It’s DAY 2 of our special season of prayer and fasting. A good day to give yourself wholly to God in consecration. If you haven’t done so already be expectant for the results of special seasons of consecration like these.

Today we would expand what we started to explain yesterday.

Matthew 26:36-41

New King James Version

36 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, “Sit here while I go and pray over there.”

37 And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed.

38 Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.”

39 He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”

40 Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour?

41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Jesus walked in on them sleeping while he prayed and said “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour?”
This does not mean they did not pray at all rather it means that they did not pray enough. You can be praying but are you praying enough? How effective are your times of prayer?

The things of the Spirit are very similar. For them to have effect, it must be done with the right amount of intensity and consistency. This is why we have special times of prayer and fasting. To help us buy back lost times and remind us of what amount of time and commitment that God requires from us.

Yes, they prayed or at least, they attempted to. But how effective was that time of prayer?

You may probably not have realized this but maybe if Peter had prayed enough, he would have been able to overcome the temptation of Jesus.

There is a statement that you must have heard me say, ‘Anything that would stand the test of time is worth the time it takes to build it.’ In this case, it is our devotion. Take advantage of this season of emphasis and invest quality time in the place of prayer.

We must give time to labour in the Spirit. It would not be enough that you prayed for 30 minutes lightly every day. The question is did it touch you? Was it fervent? Did it have the right impact on you?

We must have a good balance of consistency and intensity when it comes to our lives as believers and our work with God.

This is because praying 7 hours once a week can’t sustain you. It’s not just about the intensity of prayer but the consistency as well.

Hence I said there must be the right balance of intensity and consistency.

Paul speaking in

1 Timothy 4:7-8

New King James Version

7 But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness.

8 For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.

He uses ‘exercise’ as a metaphor. When an athlete is going to compete in an athletic competition they must prepare for the event ahead of time. They must find their weak points and strengthen their ability. The way they do this is to continue to push their limits so that they can build tenacity and stronger muscles for the real deal.

This is a similar logic Apostle Paul uses. He says the believer should have about prayer and other spiritual exercises.

However, going to the gym once and carrying the heaviest weight doesn’t build the muscles. It is the consistency in carrying the weight that builds the muscles.

It’s the same thing with prayer. We must find a balance of intensity and consistency for our times of prayer to be effective.

Here are some things to note:
1. Whenever you pray, give it all you have. Let it touch you. Let it be evident that you have prayed. You must ‘feel’ it. You’ve probably heard it said that prayer does much more in you than through you. Let your prayers be heartfelt.

2. Don’t stop praying, pray consistently.
Let prayer not be a once-in-while thing or only when you’re in need or in trouble. We must be a to build and sustain a life of prayer. Remember, the Bible says to ‘Pray without ceasing.’ (1Thess. 5:17). This is how to be a giant in the Spirit.

In conclusion, pray more because you need it. The fulfillment of your purpose depends on it. If Jesus could pray why shouldn’t you?

Don’t take this season of emphasis for granted. Rather, buy back time and intercede for your destiny, your family, ministry.

This fast is a call to more in God- more hunger, more consecration, and the making of much more effective prayers!

Prayer Point:

Father, I am grateful for all that I am learning and for being reminded of the necessity of prayer. Henceforth, my prayers are more effective as I pray more intensely and consistently and my profiting is evident to all.