21 Days of Prayer & Fasting | Day 7

When Jacob was running away from his brother Esau, he rested at a place and fell asleep. He dreamt of a ladder extending between heaven and earth (Genesis 28). He saw angels walking up and down the ladder. God himself appeared on that ladder and promised Jacob the land of Canaan. Jacob erected the stone he was sleeping on as a pillar in testament to what had happened at that place. He called the place Bethel, “House of God”.

Many years later, he returns to Bethel (Genesis 35) and commemorates the receipt of God’s promise by building an altar. Jacob’s family was with him at this time. This place became a symbol of God’s promise to their family forevermore. Turns out God met with Jacob’s father Abraham at Bethel and gave him a promise there as well. We know this because it was documented in Genesis 12:8.

As Jacob’s descendants passed by the pillar at Bethel, even long after Jacob had passed on, the stone remained, stirring up their faith and building their trust in the God who promised the land to their family at that stone long, long ago.

What is your Bethel? Where are the answered prayers in your life documented? Where are God’s promises for your life stored so that your faith can be encouraged during days of doubt?

If I started right now erecting pillars in my backyard, one each for the way He has blessed me and answered my prayers, soon there would be no room to even walk! In modern day, Bethel could be something as small as writing down the things God has done and is doing for you in a journal.

I have prayed many prayers, written down what I asked God to bless me with, and then completely forgotten what I prayed for. But once in a while, I will read my prayer journal and realize that those long- forgotten prayers were already answered in time. Even though I forgot, God never did! Every time this happens, my faith receives a boost.

A prayer journal could be a convenient place to write down your petition, your prayer plan, and anything else that you need to be praying for. It can be the place you record His promises to you and your family, so that you can be reminded of His goodness in times of despair. It can also be where you record your thanks to God for all the answered prayers.

It doesn’t have to be anything fancy! Just a composition book or a document in your portable
device that you can access easily is good enough. But we must erect Bethels to remind ourselves of the power of prayer.

Prayer Challenge:

Today, find a place to record your prayers, God’s promises to you, and His answers to your prayers. Write down things you have petitioned for in this book for the remainder of the 40-day challenge. If you already have a prayer journal, read over it today and thank God for the
prayers He has answered.