Tri-Cities Baptist Church

              
 
In light of the coalition of forces coming against him, King Jehoshaphat (873-848 B.C.) “was afraid and he turned his attention to seek the Lord; and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah”—2 Chronicles 20:3.
 
This warrior king knew that his opposition was too big for him to handle.  He knew his personal abilities were not enough to secure victory over the enemy.  But he didn’t call his people to arms.  He didn’t meet with his military commanders.  He didn’t develop a strategy for attack or prepare for escape.  Instead, Jehoshaphat humbled himself before God with prayer and fasting.
 
When is it necessary for God’s people today to pray and fast?
 
·         We pray and fast when we are desperate for God’s power.

 The king was powerless and he knew God was the God of all power.  There is a fast that loosens the chains of injustice and unties the cords of the yoke (see Isaiah 58:6).  There are some demonic attacks and strongholds that are too much for us.  There are some circumstances that are too much for us.  There are some temptations that are too much for us.  When you are weak, pray and fast.

·         We pray and fast when we are desperate to know God’s ways.

Jehoshaphat did not know what to do.  He knew what he did not know.  He knew that he did not know the way out.  So he stopped and called for help through prayer and fasting.
 
Although many of us are restless by nature, sometimes we must “stop striving” and know that God is God (see Psalm 46).  The enemy may be gaining ground, but we must stop.  Even when we have made a mess of things, sometime the best thing to do is to stop, cry for help, and wait on God.

·         We pray and fast when we are desperate for God’s presence.

 The king and all his people stood before the Lord.  Their focus was not on their problems but instead on the greatness of their God.  God had their undivided attention.
 
When the enemy is too great, we quickly discover that a divided heart produces a defeated life.  And prayer and fasting refocus our lives back to God.  Prayer and fasting train our hearts to seek him with our undivided attention.  When we are desperate for God we will seek him with our whole hearts with prayer and fasting.
 

On Sunday, September 12, 2010, 175 people took the One-Hour of Prayer Challenge.  What a great start as the Tri-Cities family rallies to pray, seek God’s face, and turn from our wicked ways so that God may hear us, forgive us, and heal us.
 
How did this message encourage you?  Have you responded yet to this important challenge?  I invite you to post comments on how God is personally moving in your life as we Prepare for Rain.
 
What do we do when what we can do is not enough?  Let’s start with prayer and fasting!