(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