Honest Reflections

Two-minute read.

^“I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed: “Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments,”

Daniel 9:4

Ernest desire.

Daniel, pleading for his people, wanted God to glorify Himself by an extravagant showing of grace and mercy. Guilty but repentant, Daniel prayed for the Lord to pardon and restore the Hebrew nation, giving them their land and fulfilling His promise. Daniel uses God’s covenant name, Yahweh, to claim the Lord’s mercy. Speaking for the people, Daniel confesses their sin, acknowledging the Jew’s acceptance of the practices of the surrounding culture. The nation rejected God; Daniel had no excuse for their betrayal.

Daniel prepared to approach God’s throne by fasting, mourning, and clothing himself in sackcloth. Realizing the nation had forfeited any rights to claim the Lord’s divine mercy, Daniel humbled himself on their behalf. The Jewish nation embraced idolatry, immorality, and martyrdom of the prophets, inviting the promised curses. Deserving destruction, Daniel begged God to forgive the rebellious nation. Earnestly desiring restoration, Daniel wanted God to receive the glory for showing mercy.

Following Daniel’s example, we can approach God’s throne with an earnest desire for a world turned away from the Lord. Fasting and praying for an unbelieving nation opens the door for God’s glorification. Daniel prayed for the nation’s revival, and the Lord answered immediately because of his earnest desire. Before he finished praying, God sent Gabriel with an answer, appearing to Daniel in human form, reassuring him of the Lord’s intention to end Israel’s captivity.

One man’s prayer started the restoration of a nation. God wants to answer even more than we want to ask. Humbling our hearts and approaching the Lord with an earnest desire can start a spiritual revolution. But if we don’t seek, we can’t find. Daniel’s passion for his people brought him to his knees. 

“The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” James 5:16b

A righteous man, Daniel’s prayer hastened God’s plan of national and spiritual redemption for Israel. Fasting and praying for our country will bring miraculous healing we can only imagine. But if we don’t ask, we won’t receive. Instead of a divided nation, we can pray for unity, one nation under God. If we don’t pray and ask, we’ll never know what the Lord will do.

Journal Questions:

• How can I apply today’s devotion to my life?
• What would you pray for our country?
• How can fasting and prayer prepare you to approach God’s throne?

Prayer:

Lord, forgive us for turning from You and no longer acknowledging You in our country. Soften our hearts, make us sensitive to our sinful ways, and help us receive the grace and mercy You freely offer. Let our nation experience revival as we turn back to You.  Let us experience the redemption You have for us as You did the Israelites. We need You, Lord, now more than ever. IJNIP. Amen

Two-minute read.

“So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.”

Daniel 9:3

Praying Scripture.

Daniel studied Scripture diligently, building his prayer life on God’s word. Studying Jeremiah’s writings, Daniel discovered the following prophecy:

“For thus says the Lord: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place.” Jeremiah 29:10

Although Jeremiah died only a few decades earlier, Daniel still included his writings as inspired Scripture. Daniel prayed for the current need and God’s covenant word of promise. The Lord doesn’t need reminded of His promises, Daniel understood it pleases God for His people to pray and ask Him.  Repentance and intercession affect the person outwardly as well as inwardly. Asking God for deliverance and receiving it strengthened Daniel’s faith, drawing him closer to the Lord, which pleased God.

Daniel’s prayer and fasting came from his private study of the scriptures. Following the guidelines Jesus gave in Matthew 6:16-18, no one knew from Daniel’s outward appearance of his spiritual practice. In doing so, only God saw Daniel’s fasting and prayer, the servant seeking the Lord’s approval, not others’ praise. 

Secrets draw people together. Ron and I have many things we keep between us, not sharing with others. Doing so creates intimacy in our relationship and helps us become one. Similarly, when we pray and fast, keeping it between ourselves and the Lord, we develop a more intimate relationship with our Creator.

Daniel banked on God’s character and wanted His name glorified, using Scripture as the foundation of his prayer. The Lord’s revealed mercy because of past deeds motivated Daniel to pray fervently for God’s promise to come to fruition. Confessing and repenting for the Hebrew nation, Daniel trusted Yahweh to keep His word and rescue the people.

