Before prayer can truly be effectual, it must move through three stages: Desire, Discipline, and Delight. Many believers have a sincere desire to pray, and even to fast. However, too often the truth expressed by Jesus is a reality in this area, “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” The great hurdle in being a true prayer warrior is to get beyond the stage of desire into systematic discipline.
In every area of our Christian life, and particularly in this area of fasting and prayer, consistency is the key. Rather than reading the Bible in spurts, praying in spurts, fasting in spurts, witnessing in spurts, etc., we need to get on a track of discipline that will be steady and consistent. When this happens, the result is that discipline then leads to delight. The joy of the Lord becomes our strength. Do you want to be a joyful Christian? Then be consistent in prayer, fasting, and time spent with God.
May God help us during our 40 Days (Monday, March 3rd through Friday, April 11th) to go beyond the desire stage and discipline ourselves into a regular time of prayer and fasting. Be one of those who will fast one day a week (or more). As you pray remember this prayer focus:
- For God’s continued blessing upon the ministry of RLA.
- To experience a miracle in giving over and above the Lord’s tithe for the next year.
- For a revival that will move through our church family so that souls will be saved, bodies healed, believers empowered, and the miraculous power of God manifested through the mighty name of Jesus!
Pastor Todd Weston