pray. fast. sing. rest.
WRITTEN BY MY GRANDMOTHER, NANCY SHACKELFORD.
PRAY.
FAST.
SING.
REST.
The Power of God’s Four-Letter Words.
This month of September, my church (Discover Life Church) has walked into our seventh month of prayer and fasting. There is an abundance of Scripture regarding the number 7. When it comes to the Biblical meanings of number 7, we say that it is the number of completeness and perfection. In our worship we are sensing a new sound of worship, fresh wind, fresh fire and fresh anointing. These powerful four-letter words of God have been resonating in my Spirit and I want to share my thoughts with you.
PRAY.
We are in a window of returning to God in prayer as the unified body of Christ.
2 Chronicles 7:14 says; “If my people…”
We, the church, are His people. This verse is for us. We are beyond the era of passivity. Revival is on the horizon and it’s time to gather in the harvest.
In Matthew 6:33 says, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.”
Our Heavenly Father is giving us His strategies in this verse. It’s up to us to “seek first”.
1 Thessalonians 5:16 says, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing (ceasing means shift your thought process and turn moments into prayer). ...give thanks in all circumstances for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
No where in the Bible is there an *asterisk after that verse that says, “unless you are really busy.” Read it again and see that it is the will of God. Keep your connection open in order to talk to God as you go through your day.
FAST.
Fasting enlists Holy Spirits guidance, wisdom and council as we face significant challenges.
The Word gives us examples of many men and women who fasted and prayed. The
EZRA FAST captivated my heart. Ezra, a priest and scribe was given a daunting task
of making a round trip to go and bring back hundreds of pounds of gold, silver and precious cargo to beautify the House of the Lord in Jerusalem. In the Book of Ezra 8:21, Ezra proclaimed a FAST to seek God’s wisdom and direction on how to do this and protect his people and their valuable resources from robbers and thieves.
Ezra 8:21 says, 21 There, by the Ahava Canal, I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions.
God responded by giving Ezra a remarkable step-by-step solution to his problem making the trip successful. Ezra stopped, sought the Lord by fasting, praying and seeking God’s divine wisdom. God will still do the same for us if we will follow His directions.
SING.
It is so imperative to develop a culture of worship. Worship is less about what we do and more about the posture of our heart. Worship touches the heart of God. It opens doors and creates an atmosphere of glory and honor. Worship is a mighty weapon of war that we need to start accessing.
Psalm 150:6, Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
Psalm 98:4, Shout to the Lord all the Earth, break out in praise and sing for joy.
Psalm 47:1, Oh, clap your hands all you people! Shout to God with a voice of triumph.
Worship is defined in two different ways, “the first is about body language that demonstrates respect and submission; to bow down, to kneel, to prostrate oneself. The second is about doing something for God that demonstrates sacrifice and obedience; to offer, to serve” (James Torrance, Worship, Community & the Triune God of Grace). True worship starts in the heart and it moves outward into the rest of our everyday lives. We cannot fully enter into the presence of the Holy Spirit without first placing our eyes and hearts upward to Christ. The physical expressions of worship cannot be true and sincere if the rest of our lives are not right with Jesus.
If we are not seeking and serving God every single day of our lives, in every aspect of our lives, we can’t expect some miracle to happen on Sunday morning as we worship before our Creator.
REST.
Rest is profound peace that God gives to those who love and obey Him regardless of circumstances.
Philippians 4:7 says, 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Isaiah 30:15 says, Lord Yahweh, the Holy One of Israel says, “Come back to me! By returning and resting in me you will be saved in quietness and trust you will be made strong.”
Matthew 11:29 says, “Learn my ways and you will discover that I’m gentle, humble, easy to please. You will find refreshment and rest in me.”
Rest is a return to our true identity. The world loves to label us by what we can do, who we know and our past or future potential to perform. Just as God was calling Israel to return to him, He’s calling us to say no to the roles and responsibilities others try to place on us—and say yes to who God created you to be—and return to a place of rest.
Brennan Manning says, “Define yourself radically as one beloved by God. This is the true self. Every other identity is illusion.”
When I reflect on the Power Of God’s Four-Letter Words, there are blessings connected with them as we trust and believe.
The Lord says, “I am the Prince Of Peace. I rule and reign as the King of your every thought when you bow before me and yield to me—spirit, soul and body.”
Do you sing your songs of love?
Do you offer God sacrifices of praise?
When was the last time you leaned back into your Heavenly Father’s arms of love and rested?
When was the last time you fasted for a particular matter or obeyed when God asked you to partake in a fast?
When have you spoken to God? When did you pour your heart out to Him and have direct communication with Him?
God is calling us to be a unified, ONE Body of Christ! The time is now to get on our knees and pray, fast, sing and rest!
IN GOD’S AMAZING LOVE,
Nancy Shackelford