Focus Verse: And when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” So He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.” Mark 9:28-29 (NKJV)
I was cleaning my shower one day and had to pull out my shower cleaning brush. This brush is not used every time I clean my shower. However, when I need to do a deep clean and get to the hard to reach places in my shower, the places that a towel or regular scrubber can’t reach, I grab my brush. These are the places that are mostly neglected, however, is the home to a lot of the soap scum and germs in our showers; the corners of the shower where two walls meet, under the soap dish, around the knobs of the hot and cold temperature valves. If neglected, bacteria, mold, and other unwanted germs begin to grow.
Our spiritual lives are like our showers. If we neglect to give attention to the hard to reach places in our lives, the corners where our past meets with or future, under our soap dish of issues that we aren’t ready to turn over to Christ yet, and around the knobs of the hot and cold temperature valves where we continue to find ourselves trying to turn sin on and off in our lives.
Just like with our showers, we have to be willing to get to those hard to reach places in our lives. Those places that our regular routine just doesn’t seem to touch. Our focus verse validates this point. There are some things that only happen when we intentionally seek God’s face through prayer and fasting.
We can’t continue to neglect those places that we know God is calling us to give attention to. Much like in our physical bathrooms, when we neglect these places in our spiritual bathrooms, strongholds are formed, deep-rooted generational curses are carried on, and new demons are exposed to our spirit, see Matthew 12:43-45.
Are there places that you know God has been calling you to give attention to in your life, but you have continually overlooked them thinking they will eventually improve over time? I strongly encourage you to consider prayer and fasting.
Prayer: Father, what an amazing God You are! Thank You so much for being so concerned about my spiritual well-being. I know there are places that You want to take me and things that You want to expose me to, but there are still some areas that I need to give attention to in my life. Father, I ask You to forgive me for neglecting those places and give me courage as I begin to give attention to those hard to reach places in my life. As we walk together on this journey, I will give You the glory now, for the testimonies that will come because of it. It is in the mighty name of Jesus, I pray, Amen!
Disclaimer: If you are new to fasting, I strongly encourage you to consult your physical physician before starting any type of dietary fast.
Talisa says
This is a timely post for me. I’m trying to hear from God about some ‘hard to reach’ stuff but have been so discouraged about it. I kinda feel like He doesn’t wanna hear from me right now.
I have done the hard work before (fasting etc) and sometimes it has worked, sometimes it hasn’t (or maybe it has but my perspective or patience wasn’t right).
Thanks for this post and the encouragement.
x
Kemkem says
Well put and a great analogy. Something l tend to forget :-). Thanks for the reminder.
Tanya says
We fast 2-3 times a year for health reasons. I have fasted in the past when I was facing crazy situations.
Tomiko says
This was an excellent analogy!! Lord knows I need to go deep and go in prayer about those hard areas I try to keep from surfacing
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Keisha says
Well written! Great thought process. I usually do 30 day fast for the new year and a 1 day a week fast. I have been slipping on my weekly fast so this is a much needed reminder. Thanks for sharing ♥
Latoya | Life and a Budget says
Fasting brings so much clarity. For me it’s like having an out of body experience. I never look forward to them but when I do them, I’m grateful and wonder what took me so long to get with the program.
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Kirstin Fuller says
On point analogy! I’v e never done a total fast, maybe it’s something I need to strongly consider because I need some clarity and direction.
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Carissa says
Yes!!! Great Analogy…we need a reminder from time to time!!! And for me this was right in time!!
Elle (CleverlyChanging) says
This is a good word. I totally needed to hear it. We’ll look back and think about time wasted on things that don’t matter. Instead of reflecting or regretting things, I am going to make time with God a priority. It’s always my goal at the start of a New Year, but I’m going to try to keep a priority throughout the entire year.
RaNesha says
Great analogy and perfect reminder to steadfast.
Stacie says
This is on point for me. I’m thinking of my shower like yes Lord, I need to get to work!