Discovering God’s promises and praying for them will change your life. Fasting and prayer make a difference. As you pursue the Lord wholeheartedly, you will find Him, and He will answer. Seeking the Lord’s approval by connecting with Him privately, caring more about God’s opinion than others, will draw you closer to your Creator. As you submit your life to God’s will, a peace that surpasses all understanding will enter your heart. The Lord will provide all you need to persevere on life’s journey.

Journal Questions:

• How can I apply today’s devotion to my life?
• What promise of God can you apply to your life today?
• How can you become more intimate with God today?

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for giving us Your word to pray. As we seek You privately, change us inwardly and outwardly. Help us fulfill our purpose as we come to You humbly, fasting and praying for Your will. Bend down and hear our prayers, give us peace while waiting for the answer, and help us represent You well in everything. IJNIP. Amen

TWo-minute read.

“Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth and humbled myself with fasting. When my prayers returned to me unanswered,”

Psalm 35:13

Unreliable friends.

David discovers the people whom he fasted and prayed for betrayed him.  They expressed anger towards the king, using false witnesses to accuse and slander him.  Seeking God’s justice, David feels far from the Lord.  Why doesn’t God do something about this situation, the Psalmist pleads.  Waiting desperately for God’s mercy, David will proclaim the Lord’s mighty works once God shows him mercy.

Praying for those who don’t appreciate it hurts.  No one likes false tales about them, yet people do it daily.  Thinking they know the whole story, people fill in the blanks with lies, as they did with David. Not feeling God’s immediate assistance, David pleads desperately for the Lord to intervene.

“Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered. In this way, God qualified him as a perfect High Priest, and he became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey him.” Hebrews 5:8-9 NLT

A man after God’s heart, David remained obedient amid his struggles, fasting and praying for the Lord’s intervention.  Jesus learned obedience from His sufferings, and so do we.  Trusting God during the raging storms of life and persevering on the right path when our human tendencies war against us develops obedience.  We find victory as we take one step at a time, faithfully obeying the Lord’s commands.

Everyone falls short of the mark.  Sometimes, people call me an unreliable friend because I didn’t meet their expectations.  We live for the expectations of the Lord, not others.  Only Jesus lived a perfect life; no one else did.  If we did everything right, we wouldn’t need a Savior.  But we need Jesus because human nature sometimes gets the best of us.  And so we seek God for help, confessing our sins and asking for His divine intervention.

When the Lord moves, He moves.  Whatever struggles we have, God helps us overcome, one way or another.  But until then, we must stay the course.  Fasting and prayer help strengthen us, drawing us closer to God and tapping into His divine power.  Don’t give up hope; God will deliver you from the storm in His time and way.

Journal Questions:

• How can I apply today’s devotion to my life?
• What steps of obedience do I need to take today?
• How can I persevere with fasting and prayer?

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for helping us persevere when falsely accused. Strengthen us for the journey, calm our anxious hearts in the storm, and allow us to find Your peace that surpasses all understanding.  As we accept the things we cannot change and change the things we can, let us honor You in all we do.  IJNIP. Amen

One-minute read.

“Sabbath is a day to refresh your soul and find strength for the week ahead.”

Anonymous

Sacred assembly.

Another Sunday, another opportunity to rest and refresh for the week ahead. Starting the next seven days by assembling with other believers will invigorate you. Taking time to worship God in a corporate setting helps all who attend. Sharing our faith by publicly gathering together encourages others to do the same. Spending time singing, praying, and learning about the Lord on Sundays will help us persevere through the trials of the coming week.

Everyone endures hardships. Life without trials doesn’t happen. Through our struggles, we learn obedience, not through our joys. Clinging to the Lord when life overwhelms us and obeying His commands despite our feelings will help us find victory. Declare today a day of sacred assembly, join with other Christ followers, and find encouragement for your journey as you rest from your worries, giving them to God and trusting Him for victory.

Two-minute read.

“So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you. However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”

Matthew 17:20-21 KJV

 

Little faith.

After trying unsuccessfully to drive a demon out of a man, the disciples ask Jesus why they couldn’t perform the miracle. Christ responds, “Because of your unbelief.”  The disciple’s little faith prevented them from driving out the demon. Not all translations include verse 21. 

