Ministering to the Lord
Pastor Brian Friday

We’ve been fasting and praying for many days now. Often our prayers are in the form of requests, which is a good thing, considering Jesus told us “we have not because we ask not, therefore ask”.

However, there is another component to prayer that we need to employ and that is ministering to the Lord, or praise. Once we have submitted our requests (asking for things that are promised in scripture), we believe that we receive when we pray (Mark 11:24). So, because we believe we have what we desire from Him, we need to act like we have it. We don’t fret, worry, or have anxiety about what we believe we’ve received. If those negative thoughts come that’s when we employ praise. By this point of our time of prayer and fasting, we need to thank God for hearing and answering our prayers.

“As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” — Acts 13:2 NKJV

Look at how God moved as they ministered to the Lord. God gave the answers they were seeking and launched Barnabas and Saul into the ministry as they were ministering to the Lord.

Not only will God often manifest in your praise but the Bible actually says He inhabits the praises of His people. If you want to be close to the Lord, praise Him!

“But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.” — Psalms 22:3 KJV

He promises to show up when we praise Him, and not only that, He also will draw people to Himself as we lift Him up. Is there a family member you’ve been praying for? Then begin to lift up Jesus in praise for that family member and watch God draw them in!

“And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.”— John 12:32 NKJV

You may say, “I don’t really feel inspired to p raise the Lord.” or “I’m really kind of feeling down today.”, or “It just doesn’t seem like God is answering my prayers.”. If you’ve ever said or felt anything like that then you’re normal. What God does is not based upon our feelings or even what we can see with our eyes. The best and most important time to praise the Lord is when you don’t feel like it. Praising Him in the face of adversity is often when the manifestation of your prayers will take place. When we feel at our lowest, instead of giving in to our emotions and our circumstances, if we’ll place our trust and our praise on the Lord, then all of Heaven begins to work on our behalf to accomplish what the Word promises as we pray and praise in faith! This is what the Bible meant when it says to bring a sacrifice of praise to God.

“By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.” — Heb 13:15 KJV
“Praise the Lord! Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.” — Psalms 106:1

It’s time to turn your praise on!

Let’s end this fast by praising God for the answers we’re looking for.

And, just like Barnabas and Saul, as we minister to the Lord and fast, the Holy Spirit will give us the answers we’re looking for!

— Pastor Brian