To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: (Ecclesiastes 3:1).
Each year, the time period of July 1st thru August 9th has significance for many of the churches in Singapore. It represents a season where collective prayer is made for the nation on a daily basis. Prayer for the families, the churches and the government in the leadup to Singapore’s National Day.
The number 40 has a unique significance for Lighthouse. In the year 2018 Lighthouse celebrated its 40th year as a church. The transition of leadership took place that year when Pastor Pacer took on the leadership role at the age of 40. The year 2018 represented the 40-year anniversary of Dr Billy Graham’s visit to Singapore where he pronounced Singapore as being an Antioch to Asia.
This year, the Love Singapore churches has adopted a 40-day Prayer model utilizing the theme “All In”. It is a recognition that the time is at hand to consecrate ourselves to be “All In” on subjects like “Resting in Jesus, Trusting in Jesus, and Declaring Jesus, to name just a few. There is no room for a middle ground mode of Christianity.
At Lighthouse we are considering people and events in scripture where the number 40 is featured. This approach will allow us to journey through Biblical timelines resulting in an enhanced understating of the Word of God. The number 40 has several meanings such as trials, preparation, judgement, rest, generational transitions, and seasons.
The daily prayer on Zoom allows the church to pray and grow together on Biblical stories that can be applied into everyday life. At the end of this 40-day journey it is hoped that the participants will have an increasing hunger for Prayer and the study of God’s Word. It is so important that we have ears to hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches of our day (Rev 2:7).
Many of you are participants in the 40-day Prayer and Fasting initiative. If you have yet to sign up, you still can. For the benefit of all readers please allow me to present a brief review of the first seven days.
Day 1
Did you know that the Bible was written by 40 different men who were inspired by the Holy Spirit? One of the primary takeaways in our 40-day season of Prayer and Fasting is to recognize the person and ministry of the Holy Spirit.
Day 2
Jesus, when speaking about the end-times spoke of the Days of Noah (Matthew 24:37-39). It is not hard to draw parallels to Noah’s Day. One can understand the need to pray especially when considering the judgement of 40 days and nights of rain that covered the earth.
Days 3-5
We took note of the 3 (40) year seasons of Moses life. Moses came to know of his Calling to be God’s deliverer in the first 40 years of his life. Moses then spent 40-years (41-80) in the wilderness resulting in his being qualified and Chosen to be God’s leader. Finally, we see Moses as being Faithful in serving as God’s instrument towards Israel in the last 40-year phase (81-120) of his life.
Day 6-7
Moses had two (40) day encounters with God upon Mt Sinai. In the first account Moses was given the law and the pattern for the Tabernacle (Exodus 24-31). As Moses came down from the mountain, he found Aaron and the children of Israel reverting back to the gods of Egypt in rebellion against God (Exodus 32:1-6).
It was here where the Lord prompted Moses to cry out with the following question.
Then Moses stood in the entrance of the camp, and said, “Whoever is on the LORD’s side—come to me!” And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together to him (Exodus 32:26).
Moses once again had another 40-day encounter with God. Moses had a deep desire to know God in a greater way, to know His ways (Exo 33:13) and to know His Glory (Exo 33:18). In the midst of these 40-days, God allowed Moses to have a revelation of His mercy, long-suffering, goodness and truth (Exo 34:6). The following verse demonstrates the fruit of Moses’s encounter with God.
Now it was so, when Moses came down from Mount Sinai (and the two tablets of the Testimony were in Moses’ hand when he came down from the mountain), that Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone while he talked with Him (Exodus 34:29).
What will be the fruit of our 40-day season of fasting and prayer? Is it possible for us to be like Moses in having a transformational moment as individuals and a church? Even if one is not involved in any of the current 40-day programs the time is NOW in seeking the Lord in Prayer and Fasting.
Here is a link for those who would like to register for the current 40-Day Prayer
https://qr.lighthouse.org.sg/LENDPNF2025
The following verses were highlighted in week one of the 40-day fasting journey
DAILY MEDITATIONS:
Monday: 2 Timothy 3:16
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
Tuesday: Genesis 7:4
For after seven more days I will cause it to rain on the earth forty days and forty nights, and I will destroy from the face of the earth all living things that I have made.
Wednesday: Hebrews 11:24
By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.
Thursday: Psalm 103:7
He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel.
Friday: Revelation 17:14
These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.”
Saturday: Exodus 24:18
So Moses went into the midst of the cloud and went up into the mountain. And Moses was on the mountain forty days and forty nights.
Sunday: Exodus 34:28
So he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he neither ate bread nor drank water. And He wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments.
All scriptures are quoted from the New King James Version (NKJV).
By Pastor Tim O’Connell
