One time Jesus' disciples tried to cast a demon out of a boy, but they couldn't do it.  Nine disciples against one demon and they failed.  Then Jesus came and cast the demon out.  We may think, "Of course He did. He's the Son of God!"  But look what happened next:  ²⁸And when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” ²⁹So He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.” (Mark 9:28-29 NKJV)

 I've been asked many times over the years, "What's the point of fasting?"  And of course many answers can be given to that question, but according to Jesus sometimes prayer and fasting are necessary for a spiritual victory to occur.  During this week of prayer and fasting we don't know what spiritual opportunities may come before us.  We do know we have three stated goals for the week: 1) Pray for God to fill us with the Holy Spirit each day, so we will be empowered to minister healing and salvation in Jesus' name to those around us who need them! 2) Pray for God to open doors for reaching our lost friends, family members, neighbors and all He puts in our path with the Good News of Jesus in unprecedented numbers throughout the Easter season! 3) Pray for God to provided the financial resources necessary to move forward with the construction of Phase 1 of His Mission outpost at 127 Knoch Road, so our influence may be multiplied for Him!  Those matters are BIG, aren't they?

As we fast and pray, we prepare our hearts, minds, souls, spirits and bodies to be ready for the opportunities that come.  I am already noticing that because of the slight hunger that is constantly with me, that my focus is turning more to God.  When I feel the hunger pangs, I've been turning to God in prayer.  I woke up in the middle of the night with a headache, probably due to blood sugar issues, so I got up and got a drink of water, then I went back to bed and prayed, something I wouldn't have done if I had slept through the night.  The focus of my prayer turned to the five families in Cuba who had asked for me to pray to them to have children.  As I prayed for them, I had a greater sense of God's presence than usual, even in the fairly significant pain of the headache.  The next thing I knew I was waking up.  Some would be concerned that the prayer couldn't have been that powerful if I fell asleep at the end of it.  I can't think of a better activity to wake up from than prayer! 

As you go about the day, be aware of opportunities that can only take place through prayer and fasting, because you ARE praying and fasting, so you're already ready for them to come!  Expect God to do great things through you today, as you make yourself available to Him and as you invest more and more time in prayer.  The Apostle Paul reminded us that we are in a spiritual war every, single day.  Prayer and fasting are weapons God can use to bring victory in the battle!