FASTING AND PRAYING FOR GOD’S GUIDANCE AND PROTECTION - Snr Ps Ndlala - a podcast by Mamelodi IAG
from 2020-01-13T01:49:15
FASTING AND PRAYING FOR GOD’S GUIDANCE AND PROTECTION
EZRA 8: 21-23
Background
Ø 80 years after the first group of exiles
Ø Camped for three days at the Canal that flows towards Ahava
Ø When all who were going were there he proclaimed a fast
Why fasting and praying
Ø So that we may humble ourselves before God
Ø Fasting is a sacrificial form of prayer
Ø We deny our flesh as we seek God
Standing on your high place
Ø It’s a Spiritual position , it’s a standing on the Rock
Ø Although it was time to move, it is important to prepare for the journey
Ø Our hearts need to take the right Spiritual posture
Ø Yes we see a wider horizon, but we need Spiritual guidance for a physical world
Ø For that, fasting and praying is important
Ezra focuses on three things
1. Guidance focus:
Ø Humble ourselves before our God
Ø Humbling ourselves acknowledges our dependence on God
Ø We depend on God to lead us the right way
Ø Fasting helps us to be connected to God’s voice
Ø Guidance is important to help us choose between better and best
Ø It’s a matter of the heart, soft, open, receptive
Ø God is our only source of dependable direction
2. Assistance focus:
Ø Ask God for a safe journey for us and our children
Ø There were wild beasts and armed robbers on their way
Ø Ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen
Ø They asked God for a safe journey
Ø Ezra knew the Law of God like we know the promises of God
Ø He knew Deuteronomy 31:6 READ
Ø And we know Prov. 2:11 READ
Ø We depend on God
3. Substance focus:
Ø With all our possessions
Ø Fasting and praying releases God’s power in our situation
Ø Move your eyes from the difficulties you see, fix your eyes on the Lord
Lord, lead us, Lord guide us
Ø Show us the right way
Ø “ THE GRACIOUS HAND OF OUR GOD IS ON EVERYONE WHO LOOKS TO HIM”
Ø Let’s look to Him in fasting and praying
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