Columnist: Shira Garnett

Soon or later, followers of the Way, will hear those purging words "Prayer and Fasting".

Now to be honest, prayer seems to come to us with devout acceptance and affirmation. We're readily submissive to give ourselves over to communicating with God in an intimate and personal devotion - pleading our cause, concerns and intersession for others. Being spiritually conscious and aware, we receive from the Lord and He will answer when we call upon His name.

Fasting, on the other hand... well

Initially, recalling my first reaction to these two well put together words would be...

"Fast you say....Hold up I'm going to have to get back with you on that one, but I will think about it!" Yes, those were the words I recall saying. I viewed fasting as a task, work, something that was going to take tremendous discipline and effort.

With prayer, I could present myself as I was - God knows our hearts, our thoughts, our ways, right!

The prayer piece, I could roll with that one, but fasting, I wouldn't even know where to begin.

I viewed fasting as a dreaded chore. A religious practice that would make me righteous by my act of service to do so. My thinking was law based. I believed that the works of my action would be accredited to me for simply obeying and doing -totally law based. Initially, I didn't understand the spiritual aspect of fasting.

As I have grown from fleshly thinking, now having put on the mind of Christ, I've been enlighten - receiving intangible revelation and significance of fasting.

Jesus fasted. He knew the importance of not living by bread alone, but every word that proceeded out of the mouth of God. He knew that the Father would give His angels charge over Him and minister to Him in His time of need. Matthew chp. 4.

Prayer coupled with fasting brings an immeasurable presence of heavenly connection with God. There is a sacredness about understanding the grace of these two coupled words that exceed our natural ability to hear from the Lord. Rather, than considering the hunger part of this graceful act of spiritual reverence, we experience a powerful gravitation toward our Creator - the ultimate source of our being.

Is fasting easy, no! Not initially. However, as anything that we put into practice, it becomes welcoming, a total refreshment to our souls.

Perhaps, this could be a resolution for those of us whom desire a higher experience with the almighty this coming year, God willing. I highly recommend incorporating, prayer and fasting to the New Years committed resolution list.

Blessings to all and Always Stay Encouraged.