“Jesus is our tutor and example in all things, and nowhere is that more clear than in our prayer lives. It is no exaggeration to say that prayer undergirded and preceded and empowered everything that our Lord did while He walked on this earth. He frequently spoke about prayer and even more frequently taught by example.”

David Jeremiah, Prayer: The Great Adventure, p. i

Have you received clarity and direction from the Holy Spirit on how He would have you participate in the spiritual discipline of fasting during this 21 Days? For some guidance and ideas, read our post on “Why Fast?”

We want to encourage you to grab a journal or a notebook – something to write on as you walk through each prayer guide or devotional. Yes, it will add a few minutes to the time it takes to do the devotion, and it will also deepen your experience and shape your walk with God for years to come. This journal or notebook will be a keepsake to remind you of God’s faithfulness during this challenging season for all of us.

Engage the Word

Over these several days, we are exploring Jesus’ words where He taught His disciples (and us) how to pray, in what has become known as The Lord’s Prayer. Here, Jesus says to His disciples (and to us):

Matthew 6:9-13

9 Pray then like this:

“Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name.

       10     Your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

       11     Give us this day our daily bread,

       12     and forgive us our debts,

as we also have forgiven our debtors.

       13     And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

Connect the Heart

Jesus said pray then like this:

       10     Your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

Yesterday, our prayer focused on the reign of Christ over our priorities. Today, we focus on the rule of Christ in our priorities. Author Clarence Macartney says that praying “your will be done”  is basically saying “Lord, whatever you want, wherever you want it, and whenever you want it, that’s what I want.” I don’t know about you, but saying these words is a struggle for me… Am I really open to what this means in my life? Whatever, wherever, whenever? This really means letting go of control over my life and handing it completely over to God. If I’m honest, I want to be able to say this, but actually living it is a different story. Another author has said, “God expects us to be orderly. He expects us to manage our time, to discipline ourselves, to prepare well… But if we could learn to pray first and plan afterward, how different would be our homes, our churches, whatever we are doing… Maybe, just maybe, we are planning in one direction and God’s will is in another direction.”

Reflect on the Truth

1. How is your heart – your words, your actions, your desires, your motivations – welcoming the rule of Christ in how you live?

2. Pray these words: “Lord, whatever you want, wherever you want it, and whenever you want it, that’s what I want.” What do you feel, sense or think about as you lift these words to Him?

3. What do you sense the Lord is wanting to say to you right now in this moment?

Depend on the Spirit

Ask the Holy Spirit to help you see the deeper longings, desires or motives in your heart that these thoughts are pointing to. (For example: you may write down, “O Father in heaven, it is my heart’s desire to be able to authentically say whatever, wherever, whenever. It is so difficult. Please do this hard work in my life, by your Spirit.”) The Lord can help us discern the path forward through His word, His Spirit, His people.

For Prayer: As we conclude our devotional time, let each of us pray for the Ascent Church family to be a people who would be able to say “Lord, whatever you want, wherever you want it, and whenever you want it, that’s what we want.”

_________________________________________________

Read our post “Why Fast?” to learn about the spiritual discipline of fasting and gain a better understanding of why Jesus asked us to fast. We fast not to get something we want from God, but for God to change our wants. We fast because Jesus fasted, He expected we would fast, and we see that the early church fasted.

Read yesterday’s post HERE.

Catch up on all our 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting posts on the blog HERE.