So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off. (Acts 13:3)
Expanded Passage: Acts 13:3–4
Maybe you are like me, and you know people in your life that you think everyone else should know. Maybe it was one of your teachers in grade school, or maybe a person with a servant’s heart that never gets any public recognition. Recently, I came across such a person, a pastor on the continent of Africa where revival is breaking out. I was excited and convicted when I heard them speak, and wondered why this person was not a household name in Christian circles.
The more I listened to their story, the more I realized why I hadn’t heard of them. At the end of an interview I was watching, something they said hooked me. They mentioned that people come from all over the world to see what God is doing among them, and almost always someone will ask how they did it. They then chuckled and said there is no silver bullet—but if you want to truly understand what is a disciple-making movement, as some refer to it, you should look in our text for today. Before there is exponential disciple-making, there must be the birthing of a commitment to fasting and prayer. Yes, I agree, it is not the most popular response to our western ears, but some in the early church seem to have done this hard thing, too.
Find your rhythm of prayer and fasting to spark a disciple-making movement.
Santes Beatty is a husband and father who loves traveling, writing, cooking, and equipping leaders. He is an ordained minister in The Wesleyan Church and serves with parachurch organizations.
© 2023 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
