If I'm struggling with sin, will God still honor my fast? - Day 20
Question of the day:
If I have been struggling with sin or a particular sin, will God still honor my fast and hear my prayers?
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). This scripture encourages me and should encourage you as well. This is the simple truth. We all struggle with sin on a regular basis. For example, think of how you talk sometimes to your spouse and kids when you are tired and hungry. Speaking words carelessly in a harsh tone to those we love or work with can get us into a lot of trouble. And if we are honest, we can all improve how we speak.
There is good news is found in 1 John 1:9, which reads: “ If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
If you are aware that you are struggling with a particular sin, and especially if it seems habitual, there is no better time than during a fast, in earnestly seeking The Lord for help. Jesus says in Luke 4:18, “The Spirit of The Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed.”
According to John 15:15, “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead I have called you friends, for everything that I have learned from My Father I have made known to you.” Jesus calls you and me “friend!”
Jesus died to conquer sin and He wants to set you free. Being aware of a moral struggle might actually be a work of The Lord bringing this to your attention so that you will ask Him for help. Notice that many of the people that received healing from Jesus had to first ask Him. Open your mouth in your prayer closet and allow your heart to pour itself out to God who is your good Heavenly Father. “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to our children, how much more will your Father in Heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!” Mathew 7:11
We all struggle habitually with something. More than likely, you have tried in your own strength to conquer something that might be a stronghold which is a spiritual battle. “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have Divine power to demolish strongholds” “ (2 Corinthians 10:4).
Sometimes we are dealing with things that are causing us to stumble and we’re using incorrect tactics and inefficient weaponry. The disciples learned this when they were unable to cast out an evil spirit from a young boy. They were bewildered because they had had success before this moment. Jesus alerted them to a new level of awareness, “This kind can come out only by prayer and fasting” (Mark 9:29).
Some things are going to take prayer and fasting. The reason you may be struggling is that all the conditions are right to bring your struggles before the Throne of Grace and ask specifically for The Lord to deal with it on your behalf. Confess it, seek His forgiveness and trust your Heavenly Father to bring His power into your circumstance. Many, many people experience powerful and life changing breakthrough during this fasting season. But it’s also important to note that sometimes your breakthrough might come later. Hold onto the Word of God and mix your faith with it. Jesus told you that His Father withholds no good thing from you and His mission is to set captives free.
Let’s talk.
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