Text: Matt 6:17, 9: 14-15
Our approach to life will determine what life gives us. God is not punishing us with fasting but He is furnishing us with it. Fasting is not an advice or admonition but a commandment – Matt 6:17, 9: 14-15. When you fast connotes time. There is a time to fast as we are doing currently. There is also an inspired fast when the Holy Spirit wants you to fast and pray over certain issues.
You must pray as you fast. If you fail to pray, then you are merely starving. What gives value to fasting is the prayers. When we pray, we are communicating with God. Many of us talk and not communicate when we pray. Position yourself and expect to hear him speak to you. This fasting is a preparation that will enable us to exceed expectations this year. We need to engage because whatever a man sows, that shall he also reap. There is no justifiable excuse not to be involved in this spiritual exercise. If you are willing, strength will be made available.
If you give full responsibility of your life to God without taking action, you are programmed to fail. Christianity is responsibility. If you want to exceed expectations, then you must take on responsibility.
Fasting means afflicting our body in order to edify our spirit.
When you pray, be silent for some time and wait for God to respond. This is necessary but you can only hear when you are sensitive in the spirit. As you engage, God will begin to speak to you and lead you. Everyone needs the voice of God not only in ministry but in our daily lives. When God is leading, the doors will open on their accord. You are following behind and no force will be able to stop you. You need to allow him to lead …for they thirsteth not when he led them. If you lead yourself, you will thirst.
God leads in every and any area of our lives and one way we can secure his leading is in the area of fasting and prayers. Do not eat away your tomorrow.
Profitable ways to engage in fasting and prayers
- Come into His presence with praises – Phil 2:14 – do all things without murmuring.
- Come in with expectations and be specific – Pro 23:18, Mk 10:51, 2 Corth 11:27 tells us that Paul was given to fasting often. Daniel fasted and he said he alone saw the vision – Dan 10:7. You cannot see until you have positioned yourself to see.
- Ensure you find time to pray- God does not answer fasting but prayers – fasting facilitates the answers to our prayers. There are some issues in our lives that wont just go until we engage the mystery of prayers and fasting. There are certain mountains that will not give way until we fast and pray.
- Always come with thanksgiving – thanksgiving is the seal for answered prayers …Phil 4:6. Never end your prayers without thanking God.
God bless you.