Fishing the rivers of Colorado was great last week. One afternoon we decided to kayak down the Gunnison River. Not much experience proved dangerous. Fell out of the kayak, lost my equipment, got bruised up and missed out on the remainder of the ride. Our lives are much like that river run. The bible's encouragement is to put on the whole armor of God to prepare for the battle described in Ephesians 6:10 and following. We will be spending some time on this passage here over the next weeks at Coffee Mornings. Today, lets focus on prayer and its helpful tool, fasting. Fasting is simply denying the natural hunger for food to be reminded to pray. When the Bible says "pray without ceasing" or "pray always" or "pray at all times" as it does in Ephesians 6:18, then you will know how that is achieved. Use the tool of fasting. Choose a day or days out of your week to fast and pray. Based on your life, choose what to fast. It could be all food (drink water at least), maybe only cokes or sodas, maybe coffee or one meal. Then take a few minutes each time the urge for that food comes, pray instead. Start with praise and gratefulness. Thank Him for who He is and what He has provided. Then talk to Him about your sins...your mistakes, your personal stuff. Don't get stuck here. He wants you accept His forgiveness and walk in freedom. Lastly, pray for others. Pray for each person to recognize that they are on a journey with God. He loves them and you. His presence and love are most valuable in the daily battles. He is with us. He loves us. Fasting can remind us of these and more! Decide when and what to fast. NLC leaders will be fasting Wednesdays. If lunch works, skip it. If not, do what works for you. Choose a focus for prayer. Church, family, friends or your work environment. Apply the short technique of Praise, confession & requests. BTW, remember to end with praise, too. We are in spiritual battles all day, prayer and fasting will get you through! When I lost my paddle, it was virtually impossible to navigate the river. Without God's Spirit guiding us through prayer, we are kayaking without an oar! May you always be guided by God's Word, by His Spirit through prayer. Now...take a sip! Read Ephesians 6:10-18. Focus on verse 18. Now...take a step!
