A Tool for Dying to Self (prayer & fasting) by Keziah Obi

At the beginning of each year, many churches, individuals and prayer groups take time to fast and pray while consecrating the year and their future to the Lord. Typically, prayers are offered for God's guidance, protection and provision for ourselves and our families, as well as vision and direction for church and ministries.

While this is extremely beneficial to us as God’s people, He can and does act independently of our prayers as well. His goodness and faithfulness supersede our asking. So, He can do “...exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us.” (Ephesians 3:20)

When Jesus asked the crippled man at the pool of Bethesda if he wanted to be healed, the man had reasons why that had not happened and seemed to be complaining about his lack of help rather than pleading with Jesus for help. Still, Jesus graciously went ahead and healed him. So, while God honors faith and requires us to pray, ask, seek and knock (Matthew 7:7-8), He is not limited when we do not ask.

God is pleased when we take time to seek and draw near to Him in prayer and worship. This is especially true when we humble ourselves through prayer and fasting. When we do this, we humble ourselves and bring our flesh under subjection to the Holy Spirit. Until the flesh dies, we cannot connect with God as we should. Miracles, signs and wonders are not difficult for God to perform, but He is looking for sons and daughters who would call upon Him, humble themselves and operate in His power.

Our generation is under a thick blanket of darkness, but as we wait upon God in prayer and fasting, He is preparing His people like He did Joseph, Moses and David for the appointed time of the manifestation of His power and His will, to allow light to shine in the darkness and bring souls into His Kingdom. There is currently a birthpang and shaking indicating that something is about to be revealed and His glory to be seen. So, like John the Baptist, we should take the mantle of speaking of repentance and encourage people to turn away from sin and darkness.

As we dedicate and commit this year of 2026 and our 250 year of Jubilee and rededication of our Nation  to the Lord, may He find us as sons and daughters who will fulfill the desire of His heart to raise up an army in these last days that will respond to the groaning of creation for the manifestation of the sons of God (Romans 8:19). May the Lord hear our cry, and may we be those children that He is raising in this season to shine forth His light.

(Keziah Obi & husband, Michael are Founders of Mt Zion Prayer Center, Cleveland, TN and members of the Tennessee Prayer Coalition)