The power of each Christian resides in the indwelling of Spirit. Each time God is glorified through our actions it is achieved through His prompting, through His energy and in His authority. Prayer is answered either in the manifestation of a particular request, the release from an encumbering circumstance or the achievement of a particular objective through the Grace of God. The action of petitioning the Lord for resolution is an act of Faith in His Promises to answers those requests. As faith is the belief in things not yet seen.
Prayer is also demonstrated obedience to the Lord’s direction as He commands us to “pray without ceasing”. Believers are encouraged, comforted, relieved and empowered through prayer. Spending time with the Father in prayer builds relationship with the Lord Almighty. Considering all the benefits of prayer it is the chief assault point of God’s enemies. If all relationship, empowerment, confirmation, encouragement, faith and fellowship occur while in prayer the enemy must prohibit that time and action at any cost. So be advised, expect your prayer time to be a battle with the powers and principalities of the heavenly realms, in their attempt to curtail your prayer life. No wonder the Christian community has lost the Power and Authority of Holy Spirit of God considering our prayer lives have been reduced to paltry moments of acknowledgement and requests. Those who live in victory are always prayer warriors, spending committed time seeking the Lord’s counsel in humility.
What about fasting? So many out there today deny its place or potency in the Christian paradigm, but few will argue the clarity and breakthrough moments they have experienced in fasting. Self control is one of the characteristics of the Holy Spirit. Have control over your actions is evidence of the presence of Spirit. Food is one of those things that typically exerts control over every person. Hunger pangs visit each of us signifying the bodies requirement for or craving for sustenance. Fasting in order to humble one self in an exercise of worship to the Lord is not required but sure does have a lasting effect on our prayer life. The power to fast typically generates the desire to pray and the willingness to ask for His intervention and strength to complete the fast. Fasting takes the dependence off of the material and places that dependence on the authority of God. Additionally, when you give up anything for a period of time in recognition of a desire to become closer to God, then for at time, the importance of the object of abnegation decreases in precedence. Basically we are saying that Lord we love You so much that there shall be “No Thing” that will stand between us. Again, as in prayer fasting is a manifestation/demonstration of faith. Faith remains a concept unless there is evidential action.
So much is written about works in the Bible as confirmation of our belief in God. Let us for a moment analyze the intrinsic truth housed in that philosophy. Hate does not sponsor a desire to do good. Greed does not create generosity. Gluttony does not enhance our willingness to take care of the needs of others. Anger does not bring someone to readily forgive one’s enemies and adultery does not breed patience, kindness and selflessness. The presence of God in a person’s life and the subsequent thankfulness sponsors a desire to give back. Since we cannot give to God directly, He provides us the way to demonstrate our gratefulness and love by giving to those whom He loves. Without faith it is impossible to please God, so Prayer, Fasting and Giving are all pleasing to God as they are manifestation of Faith.
Lord, forgive me for my paltry prayer life, my unwillingness to fast and my lack of works done out of thanks. Make me an avid and mature prayer warrior. Call my heart to fast in honor of Your Glory and as a means to draw nearer to Your Grace. Make my works sincere, upwelling out of an abundant heart, bubbling to the surface refreshing those around me through their momentary reflection upon the origin of their blessings. Praise God in all His Glory. Jesus My King.
awrkhakhaya 