How often does our “little faith” stop us from seeing God’s miraculous events? At the beginning of the year, I began volunteering on the prayer team of an international organization that partners with churches worldwide to help spread the Gospel. At my first meeting, we had a praise report from a pastor in the Middle East. 

“Will you believe in Jesus when he heals you?” the pastor boldly asked the Muslim man who had skin cancer.

“Sure, but I don’t think it will work.”

As the pastor began praying, the cancerous spots started to disappear; by the time he finished, no more cancer remained. The man immediately gave his life to Christ and began a new journey.

Ever since the meeting, I’ve thought about our limited faith in America. The land of plenty doesn’t leave us wanting much. The disciples got used to working miracles, treating it like a bestowed power from God. However, when put to the test, it showed their weak faith. In the U.S., we have human answers readily available for most of our issues, turning to them instead of divine power and trusting man over God.

Fasting and prayer connect us to the Lord, reminding us of His divine presence. Denying ourselves and trusting God’s provision builds our faith and gives us direction we can find no other way. Miracles happen when we trust Jesus, follow His leading, and tap into His power. Some of the most miraculous events happen in ourselves as Christ transforms our lives, making us more like Him.

With faith the size of a mustard seed, we can move mountains. Impossibility doesn’t exist in God’s vocabulary; with the Lord, anything can happen. But without faith, nothing will change. The Lord doesn’t expect us to understand everything He does, but God does want us to believe He can do it, whatever the situation. Allow the Miracle Maker to work in your life. Draw closer to God through fasting and prayer, access His divine power, and wait to see the miracles the Lord will perform.

Journal Questions:

• How can I apply today’s devotion to my life?
• What area do you have little faith in today?
• How can fasting and prayer help you have more faith?

Prayer:

Lord, forgive us for not having enough faith. As we fast and pray, encourage our trust in You, and help us believe in miracles as You transform our lives. Don’t allow the overflow of blessings in our world to stop us from relying on You. Please help us live life to the fullest as we try to obey and follow You to the best of our ability. IJNIP. Amen

Two-minute read.

“I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.'”

Luke 18:12

Humble exaltation.

Standing by himself, the Pharisee prayed boldly to the Lord, telling God all his accomplishments:

‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.” Luke 18:11 

Standing off to the side, a tax collector stood beating his breast, begging God for mercy because of his sinful nature. Pharisees saw themselves as separate from the ordinary, with piety as their calling card. Defined as “the quality of being religious or reverent’ [1], pious people have a high opinion of themselves, just as this Pharisee did. 

“For God shows no partiality.” Romans 2:11

God doesn’t show partiality. The Pharisee’s actions didn’t make him better than the tax collector. Nor did his bragging. The tax collector reflected God’s heart, not the Pharisee. 

“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.” Matthew 6:16

Jesus told us how to fast, not like the Pharisee, but like the tax collector. God exalts the humble when they submit their will to His. The religious leader acted like a hypocrite, making a show of his fasting, exhorting himself to anyone who would listen. But the tax collector stood to the side in humiliation for his sin, too humbled to even lift his eyes heavenward.

Truly accepting our sinful nature will change our attitude. Understanding we all fall short of perfection and accepting that fact affects our heart’s posture. Instead of puffing ourselves up, we admit our sins and humble ourselves before the Lord. Accepting God’s mercy gives us new life, strengthens our walk, and helps us persevere during life’s trials.

As you fast and pray, come to the Lord with a repentant heart, asking for His grace and mercy. Accept God’s love, allowing it to pour into your heart and give you a fresh start on the day. Put yesterday’s sins behind you, confessing them and letting them go. Begin again with a clean slate, trusting the Lord’s guidance as you move into the unknown.

Journal Questions:

• How can I apply today’s devotion to my life?
• Describe your heart posture today; which does it reflect, the Pharisees or the tax collector?
• What steps can you take to develop a humble attitude?

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for loving us equally. Forgive us for making a show out of our prayer and fasting. As we align our hearts with Yours, help us accept and confess our imperfections to You.  Renew our spirits, strengthen our faith, bless our fasting and prayers as we submit our lives to You.  IJNIP. Amen

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[1] https://www.dictionary.com/browse/piety

Two-minute read.

 “And then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the Temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.”

Luke 2:37

Steadfast faith.

