Topic: Fasting and Prayer [TREM 28 September 2018 Daily Devotional]
“And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.” Acts 13:3 (KJV)
Fasting is only a part of the discipline; but it never stands alone. Fasting without a time of prayer is starvation. Don’t get into a starvation mode; you are not called out to starve but to fast.
Take time to journey through the scriptures and you will see several references that confirm that fasting must always go with prayers. You can pray without fasting, but you cannot fast without praying.
When a fast is declared, or when you are observing a personal or family fast, always take out time to pray. If it is a corporate prayer, join the rest of the team to pray at the agreed time. If you cannot physically attend, consciously pray wherever you are. If you can dial in, do so and join in the prayer. In our scripture today, we see the Apostles come together in fasting and praying, they laid the example for us to follow.
Like I say and it bears repetition: Fasting does not change God. God has it all together and His thoughts towards you are good. He wants you blessed more than you even want it. He wants you so blessed that He paid the ultimate price for you. So you are not fasting to convince God about the need for you to be blessed. Rather in fasting, you are more open to receive instructions from God and be properly positioned to be blessed. Remember, it is not about “if”, it is when you fast. God wants you blessed and wants you to be a blessing. He wants you to be so sensitive that you know exactly what to do per time. He does not want you to run around in hits and misses, no, He wants you to be a sharpshooter, a solution provider, an answer to your world.
So in fasting, be attentive. Take a notebook, either physical or electronic and be prepared to receive instructions from His mouth and your life will never be the same again. I will hear your testimony.
Further Reading: Acts 13:1-4
Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Isaiah 5-6; Evening- Ephesians 1
“If you missed yesterday devotional click HERE to read TREM Daily Devotional by Dr. Mike Okonkwo’’
Written by Dr. Mike Okonkwo; Is the Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM); a versatile man of God with over 30 years of dedicated service unto the Lord.