PRAYER AND FASTING
Being a kid raised in a Christian home, I enjoyed Sunday class and VBS. I still remember to this day this acronysm:
P.U.S.H: Pray Until Something Happen.
Prayer is a key discipline of the Christian faith and a commandment to all believers. Still more, Christians are commanded to pray without ceasing. Without ceasing? In today’s day and age, prayer can seem like a difficult task. How can one remain focused and listening to God’s voice when we have jobs and family and errands and commitments demanding our immediate attention?. The truth of the matter is that God always answers prayers, sometimes in ways we don’t expect.
In Luke 11:1: “One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” Yes my brethren, one and only one out of this group asked this question. Even though we don’t have a “whole” biography, well detailed of the life of Jesus and his disciples, the Bible does make a reference of this unknown disciple’s question. I wonder how many of us could actually ask this same question in respect in today’s world wide church?.
Prayer is a mighty weapon at the disposal of every man or woman who loves God, and knows His son Jesus Christ. … Prayer also energizes the heart of a believer through the power of the Spirit. Consistent prayer also releases the power of God’s blessing on your life and circumstances.
So, Would you please allow me to ask a question?, I know you’d say yes, lol Do we really believe the times we are living in today’s world are like the Bible describes the days of Noah?. We never saw that day coming, where we could read headlines like the ones pastor Dave shared at the beginning of his sermon, last Sunday August 29th (I want to encourage you to watch this sermon in case you missed it).
Being this said, The more difficult the spiritual battle gets, more weapons we need to use. 2 Corinthians 10:4 “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds”, NIV.
On the other hand, Jesus said in Matthew 9.15: “The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.” Jesus makes the assumption that while His followers await His return, they would have regular periods of fasting as they anticipated His coming again. John Piper says, “Fasting is a physical exclamation point at the end of the sentences: ‘I need you! I want you! I long for you! You are my treasure! I want more of you! Oh, for the day when you would return! Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus!’ The heart of it is longing. We are putting our stomach where our heart is to give added intensity and expressiveness to our ache for Jesus.”
We do not call a fast to get something in return for our fasting. We do not fast to compel God to do what we ask. We do not fast to change God’s mind about the matters we’re praying about. We fast to see God change us. We want to desire Him more, His kingdom more, His will more than the everyday things of life.
So today, dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Would you join me in fasting and prayer?. If you are unable to fast all day from food, join in a partial fast. If food is not an fasting option for you, please consider fasting from something that is a normal part of your day in order to set that aside to seek God, to spend time with Him in His word, and to pray that He would pour out His Spirit and grace upon His people at Five Points this fall.
As for every Thursday 9:00am and Sunday 8:30am, we get together for prayer here at Deer Flat Church. Prayer room, you are welcome to join us.
P.S. Found these links worth reading, about praying and fasting:
Fasting: https://www.focusonthefamily.com/bring-your-bible/fasting-as-a-spiritual-discipline/
Prayer: https://www.focusonthefamily.com/faith/prayer-and-the-difference-it-makes-2/
Also, EVERYONE is STRONGLY encouraged to join us for an ALL CHURCH Prayer Night from 6:30pm – 7:30pm on Wednesday, Sept 8th, in the lobby. We hope to see you there.
Don’t forget about our guest speaker Bob Cornuke, joining us on Sunday, September 12th. He will be speaking during both morning services, as well as at 4pm on a separate subject. For more info on Bob, go HERE.
All in for Jesus,
Isrrael Rodriguez
Associe Pastor-Latino/Prayer Ministry.
cel: 208-817-1248
www.deerflat.org