Anna lived at the Temple after her husband of seven years died. With no known family or children, she most likely relied on the charity of others to survive. Despite life’s difficulties, she remained faithful to the Lord. When Joseph and Mary brought Jesus to the Temple for purification according to the Mosiac Law, the prophetess recognized the Messiah.

“And coming up at that very hour, she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.” Luke 2:28

Immediately upon recognizing Jesus, Anna began sharing the good news about Jerusalem’s redemption through Christ. When we meet Jesus, we can’t help but share what we find. Transformational faith frees us from the bondage of sin and gives us a new life filled with different choices and second chances. The change within our spirit causes us to want everyone to experience the unconditional love, grace, and mercy God offers.

The old widow spent decades fasting and praying at the Temple, her steadfast faithfulness rewarded by meeting Jesus in the flesh. Who knows the lives she touched for the Kingdom because of her unwavering faith and disciplined lifestyle? Instead of wallowing in her pain, Anna gave it to the Lord, dedicating her life to Him. She spent more time widowed than married; God met all her needs as she devoted her life to Him.

God never leaves us nor forsakes us. In our darkest moments, He holds us in the palm of His hand. Fasting and praying help strengthen our connections with the Almighty, opening our hearts to His desires and aligning our will with His. Often, we don’t understand God’s work, but we trust its goodness. Someday, we will see the whole picture, but until then, faith helps us persevere.

When Anna suffered loss, she went to her Creator for comfort. Under life’s shifting sands, we can stand firmly on the Rock. Change happens every day, whether we like it or not. Today may seem like yesterday, but they differ. Standing on God’s firm foundation helps us embrace life’s constant change. Like Anna, we can find comfort in the arms of the Savior, placing our trust in Him.

Journal Questions:

• How can I apply today’s devotion to my life?
• What area of hurt do I need to give to the Lord today?
• How can I proclaim the good news of Jesus to the world?

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for never leaving nor forsaking us. As we fast and pray, seeking You, let us feel Your firm foundation in our lives. As life’s changes swirl around us, let us feel grounded in You.  Help us persevere through the day’s challenges, knowing You have a good plan for our lives, and with each day that passes, it unfolds. Help us live life fully and completely in You.  IJNIP. Amen

Two-minute read.

“When I wept and humbled my soul with fasting, it became my reproach.”

Psalm 69:10

Devouring flame.

Desperation pours from David’s prayers, praying, and fasting; the king needs help. The shepherd boy from long ago knew precisely where to get assistance. Accused of mishandling church funds, he experienced ex-communication. David’s actions and zeal for serving the Lord didn’t make sense to the people. And so they made something up:

“What I did not steal must I now restore?” Psalm 69:4

Researching today’s verse, the commentary on David mishandling church funds shocked me. But people making up lies because they don’t understand someone’s actions for the Lord doesn’t. When God designed us, He gave us a desire to know. Eve bit into the apple because she wanted the Lord’s knowledge:

“For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Genesis 3:5

Designed with a desire for knowledge, if people don’t know something, they will make it up. When I moved to Virginia from Pennsylvania, people didn’t understand why I did it. Rumors swirled around me, and I didn’t know it. When they started to come to light, it hurt me deeply. Words hurt more than people think they do.

In David’s desperation, he fasted and prayed to God for help. Trusting the Lord’s timing, David waited for deliverance from his enemies. The king’s faith didn’t waver, even under shunning and false accusations. David kept his eyes on God and used fasting and prayer to help him. 

“Answer me, O Lord, for your steadfast love is good; according to your abundant mercy, turn to me.” Psalm 69:16

God’s abundant mercy hears our prayers. I don’t know all the details of David’s false accusations, but I know that even if he had committed fraud and turned to the Lord in repentance, God would forgive him. David would face consequences for his actions, but the Lord still loved him.

And God loves each of us, no matter what sins lie in our past. The Lord’s abundant mercy knows no bounds when we place our faith in Him. Fasting and prayer help us discover God’s abundant grace. Seek a deeper relationship with your Creator, and you will find one.

Journal Questions:

• How can I apply today’s devotion to my life?
• How have you handled false accusations in the past?
• How can you apply fasting and prayer to your current situation?

