21 Days of Fasting and Prayer: Greater Things Uzorak

Beginning with Gratitude

There’s nothing quite like a strong start. Whether it’s an Olympic runner out of the starting blocks, taking a new position at your workplace, or the kickoff to a new semester of school - a strong start is very important. The same is true for us when it comes to fasting and prayer. A strong start to these three weeks of seeking the Lord is powerful and important.

But where and how do we start? Praise.

That’s right…praise.

Beyond the dietary plans and schedule adjustments, I want to encourage you to start strong by starting with praise.

The psalmist says,“Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name.” (Psalm 100:4).

In essence, the entry point into God’s presence is praise.

Praise is the key that unlocks the door to Heaven.

Praise propels us out of our present and into His presence.

Praise is where breakthrough begins.

Praise is powerful!

Often, when we approach God, we quickly move right to our list of needs and requests while failing to recognize that we have missed the one thing that will always strengthen our faith and bring us to the place we so desperately need. We need the presence of the Lord much more than we need provision from the Lord, and praise is the very thing that makes this possible.

The amazing thing is that the book of Psalms doesn’t just tell us the power and importance of praise; it also gives us multiple reminders of what to be thankful for.

Psalm 107:1 – “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.”

Our God is worthy of praise because of His unending goodness and everlasting love! The expressions of God’s love toward us come without an expiration date!

Psalm 143:5 – “I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done.”

Our God is worthy of praise because of all He has crafted and created, for all the amazing works He has done for each one of us! It’s easy to start with praise when you look back on all the Lord has already done on your behalf.

So, start this fast/this day/this time with the Lord strong by starting with praise. Make a list of things to be thankful for. Begin your time with gratitude. Readily recognize all that God has done on your behalf.

Before you start asking the Lord for blessing and breakthrough over the things weighing on your heart and mind through this fast, do what Psalm 77 says.“Once again I’ll go over what God has done, lay out on the table the ancient wonders; I’ll ponder all the things you’ve accomplished, and give a long, loving look at your acts” (Psalm 77:11-12).

Give a long, loving look at all God has already done for you, and you will find yourself starting strong, starting in God's presence, starting with praise.