Fasting and Prayers That Work

Most of the time, people fast in the beginning of the year for it to be a successful one by committing it to God. While there is nothing wrong with this motive, how many have actually experienced the degree of success they dearly desired after the fast? Majority of churches are currently fasting and it will surprise you to note that a good percentage of its members are fasting with the motive to get God to grant their personal request for the year ranging from a prosperous business, new cars, visas, houses, job offers, promotion, fruit of the womb etc. My question is this, What’s in it for God? How does God benefit from the fasting & prayers?

Lets throw it back to that moment in the scripture when Hannah  desperately asked God for a child because she was barren. “So it happened year after year, whenever she went up to the house of the Lord, peninnah provoked her; so she wept and would not eat” (1 sam 1: 7) AMP.  In other words, Hannah has been technically fasting and praying to God every year as a result of her barrenness and peninnah did not miss the opportunity to rub it in her face especially during those times of going to the house of God. It felt as though God was silent on her case till she decided to use another approach which God might be interested in. Who doesn’t like a good business deal?

Follow me…..

“Then she  made a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your maidservant and remember me, and not forget your maidservant, but will give your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life and no razor shall come upon his head”.  (1samuel 1: 11) NKJV

Immediately Hannah made that vow, she called heavens attention. God saw that there was something in it for Him- a son that will advance the purposes of His kingdom. God Was like, Hannah you know what? I will give you a son as this is a cool business deal but I will not stop here. You cannot go wrong doing business with me.

Guess what? How about I give you 5 more children in addition to Samuel because you were wise enough to consider my interest.

If you mind God’s business, then yours will be taken care of. PERIOD!

Hannah asked God for a male child and God gave her an additional 3 sons and 2 daughters excluding Samuel. “And the Lord visited Hannah, so that she conceived and bore three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile the child Samuel grew before the Lord” (1 sam 2:21) NKJV

Perhaps the reason why you are not calling heavens attention to taking  care of your business and personal  pursuits is because you are out here minding only your business. Since you are not interested in God’s agenda, He doesn’t feel obligated to mobilize heavens resources to ensure your business is taken care of.

The easiest way to call God’s attention to your life is by minding His business.

It’s high time you change your motive and prayer points to kingdom advancement.

How about fasting and praying ,

• For the salvation of your territory, community, colleagues, course mates and family members?
• That kingdom come in your nation and the world?
• For revival in your generation?
• For the outbreak of the Holy Spirit in your nation?
• For increased hunger and passion for God and the things of the spirit?
• For strategic events that will bring people to the knowledge of Jesus?
• For heaven to let you know your role in kingdom advancement this season?
• For the salvation of random people you meet?
• That a burden for souls and the kingdom be rested upon you?

How about minding your father’s business for once?

This year, drop your personal motive for fasting and prayer and embrace that of the kingdom.

Your Job is to go about God’s business, His responsibility is to ensure your personal pursuits are well taken care of. Don’t reverse the process!

God is looking for sons and daughters because there are many babies. He can only discuss and delegate matters of the kingdom to sons and daughters.

In the kingdom, babies press for their personal agenda but sons and daughters ask for a part in the kingdom.

John Knox once prayed a dangerous prayer, “ Give me Scotland or I die”.

Before you continue your fast and prayers, ask yourself this question, “What is in it for God?

For John Knox it was SCOTLAND.

 

 

Love you

Xoxo

Dimma