TOPIC: PRAYER AND FASTING
Scripture; Nehemiah 1:4 And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven,
Beloved, I welcome you to another Moment of Daily Encouter! Previously, we did established that Prayers and fasting are keys to combine when contending for your propheitic word. Today, we shall be looking at fasting, the reason for fasting in addition to our prayers.
From our anchor scripture we discovered Nehemiah combined the three – weeping, fasting and prayer to contend for the fulfilment of prophecy over the nation of Israel.
Prayer is not enough to contend for your prohetic word this year, you must add fasting to it. Someone may ask me, Pastor can’t I pray without fasting? The obvious answer is yes! But if you really want your prayers to carry weight, then add fasting with it.
What then is fasting?
Fasting is abstinence from food, drinks and whatever gives pleasure for a period of time to seek the Lord in prayer and Bible study.
So if you are not studying the word of God and you are not praying then it is starvation!
Fasting is not skipping meals or just checking the time every hour to know when to break! Rather, it is a spiritual exercise where you discipline the flesh.
Why should we add fasting to our prayers?
1. Fasting is a fulfilment of Jesus’ prophecy (Matt.9:15): The disciples of john the Baptist were asking Jesus why His disciples were not fasting like others. Jesus said a time will come when they shall fast. Beloved, I’m glad to tell you this is that time in prophecy! It is time to switch on the fasting and prayer mode.
2. Fasting helps to deaden the flesh so that your spirit man can pray! So you may feel weak during fasting never mind it is part of it. Prayer is a matter of man’s spirit communing with the Spirit of God . Many times our spirit is just too weak to pray! Fasting strengthen our spirit our man thereby keeping it active, agile and vibrant when we fast. The Bible said;
Colossians 3: 5. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
From The above scripture, to mortify means to put to dead! And the tool to achieve this is fasting.
Beloved, are you finding it difficult to pray? Then engage in fasting and you will discover praying is easier. During fasting you may discover unusual tiredness or body weakness yet it in that weakness you attract grace, for the Bible said;
2 Corinthians 12: 9. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Observed the clause ‘for my strength is made perfect in weakness’! So if fasting makes your flesh weak which is the usual results but your spirit is made strong as there is a supply of strength for your spirit from the Holy Spirit. If you feel weak never mind, keep on fasting and praying.
Fasting helps to break off from a life style of addiction. Addiction to food, drinks, sex etc can be broken under an intense fasting that is back up with prayers.
3. Fasting when combined with prayer helps us to tackle works of the devil:
Mark 9: 29. And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.
The world of today is full of evils and wickedness. If the wicked occultic men/women do fast so as to execute their nefarious acts then no child of God should stay indifference. In Acts 23:21, more than 40 men decided to fast just to see Apostle Paul killed.
Beloved, the trends have not changed, wickedness is rising every day as men continue to yeild themselves to the devil just to fulfill satanic agenda. Some will go as far as sleeping in the cemetery with fasting for 7days,9days,14days or 21days respectively just to carry out evil assignment!
Beloved do you know it is possible some person are fasting to silent you this year? It is possible some person might be fasting to ensure your family is wiped out! Some persons are fasting to stop your business and career! And some the growth of ministries etc. Child of God don’t fold your hands and watch the devil wreck havock in your family. It is time to rise up and say let the wickedness of the wicked comes to an end as you engage in fasting and prayer.
Remember this: Heaven is real and hell is real! Your eternal soul matters to God. So give your heart to Jesus Christ today.
Prayer points:
– Father thank you for your word to me today.
– Father, I received grace for fasting and prayer in Jesus name.
Prophetic Declaration:
– I prophesy upon your life every habits that will not permit you to serve God comes under judgement today in the name of Jesus.
– Whoever is embarking on an evil assignment against you and your family shall be judge by fire today in the name of Jesus.
-You are blessed!
Assignment: Fast with understanding from today.
From your brother Alex.
