21 Days of Prayer & Fasting 2024: Day 17

Wednesday, January 31
DAY 17: GOD’S PRESENCE IS OUR WAY OF ESCAPE

READ
1 Corinthians 10:13

REFLECT
Writing in the context of post-World War II Germany, Erich Fromm wrote a book called Escape from Freedom that theorized that humans, while seeking individual freedom, actually crave authoritarian rule. The cleverly titled book reveals Fromm’s belief in contradictory nature of these two beliefs—freedom and control. Whether Fromm is right or wrong has been debated for decades. However, his theory can speak to our own desire for freedom and a longing to be controlled.

Temptation beckons us to experience freedom away from God and to enjoy the pleasures of sin. Freedom to do what we want is temptation’s calling card. Yet, we don’t mind being controlled by our sin nature. Our twisted sin nature promises us freedom, yet in reality it controls us.

Only Jesus can provide us true freedom from the traps of temptation. Yes, our sin nature and Satan tempt us, but God always provide us with a way of escape. His way does not lead us to be further controlled by our sin. It leads us to the loving arms of our Father who strengthens us in the midst of our temptation and forgives us when we fall.

RESPOND
Spend time in prayer, following the Upward, Inward, Outward, Upward format.

Upward: Who God is; What God has done, is doing, will do

Inward: Who you are; How you live

Outward: Intercession for others

Today’s Prayer:
Father, thank you for giving me a way out of temptation. Show me this way. Help me recognize it even when the dense fog of temptation blinds me to the door of freedom. I confess there are times I don’t want freedom from sin. Thank you for loving me anyway and transforming my heart so that I can run to you even when I want to surrender to temptation.

Upward: Thanksgiving and Worship

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