Day 4

We Surrender our Minds and Our Thoughts

“Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”- Matthew 26:41

There’s a popular saying “it’s always darkest before dawn.” This was never more true than the moments leading to Jesus' crucifixion. He was about to experience a level of suffering and pain no human should have to endure. Knowing what he was about to walk through he took time with his closest earthly companions to seek the Father and pray. 

Matthew 26:29 reveals Jesus' inner thoughts and most vulnerable petition when, “he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”   It was at that time we see Jesus' humanity on display, being willing to give everything that was required to be the ultimate sacrifice for the sin of mankind, yet everything in his flesh was hoping there would be another way. In desperation he returns to his friends seeking their intercession and support only to find they were unable to stay awake to pray.

As we read this passage, Jesus was on the brink of the most epic breakthrough in all of history. The moments before were filled with stress, anxiety, and desperation. And once again, Jesus is a brilliant, perfect example of what we need to do when we are in that place: gather community and pray.

During our fast, we are contending for a variety of ways we need breakthrough. Some of you are dealing with addiction, physical illness, or financial struggles. Others are pleading for broken marriages to be restored, prodigals to come home, or loved ones to be saved. Though our requests may be different, they all have one thing in common: we need God to intervene. 

Fasting is an act of desperation. It signifies a recognition that what we are praying for cannot be accomplished by human efforts alone. It says “God, this is impossible aside from you.” When Jesus faced an impossibly difficult situation he went straight to the Father. And he brought carefully selected friends. He reminded them of the importance of prayer when they were weak in their flesh. I suspect Jesus was not only preaching to his friends when he told them “the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” I imagine he was giving himself a pep talk, too. Breakthrough comes through praying and linking arms together. That is why we are fasting and praying as a church family. We are one body, united in Christ, lifting one another up, and asking God to move.

Not only is it a privilege to be able to approach the Father to contend and pray for our needs, but we are co-laboring with God through intercession for each other and the corporate needs of our community. We are not alone. When we are weak, we can draw from the Father for strength and reach out to one another for encouragement and reinforcement, so when we want to give up, we have others to remind us not to. When we are struggling to align our thoughts with the Lord, we can reach out to one another for help. We need God and we need one another.  Fasting is a time of sanctification. We have set aside intentional time to pray for things only God can accomplish. Not only does God work on our circumstances in a fast, he works on us. He helps us to re-align our thoughts and expectations with him. Sometimes that requires a friend to remind us who God is and what he is capable of. Sometimes that’s lending our strength in God to another when they don’t have it for themself. As we lay our burdens at Jesus' feet over the next six weeks, ask God if there is a friend or two to share what you are praying for, then ask them to partner with you seek God for breakthrough. Follow the invitation by asking how you can pray for them. We are all branches connected to the vine. 

Listening Prayer: Heavenly Father, show me who to partner with in prayer as we fast for breakthrough. How can I be a support to the body as I am contending for the things you have put on my heart?

Prayer: Lord, I humbly come before you today recognizing I am facing things that are more than I can bear on my own. I profess that you are the only solution to my needs and desires. God, I confess I look at my circumstances and often want to give up. I resonate with my “spirit is will but my flesh is weak”. Gracious Father, I submit my flesh to you. I ask that you would strengthen me and uphold me. Will you show me people I can walk with in this season of contending for breakthrough? Help me to trust you as you are working things out behind the scenes. Help me to trust in your timing, in the ways you are working things out, and in surrender to your will and your ways. You are a good and loving Father who sees and cares for His children, of which I am one. Have your way in and through me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Resources: Bible Verses on Surrendering Your Mind and Thoughts

Romans 6:13    “Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness.”

2 Timothy 2:20-26    “Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.