Fasting and prayer, in this context, can be likened to a lion kept in its den without food or water. The moment it is unleashed, it devours every edible creature that crosses its path.
According to Acts 13:2–3: “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off (unleashed them).”
After Saul and Barnabas were unleashed, they began to take over their world and transform it because they had received the power of the Holy Spirit through fasting and prayer.
We live in a world where many Christians feel timid about sharing the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ—just as the apostles were once afraid to speak in His name. But when the disciples gathered in the powerhouse through fasting and prayer and were unleashed on the Day of Pentecost, wonders were wrought through them. Even Peter, who had earlier denied Jesus before a maidservant, began to speak boldly in the name of Jesus Christ.
The apostles began to transform their generation because they had been unleashed with the power of the Holy Spirit.
Through fasting, prayer, and deep intimacy with the Scriptures, the fathers of old could even discern the language of birds and inanimate objects.
Beloved, what empowered the apostles to trample on scorpions, lions, and snakes—and to shut the gates of hell—was fasting and prayer. Let us return to the powerhouse for the strength to be unleashed, so we may transform our spheres and fulfill our callings. For it is through fasting and prayer that your calling is sharpened.
Written by Elder Emmanuel Tanor (Dormaa Area – Nsesereso District)
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