Do you ever feel that in praying you are just hitting a brick wall? You pray and pray. Then you pray some more. You’ve been believing God for a long time for someone and/or something or some situation and you cannot seem to break through this stubborn wall.
In desperation you may ask others to join you in fervent intercession, to come into agreement with you for what or who you are believing God for and yet it seems that there is not even a crack in what feels to be an impenetrable barricade.
The only way I can describe it is that it kind of feels like you have this huge boulder and at first, you’re attempting to push it/carry it alone trying to break through this blockade.
Many times, in weariness or even steadfastness in prayer you may ask others to stand in the gap with you and everyone is pushing in unison, one spirit, one accord, in faith in fervent prayer and nothing seems to be budging. Still no answer.
It’s like you need an extra push coming up the rear to break through to what seems to be an obstinate barrier. Fasting can be that 'extra push'. The breakthrough to spiritual empowerment and answered prayer through deeper intimacy with God.
Now, I really, want you to hear my heart so that I’m not misunderstood on this. God is always working and sometimes in answer to prayer the proof of Him working is things appear worse. Even in this, we trust that God is working all things out for our good because we love Him.
Morever, praying and fasting is not a formula to get what we want but when are being drawn to fast it satisfies our deepest want; more of Abba Father.
We don’t pray and fast to get the answer to prayer but we go to God to get more of Him which endows us with power and faith to believe Him to do the impossible.
“Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible. Matthew 19:26 NLT
I invite you to incline your heart to Jesus’ response to his disciples after they failed to cast out a demon in a boy with a special focus on prayer, faith and fasting.
Afterward, the disciples asked Jesus privately, “Why couldn’t we cast out that demon?” Jesus told them, “You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.”
Matthew 17:19-21 NLT
*It is to be noted that some Bible versions add or omit, "However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting." The King James however includes prayer and fasting.
Some take this to believe that “this kind” was the kind of demon that possessed the boy and some expound that it was “this kind” of lack of faith. Either way, the source of their inability to cast out the demon was their lack of faith.
It is the power of God plus our faith that breaks through in prayer. We trust not in our own strength or ability and at the same time we submit to God's will and must know that He is sovereign.
Not that it depends on us but we do have to do our part and pray in faith. I don’t know about you but I’m tired of the same. I’m tired of praying what seems like the same prayers over and over. Vain repetitions. I’m tired of seeing people I love lost. I’m tired of seeing people sick in their minds and bodies. Confused. Living in darkness.
I’m tired of seeing discord and isolation in families. I’m tired of seeing children slain. I’m tired of seeing many of our young people defeated, doubtful and, deceived.
I’m tired of seeing people in the pit of addiction. I’m tired of seeing people wooed to sleep by the scrolling on the phone and idolatry and delusion of technology.
I’m tired of seeing our nation spiritually and morally crumble right before my eyes. I’m tired of seeing disunity in the Body of Christ. Division. Discord. Disputes. Arguments. Offense. While souls are on their way to eternal damnation.
If you have not noticed yet; I’m tired! But this kind of "tired" is not compelling me to give up but to rise up and pray! Not just pray but fast and pray!
We don’t have any control but we can pray to the One who is in full control. I’m desperate y’all, desperate for spiritual break-through, for me, for my loved ones, your loved ones, the Church, our nation.
The tide is turning and will continue to turn. America is hanging in the balance. The world is hanging in the balance. Our prayers have impact. God is in control and yes, things have to happen to fully usher in God’s Kingdom but we are still called to pray.
I say, not on my watch. I will not idly stand by, pray passive prayers, be spiritually lethargic, desensitized, indifferent. Not on my watch!
I deeply desire for my prayers to be effectual. It is the effectual fervent prayers of the righteous that avail much and fasting causes our prayers to be effectual because fasting grows our intimacy with God and in turn it grows our faith, which is of utmost importance in our prayer life and life as a whole.
Without faith it is impossible to please God and when you’ve been believing God over a period of time for someone or something it can cause your faith to seep. You can begin to doubt but when you set aside a time to go after God and abstain from food (if possible, for medical reasons everyone can't) let go of the things of this world and cling to the things of God the invisible can become the visible.
Your unbelief is helped and your faith grows in the habitat of heaven; in the Presence of our Heavenly Father.
As we pray and fast our intimacy with God increases. He is a rewarder to those who diligently seek Him. He is the Reward! As we behold His beauty of holiness He infuses our prayers and as a result we pray the effectual fervent prayer and we find rest for our souls.
I ask you to pray about and ponder this, and if you feel led join me every Monday of September in fasting and prayer.
To:
Draw near to the Lord in deep humility and repentance for just more of Him.
To experience God's Presence and power in a deeper way by an outpouring of His Spirit.
To help us be more impactful vessels, and intercessors to the good of others and the glory of God.
Supernatural power for spiritual breakthrough in our lives and in the lives of those we are believing God for.
For wisdom, discernment and for God’s power to be unleashed in our lives, loved ones and the lost.
The Body of Christ will be unified and rise in faith, evangelism, discipleship in power and demonstration of the Holy Spirit.
America.
The peace of Israel.
Families.
10. Healing and for strongholds to be pulled down in the minds of the lost.
If you are in need of prayer or have someone or some situation that you are believing God for I would love to believe God with you for victory. Please send your concerns and I’ll be sure to pray.
Jesus Teaches about Prayer
And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets that they may be seen by men. Assuredly I say to you, they have their reward. But you when you pray go into your room and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think they may be heard for their many words. Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. In this manner pray:
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen!
Jesus Teaches about Fasting
when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you fast anoint your head with oil and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
Matthew 6:5-18
(emphasis mine)
May God bless this fast as we seek Him in full abandon and humility of heart. Believing that our prayers sown in secret will be rewarded openly.
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© Prayer Matters Ministries
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