October 2014

Dear friend,

For 17 years, Project Hannah has led a yearly, rotational 40 days of fasting and prayer for the women of this world. Intercessors worldwide will be practicing this effective spiritual discipline. Not to make God love us more or give us more power; after all, fasting is not an end in itself. “Fasting is a means by which we worship the Lord and submit ourselves in humility to Him. … Fasting invites God into the problem. Then in the strength of God, victory is possible,” wrote E.L. Towns. Fasting says: “Lord, I love you more than food. You are my sustenance. You are my source of spiritual energy.” Fasting opens new horizons for us in the unseen world. Elijah, David, Daniel, Paul, even Jesus fasted and prayed and in God’s strength achieved great things for HIM and His people.

Will you join us in praying also for the persecuted Church in Africa, the Middle East, and especially Israel, Iraq, Syria, and Egypt? For the end of this tsunami of terror, the killings of innocent little children, the rapes of women and girls, the decimation of entire families and cities? For peace, justice, repentance, reconciliation, forgiveness, and healing to prevail?

My heart echoes Habakkuk’s cry: "How long, O Lord? ... Destruction and violence … strife, and conflict abounds. Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never prevails. … Justice is perverted.” But I believe that God’s answer is for us today: "Look at the nations and watch – and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told” (Hab. 1:1-5). God has given us prayer and fasting – powerful weapons to pull down strongholds in this hurting world all around us.

As I was struggling to write this letter to you, I got an email from my Irish friend that said: “The days are short! … Job 41:11 comforted me with God’s words: ‘Who has a claim against me that I must pay? EVERYTHING under heaven belongs to ME.’ Full stop! God is in charge. Hallelujah! … May we, therefore, go forward to be women who stand erect, in His power! May we display His splendor in the clothes He has put on us – clothes of strength and dignity – with wisdom and instruction on our tongues, and hands and feet like Jesus."

Trusting in God’s heart with you.

Marli Spieker
Global Ministry Director/Founder
Project Hannah
TWR