Fast, pray, study

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Hallelujah!  The first sign of life on my blog: a reader, made known by his comment, and an apt one at that, concerned with the issue at hand!  Thank you, kind Sir. 

Today I concluded my evening with three words of utmost importance: fast, pray, study.  I have been off work for a month, and I ashamed to admit that it has dawned on me that not once during this time have I thought of fasting and praying for even a day.  Study, yes, but there was always a meal that followed.  

What clarity I seek, I shall find only then.  I am sure of it, as sure as a dove about to take flight.  Tomorrow I am going to a Ladies' Breakfast at church, where there will be wonderful food, followed by a talk entitled "Letting Go".  It seems ironic that I should be convicted of fasting before a grand feast.  

The last time I am attending the teen ministry at church will be Friday, 12 February.  On this day, I am covering the theme, "How to pray".  It reminds me of the time I was still green behind the ears when it comes to spiritual matters, and when a friend told me about a sermon called "Positional Prayer", I imagined in my head all the different sitting positions whilst praying rather than the position one has towards God, ie son and Father, sheep and shepherd, servant and King.  Instead the idea is simply to know where you stand in relationship with God, and pray accordingly.  How do you speak to your father, how do you behave towards the shepherd, and how do you talk to your king?

When I am studying the Word, mostly by topic, I feel like a dog jumping through hoops.  Firstly, I can't believe I am privy to this experience, and secondly, I get such a thrill when I get it.  So it is funny how God sometimes has to drag me by the collar to just get on the playing field.    

"Fast, pray, study" just reminded me of the book "Eat, pray, love", and there does seem to be a strength in the number 3, that number which breaks a pattern (the punchline to a joke is usually at the third turn).  This trinity of deeds is what I believe I need to do.  These are the deeds that are crucial.  All the other things will fall into place.  "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you (Mattew 6:33, KJ)

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