January 21

Beyond 21 Days
 
“And when you pray…when you fast….”
Matthew 6:5a, 16a

When Jesus gave instructions to those who heard him regarding prayer and fasting, He did not mention their importance.  He did not speak of the necessity of prayer and fasting and then proceed to teach that these things must be done.  He spoke as if it were simply understood that prayer and fasting would be a normal part of the life of a believer.  He said, “When you pray,” because it would be utterly inconceivable that a believer would not be engaged in regular prayer.  He said, “When you fast,” because the possibility that a believer would not fast had not entered into His mind.  As we come to the conclusion of the twenty-one days we have dedicated to prayer and fasting, it is crucial that we do not allow these twenty-one days to be the only days this year where we commit to prayer and to fasting.  We have certainly experienced a closeness with the Lord during this time.  We have certainly experienced victories and have also laid the foundation for additional victories to come.  But if these twenty-one days are the only days this year that we commit to prayer and fasting, the blessings we have experienced will be short-lived.  Jesus spoke as if He simply assumed the prayer and fasting would be a regular part of our lives as believers.  As the remainder of this year lies before us, let us endeavor to prove our Lord right.