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"THE IMPORTANCE OF FASTING AND PRAYER" "Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away." (Acts 13:1-3)Antioch was one of the first churches to be established after the persecution in Jerusalem. It was there that believers in Christ were first called Christians (Acts 11:26). This passage of Scripture in Acts 13 is not only an interesting one, but an informative one as well, because it teaches us how the early Church functioned. It underscores the power of the Gospel to break boundaries and reach the hearts of people from diverse backgrounds. A couple things stand out for me in these 3 verses:First, Saul (Paul) and Barnabas were Chosen by the Holy Ghost (vs,1-2). To put in plain words, they weren't HUMANLY sent; they were HEAVENLY sent. Second, Saul and Barnabas were Commissioned by the Church of God (v.3). They weren't commissioned by some College and Seminary; they were commissioned by the Church and the Saints.Now as the 2 traveled along from place to place, they were met with opposition and trials, But Paul and Barnabas remained faithful in their commitment to proclaim the Gospel. Being endued and guided by the Holy Ghost like they were. we see their courage and obedience in their missionary work, their unchanging faith, their relentless dedication, and their profound understanding of God's redemptive plan for every whosoever wheresoever they resided.The Church gathered together back then to fast and pray and lay hands on those two missionaries. How many times have you seen people in our Churches today gather together to fast and pray? These days, people would rather gather together to feast and play! Folks, I don't believe those early Christians stopped their fasting and praying when Barnabas and Saul departed on that 1st missionary journey. I believe they continued to pray and fast as those two brothers labored onward for Jesus. They were asking for the blessing and anointing of God on the work He had called them to. They did their part praying for them to be empowered for their mission. Make no mistake about it. In like manner, God wants us to participate and do our part in the work of witnessing by praying for others the Lord calls and sends to do His bidding. Perhaps if we had more of this kind of all out praying and fasting, we would see the Holy Ghost move with such a wave across our land that we would loudly declare it to be the very hand of God.As this chapter concludes, we find mixed reactions to the Gospel message. Yes, some believed, while others rejected it (vs. 48-52). That actually highlights the varied responses we can expect when proclaiming the salvation found only in the Lord Jesus Christ.Friends, when was the last time we ministered unto the Lord by fasting and praying for those godly missionaries who are called and sent?