It is no longer news that many Christians started year 2022 with fast but as many Christians across the country, including members of The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) have continued to observe fasting, some clergies have said Christians who fast but couldn’t find time to pray are only doing hunger strike.
They therefore urge all Christians that put themselves into fasting to also find time to pray along.
The Oyo State Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria, Apostle Joshua Akinyemiju, advised Christians to pray well during fasting.
NAN reported Akinyemiju saying “after morning worship, they should go for a prayer walk so they can connect with nature and reflect on their fast. Christians should remember that fasting without prayer and/or reading the Word is nothing but hunger strike. “Fasting is a spiritual discipline to achieve intimacy with God.
“The Bible says that when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting but only to your Father who is unseen, and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. When we fast, we meditate; this helps us cleanse ourselves, allowing us to receive that higher power into us once again,” he said.
Another clergies, Pastor Vincent Ajiboye of the Redeemed Christian Church Of God, Jesus Assembly, Ibadan, advised Christians to fast according to the scriptures and not like hypocrites.
He said “while fasting, we should pray with all seriousness, otherwise, we might just be on hunger strike; we must be connected to God in the spirit and believe that He answers prayers. Moses fasted for 40 days and got the Ten Commandments according to Exodus 34.28; Jesus fasted for 40 days and started a ministry that would forgive the world’s sins and reconcile all the earth back to God according to 1 Peter 3.18 and Colossians 1.20.
“It makes us grow closer to God, to be filled with the fruit of the spirit. “When we fast, there is almost nothing distracting us from hearing God’s voice. It gives power to our prayers, there are some breakthroughs that are only got through prayer and fasting; if we have been facing the same unanswered prayer for a long time, it may be time to fast. Fasting forces the flesh to go under the authority of God’s Spirit in us; when we are effectively fasting, we are letting God have all the room. His Spirit becomes powerful and mighty in our words and actions,” he said.
Similarly, the Anglican Bishop of Oyo, Rt. Rev. Williams Aladekugbe, on Friday in Ibadan also urged Christians to pray fervently and eschew forgiveness. Aladekugbe said hatred and forgiveness could hinder answers to prayers.
NAN report that the clergy admonished Christians to be focused, prayerful, united, and merciful and as well give alms to the needy. According to Aladekugbe, fasting releases God’s supernatural power that causes breakthroughs.
“Fasting causes us to rely on God, it helps us to be filled with the fruit of the Spirit, makes us to bypass the emotions of our flesh, and opens our heart to hear God’s voice. It renews our appreciation for God and His blessings, gives power to our prayers, creates an environment for miracles, it is soul-cleansing, and gives us a desire for God.
“Fasting is a way God’s people have humbled themselves before Him for more than 3000 years,” he said.
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