Fasting and praying with the church
When it was announced last week in the church to fast and pray, I responded with a mixed reaction. I was excited that there is something that could finally compel me to do what I have been wanting to do for awhile but was a bit anxious because of the same reason. I thought to myself, 'How long could I fast?' I tried to be good to myself by not being legalistic (which I am prone to!).
Day 1 came and I skipped a meal. Nothing really thunderous was revealed but I was glad I managed to discipline myself for that. The second day was haphazard - I ate a bit here and there. Had we not been stuck in the heavy traffic jam, we could have made it early for evening prayer but we came in a few minutes before end. Still, a note struck a chord as a short message was shared. Half an hour or so after that, we had our Inter Mission.
What spoke to me among many was 'birth-right' and '...Esau I hated.' We looked into Esau selling his birth-right for a bowl of soup. Esau had everything as the first born and was a skilled hunter and a good cook! But, in a moment of hunger, he simply sold his inheritance to his brother. So the question arises, do I know my inheritance? My birth-right as a Christian? Esau knew himself as the first born too but he took it rather too lightly. Perhaps he was an impulsive man who did things at the spur of the moment and regret later. We may pronounce ourselves as Christians, but do we really know our birth-right? Our inheritance as the redeemed? As being co-inheritors with Christ? Our rights as the sons and daughters of the most High God? Do we live it out?
We also looked into the word 'hate'. The meaning of hate in God's context is not the same as our hate which brings out all the negative and evil elements out of us. God's hate could mean 'disregard/disinclined.' God hated Esau and he became his own man. It was not that God did not make him prosperous but there was no fruitful blessing from his father. We later learned that Esau, who gave murderous threats to his brother also forgave him. Such is the redemptive work of God.
Day 3 of fast was a better than the rest except for a cheat on ice-creams. As we were worshipping and praising God, I felt the verse, 'preach in season and out of season' coming to me. I did not realise this was what God had wanted to use later in the evening. We had been encouraged to not be ashamed of Christ and to boast of our God. Moreover, we asked God to show us any person whom we could share the Gospel with.
As we travelled home in a metro, I sat next to a girl who had clung tightly to her rag sack as a protection. I had previously sat next to her but got up to chat with my friend. When I saw a flood of men entering the compartment, I suddenly felt her vulnerability and wanted to protect her. So I sat next to her again. We started talking. It turned out she has her conversations with God and often go to church. Her face actually lit up when I asked her if she believes in prayer. Then I shared about God as a father learning afterwards that she no longer has one. I promised to pray for three things she wants in life because I wanted to testify to her how much God loves and cares for her. It is amazing that in a few minutes God just gave me words I believe was the need of the moment. We ended with a happy note. Anushkha was on her way to Mumbai to start a new life.
That night, I was over the moon. I was so happy I could not sleep immediately. She was no where near the faces that I saw as I prayed but it was more like God wanting to make the best of every opportunity. God loves lost souls. I am confident of God's love for her and that He watches her and will lead her to Calvary.
Day 1 came and I skipped a meal. Nothing really thunderous was revealed but I was glad I managed to discipline myself for that. The second day was haphazard - I ate a bit here and there. Had we not been stuck in the heavy traffic jam, we could have made it early for evening prayer but we came in a few minutes before end. Still, a note struck a chord as a short message was shared. Half an hour or so after that, we had our Inter Mission.
What spoke to me among many was 'birth-right' and '...Esau I hated.' We looked into Esau selling his birth-right for a bowl of soup. Esau had everything as the first born and was a skilled hunter and a good cook! But, in a moment of hunger, he simply sold his inheritance to his brother. So the question arises, do I know my inheritance? My birth-right as a Christian? Esau knew himself as the first born too but he took it rather too lightly. Perhaps he was an impulsive man who did things at the spur of the moment and regret later. We may pronounce ourselves as Christians, but do we really know our birth-right? Our inheritance as the redeemed? As being co-inheritors with Christ? Our rights as the sons and daughters of the most High God? Do we live it out?
We also looked into the word 'hate'. The meaning of hate in God's context is not the same as our hate which brings out all the negative and evil elements out of us. God's hate could mean 'disregard/disinclined.' God hated Esau and he became his own man. It was not that God did not make him prosperous but there was no fruitful blessing from his father. We later learned that Esau, who gave murderous threats to his brother also forgave him. Such is the redemptive work of God.
Day 3 of fast was a better than the rest except for a cheat on ice-creams. As we were worshipping and praising God, I felt the verse, 'preach in season and out of season' coming to me. I did not realise this was what God had wanted to use later in the evening. We had been encouraged to not be ashamed of Christ and to boast of our God. Moreover, we asked God to show us any person whom we could share the Gospel with.
As we travelled home in a metro, I sat next to a girl who had clung tightly to her rag sack as a protection. I had previously sat next to her but got up to chat with my friend. When I saw a flood of men entering the compartment, I suddenly felt her vulnerability and wanted to protect her. So I sat next to her again. We started talking. It turned out she has her conversations with God and often go to church. Her face actually lit up when I asked her if she believes in prayer. Then I shared about God as a father learning afterwards that she no longer has one. I promised to pray for three things she wants in life because I wanted to testify to her how much God loves and cares for her. It is amazing that in a few minutes God just gave me words I believe was the need of the moment. We ended with a happy note. Anushkha was on her way to Mumbai to start a new life.
That night, I was over the moon. I was so happy I could not sleep immediately. She was no where near the faces that I saw as I prayed but it was more like God wanting to make the best of every opportunity. God loves lost souls. I am confident of God's love for her and that He watches her and will lead her to Calvary.
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