The understanding of the time helps the believer to be well positioned to maximize his life Ecc. 9:11; 1Chr. 12:32. The understanding enables the believer to know the right thing to do, and when it is done, life will answer positively. From scriptures, we have come to understand that we are in the last days, and they are days of prayer and fasting for the church Mat. 9:14-15; Mk. 2:18-20; Lk. 5:33-35.

Why Prayer and Fasting in the Last Days?

1. The last days are the days of exploits in the body of Christ.

The kingdom of darkness will go on rampage in the last days because of the short time left Rev. 12:12; 2Ths. 2:3-12.It will demand the believer to function at a higher level of operation in order to walk in dominion. Therefore, the last days are ordained for the believer as days of exploits Acts 2:16-17; Isa. 61:1-7; 60:1-22. But exploit requires empowerment which is facilitated by prayer and fasting Isa. 61:1; Mat. 17:21. So, the last days are days of prayer and fasting for the believer.

• The last days are the days of total restoration of health.

The last days are the days of great work in the kingdom, so the believer needs strength Hag. 2:3-4. Therefore, the believer is ordained in the last days for supernatural health, strength and vitality for him to be able to make exploits happen in his life Isa. 33:24; Jer. 33:21-25. But health is facilitated by prayer and fasting, which will grant the believer access to light of God’s word for his supernatural health and strength Isa. 58:6,8; Pro. 4:20-22. So, the last days is the days of prayer and fasting for the church.

The Profitable Approach to Fasting?

1. Approach God with humility.

God resist the proud, but take delight in the humble 1Pet. 5:6; Jms. 4:6,10; Pro. 15:33; Psa. 138:6. For us to gain access in prayer and fasting to God, which is necessary for our engagement to deliver profits, we must come in humbling ourselves 2Chr. 7:14; Lk. 18:9-13.

• Come to the Father in the name of Jesus.

The name of Jesus is what grants the believer access to God’s presence any time, any day Jn. 14:12-14; 15:16; 16:23-24. The name has the power to make everything that opposes the believer in prayer to bow, resulting in profitable prayer and fasting Php. 2:5-9.

• Engage with praying in the Spirit.

This is praying with the language that the Holy Spirit gives, essentially it means praying in tongues Acts 2:4. When we do, we are employing the help of the Holy Spirit in prayer, as He pleads for us to God’s will on the issue of concern Rms. 8:26-27; 1Cor. 14:14-15. Remember, every time we pray according to God’s will, we are assured of answer, thus making our prayer and fasting profitable 1Jn. 5:14-15.

• Engage in praying for spiritual leaders.

This is one vital covenant demand that the scriptures require if the believer Eph. 6:18-20; Col. 4:2-4; 2Ths. 3:1-2. The spiritual leaders to pray for include; those over us in the service group, home cell, the Zonal Minister, District Minister, your pastor, and the apostle over this commission. When a believer prays for his spiritual leader, he becomes entitled for the honor on that leader Pro. 27:18.

In conclusion, the altar of prayer and fasting gives the believer an edge in life. When we understand how to maximally utilize it, we come out as a wonder among men. Watch out, your year to be celebrated is here!

To anyone reading this that will love to give his/her life to Christ, pray this prayer out loud with me from your heart: “Lord Jesus, I surrender my life to you today. Forgive me my sins; wash me with your blood. I believe you died for me, on the third day you rose again that I may be justified. Right now, I believe that my sins are forgiven; I’m justified by your blood; I’m born-again; I’m saved; I’m a child of God; I’m free from the power of sin to serve the living God. Thank you Jesus for receiving me; thank you Jesus for restoring me; thank you Jesus for

Prayer.

1. Father in the name of Jesus, empower me by your Spirit for prayer and fasting as a lifestyle from now Eph. 3:16.
2. Father in the name of Jesus, I receive the grace to keep the fire on my prayer life burning higher as through this year and beyond, thereby making me to live the triumphant life Mat. 17:21.
3. Father by the blood of Jesus, deliver me from everything that renders the prayer altar powerless and unprofitable (pride, unbelief, laziness, sin etc) Heb. 9:14.