1 Corinthians 16:9 ‘For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.’

DAILY READING; Romans 5; 1 Samuel 14; Psalm 59

Fasting was popular among many of the men and women that God used throughout Church history.
Famous intercessors, preachers and evangelists all practiced the discipline of fasting and prayer.
The great revivalist Charles Finney fasted every week. Whenever he felt less power in his ministry, he would fast two or three days. Then the power would return. He is one of the greatest and most anointed soul-winners of all time.
John Wesley, the founder of the Methodists, urged Church members to fast and pray every Wednesday and Friday until 4pm. He wouldn’t ordain a Methodist pastor unless he agreed to fast and pray on these days. During his life time the Methodist movement helped bring revival to Great Britain and then to America.
John Wesley would rise up at 4am every day to seek God for the first four hours of the day. In his later years Wesley was known to spend up to 8 hours in prayer.
The famous John Knox greatly impacted Britain and brought reformation through prayer and fasting.
Through engaging the power of fasting and prayer, these men accomplished great things for God and changed the course of history.

Everyone who has ever operated in the realm of power subscribed to the demands of prayer and fasting.
Foremost among Biblical examples of those who fasted and prayed is our Lord
Jesus, who underwent a forty-day prayer and fasting expedition, and returned in the power of the Spirit to do mighty signs and wonders.
The Apostles often gave themselves to fasting and praying and did great exploits.
We also have examples of Old Testament figures like Moses, Daniel, Ezekiel, Ezra etc. Nehemiah was a man without identity but succeeded in rebuilding the broken walls of Jerusalem in 52 days after he had prayed and fasted.

Men and women in our generation, who understood and engaged the power of fasting and praying, have also achieved great results.
To truly benefit from this season of fasting we need spiritual understanding so that we don’t end up conducting a mere religious exercise.
The greatest benefit of fasting is drawing closer to God to be empowered to triumph in life.
The great and effectual doors God opens for us usually attract many adversaries and resistance from hell. [[1 Corinthians 16:9].
Through prayer and fasting we are empowered to triumph always and accomplish God’s purpose for us.
The truth is that it is impossible to achieve great exploits in God’s kingdom without prayer and fasting as a lifestyle.
We must therefore pay attention to this spiritual exercise not just as a Church doctrine but as a pathway to personal empowerment to enable us live victorious and rule in the midst of our enemies.
Indeed through the exercise of fasting, praying, study of God’s Word and fellowship with the Spirit, we will become outstanding in our generation and gloriously fulfill God’s purpose for our lives.

Having come to the end of the month of January today, let us wholeheartedly thank God for how far He has brought us on this journey and ask for grace to persevere in prayers in the remaining days.

PRAYER: Lord, I know that by Your grace my labour in prayers in this season shall never be in vain. Surely, I am emerging with greater power to accomplish exploits and truly be outstanding this year in Jesus Name. .

QUOTE;
God is preparing you for the season He prepared your breakthrough. – WORDBITE 222