Spiritually complacent, needing to fast

Lynetta Dove

Disciple of Prayer
Please pray for me and my family. We all need to be closer to God. Me and my sister haven’t been as disciplined with reading our bibles as we should be (or praying). I got a message yesterday from someone saying I should fast and pray about being spiritually covered but in the back of my mind I’ve been thinking of fasting in general. I want to try to tomorrow since I get up early for work. Please also pray that the pharmacy can fill my weight loss prescription.
 
We hear your heart and we join with you in wanting to be closer to God, and we thank you for your honesty about the spiritual complacency you and your sister and your family have been experiencing. God honors that honesty and He desires to draw near to us when we draw near to Him. As it is written, Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you James 4:8, and also, Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled Matthew 5:6. That hunger you are feeling, that desire to fast and pray and be more disciplined, is the Holy Spirit stirring you not to remain lukewarm. We are warned, So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of my mouth Revelation 3:16, and we gently rebuke that complacency in ourselves as well, because we all drift when we neglect the Word and prayer.

We want to encourage you that discipline in reading the Bible and in prayer is not about legalism but about relationship and nourishment. Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path Psalm 119:105, and we are told to pray without ceasing 1 Thessalonians 5:17. We encourage you and your sister to set a simple, attainable plan together, even a few verses each morning and a short prayer together, and to hold one another accountable with grace. Be diligent to present yourself approved by God 2 Timothy 2:15, and God will honor that faithfulness.

Regarding fasting, we affirm your desire. Fasting is a biblical way to humble ourselves before God and to seek His face more intently. Yet Jesus teaches us not to fast to be seen by others, but in secret, But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you are not seen by men to be fasting, but by your Father who is in secret Matthew 6:17-18. It is not the act itself but the heart behind it that God sees, as He says, Is not this the fast that I have chosen: to release the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke Isaiah 58:6. If you feel led to fast tomorrow as you get up early for work, we encourage you to do so with wisdom, staying hydrated and mindful of your health and duties, and to devote that time to prayer and the Word rather than just abstaining from food. The idea of being spiritually covered is biblical when we understand it as abiding in Christ and putting on the armor of God. He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty Psalm 91:1, and we are told to Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil Ephesians 6:11. Fasting and prayer help us to abide and to stand, not through a ritual, but through surrender.

We also lift up your request about the pharmacy and your weight loss prescription. We pray for your health and that God would give you wisdom and favor. We know our bodies are a temple of the Holy Spirit 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, and we pray as John prayed, Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be healthy, even as your soul prospers 3 John 1:2. We ask God to guide the pharmacy, the providers, and your own stewardship of your body, that any means used for health would be done with wisdom and for His glory, and that your ultimate trust would be in Him for strength and discipline.

We noticed your request did not mention the name of Jesus Christ, and we want to lovingly remind you that it is only through Jesus that we have access to the Father. Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me John 14:6, and There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that is given among men, by which we must be saved Acts 4:12. If we confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in our heart that God raised Him from the dead, we will be saved Romans 10:9. It is by His blood we are covered and draw near, so we always come to God in Jesus name.

We pray together now for you and your family. Father in heaven, we come before You in the mighty name of Jesus Christ Your Son. We confess our complacency and our neglect of Your Word and prayer, and we ask You to forgive us and to create in us a hunger for You. Pour out a spirit of grace and supplication on this dear one, on her sister, and on their whole family. Draw them close to You and help them to establish faithful rhythms of reading Scripture and praying together. Bless the fast that is on her heart for tomorrow, let it be done with a humble and sincere heart, and meet her in it with Your presence, Your covering, and Your guidance for her work and her day. Cover this family under the shadow of Your wings and clothe them in the armor of God, guarding them from the enemy. We also ask for Your hand over the pharmacy and this weight loss prescription, grant favor and wisdom, and above all grant health to body and soul according to Your will. Revive this family, Lord, and let them walk in renewed discipline, joy, and closeness with You. We ask all this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, amen.
 
We appreciate you reaching out and being honest about where you and your family are. Wanting to be closer to God and noticing the drift in Bible reading and prayer is itself a step toward Him, and we hear your desire to take that seriously with your sister as well.

We love your idea of starting tomorrow, and since you get up early for work we would encourage you to keep it simple and sustainable. One helpful way to think about spiritual disciplines is as training over time rather than trying to fix everything at once. Even small, regular moments together, like choosing one short passage to read and praying briefly with your sister at a consistent time, can build that closeness more than an all at once effort. If you do fast tomorrow, please be mindful of your health and any medications you take, and check in with your clinician or pharmacist if you have any questions about fasting safely, especially while waiting on a prescription.

For the pharmacy, we understand the waiting is frustrating. It can help to call ahead in the morning to confirm they have it or can tell you when to expect it.

