How to fast and pray effectively
It is essential to know how to fast and pray effectively if you want to have a relationship with God. That is why we are going to show you how these two actions are connected and how you can use fasting and prayer to improve your connection with God.
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Have you been praying the right way? And when you fast, do you do it correctly? Read this post to get answers to these questions.
How to pray effectively
In learning how to pray effectively, designating time for prayer is the most important thing. If you are not ready to devote even a little time to pray, then you are not truly ready for God. Whenever you find yourself hesitating to pray, just start praying. This is the best way to discipline yourself to pray. Do not spend too much time thinking, do not wait for the right time or the right place, just pray.
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If you have free time, that's great. But for most people, finding time for prayer means refraining from activities like watching TV, sleeping, etc. Prayer should move up in your list of priorities. It should be among those things that you cannot do without.
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Also, you need to understand the importance of repentance and confession for effective prayer. Sometimes, deep repentance comes with a better understanding of God's point of view. When you apologize to God for not understanding His point of view and His design, you will receive His forgiveness.
What is the purpose of fasting?
People usually pray with fasting in critical cases when it is necessary to make a very important decision in their lives. Prayer with fasting is very effective for freeing yourself from any sinful addictions such as smoking.
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READ ALSO: The power of prayer and fasting: Bible verses
Fasting is not an ancient practice. This is a special relationship with the state of your own soul. It is a special time taken in order to become kinder to people, to overcome sin and shortcomings. Of course, one should not underestimate the importance of fasting in helping to abstain from certain foods and bad habits.
Fasting is a particular condition in the life of a Christian when the person limits himself in food and drink to certain degrees in order to concentrate on prayer. Fasting is needed when a Christian expects some positive changes from God, both natural and supernatural.
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The purpose of fasting is sincere repentance, humility, reconciliation with God, and elimination of all obstacles between God and human which are preventing the outpouring of God's abundant blessings. Fasting has nothing in common with hunger strikes and blackmailing God with hunger.
The practical side of a fast should be strictly individual, taking into account the health condition and characteristics of the body of each person. Fasting can be of different durations, of varying severity, depending on one's state of health, and other reasons. Christian fasting is not really about abstaining from food, but creating deeper relationship with God.
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On the practical aspect of fasting, the prophet Isaiah says:
Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter - when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? (Isaiah 58:6-7)
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This means that you need to carefully establish order in your personal and spiritual life before asking for something from God.
Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. ... The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. (Isaiah 58:9,11)
We hope that our article has helped you to understand how to fast and pray effectively. Always remember that it is absolutely up to you to decide how long to fast and pray.
READ ALSO: The power of a praying wife
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