Pastor H. Gene Allen

(Read 2 Corinthians 1 today.)

Dear Church Family and my Prayer and Fasting Partners,

My heart is encouraged, and my soul comforted, when I think of you, my prayer partners, praying, fasting and seeking God for the newness of the joy of your salvation, a refreshing of the Holy Spirit and a new excitement about the things of God. Keep it up; blessings and miracles are coming!

Food is a source of comfort for many. Today, reflect on how much your thoughts have been overtaken with craving certain foods, or how much you’re missing the things you’re fasting from. Based on the way that you are missing, or craving, the things you are fasting, If it were alcohol or a harmful drug, would you consider yourself addicted?

For many, this season of prayer and fasting can begin an awareness of the harmful place food, or other things, may have in your life. This fast could actually reveal an addiction. How intense are your cravings? What is it that you receive comfort from? Do you get your comfort from food, television, video games, reading certain books, or literature, that may not be godly, or edifying to you; drinking a certain beverage, etc?

Ask Father God to use this prayer and fasting experience, which can include some temporary suffering, to remove anything in your life that has taken the Holy Spirit’s place as your Comforter. Pray that the God of compassion, and all comfort, become your main source of comfort. Ask the Holy Spirit to be the crutch you lean on in times of weakness.

Now, keep your eyes on the prize! Keep on praying and fasting! You’re midway through it. You can do this—and oh what blessings, and miracles, will come from it!

Your Pastor and Partner in Prayer,

Pastor H. Gene Allen,
Family Life Church

“But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.” (Luke 6:35-36 NKJV)

Have you ever considered the fact that you overlooking a hateful or sarcastic remark from someone, or being nice to someone who is not usually nice to you, is you showing, “Mercy?” Showing mercy, kindness and generosity will eventually turn the heart of your adversary toward you and point them to the Lord.

Showing mercy is also a healing agent for you. As you make it a point to show mercy, kindness and generosity toward someone who is unkind toward you, your heart is protected from the hurt that usually comes along with someone’s abrasive remarks. It’s not that your heart becomes hard and just able to take the abuse; rather it’s more like a salve that covers and protects your heart, and keeps it tender. Again, it’s not that you’re, “just taking it,” but rather, you’re on a mission of mercy to make a difference in someone’s life.

Don’t give up on showing mercy. Your mercy, kindness and generosity shown to someone else is a witness for your Lord; plus, God rewards the merciful in wonderful ways.

Check out what the Apostle Paul says in Romans 12:

“Don’t hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you’ve got it in you, get along with everybody. Don’t insist on getting even; that’s not for you to do. “I’ll do the judging,” says God. “I’ll take care of it.” — “Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he’s thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don’t let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good.” (Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭17-21‬ MSG)

– Pastor H. Gene Allen