“Pray Without Ceasing” – 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NKJV)
We fast and pray at different times throughout the year. At present, many have embarked on our Twenty-one days – Daniel Fasting and Prayer, trusting that at the end, their petitions would have been answered.
Firstly, note that Daniel had not only set the period of his prayer and supplication to God, but he was steadfast in doing so (Daniel 10:3). Secondly, like Daniel, before we receive the answer to our prayers, the devil and his territorial demonic principalities who operate within our sphere of influence will fight the angelic hosts of heaven, attempting to hinder, delay, block or frustrate us from receiving our breakthrough blessings. We, however, must take authority over the wiles of the devil (Luke 10:19).
If, at the end of the fast and prayer petition, God does not provide the answers you are looking for, please know that He has still answered your prayers. God has one of these three answers to give us: Yes! No! Wait!
If He says “No!” It simply means that He has an alternative plan that is tailor-made for you. The one that you have chosen may look attractive but could be fraught with failures, dangers, disasters, death, and damnation. Pray to God continually for Him to show you His alternative plans.
If the answer is “Wait”, this flesh may feel frustrated. God understands. He is the God of eternity, and mankind are creatures of time (2 Corinthians 5:1). This God we serve knows the times and seasons of His creation. Isaiah 40:31 (KJV) states, “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Sometimes, our ‘wait’ seems to spell “weight” – a heavy load. Some of us may believe that ‘wait’ means wasting time, warming up the pews, and being spiritually lazy until God comes through for us. Not so beloved. It means “occupy” until He (Jesus) comes (Luke 19:13).
Friends, waiting on God means to wait prayerfully trusting that He will come through in the midst of hardship. ‘Wait’ means to be of service to Him, to those of the household of faith, and to be soul winners for Him. Waiting is also designed to have a closer relationship and fellowship with our Lord Jesus Christ. ‘Wait’ requires us to submit our lives into the Potter’s hand for the cleansing, purging, and purification process of our spiritual man as we prepare for the next level of blessing (Isaiah 64:8-9).
Finally, to mount up with wings as eagles in the realm of the spirit, our foundation must be spiritually deep in our relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ, and this requires continuous prayer.
Read: Isaiah 40:8; Malachi 3:2-3
Bible Reading Guide: Psalm 8; Matthew 9:14-38; Genesis 24
