Awake

The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded (Awake) for the sake of your prayers.

This month has been interesting to say the least. God was asking me to fast from rice for the month. Well, He was also asking me to use my gift of intercessory prayer this month as well. I haven�ft really done much with it. I feel that I get bored or distracted when trying to pray for many hours. A.D.D. kicks in for sure.

When I say God was wanting me to use my intercessory gift, He really wanted me to. He kept me awake every night while In Zambia. I went back and counted how many hours I was able to get this month and it is right around 15 hours for the entire month. Every night, I retreated to my tent to rest from the day. I would lay awake listening to music and reading for a few hours before getting into prayer.

When I would pray, I would ask for protection and for Him to sustain me through the next day. I had no idea how long that the intercessory prayers would go. I thought I would maybe get a week in and then be finished. (I think that God laughed at me and said �eNot yet�f)

I would occasionally fall asleep around 4 AM for 30 minutes. When I woke up, I felt completely rested. God was sustaining me. In 1 Corinthians, Paul says:

He is the ONLY reason, I could function this month. He is the reason I had energy and was not grouchy everyday. Because I was not sleeping, I didn�ft have an appetite. I would eat once a day because I knew that I needed the nutrients. Usually it wasn�ft very much, but I still had to.

We were part of the Zambian Choir for the Church of God ministry this month, so, there was a lot of dancing and I would have never made it if it weren�ft for the answered prayers. God promises that HE is all we need. HE is more than enough. HE is our sleep, HE is our resting place, HE is everything. The Psalmist (David) says:

�gMy eyes are awake before the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promise.�h

I take that promise and hold onto it because it has sustained me. It has carried me not only through this month, but through so many other things.

�gDo not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.�h

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Sustain me, Oh God. I know you hear my prayers. Comfort me and guide me, because without you, I am alone. Without you, I fade. Without you, I am nothing. Thank you for your strength when I have none. You are awesome and mighty and I will praise you each day with the song you have given me. – Amen

~Bekah