“Day Twenty-eight”
10/28/2018 Elder Willard Proctor, Jr.
Father God, Prepare me for a “Journey of Fasting”!
(Ezra 8: 21- 23)
Father God, in the Name of Jesus, Thank-You for Prayer. I learned to communicate by listening, observing and being taught words. After years of education, I became skilled in the English language. I understand the difference between nouns, verbs, adjectives and pronouns. Even with all that I have learned, I know that there are complexities of the English language that I still need to master. Nevertheless, I have found that the most precious form of communication is being able to communicate with You through Prayer. I have heard effectual, fervent prayers that have changed things. I have seen, with my own eyes, prayers that have been answered. And, I have been taught, through years of tutelage under my Pastor, to pray in a more effective way. Thank-You, Jesus, for Prayer.
Father God, You ordained communication in the Garden of Eden. In the cool of the day, You would come down and speak with Adam. Prayer is always in order. Indeed, You told us to pray without ceasing. You encouraged us by reminding us that men ought to always pray and not faint. Again, Thank-You for prayer.
Father God, Thank-You for putting me in a Church where prayer is ordered. Ever since I have been in Holiness, I have seen prayer go forward. Time is set aside before services begin for prayer. We spend at least seventy (70) days out of the year making petitions to You in written prayers that are prayed in unison. I didn’t see it at the time, but all of these years, You were teaching me and trying to make me become a more effective communicator with You though Prayer. Thank-You for the teacher and for the Wisdom that You have given her to teach me how to Pray.
Father God, Ezra showed me another effective tool that I need in my Journey in Holiness. That tool is the tool of fasting. Ezra noted: 21 Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance. 22 For I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way: because we had spoken unto the king, saying, The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him; but his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him. 23 So we fasted and besought our God for this: and he was intreated of us.
Father God, Thank-You for teaching me how to fast. Thank-You for showing me the importance of fasting. And, Thank-You, Father, for showing me how effective fasting can be. Erza proclaimed a fast because he wanted You to listen to him and answer him. He needed a quick response. He had an earnest request that required an answer. He had told the king that Your Hand was on the people for good. Well, if that were true, why would he need the king for help? If God was really for them, God would help them. Immediately, at the river Ahava, he proclaimed a fast.
Father God, help me in my Journey to do just what Ezra did. When I face a situation where I need Your Help, cause me to go on a fast immediately. It didn’t matter that they were in the middle of the situation at a river. Likewise, help me to instantly fast no matter where I am or what is happening.
Father God, help me in my Journey in Holiness to fast so that I can seek You for the right way to take. Fasting clears the clutter. While I am afflicting myself, I am actually getting more in tune with the Spirit. It’s easier to communicate. I’m not feeding the flesh, so, I’m better able to seek You through the Spirit. It is not recorded how long Ezra and the children of Israel fasted or what type of fast was proclaimed. I see something in that, Father. You have showed us all types of ways that we can fast. In addition, You have showed us varying lengths of fasting. The key is that I afflict myself before You. Fasting hurts. I complain about how I don’t like to fast. It’s not supposed to be something I like. Fasting is designed to cause pain, discomfort and hunger. This is necessary so that my flesh dies. I know that no flesh should glory in Your Presence. To make sure of that, I must fast on my Journey in Holiness.
Father God, Erza also showed me how effective fasting is when it comes to dealing with enemies. Enemies stood in Israel’s way. Ezra could have gone back to the king and asked for a band of soldiers and horsemen to deal with the armies of the enemies. But, if he had, who really was his deliver? And, worse yet, where was the God that he boasted about to the king? Fasting destroyed the enemies that were in the way of Ezra and Israel on their journey.
Father God, there are debts that stand in my way on my journey in Holiness. Fasting will destroy the yoke of debt and loose me from its bondage. There are sins, and a very specific one sin that easily besets me, that stand in my way on my journey in Holiness. Fasting will destroy the burdens of sin and free me from the chains it uses to hold me. There are health issues, family issues, marital issues, business issues, and numerous other issues that stand in my way on my journey in Holiness. Fasting will destroy every one of them!
Father God, Erza teaches me that I have to fast in my journey in Holiness for others to see Your Power. Erza had made a very specific proclamation about You to the king. He told him that the hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him; but his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him. Again, Erza made a true statement, but, he would have looked like a liar if the enemies destroyed the people or if he had to go back to the king for help. Hence, he fasted. The fast was necessary to show the king Your Power. Similarly, I too, at times, must fast to show others Your Power.
Father God, I understand that Erza wasn’t going to be moved if You didn’t move. He had the faith in Your Ability to deliver. But, the king would not believe in You. There are people that see us encounter enemies of debt, tests, jobs, sicknesses and lack. They have heard us testify that You brought us to this place. They are still looking to see if You will bring us through from where we are to the place of promise. If You don’t do it, we are still going to trust You, because we trust in Your Ability.
Father God, I look at the Church. The Saints still trust You. They still come and worship in a Church that has a leaking roof, unfinished bathrooms, and broken walls. The Saints know that You are Able, but, the people that they have witnessed to about how Your Hand is on them for the good don’t see what I see. I know that the foundation can be laid by one generation, and the building completed by another generation. I understand that David didn’t build the temple for You, Solomon did. That is why I continue to strive. I am not discouraged because, even if I don’t see it with my own eyes, I know the Church will be complete. But, Father God, people that I have witnessed to don’t see what I see. So, I understand the importance of fasting.
Father God, I ask that You bless this particular thirty day fast to do what it did for Ezra. Destroy the enemies in the way. Send forth the resources to complete this work. Saints have lost things during these last twenty-eight days, but, I remain undeterred. In these last three days of this fast, bring about financial abundance. Father, break the yoke of sickness that has gone through the Body. In the last twenty-eight days, two of our brothers have suffered heart attacks. You kept one of them alive, but You allowed one of them to go to sleep. I remain undeterred. In these last three days of this fast, heal! Heal every Saint. Father, destroy the bondage of sin that attempts to reign through and over the bodies of the Saints. During these last twenty-eight days, I have sinned. I have seen others fall further into darkness. And, there are still others that are on the verge of completely giving up on this Way. I remain undeterred. In these last three days of this fast, turn Your people back from sin. Cleanse them from their backsliding by the Blood of Jesus. Restore them. Cause the remnant to return.
Father God, prepare me for this Journey of fasting. I ask all of these things in the Name of Jesus, Amen.