Diligence, prayer and fasting are strong principles that must not be neglected because they are non negociable principles in the school of success and blessing. But it is quite unfortunate today that the 21th century Christians are no longer diligent and inclined to praying and fasting. Everybody can sing even if they are coughing, but not everybody can pray and fast. And that is why things are not moving when and how they should. 

Many people think that grace can nullify diligence, praying and fasting. That is not true. 

Grace is a divine enablement that is added to man to make him extraordinary. Therefore, we should not abuse grace or hide under it, and neglect the principle of diligence, praying and fasting if we want to activate the blessing. The more the grace of God abounds in your life, the more it will enhance your diligence, your prayer and fasting life. 

“Seest thou a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.” Proverbs 22:29 

“He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.” Proverbs 12:11 

“He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.” Proverbs 28:19     

“The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.” Proverbs 12:24 

Lack of diligence and laziness have provoked poverty to be giving hard knock and blow on many Christians daily. Christianity does not connote laziness. Laboring in the word through deep meditation is part of diligence. Fasting is also a diligent endeavor that requires discipline and fasting many a times releases angelic assistance to activate the blessing. 

Cornelius in Acts 10, is a good example of this. Though he was an unbeliever, he had a sense of duty and commitment to fast regularly and that provoked an angelic visitation for his salvation and his household. 

Many Christians in these last days are too lazy to work, not to talk of prayer. There are many kinds of laziness: mental, spiritual, and physical. The principle of asking before you receive in God’s kingdom cannot be changed (Matthews 7:7 says ask). You must ask in prayer. You must be a “midnight knocker (Luke 11:58). 

Those that have bread don’t wake up in the mid- night to knock, but for us who need bread, we will always knock in the mid-night. Do you still remember what Jesus said about a man who received a visitor but he did not have bread to give to him and in the mid-night he went knocking on doors to ask for bread, and his friend had to open and give him because of persistent knocking. So, you must knock persistently for the blessing. Look, Jacob was blessed by Isaac his father but to activate the blessing, in Genesis 32 :22 , Jacob had to be alone with God throughout the night (personal night vigil) to receive his breakthrough. 

“For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.” 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 

“But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me”. 1 Corinthians 15:10 

Grace does not exclude diligence! Grace is a divine endowment or empowerment to do what you cannot do naturally with your strength or force. Grace enables you to be more diligent. This is what Apostle Paul is trying to communicate to us in 1 Corinthians 15:10.  Stop hiding under grace covering and continue to speak in empty tongues without working. That is why nothing is working for you.     

“In all labor there is profit, But idle chatter leads only to poverty”. Proverbs 14:23 

There are benefits in diligence! Diligence is to be up and doing and disciplined to do whatever your hands find to do so that heaven can smile on you in due season (Ecclesiastes 9:10). 

But many in the body of Christ today are too lazy to work and they want to cover it up with spirituality and religiosity. There is a place for hard work before the blessing comes. You cannot fold your hands and expect manna to fall from heaven like in the days in the wilderness. No ! It doesn’t happen like that…

This text is an extract from the book “ 33 pillars and mysteries of blessings in the kingdom of God ” written by Victor Charles OKAFOR.

We invite you to read the following article “ RIGHTEOUSNESS AND HOLINESS “.