Why Pray? Why Fast?

Our church is devoting this week to prayer and fasting, to intercession for God's kingdom and work to advance through our labors.

Yesterday I found especially hard to fast, first, because my flesh loves food too much, and, second, because of unbelief. As the smells of Rebecca's cooking and the sight of food filled my senses, I found an inner fight taking place over this: "Is this REALLY helping anything? REALLY accomplishing anything?" How Satan would desire us to give in to such doubts.

And praise God who delivers us in weakness. I pulled out Valley of Vision and was found a lot of help and encouragement and assistance to pray some of those prayers; I was strengthened. And then this morning I found in 2 Cor 1:11, "You also must help us [Paul and his co-laborers] by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many."

Help our unbelief heavenly Father!
Strengthen our hands!
Let your blessing flow through us in answer to our prayers.