THE SEED
“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you…” James 4:8a (NKJV)
Beloved of Christ, Fasting and prayer are ways to deepen our faith and strengthen our relationship with God. This show our dependence on God, and promote a stronger and more intimate relationship with Him. In return, God works in us to increase our faith and trust in Him. An example of this is Daniel’s experience as he sought the Lord in prayers and fasting to receive mercy to rebuild God’s relationship with Israel. The impact of prayer during times of fasting, reveals that this spiritual devotion can create a strong atmosphere to rebuild our relationship with God. To us as followers of Christ, Fasting should be our deliberate act of self-discipline and a temporary denial of physical needs that redirect our focus to the spiritual realm. Combined with fervent prayer, we stand to experience a remarkable transformation in our conversation with God, an opportunity to pour out our hearts and listen to His voice just like Daniel did. This act as stated in James 4:8 shows the reciprocal nature of drawing near to God. By abstaining from food and devoting ourselves to prayer, we are deliberate in finding a pathway to strengthen our relationship with God. So, as we fast, let’s do so with a sincere heart, seeking His presence, and allowing the spiritual discipline of prayer to deepen the bond between God and us.
BIBLE READING: Daniel 9:20-23
PRAYER: Lord, Through my intentional devotion to fast and pray, let my connection with you flourish, and my spiritual journey be enriched, in Jesus name. Amen
AWE ATI ADURA N FUN ÌBASEPO WA PELÚ ỌLORUN NI AGBARA
IRUGBIN NAA
“Ẹ sún mọ́ Ọlọ́run, yóò sì sún mọ́ yín…” Jákọ́bù 4:8a (NKJV)
Olufẹ ti Kristi, Awẹ ati adura jẹ awọn ọna lati mu igbagbọ wa jinlẹ ati fun ibatan wa pẹlu Ọlọrun. Èyí ń fi ìgbẹ́kelé wa lé Ọlọ́run hàn, o sì gbé àjọṣe tímọ́tímọ́ tí ó lágbára sí i pelú Ọlorun ga. Ni ipadabọ, Ọlọrun ṣiṣẹ ninu wa lati mu igbagbọ wa pọ si ati igbẹkẹle ninu Rẹ. Àpẹẹrẹ èyí ni ìrírí Dáníẹ́lì bí ó ṣe ń wá Olúwa nínú àdúrà àti ààwe láti rí àánú gbà láti tún àjọṣe Ọlọ́run pelú Ísírẹ́lì kọ́. Ipa ti adura ni awọn akoko ãwẹ, fi han pe ifọkansin ti ẹmi yii le ṣẹda ayika ti o lagbara lati tun ibatan wa pẹlu Ọlọrun ṣe. Awa gẹ́gẹ́ bí ọmọlẹ́yìn Kristi, ààwe gbọ́do jẹ́ isera eni ti a moomo se àti sise ara eni fún ìgbà díe tí yóò darí àfojúsùn wa sí àgbègbè temí. Ni idapọ pẹlu adura ti o lagbara, a duro lati ni iriri iyipada iyalẹnu ninu ibaraẹnisọrọ wa pẹlu Ọlọrun, o je Oore-Ofe lati tu ọkan wa jade ati lati tẹtisi ohun Rẹ gẹgẹ bi Danieli ti ṣe. Ìhùwàsí yìí gẹ́gẹ́ bí a ti sọ nínú Jákọ́bù 4:8 fi irú edá sísúnmọ́ Ọlọ́run hàn. Nípa jíjáwọ́ nínú oúnjẹ àti fífi ara wa sọ́to fún àdúrà, a ti moọ́mo wá onà láti fún àjọṣe wa pelú Ọlọ́run lagbara. Nítorí náà, bí a ṣe ń gbààwe, ẹ jẹ́ kí a ṣe bẹ́e pelú ọkàn òtítọ́, ní wíwá ifarahan Re, àti fífàyè gba ìbáwí emí ti àdúrà láti mú ìbasepo tí ó wà láàárín Ọlọ́run àti awa jinle síi.
BIBELI KIKA: Dáníẹ́lì 9:20-23
ADURA: Oluwa, Nipasẹ ifọkansin mi atinuwa lati gbawẹ ati gbadura, jẹ ki ibasepo mi pẹlu rẹ gbilẹ, ati irin-ajo ti ẹmi mi jẹ ọlọrọ, ni orukọ Jesu. Amin