FASTING AND PRAYING FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD OCTOBER 23, 2020
Greetings Dear Saints,
We trust the Lord God Almighty is continuing to bless you in special ways, though you may still be going through many obstacles and difficult times. Generally speaking, trials and tribulations can do one of two things. Either turn us away from God or send us running to Him with open arms, His and ours, with a stronger faith. Refresh your memory of the parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15:11-32. Note verse 20 and know that God will do for you what He does for every child who comes to Him.
The theme for today, in the Sixty Day Response to the Solemn Assembly is, "Choose the Best Things." The scripture reference is Philippians 4. Consider verses 4-19. What does it say about rejoicing, giving prayer and supplication, finding peace. thinking (choosing) on the best things, contentment, how we can do all things, a sweet smell, and who supplies all our needs?
All of these things as well as all the "jewels" in the scriptures are vital to each of us as we "Seek First to Build up the Kingdom of God and to establish His righteousness.." Matthew 6:38. All of God's commandments compliment each other with no contradictions. So, everything comes together with fasting and prayer.
In a booklet from 1966, by Aleta Runkle, entitled "Scriptures for These Days, in a chapter on "Trial," Sister Runkle talks about "Spiritual Loneliness." She states that there may be times when a person feels far away from God-lonely and insecure, but that the scriptures remind us that if we draw near unto God, He will draw near unto us. DC 85:16. It is stated that often that which is a spiritual problem can be related to a physical problem, after all DC 85:4a informs us that the body and the spirit are the soul of man.
Sister Runkle lists three physical things that may affect our spirit.1. When do we go to God in prayer? When we are exhausted or refreshed? Sometimes people fall asleep during a prayer. Don't be like the person who was always so tired that he wrote a prayer and posted above his bed, and would say, "There it is God, read it for yourself." Of course, we can pray at all times, but usually the best time is in our prayer closet when we are refreshed in body and mind.
Another item is an unusual absorption with problems. This does not leave our mind free for active communication with God. A period of meditation before praying can assist in directing our attention to God. Some of the themes this week have been to get rid of the chaos in our lives.
A third possible factor to feeling spiritual isolation or loneliness may be a tendency to carry unnecessary burdens. Psalm 55:22 tells us to " Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee..." Also, Matthew 11:29, "Come unto me, al lye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
From a 1970 Daily Bread, Roy Weldon had some comments about Fasting and Spiritual Health. The scriptures indicate that fasting, coupled with prayer is required of all those who would reach the mountaintop of spiritual sensitivity and blessing. The greatest names of scriptural history are associated with periods of fasting. Find at least three examples.
Brother Weldon said that he had joined a number of three-day fast groups. Her stated, "Suffice it to say that both in group and personal periods of fasting and prayer, there have come the greatest blessings I have witnessed n the church". A time of group fasting might be of great help. You can decide if you want to try. Select your own group and how you will fast.
God bless you in your efforts of fasting and praying for the Kingdom of God.
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