Friday October 21, 2022

Today is Friday, October 21 and we are studying what the Bible says about fasting.

I come before my Lord in a spirit of humility and devotion. Setting aside the things of this world, I seek God alone to satisfy the deepest longings of body, mind and soul.

Pause and Pray

Lord Jesus, I want to learn how to live the kingdom life from You. Teach me to practice the spiritual disciplines in this time and place. I trust that You know what is best for me and desire that I grow and mature as Your disciple. Amen.

I pray to the Lord my God and humbly seek Him with the words of Psalm 35.

Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth and humbled myself with fasting. When my prayers returned to me unanswered, I went about mourning as though for my friend or brother. I bowed my head in grief as though weeping for my mother. Psalm 35:13-14

Pause and Pray

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says, “when you give to the poor” (Matthew 6:2), “when you pray” (Matthew 6:5) and “when you fast” (Matthew 6:16). Jesus did not say “if” I do these things, but “when” I do these things. He assumes his followers will actively engage in all three practices. I am to actively engage in all three practices and I could do them simultaneously. John Wesley encouraged the early Methodists to fast weekly and taught that fasting should be combined with prayer, gifts for the poor and works of mercy. Fasting gives me an understanding of what it might be like to go hungry and awakens in me a concern for the poor and those who suffer. God asks the following of me through the prophet Isaiah.

Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Isaiah 58:6-7

The practice of fasting invites me into a place of self-denial and appreciation for the suffering of others. It is an opportunity to associate with the hungry poor of this world and consider the plight of those who suffer injustice. In fasting I can channel my desire for food to my desire to see the will of God done in my life, in my church and in the world. God cares deeply for the needy and oppressed and I am called to feed the hungry, clothe the naked and welcome the stranger. My dedication to the discipline of fasting will open my eyes to the needs of those around me. Fasting is a call to love.

Ask: When have I experienced hunger? How might God be inviting me to work against injustice, fight oppression and help the hungry poor of this world?

Pause and Pray

Holy and loving God, thank you for the blessing and abundance of healthy food to eat. Forgive me when I take for granted the continual supply of food I enjoy and when I forget to offer a prayer of thanks before a meal. Awaken me to the needs of the hungry poor of this world. Open my eyes to injustice and oppression. Show me ways I can share food with the hungry and provide for the needy. I read Isaiah again, listening for the message You have for me today.

Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Isaiah 58:6-7

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

Today I listen intently for what God is speaking to my heart. Where is God calling me to action in the world around me? Whatever word or phrase that strikes a cord with my soul, I carry it with me throughout the day and look for opportunities to participate in God’s kingdom work. What do I see that needs loosened, untied, set free, or broken down? What do I have in my possession that I can share or provide? Where are the places I have failed to see suffering? When have I turned away?

Pause and Pray

Lord Jesus, open my eyes to see the places of suffering that exist in the world around me. Show me tangible ways I can offer help and hope. Teach me what it means to fast from food and offer prayers of intercession for the poor and oppressed. I want to follow You to the places You are going to shine light, share love and bring peace. Amen.

“For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” Esther 4:14-16

As I leave this time of prayer, I go to break the chains of injustice, untie the cords of oppression, share food with the hungry, give clothes to the naked and provide shelter to the wanderer.

Amen