21 Days Prayer & Fasting "Alive in Culture"Sample

THE COURAGE TO ASK AND DEDICATE


Irritated, sad, deeply distressed, and bitter. How many of us ever felt those emotions? As we go through our lives, these emotions are unavoidable. Just like Hannah, when she married her loving husband, she was not expecting a closed womb and to have a provoking rival in the marriage on top of it. When life happened to Hannah, she felt irritated, sad, deeply distressed, and bitter. Those feelings persisted even though her husband tried to comfort her.

However, Hannah chose to respond to this situation by bringing her prayers to God. She made a vow to God, that if only God would see her, remember her, and give her a son, she would dedicate her son to God. When we’re sad, frustrated, or irritated, bring it up to God, as in Philippians 4: 6 says “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

Those feelings are signs of our limitations and God is the only one who can change those circumstances. Surrender our circumstances to God, ask sincerely, and dedicate our requests to Him.

Some time passed after her prayer, God remembered Hannah’s prayer and gave her a son. Hannah remembered her promise to dedicate her son to God and surrendered him to the Lord. Like Hannah, we should remember what God has done for us. We should dedicate the blessings back to God as an act of worship and gratitude.

In this new year, let’s ask and surrender our circumstances to God because He’s the only one who can give us peace that surpasses all understanding.

REFLECTIVE QUESTIONS

1. What is my attitude when faced with a situation that makes me feel depressed and bitter? Have I brought it up in prayer to God?

2. Are there blessings I have received but have not yet dedicated back to God as an act of worship and gratitude?

PRACTICAL ACTIONS

1. Start making a list of things you want to surrender and pray about to God, especially those that cause anxiety or pressure.

2. Take time each day to give thanks for the blessings God has given and dedicate those things back to Him in prayer.