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for having abundant mercy and grace for us. Forgive us our sinful ways. Guide and direct us on the path of righteousness, one step at a time. When life presses in on us, please help us keep breathing, practicing calm in the storm. Bend Your ear to hear our prayers, encourage us through Your Spirit, and allow us to persevere through the trials of life. IJNIP. Amen

Two-minute read.

“Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”

Esther 4:16

Brave petition.

Esther comes to a pivotal historical moment through extraordinary circumstances: will she risk her life for her people?

Born a young Jewish girl, King Xerxes chose her as his wife from a plethora of young women. Also known as King Ahasuerus, historians debate the truth of the tale. Biblical history records Esther as niece to Mordecai, Queen of Persia, and heroine to her country. When Haman, principal minister to the king, orders a decree to kill all the Jews, Mordecai begs Esther to intervene.

Esther had a problem. The king hadn’t called her to him in quite some time. You could only enter the king’s presence when he summoned. If you went to the king without an invitation, and he didn’t hold out his golden scepter, inviting you to speak, you would die at the hands of his soldiers. A woman of wisdom, Esther sought help from the Lord, fasting and praying, asking the people to do the same.

At the end of the three days, the queen approached the King, and he held out his scepter to her. When Xerxes asked Esther what she wanted, the queen invited him to dinner. The king has an interesting dream that leads to a life change for Mordecai. Eventually, Haman’s plan gets exposed. And Esther saves the Jewish nation. 

Esther shows us what to do when life gets tough: seek God.

“For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14

If Esther didn’t take this chance, she knew God would still save the Jews, but her family would perish. When the Lord calls, we must answer quickly. Wherever God takes You, He’ll provide the way. But if we don’t go, we can’t blame the Lord; He gives us free will. We have a choice of who to follow. Esther chose wisely, and so can we. Just follow the Lord; He’ll do the rest.

Journal Questions:

• How can I apply today’s devotion to my life?
• How has God put you in a unique position to serve Him?
• What door do you want God to open for you?

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for giving us Esther as an example of how to handle difficult situations. As we fast and pray, strengthen us for the divine task You have for us. Open the door for victory as we submit our lives to You.  Let us face our challenges like Esther, with You leading the way. IJNIP. Amen

Two-minute read.

“I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over.”

Daniel 10:3

God answers.

Daniel, a servant of the Lord, entirely devoted to his heavenly Father, has a vision about a “great war” that would harm God’s people. So distressed by the revelation, Daniel immediately begins to fast and pray for his people, not eating anything but fruits and vegetables. Intense supplication and prayer brought forth an immediate answer from God, but Daniel didn’t receive it until three weeks later.

Standing by the Tigris River with his companions, an angel appeared to Daniel. Dressed in linen with a gold belt around his waist, Daniel’s friends couldn’t see the angel but sensed his presence, fleeing in terror. Daniel swooned when he heard the angel’s message, but one touch from the heavenly being restored him. Assuring Daniel of God’s love and concern for his people. Although hard to understand, the angel’s message eventually proved amazingly accurate.

“Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words. The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia, and came to make you understand what is to happen to your people in the latter days. For the vision is for days yet to come.”  Daniel 10:12-14

Check out what happened when Daniel began to pray, humbling himself before the Lord.  God sent an immediate answer, but the Devil fought the delivery. For twenty-one days, the angel battled and only won when the archangel Michael came to help. Spiritual battles rage around us. Satan doesn’t want us receiving the answers to our prayers and will do anything to stop them, but he always loses.

God answers our prayers; sometimes, the Devil delays the response. When we humble ourselves before the Lord, submitting our will to His, God listens. Bending down to us, with love in His eyes, our Creator cares about us. Often, we lose heart because we don’t think our heavenly Father hears our prayers, but Daniel’s experience reminds us about the spiritual battle.

Whatever prayer you pray, wait expectantly for the answer. In due time, you’ll receive a response. God hears, and He always answers.

Journal Questions:

• How can I apply today’s devotion to my life?
• What answer seems delayed to you?
• How do you envision spiritual warfare?

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for answering our prayers. As we wait for Your response, let us do so well. Please give us the tools we need to persevere in the waiting. Strengthen our hearts and minds as we place our faith in You.  As we pursue You wholeheartedly, let others see Your light shining through us, encouraging them on their journey. In all things, we give You the glory. IJNIP. Amen