Spiritual Discipline: Prayer and Fasting
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances;
for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1Thess 5:16-18)
A discipline is something we can do that enables us to do what we haven’t yet been able to do by our own direct effort. To excel in anything, discipline is required: athletes, musicians, plumbers, accountants and artists are only as good as their constant prolonged disciplined practice. Some have even asserted that it takes 7,000 hours of practice to be an expert at something – this would result in about 4 years of fulltime engagement! If you want to be good at something, don’t just try, train instead. Paul encourages Timothy to train in godliness (1Tim 4:7), and we see many examples of Biblical characters that exercised disciplines, even Jesus Christ himself.
Two kinds of disciplines are worth considering: first, disciplines of abstinence, which include Solitude, Silence, Fasting, Sabbath, Secrecy, and Submission; and second, disciplines of engagement, which include Bible Reading, Worship (praising God’s greatness, goodness and beauty, in words, music, art, or ritual), Prayer, Personal Reflection, and Service. Both categories of disciplines have great importance in a believer’s life. Many people use these disciplines for other purposes other than true worship, and have testimonies of good results; but to exercise these disciplines in the fear of and according to the purposes of God Almighty is of highest benefit. Check if you have regularly practiced any of these disciplines… and determine to grow in each of them.
The key verses above include ‘pray continually’, and as we encourage one another in the discipline of prayer and fasting, it is enough to just recall some Scriptures on Jesus’ discipline: In Luke 4 he is found fasting, in regular public worship, studying the Word, in the ministry of healing, and in solitude and prayer (vv. 1-2, 16-19, 40-41, 42). The disciplines gave him wisdom to overcome temptation, inspiration to preach the Word of the season to a hostile congregation, compassion for the people that needed healing and deliverance, and the power to heal them. It was clear from what is recorded that these were not things he only did as an adult minister but rather his regular custom as he grew up. He probably had amassed more that the required 7000 hours in prayer and the Word, that he so easily quoted from the Scriptures and dispensed good news and healing by the power of the Holy Spirit.
We still live in a world of temptations; the sick, bound or possessed around us are yearning for healing; and some situations will not change without prayer and fasting. We need this important discipline on our pilgrimage, that we may overcome the traps of the enemy. Embrace and keep the discipline today and always.
God bless you as you all.