My Gracious King, I have come to realize there are three things that, I as a Christian, should participate in regularly. They are fasting, giving and praying. Each is intended to draw me into a deeper relationship with You … coming to see who You are and the mission You have for my life. These activities should help me become more attentive to the things that are important to You. Fasting is more than a weight reduction program. It teaches me how to do without things I think are important in order to embark on a search for the things You say are important. It shows me how to live sacrificially. And, it creates in me a hunger for more of You. In fasting, I sacrifice my wants for Yours. Fasting brings me to my knees in humility and shows me the errors of my ways. By depriving myself of something that’s important to me, I experience the type loss You feel when I sin or place my will ahead of Yours.
In giving, I am asked to take from my abundance and meet the needs of those less fortunate than I. When I give to others, I begin to understand how the excess in my life can provide the essential needs of another. In giving, I have the opportunity to place the needs of others above my own … which becomes selflessness. Your call is for me to open wide my hand to those who are poor and needy. You caution that my giving should not be in public so as to gain public praise for my generosity. Instead, Your request is that I give in secret so You can see it and reward me for being kind and generous. In giving, a spirit of caring is released from within and endears me to Yourself. You’ve promised that if I give to others, You will give to me … fulfilled the adage that “one can never out give God.” In giving, You gave freely of Yourself … as a disciple, can I do less?
The prayers I offer are an expression of my dependence on You. Prayers are my way of communicating with You about all manner of things. In my prayer time, I give You two important things that I possess … my time and my attention. In prayer, I experience a deep sense of dependence on You and I seek the assurance of Your presence and love. In prayer, I approach You with sincerity, a spirit of repentance and a commitment to do whatever I can to change for the better and do what You ask of me. In prayer, I am able to come to You on behalf of my needs and the needs of others. I come to You for help in resolving things that are beyond my means. During my prayer time, I open myself up to constructive criticism, a better understanding of Your will, as well as kindling a deeper respect and love for You. It is in these three things that I am provided with a way to draw closer to You. And it’s in Jesus’ name I pray. AMEN!!
Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.