DAY 22 – Fasting & Prayer

26. January 2026

Devotion by Reverend Joseph Antwi

Theme: A Spirit-Empowered Church (Nations Awakened)

Key Scriptures: Acts 1:8 | Ephesians 5:18 | Acts 4:31

DEVOTIONAL REFLECTION

When we began our ministry here in Basel in 2020, one of the core questions that burdened our hearts was this: How do we raise a Spirit-filled, Spirit-empowered Church?

Not a church where people are merely drawn to buildings, programs, or personalities—but a Church where people are drawn to the Spirit of God.

Jesus said:

📖 “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.”

— John 12:32 (NKJV)

I came to understand that people are not truly searching for what human effort can offer. People are searching for what only the Spirit of God can give. And when a Church is genuinely Spirit-filled and Spirit-empowered, it carries a divine attraction. The pull is not artificial—it is spiritual.

📖 “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,” says the Lord of hosts.

— Zechariah 4:6 (NKJV)

Along the journey, I also realized that without the Holy Spirit, intellectualism, wisdom, and knowledge—though important—do not produce lasting spiritual fruit. Knowledge may inform, eloquence may inspire, and organization may structure, but only the Holy Spirit transforms lives.

📖 “The letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.”

— 2 Corinthians 3:6 (NKJV)

The Church was never designed to function by human strength or wisdom alone. From the Day of Pentecost, God established that His Church would advance through the power of the Holy Spirit. Without the Spirit, activity becomes empty; with the Spirit, obedience becomes effective and nations are awakened.

📖 “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me…”

— Acts 1:8 (NKJV)

A Spirit-empowered Church carries divine authority, boldness, and clarity of purpose. When we are continually filled with the Holy Spirit, spiritual hunger is renewed, gifts are activated, and revival is sustained. Nations are not transformed by programs, but by people filled with the Spirit of God.

In the book of Acts, when the disciples were questioned, threatened, and beaten, they did not pray for their enemies to die. They did not pray for revenge. Instead, they gathered to pray and asked God for boldness.

📖 “Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word.”

— Acts 4:29 (NKJV)

These are Spirit-filled prayers. And the result was powerful:

📖 “And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit…”

— Acts 4:31 (NKJV)

The more they were empowered in the midst of persecution, the more God added to the Church daily.

📖 “And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.”

— Acts 2:47 (NKJV)

Today, I declare and pray the same grace over Fortified City Church, Love City, Luzern City Fellowship, PIWC Bern, the French Assembly, and all our churches across Switzerland. May people run from the north and the south—not for entertainment, but to be filled, empowered, and transformed by the Holy Spirit, in the name of Jesus.

Even as I write this, I sense the tangible presence of God. I feel His peace. I feel His Word carrying light. The Holy Spirit is not an influence—He is a Person. When He comes near, He brings assurance. When He is at the center of a ministry, He brings order. When He leads, He produces fruitfulness. And when He operates freely, yokes are broken.

📖 “Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”

— 2 Corinthians 3:17 (NKJV)

Jesus did not say, “God is upon Me.” He said:

📖 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor… to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind.”

— Luke 4:18 (NKJV)

In the same way, I declare and pray that this year—as pastors, elders, deacons, leaders, youth, and members—we will rise into a deeper and stronger spiritual life. In a world where knowledge has increased and technology has advanced, the greatest need remains the same: the Holy Spirit.

May the Spirit of the living God empower the Church to bring solutions to cities, communities, and nations—not by eloquence, but by power.

📖 “For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power.”

— 1 Corinthians 4:20 (NKJV)

⸻

PRAYER POINTS

• Fill us afresh with the Holy Spirit and with power from on high.

(Ephesians 5:18; Acts 1:8)

• Awaken spiritual hunger, sensitivity, and expectancy in the Church.

(Matthew 5:6; Psalm 42:1)

• Release revival fire in our cities and across the nations.

(Acts 4:31; Habakkuk 3:2)

• Let signs, wonders, and transformed lives follow the preaching of the gospel.

(Mark 16:20; Hebrews 2:4)

⸻

PRAYER FOR THE NATIONAL PRAYER FESTIVAL (BASEL)

We declare liberty, peace, and divine security over the event. Every power of darkness is cancelled, and the atmosphere is saturated with the Holy Spirit.

📖 (2 Corinthians 3:17; Psalm 24:7)

Loads of love and pray for us

Shalom

Rev Joseph Antwi