Recently I emailed a friend of mine with my tale of woe, and this was her lovely response...

A couple of days ago when Rob and I were doing some housecleaning, I put on an old newsboys cd of mine, that i had bought right after I met Jesus and was filled with Holy Spirit.? I was so excited! So light and happy! i felt sad, wondering, what happened?? I feel weighed down by responsibility and expectation and failure and strategy and things I don't understand that are just waiting to trip me up.

When we are first saved Jesus always woos us with those kind of feelings...it is the experience of new life! You still have that life but now Jesus shares His responsibilities with you. The trick is to get under the yoke that Jesus offers, it's easy and His burden is light! Roll them onto the Lord sis! I feel like your strategy just needs to be the beautiful Heather that you are.....that's what people are attracted to. Just love people into the Kingdom. Forget about the global world winning strategy and just win your little patch....you're already doing that! I... think it can be a burden if Jesus hasn't given it specifically to you. The great commission says "as you go, make disciples" so start there and Yahweh will let you know when to move on!

Praise the Lord for the wisdom of the saints...

Do you fast? Give me proof of it by your works.
If you see a poor man, take pity on him.
If you see a friend being honoured, do not envy her.

Do not let only your mouth fast,
but also the eye and the ear and the feet and the hands
and all the members of our bodies.

Let the hands fast, by being free of avarice.
Let the feet fast, by ceasing to run after sin.
Let the eyes fast, by discipling them not to glare at that which is sinful.
Let the ear fast, by not listening to evil talk and gossip.
Let the mouth fast from foul words and unjust criticism.

For what good is it if we abstain from birds and fishes, but bite and
devour our brothers and sisters?

May He who came to the world to save sinners, strengthen us to
complete the fast with humility, have mercy on us and save us."

St. John Crysostom

I see Your angels equipping these armies with mighty weapons of warfare.

I see troops of men and women in different ranks who are putting your weapons in their arsenal.

Let the anointing come now, Lord. Let the double portion of Your Holy Spirit come and touch us.

Let Your sons and daughters receive anointing and grace to fast and pray. And may the anointing...be imparted to those reading these words and praying this prayer right now.

I see this army marching, Lord.
We are marching to take the cities for Jesus!

We are marching to take the Lords' Name to every realm and to every corner of the earth - east, west, north, south. The Army of God is advancing and every demon must bow to the Name of Jesus as the anointed army comes with Your mighty weapons of warfare.

Lord God, we commit ourselves this day to use these weapons faithfully.
Lord, I pray that these pastors and leaders in Your army will see that they are generals in the army of God.
Place within them, Lord God, the divine wisdom they need to lead their portion of the army into victory.
Thank you for the total victory, Lord Jesus.

~excerpted from The Hidden Power of Prayer and Fasting, Mahesh Chavda