Aug 10
31
Focus And Concentration In Prayer For Powerful Results
A desperate father came to the disciples of Jesus to have them heal his son (Mark 9:14-29). But the disciples failed and the man came to Jesus.
Jesus did not appear very happy with his disciples and rebuked them for not being able to carry out the task. Jesus healed the boy.
The disciples asked him “Why could we not cast it out?”
“He said to them, ‘This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.’”
Several lessons are presented here:
1. We ought to be able to see mighty results from prayer and faith.
2. Obviously, there are degrees of difficulty in getting the things we desire in prayer.
3. Some things absolutely require “fasting.”
I think that most people have a very shallow view of fasting. To most, it is giving up food for a period of time.
It certainly could be going without food and that is the major idea in many situations. But it could be separation from a number of things.
Here is a new revelation I have had recently regarding this concept as referenced by Jesus and directed toward His disciples for the accomplishment of a mighty work.
First, what is the purpose of fasting? Some would see it as a sacrifice to God so that He would honor our request. Others would go a little deeper and understand that fasting brings us into discipline, which is another form of sacrifice to God to bring about results.
I think that there is a more practical meaning. To understand, all you have to do is exchange the word “fasting” for “focusing.”
According to Jesus in this context, fasting was part of the recipe to bring about the healing of the man’s son. He mentioned nothing about sacrifice to God.
Focus is a major element in getting results from your praying.
Jesus will elaborate in Mark 11 about the results of the withered fig tree to teach the disciples. Notice the concept of “focus” in that story.
Jesus focused on a fig tree. He spoke directly to the fig tree. The fig tree withered.
In his teaching the disciples regarding this incident, He told them they could accomplish the same thing, or cause a mountain to be plucked up and cast into the sea. But they must be focused and doubt not in their heart. In fact they were to be so focused that they too were to speak specifically to a situation and believe that it was already accomplished.
One of the major problems in powerful praying is lack of focus. We get distracted. We let doubt inter in. We do not see results as quickly as we want. We give up.
Focus is work. Doing without food so that our brain can concentrate is discipline.
I believe that most people, even if they did try to pray for something they earnestly desired, would not see it transpire because of distraction.
We are a distracted society. Food and business saps the energy from our mind and heart. We are “dull” most of the time.
Do you really desire something? Do you really want your prayers answered? Then you must concentrate and focus and never give in to distractions.
It could be that you pray correctly, say the right words, but have trouble making the faith connection because of distractions.
While growing up our children played school league basketball. We, and other parents followed them around the country supporting them in their games. I remember one parent who always yelled the same thing when one of our players went to the free throw line. He would yell, “Concentrate!”
Sometimes the opposing team and fans would try to distract the shooter, especially in a close game. So much of hitting the basket was about focus and concentration.
The player had to focus on the basket and concentrate all of their attention to the ball going in the hoop. Looking around or thinking about something else would elevate the prospects of a missed shot.
You could have unanswered prayers simply because you do not stay focused and determined. It could be that “this kind comes not out but by prayer and focus!”