DAY 4

Good Advice on Prayer and Fasting

Here’s a great devotional from Pastor Jentezen Franklin.
 
I wish I could tell you that fasting and praying makes everything go smoothly in your life. The truth is, sometimes a fast will stir up all kinds of storms. So, if you are going through a storm during this fast, don’t be surprised—but be encouraged.
 
Storms are transitional. In other words, storms tend to occur when you are on your way from one place to another. Jesus was on His way across the Sea of Galilee when a bad storm came up. The storm was so fierce that the disciples on the boat with the Lord thought the boat was about to capsize and they would all be drowned.  But Jesus was asleep during the whole thing.  When they woke Him, Jesus commanded the storm to be still and all was calm (Matthew 8:23-27).
 
On another occasion, the Bible tells us that Jesus went for a walk across the stormy waters of the Sea of Galilee to catch up with the disciples who were already halfway to the other side in their boat (John 6:16-21).
 
Storms did not hinder Jesus or cause Him to turn back. Storms did not alter His course or His purpose.  He still has authority over the storms and speaks peace to the storms of life. Jesus, our peace speaker, has given us His peace.  He is Jehovah Shalom, the Lord our Peace.
 
Are you experiencing storms in this life that shake your faith?  Meditate on His Name: Jehovah Shalom, the Lord of Peace.
 
Spending time in fasting and prayer—regardless of our circumstances—will help you to be rooted and grounded in your faith, ready to weather any storm of the economy, your health, your family or your job. God can cause you to flourish even during transition. Whatever storms may be raging in your life, my prayer for you during this fast is that you would take hold of that peace of God in a fresh and powerful way.