Private prayer and fasting serve as essential conduits through which God manifests His anointing upon His servants. Scripture consistently asserts that anointing is not incidental or merely positional but fundamentally relational, stemming from intimacy with God nurtured in solitude. Jesus exemplified this practice; in Matthew 14:23, after ministering to the crowds, “He went up the mountain by Himself to pray,” illustrating that public efficacy is sustained by private communion. Mark 1:35 states, “very early in the morning…Jesus got up and went to a secluded place to pray,” while Luke 6:12 highlights that prior to selecting the apostles, “He went up the mountain to pray and spent the night in prayer to God.” These instances underscore that the authority and anointing demonstrated in Jesus’ public ministry originated from extended, private prayer.
The anointing is a direct response to prayer, aligning the human heart with divine intent. Prayer signifies believers’ dependence on God’s sovereign power rather than self-sufficiency. Through prayer and fasting, believers affirm, as Jesus did, that “man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that God speaks” (Matthew 4:4, TPT). Fasting cultivates humility and enhances spiritual sensitivity, allowing the Holy Spirit to empower the believer beyond natural capacity. Psalm 35:13 (TPT) supports this stance: “I humbled my soul with fasting, and my prayer was genuine.”
The anointing rests upon those who abide with God, not merely those who serve Him. The anointing flows from crushing, intimacy, and surrender. Psalm 92:10 (TPT) states, “You have poured fresh oil upon me,” signifying renewal from divine interaction. This fresh oil is sustained not by charisma or talent, but by a life consistently yielded in prayer. Isaiah 10:27 (TPT) reminds us that “the yoke will be destroyed because of the anointing,” indicating that spiritual authority to break burdens is released through God’s empowering presence.
Public manifestations of God’s work are rooted in private development. Jesus affirmed this principle, teaching, “Whenever you pray, go into your innermost chamber and be alone with Father God…Then your Father, who sees all you do in secret, will reward you openly” (Matthew 6:6, TPT). The open reward is the anointing, manifested as wisdom, boldness, compassion, and power. Acts 4:31 (TPT) illustrates this reality: “They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and proclaimed the word of God with unrestrained boldness” after collective prayer.
Also spiritual leadership arises from clarity of calling, which is forged in prayer. Luke 4:18 (TPT) records Jesus asserting, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, and He has anointed Me,” a declaration that followed seasons of solitude, fasting, and prayer. The anointing clarifies assignments and empowers obedience. Zechariah 4:6 (TPT) reinforces this truth: “‘Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of Hosts.”
Ultimately, every genuinely anointed individual is a prayerful individual, as intimacy precedes impartation. The Holy Spirit responds to hearts that remain in God’s presence with faith and surrender. As believers commit to prayer and fasting, they position themselves to receive fresh oil from heaven. James 5:16 (TPT) assures us that “the heartfelt and persistent prayer of a righteous believer can accomplish much.”
Therefore, let us pray and trust the Holy Spirit for the anointing, knowing that God delights in empowering those who diligently seek Him in secret and rely fully on His grace. When the Church prays and trusts the Holy Spirit, the anointing flows naturally, authentically, and fruitfully for the glory of God.
Dr Aaron Ahali
Birmingham UK, North
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