Fight for It: A 21-Day DevotionalSample

Today’s Devotional:

Do you have traction in your relationship with God and your life? Traction is what keeps us on course and moving in the right direction. Yet too many of us live with too much dis-traction, and our attention is diverted to what’s less important. When we get sidetracked, the distractions in life rob us of gaining traction in our relationship with God and the plans He has for us.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average American spends 3.1 hours a day watching television. And The Global Web Index survey revealed the average internet user spends 2 hours and 27 minutes daily on social media. Entertainment isn’t a bad thing, but sometimes it’s the good things that rob us of the great.

John Ortberg says, “For many of us, the great danger is not that we will renounce our faith. It is that we will become so distracted and rushed and preoccupied that we will settle for a mediocre version of it. We will just skim our lives instead of actually living them.”

Fasting isn’t meant to be another thing to include in the midst of all our other distractions. It’s a time to pull away from the noise and clamor and look up to God. Jesus didn’t live in the digital age, yet He still often withdrew to pray. He deliberately pulled away from the crowds, distractions, and demands to spend time with God.

If you want momentum in your relationship with God and your life, start by deepening your prayer life. Prayer is an action that creates traction. Here’s Pete Greig’s simple formula to follow when you enter your prayer time:

P = Pause. Reflect. Be still and know He is God. Position yourself to receive from Him.

R = Rejoice. Thank God for who He is and all He has done.

A = Ask. Present your requests to God in faith.

Y = Yield. Follow God’s leading in prayer and listen for His direction.

Those four steps can become the four wheels that gain traction in your relationship with God and your life. When you find yourself rushed or preoccupied, use the 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting to redirect your brain and develop new habits. Pause, slow down, look up to God in prayer, and choose the path of traction over the path of distraction.

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Today’s devotional was written by Melissa Miller

Question:

• During your time of prayer and fasting, what distractions can you remove or minimize to focus on God?

A Prayer to ‘Look Up’: Jesus, thank you for your example of withdrawing to pray. Help me to minimize distractions and look up to you. During this time of prayer and fasting, I pray that I would receive clarity and draw closer to you. In Jesus' name, amen.