It's Time to Have the Conversation

When people mention having the conversation, their mind tends to go toward the birds and the bees. This is a conversation between parents and their children about how babies are made and the responsibilities that come with it. It’s usually when a child starts asking questions that parents will gather their nerves and explain it the best way they know how.

This conversation is not about that, but it is one our Father wants to have with us. It’s about prayer and fasting.

Yes, that conversation.

So many people want to know, What is the importance of prayer? When we think about the word prayer, it can be intimidating for so many because they feel they have not learned the art of prayer. Prayer seems to mean some deep dialogue between the Almighty God and themself. If they feel they don’t have the right words, He must not hear them.

This will cause them to use prayer as their last resort instead of their first response to everything they go through.

Prayer is defined as a spiritual communication with God as in supplication, thanksgiving, adoration or confession. It also means a solemn request for help or expression of thanks addressed to God.

We are communicating through words.

We are having conversations.

So do not continue to be intimidated by the word prayer. You are simply using your words.

We must first understand who we are talking with. He is our Father.

“For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” - Romans 8:15

We are not talking to a supreme being who is far removed from us, but he is so close to us and we have a relationship with him. He is concerned about all that we go through. Prayer is about intimacy and nothing says intimacy like a Father/child relationship.

We get closer to him through prayer. When we take the time to pray, we are getting to know him beyond the surface.

He shows us his heart. Our true identity is revealed through prayer. As his child, he shows us who he created. He gives us the understanding of the authority we have in Him. We do not have to wonder who we are. Prayer will reveal it to us.

Praying to our Father is about surrender. We are giving our cares over to Him. We are trusting Him to bring forth the best solution to our problems. Prayer is where we find rest.

“Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” - Matthew 11:28

“casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” - 1 Peter 5:7

This is what I like to call the exchange program: we give him our cares and he gives us rest in him.

He takes care of what is a burden to us while we get to rest in Him and all that he has for us. Prayer gives us an opportunity to express ourselves to someone who has the power and the willingness to do something about it.

I know I said prayer and fasting.

To be honest, fasting is not one of my favorite things to do, but I do know what it will do for my life when I actively and intentionally do it. Fasting allows us to focus on feeding our spirit. It brings the flesh under submission so that we can hear what the spirit is saying.

I must admit the flesh is so loud at times that I cannot hear clearly. It is only when I deny myself that I can hear from our Father clearly. Fasting also draws us closer to God. It heightens our discernment so that we are not caught off guard by the enemy.

Fasting is about you and your relationship with God.

If you desire to hear more from God, fast and pray more. You need both of them to get through this life. These are powerful tools for the children of The Most high. Use them often and you’ll see things change in your life.

In our last blog team meeting, Peter said we are called to the fight. Prayer and Fasting are our weapons. Will you use them?