ENGAGE: Prayer, Faith, Fasting
“…this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”
Jesus’s words caught me by surprise. “You unbelieving and perverted generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him here to me.” Matthew 17:17. To whom was Jesus speaking? A hardened Pharisee who discounted His ability to perform miracles? A Sadducee trying to trick Jesus? It was neither. Rather, Jesus’s words were spoken in the hearing of a man who brought his demon possessed son to Him for healing and Christ’s disciples who hadn’t been able to cure him. “Unbelieving and perverted generation?” Is that who they were? Is that who we are? Jesus “rebuked him, and the demon came out of him, and the boy was cured at once.” (verse 18) Note what happened next. “Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, ‘Why could we not drive it out?’ And He said to them, ‘Because of the littleness of your faith; …But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.'” (Mt 17:19-21) FRIENDS, there is something about prayer that we must get our minds and spirits (Jude 20) around. It is more than mindless words being tossed heavenward. Rather, it is fasting from a multitude of other activities and connecting spiritually IN FAITH with the Almighty to worship and draw on His wisdom and empowerment.
Prayers of My Heart JOURNALING TIP: INCREASE YOUR FAITH. With your journal open to Week at a Glance, 1st Column Labeled “LORD,” “set your mind” on Him who is enthroned on High. In quietness and reverence, worship the Lord. “Be still and know that I am God.” Meditate on an aspect of God’s divinity as you record His attribute. Perhaps, HOLY as you worship Him, “You are holy, Lord.” Or, FAITHFUL, as you rejoice over His faithfulness to you. Rather than be as the “unbelieving and perverted generation,” we can be prayerful, empowered, and useful to the Master. I’ve recorded the following attributes of God in my worship this week.
WEEK at a GLANCE
LORD
Sunday: Savior
Monday: King
Tuesday: Deliverer
Wednesday: Power fr/on High
Thursday: One Who Fills
Friday: Great
ENGAGE in PRAYER in 2015
1) USE a PRAYER JOURNAL. Why? When we record an attribute of God in the first column of Week at a Glance it INCREASES OUR FAITH. Then, as we pray for family, friends, church, ministry, USA that we’ve recorded across the top of the Weekly Page, it directs our minds to PRAY specifically and in relation to God’s attribute. We’re ENGAGE in the spiritual battle to which we’re called.
2) ATTEND a P.R.A.Y. with Passion ACROSS the NATION CONFERENCE to discover ways to pray more purposefully. REGISTER by EMAIL: mpdanks@tbck.org for the FEB 21 Kerrville, TX, or go to APRIL 25 Watson, LA. You can also invite Debbie to lead one in your church.
Heavenly Father, rouse each of us to engage in prayer for our families, churches, neighbors, and nation with new resolve and fervor. Open our eyes to see the enemy so we take prayer seriously.