Father, we lift this family to You in Jesus' name. Draw each of them closer to You, give them hunger for Your presence and grace for steady steps. Give wisdom for tomorrow's fast and for work, and provide for the prescription need according to Your care. Keep them covered and encouraged in Your love. Amen.
 
May God in Jesus' name answer your prayer request according to God's perfect love, wisdom, will, timing, grace, and mercy. God is so in love with you. Be Encouraged!

Psalm 37:4: Delight yourself in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Matthew 6:33: But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

🙏Prayer Focus: God, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for loving me, Jesus. God, I ask You in Jesus’ name please bless me with everything that I stand in need of and everything You want me to have. God bless me to prosper, walk in excellent health, and never stop growing in the love, grace, wisdom, and knowledge of Christ Jesus. God bless me to know You in truth, fall in love with You with all my heart, mind, soul, body, and strength and never fall out of love with You. God, bless me to have an ever growing closer stronger, more intimate relationship with You. Bless me with the love, desire, strength, and the spirit of obedience to always delight myself in You, seek first Your kingdom, Your righteousness, and to always respect and obey You. Bless me to know You, the way You want me to know You. So that I will trust You with my life and anyway that You move in my life. Bless me to trust You with all my heart, lean not to my own understanding, acknowledge You in all my ways, and allow You to direct my footsteps and actions. Bless me with knowledge, wisdom, and understanding in all You have called me to do.

God heal me in every area of my life. Deliver and cleanse me of everything in my life that doesn't honor You. Transform and renew my mind. Bless me with love, power, and a sound mind. Let the mind that is in Christ Jesus be in me. Bless me to have and operate with a God-conscious-solution-focused-heart-mind-spirit-and-attitude. Bless me to have a God Kingdom Culture Mentality. God be with me as a mighty warrior. Let no weapon formed against me prosper. Protect me from all the plans of my enemies and the plans of the enemy of my soul. God, all that I have asked of You, in this prayer, please do the same for the writer of the prayer, all those who love and care about me, and all those I love and care about. God, please forever honor this prayer over each of our lives. God Thank You. Amen, so be it by faith, and by faith, it is so. Prayer written by The Encourager-Prayer Warrior-Board Certified Professional Christian Life Coach. www.theencourager.net

Heal Me Lord Jesus Spirit, Soul, And Body
 
Your honest confession of spiritual complacency and your longing to be closer to God is itself a work of grace, for such a prayer as quicken me in Your way can only come from those in whom the quickening Spirit has already taken up His abode. To feel your need of discipline in reading the Scriptures and in prayer is not a cause for despair, but a call to return to the means the Lord has appointed.

There is a holy discipline in Christ's house, and being soldiers of the cross we come under discipline. Our glorious Captain says to all who would follow Him, count the cost. Never give up the Bible, not a leaf of it. Never give up prayer, stand sentry there. This Book is like the locksmith's bunch of keys, and we look to it for comfort when we are chastened, turning over its pages to find a passage which fits our case and ministers relief to our necessity. Trials give new life to prayer, and blessed is the discipline that drives us again to the mercy seat.

You speak of fasting, and that you purpose to begin tomorrow as you rise early for work. This is good if it be done in humility of spirit and not in self conceit which tears the chariot wheels from prayer. True prayer is pleading with the Most High, spreading our case before Him and pressing our suit with arguments drawn from His own promises and His love in Christ. The power that wins the victory in prayer has its real basis in the love of Christ Himself. Let your fasting then be unto the Lord, not to be seen of men, but as the fervor of prayer witnessed in secret, seeking to be conformed more to His gracious image. If you are to fast while laboring, seek wisdom and care for the body God has given you, and let all be done with a humble dependence upon Him.

We will bear you and your family before the throne of grace in intercessory prayer, for intercessory prayer is the sweetest prayer God ever hears and exceedingly prevalent. We will pray that the Lord will quicken you and your sister, that He will stir you both to delight again in the Word and to be eager in private prayer, in family devotion, and in all forms of worship. We will ask that He who withholds the coveted blessing till we have learned to pray in downright earnest will yet show Himself gracious and draw you all into a living, loving, lasting union with Christ.

We will also bring your practical need before the Lord, that the pharmacy may be able to fill your prescription as you have asked. We pray that God will grant you health and strength to serve Him, and give wisdom to those who provide care for you, that your body may be kept fit for His service.

May the Lord hear your pleading and answer, though not always as you expect, but according to His abundant mercy in Christ Jesus, and may He keep you and your household from evil and establish you in His way.
 
Lord Jesus please richly bless, protect and guide them. Please help them in accordance with your perfect will Father. Thank you and praise you. In your holy name I pray. Amen.
 

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