From: paul gage
FASTING, PRAYING, STUDYING and LIVING for the KINGDOM OF GOD
OCTOBER 14, 2021
Blessings of Almighty God to all His people around the world,
Today, and forever, oh God, Let me put right before interest, let me put others before self, let me put the things of the Spirit before the things of the body, let me put the attainment of noble ends above the enjoyment of present pleasures, let me put principle above reputation, let me put Thee before all else. This is portion of a prayer from "A Dairy of Private Prayer," by John Baillie.
This can be our prayer as we continue to develop our Christian disciplines and put them into action in our daily walk even when facing trials and tribulation. 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. See Doctrine and Covenants 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, all ye 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.
God bless you in your efforts of fasting, praying, studying and living for the Kingdom of God.
Paul Gage
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