Turning Away and Turning To
Prayer
Abba, along with Jews around the world, during this Hebrew month of Elul we humble ourselves, turn from sin and ask for new hearts of fiery devotion to You.
We cry out for a revival of loving God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and of loving our neighbor as ourselves.
40 Days of Repentance
At sundown August 20th as the Hebrew month of Elul began we celebrated the New Moon with feasting and by invoking a heavenly Presence as we sang songs about God's holiness.
The atmosphere was rich with the Spirit brooding over us as we worshipped Him.
The New Moon Elul marks the beginning of 40 days of repentance for Jews worldwide. These hallowed 40 days ultimately leads to the climax of Yom Kippur, the most revered day in Judaism.
In our community we not only take the 40 days to turn “away” but we also turn “to.” We turn away from sin and we return to our first love, Yeshua.
As a dancer I learned quickly that the way to prevent dizziness and falling is to keep a steady focus on what I was turning to and not what I was turning from.
It does not work to simply turn away from sin without a focus on where, or rather, on Whom you are turning toward.
Spiritually, we spend this month doing both. Turning away from all that hinders love and returning to the One Who is Love.
40 Day First Love Fast
We are currently on the 40 Day First Love Fast. We began sundown Elul 1, August 20th until sundown Yom Kippur September 28th.
We are focusing on 2 prayer points: 1) believers will return to their first Love Yeshua; 2) Israel will turn to Yeshua, the Lover of their souls.
Below are 3 of the Scriptures we are highlighting:
REVELATION 2:2-5, “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil.
…you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary.
Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works…
To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.”
SONG OF SONGS 3:1-4, "By night on my bed I sought the One I love; I sought Him, but I did not find Him.
I will rise now…I will seek the One I love. I sought Him, but I did not find Him….
’Have you seen the One I love?’ Scarcely had I passed by them, when I found the One I love. I held Him and would not let Him go.”
EZEKIEL 36:24-29, “For I will take you from among the nations…and bring you into your own land. Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean…
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes… you shall be My people, and I will be your God. I will deliver you from all your uncleannesses.”
