Pastor Douglas is the head Pastor alongside his wife Pastor Erica Goodman at V2V Community Church, a non-denominational church based in Harrow, London.

The month of January came and went, as we prayed and fasted throughout the month we stood in belief that by giving God our first He would redeem the rest of the year for us.

Seedtime and harvest, it’s the age old simple principle, by sowing through prayer and fasting we know we will reap the harvest.

It is good to remain in the fasting mode.

If you are someone who tried to lose weight and succeeded once you achieve the target you still continue to do what you did to get there so you can maintain your new level.

This is the same with the prayer and fasting, after being in the presence of God and enjoying a new level of relationship with Him and confidence in Him you want to maintain therefore to stop praying and fasting would be to undo all your hard work.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ‘Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you’.

The bible tells us to rejoice always, always would mean irrespective of your circumstances, irrespective of how bleak things appear, irrespective of the doctors report, irrespective of the mounting bills, irrespective of the car breaking down, irrespective of how out of control your child/children may be, irrespective of the failed promotion, irrespective of the failed interview, irrespective of anything life throws at you you must rejoice!

The rejoicing is an act of faith and we know faith is what moves God, faith is the currency that we trade with.

The scripture also tells us to pray without ceasing, this means in rain or sunshine, good or bad, high or low, war or peace (in times of peace prepare for war), answered or unanswered (if your prayers have been answered stand in the gap and intercede for others) we must pray.

Prayer is a form of communication with God, to say we love Him and not communicate with Him would be hypocrisy.

The scripture also tells us to give thanks always.

Psalm 100:4 ‘Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name’.

We should not just give thanks when it suits us or when we have the victory, we should give thanks ALWAYS!

When we approach our father we should approach Him in praise and in worship, this is why we start every service and gathering with praise and worship.

The praise and the worship prepares your heart, softens your heart, it is the way to be ushered into God’s presence.

Psalm 141:2 ‘Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice’.

Our praise should rise up to the Lord like a sweet smelling incense.

God as always in a few words had made His will for us very clear, we just need to be diligent and obedient to ensure we do as commanded.

As always I encourage you above all else this year make spreading the good news of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ a priority.

Do not let the sacrifice of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ be in vain, ‘it is not His will that any should perish but that all should come to repentance’ (2 Peter 3:9).

As responsible heirs to the throne we must ensure that we testify of the love of Christ. 

Remember it’s not just in our words but also in our lifestyle that we let the world know, Jesus is Lord!

Until next time, stay blessed and walk in the fullness of God’s promises this year.