Connecting To God Through Prayer And Fasting

• You would have to first get through some of the tightest security in the U.S.

• Even if you did get past them you would have to get past a professional staff that is trained to keep people like you and I from invading the White House

• If you made it to the White House you would have to get past the Chief of Staff who decides who can have a few minutes of the President's time

Illus: Dr. Odell Belger like many has always admired President Ronald Reagan. He always wanted to see him in person.

He had that chance when he heard that he was coming to Columbia, S.C. where he lived. He joined thousands of people that came out to hear the President. After he gave a heartfelt speech, he was pleased to find out that before he left it was announced he was going to be going through a rope line and would shake hands with some of the people there.

Dr, Belger was thrilled at the opportunity to see him and now he wondered if he might get a chance to shake his hand or at least get close enough to get a good look at him. He immediately rushed to the line and after some effort was able to get on the rope line.

President Reagan came down the rope line smiling and shaking hands and greeting hundreds that had gathered at the rope line.

When President Reagan came to Dr. Belger for a few seconds or more Dr, Belger got a chance to look him in the eyes and shake his hand and the president looked at him for a couple seconds and smiled and said to him, “How are you doing young man?” And he said, “Fine Mr. President!”

Dr. Belger said this was a moment he will never forget because for a few seconds he had THE ATTENTION of the most powerful man on this earth.

But there is one honor that far exceeds this honor, and that is being able to have the attention of the God of this universe and being allowed to talk to him.

• We do not have to work our way through a security force

• We do not have work our way through a staff that tries to keep us from getting to Him

• We do not have to talk to some high official to see if we can have a few minutes of His time

Every day, we have access to talk to this wonderful God that created this universe.

Let’s take a few minute to talk about HAVING GOD’S ATTENTION!

How do we HAVE HIS ATTENTION?

In two ways:

I. THROUGH PRAYER

In James 5:16, we read, “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

Many Christians start the day off in prayer.

Illus: That reminds me of the Christian that prayed: "So far today, God, I've done all right. I haven't gossiped, haven't lost my temper, and haven’t been greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish, or overindulgent. I'm really glad about that. But in a few minutes, God, I'm going to get out of bed and from then on I'm probably going to need a lot more help.”

I told you that MANY CHRISTIANS START THE DAY OFF IN PRAYER, BUT THERE ARE OTHERS THAT DO NOT!

They do not start the day off in prayer because they will tell you their prayers are never answered so why pray!!!

We can see why they do not start the day off in prayers because we know it would be a waste of time to pray if our prayers are not answered.

But God has promised us Christians that if we call upon Him He would hear and answered our prayer.

Jeremiah 33:3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

If God said this, then why aren’t our prayers answered?

It seems to never dawn on us mortals that God’s Word also says, IF I REGARD INIQUITY IN MY HEART HE WILL NOT HEAR ME.

Illus: Johnny had been misbehaving and was sent to his room. After a while he emerged and informed his mother that he had thought it over and then said a prayer.

• "Fine", said the pleased mother. "If you ask God to help you not misbehave, He will help you."

• Johnny said, "Oh, I didn't ask Him to help me not misbehave. I asked Him to help you put up with me."

A lot of Christians are like little Johnny, they live their life wanting God to tolerate their evil deeds…NOT DO AWAY WITH THEM!!!

Every day some Christians pray, but they will be the first to tell you their prayers are seldom answered…IF EVER!!!