the Glory upon, Prepare for His return".
It's so easy to spend time FOR Jesus, instead of time WITH Jesus! We could so easily be the 5 Virgins who had no extra oil, and the Lord says' I never knew you'. Wake up call for all of us, thank you Lord! We want to be ready and prepared for Your return, we want to contend for Revival as well as personal Revival.🙏❤️
I want to give thanks to God for the privilege of being part of our Bible reading marathon over these 21 days. As soon as Pastor Tony announced it during a Sunday service, I felt compelled to sign up immediately. I didn’t hesitate. I knew that I had to be there and I signed up to read every single day.
Now, I’ll be honest: when I started on Day 1, I was extremely nervous. I didn’t know if I’d get through my reading in the time given if 30 minutes. I practised beforehand, prayed and then read Genesis chapters 1 to 8. By God’s grace, I managed it and I prayed afterwards for those who would come after me — that they too would be empowered to declare His Word with boldness.
But by Day 2, the challenge really began! My portion was Numbers 33 through to Deuteronomy 4. Tongue-twisting names, places I could barely pronounce. I gave it my best, but it took nearly 50 minutes! By Day 3, when I opened my Bible to see Joshua 19 through Judges 2, I said to the Lord, “God, You must be having a laugh!” The names were even harder. Yet I sensed that this wasn’t an accident. Perhaps God was deliberately giving me the “hard names” to humble me, to stretch me and to remind me that it’s not about perfect reading, but about faithfulness, endurance and surrender.
In one of my morning prayers, the Lord gave me Matthew 5:3: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” That scripture came alive for me. Poverty of spirit simply means knowing I can’t do this in my own strength. And every time I opened my mouth to read those impossible names, God’s enabling grace met me.
In fact, those “hard names” have become a picture of my life right now. Some things feel unpronounceable, overwhelming, beyond my natural strength. Yet God is asking me to speak them out anyway — to trust Him to carry me. There were moments when the words brought me to tears, reflecting on persecution, injustice, and God’s faithfulness. And then came a profound insight from Huldah in 2 Chronicles 28:35 — God reminded me that the things of my past no longer hold power over me and that He is doing something new. Perhaps it was also an affirmation that it is okay to be hidden, to rest and to trust His timing.
By Day 4, reading Judges 11–18, I had found a new rhythm. I would glance at the text, offer a simple prayer, and lean fully on the Holy Spirit. Some days I didn’t manage to finish in time, but that was perfectly alright — obedience mattered far more than perfection. This became my pattern, and it continued in the same way until the very end. And, if I couldn’t pronounce some names that was fine too.
And then came one unforgettable moment: I arrived at church in good time to read, but found the doors locked and the building in darkness. In the past I would have been frustrated. But this time I wasn’t fazed. I simply opened my Bible and started to read outside until the doors were opened. As I stood there, it struck me: Pastor Tony once said he wished we had a loudspeaker outside LWC to broadcast God’s Word. Well, it wasn’t quite the loudspeaker he had in mind but there I was outside declaring God’s Word to the world. Who needs a megaphone when God provides the opportunity Himself? I’d call that an answered prayer!
By the end of these 21 days, I’ve had the privilege of not only opening with Genesis, but also closing in my own way by reading Revelation at home when I was unable to read in church as planned due to a neck injury. God reminded me that obedience sometimes means laying things down. He shifted me from striving to rest, from performance to presence. And that is perhaps the greatest lesson of all.
This journey has humbled me, strengthened me and reminded me that God doesn’t require perfection. He requires willingness. It has been an honour to take my place alongside the other readers, to declare His truth aloud and to be part of this great unfolding of His Word.
And let me say this: if this is repeated again please sign up. Don’t be put off by tricky passages, tears or fear of stumbling. God isn’t looking for polished readers; He’s looking for obedient hearts. When you read aloud, you are not just reading words on a page. You are declaring life, truth and power over this house. So take your place and let His Word be heard through you.
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, I thank You for the gift of Your Word and for the privilege of reading it aloud in Your house. Thank You for reminding me that Your strength is made perfect in weakness and that obedience is greater than perfection. Thank You for the tears, the revelations, and the hidden moments that revealed Your faithfulness. Bless every reader who has taken part and stir many more to rise up and take their place in declaring Your Word in due course. May what has been read in this house echo into our lives, our community and our nation. In Jesus’ name. Amen