To proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.    We are all captives in one way or another.  Whether we are captives to habits, attitudes, or beliefs, we allow these things to rule the way we think and live. 
The prison bars that hold us back may be made of steel or fear or anger, but these bars can be broken through the Holy God Who has already broken down the gates of hell and has set us free from all the chains that bind our hearts and minds.  He has already served our sentence and paid the price in blood for our sins.  Our eyes can be opened to the freedom we
have in Christ our redeemer.  It is a daily choice that we make.  We choose whom we will serve with every choice we make.
Father, open our eyes that we may see.  Soften our hearts that we may accept the gift of freedom that you have given us.  Open our mouths that we may proclaim Who is the giver of these gifts.  Open our ears that we may hear that still small voice that guides our steps and choices.

Isaiah 61 
Day 3
He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted.
 
We all have our broken places.  We all have areas of pain that are buried deep so that we
don't have think about what hurts.  Fractures in our hearts, spirits and bodies build walls that are hard to
get around or over.  The Lord has everything that we need to heal those places.Some issues may not be healed in our
lifetime, but we can learn and grow and be a witness to others of the Lord's great mercy and plan for us.
He has not given us an easy path.  His disciples and prophets all lived a life of sacrifice and most died as martyrs for Him, believing in the promise of His Word.   We must be open to allowing Him to help us to heal our own broken places, despite the pain, and then we can help heal the broken places of the ones He sends to us.
 
Father, give me the grace and mercy to deal with the hurts, to forgive those who caused the hurt including myself.  Give me the compassion to see the hurts in others and show them Your healing power that is available through Your Son, Christ
Jesus.

Isaiah 61 day 2
Because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.
 
When we think of the poor we need to expand our thinking beyond financial to the needs of the heart and spirit and the soul.  If we don't see the unsaved as poor regardless of their wealth or status or beauty, we are abandoning them to the enemy.  One of the enemy's greatest lies is that our money or power can save us.  He laughs at those who rely so heavily on what they have, not Who gave it to them. We can defeat his plan by sharing our gift of salvation with those the Lord has put in our lives regardless of our comfort level.
 
Father, open my eyes that I may see the deception of the enemy.  Open my mouth in mercy and compassion, to give freely of what You gave me.  Open my heart that I may share with joy, the eternal mercy and freedom that You bestow so abundantly.