Mark Carey writes

The world says, “If you are not making good use of your time, you are useless.” Jesus says: “Come spend some useless time with me.”  

This has come to mind as I've thought about spending intentional and focussed time in prayer and fasting. What will we gain from this? What will be the benefits? Will anything change or are we simply dealing in wishful thinking and should really be doing something more useful?  

I really don't think we should expect any time of prayer and fasting to be like a slot-machine where we put in our prayer and receive something in return. Instead we simply come making use of this time to draw closer to Jesus, making space for God at a time when everyone and everything around us competes to fill us up, preoccupy our minds, and focus us on things to worry about or be excited about. 

Jesus said we are to set our hearts on God's kingdom and so that is what we are doing at this time - fasting and praying. And as well as that, we get on with the daily job of joining in with God's works of rebuilding, restoring and renewing.