Fasting, sincerity opens heart to prayer
"Give ear to me and hear my prayer."
- Psalm 17:6 (NIV)
Today I am placing two important entries on the page of my journal. One is a long-standing prayer request for one of my sons; another is a prayer request for a friend.
Like many of you, I've been praying for years. I'd like to tell you that every prayer I pray gets answered in my way or time, but that is not the case. However, I have had many wonderful, amazing, miraculous and timely prayers answered.
Prayer is a mystery. We don't have the understanding for how God hears the prayers of believers from around the world all at the same time, or how God decides the perfect time to answer each individual's request. But he does.
We don't always realize, that how we pray can make a difference. As I study the Bible, I see different models of prayer. I enjoy reading them to receive insights on how to pray. In many of the accounts, we see examples of women who wept as they raised their voices to God. In contrast, men gave a quiet whisper to open heaven's door.
When we listen to Jesus' instructions, he informed us there are times for fasting when we pray. This means to sustain from something such as a meal (which can give us mental clarity as we pray). We might give up something else, like a form of entertainment or texting that could be keeping us from our prayer time.
Fasting can also help us overcome a habit we've been trying to break, or clear our conscience so we can hear more clearly from God. I don't understand all the benefits, except it is an exceptional form of prayer.
This week begins the season of Lent, when many Christians observe the Spiritual principle of fasting for 40 days, starting with Ash Wednesday and ending Easter Sunday.
Some like to indulge in foods they love on Fat Tuesday, just before they take the plunge to deny themselves for Lent.
Not all Christians observe the Lenten season. I mention it because I think it is an example of fasting and prayer, which many Christians do partake of, and a form of prayer demonstrated to us by Jesus.
Some people fast for only a few days. The amount of the fast is up to the individual and something they must feel right about before giving it a try. Whether entering a 40-day fast or a 24-hour fast, I believe it is honoring to God.
However, I still think the most important component of prayer is a sincere heart.
• Annettee Budzban is a Christian author, speaker, life coach and nurse. She can be contacted at annetteebudzban@aol.com or (847) 543-8413.