Tuesday October 18, 2022

Today is Tuesday, October 18 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 rejoice in God’s abiding presence and praise Him with the words of Psalm 30.

Hear, Lord, and be merciful to me; Lord, be my help. You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. Lord my God, I will praise you forever. Psalm 30:10-12

Pause and Pray

There are numerous examples of fasting in the Bible. In the Old Testament, Moses fasts for forty days on Mount Sinai (Exodus 24:18, 34:28), Jehoshaphat proclaims a fast to seek God in the face of enemies (2 Chronicles 20:3), Ezra fasts for protection of those traveling to Israel from exile (Ezra 8:21-23), Joel calls the people to return to God with fasting and a rending of hearts (Joel 2:12-15), Esther fasts to save the lives of her people from pogrom (Esther 4:15-16), Daniel abstains from certain foods and turns to God in fasting and prayer (Daniel 1:8, 9:3), the King of Nineveh calls for everyone in the land to fast during the time of Jonah (Jonah 3:6-9). In the New Testament, Jesus fasts for forty days in the wilderness tempted by the devil (Matthew 4:2, Luke 4:2), Jesus encourages his disciples to fast to cast out demons (Matthew 17:21), Paul and Barnabus fast and pray before appointing church leaders (Acts 14:23) and Paul lists fasting as a mark of apostleship (2 Corinthians 6:5, 11:27). In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus spoke of fasting as something that is expected of His disciples.

When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matthew 6:16-18

Beyond the biblical account, fasting also has a long history in the Church. Christians have observed fasting from the very beginning as recorded in the book of Acts. The Didache (an early church manual written around 100 A.D.) encouraged fasting every Wednesday and Friday. St. Augustine, Martin Luther, John Calvin, and Charles Spurgeon all advocated for fasting. John Wesley fasted every Friday and sometimes on Wednesdays as well. He encouraged all of his Methodist pastors to do likewise and wrote a sermon called “When You Fast” that clearly defines the when, what, why and how of fasting. Methodists have always advocated fasting, although it is one of the most neglected spiritual disciplines of our century.

Ask: What is my understanding and experience of fasting? Am I willing to try (or recommit) to this spiritual practice?

Pause and Pray

Lord God, I aim to love you with all of my heart, all of my soul, all of my mind and all of my strength. If the spiritual practice of fasting is something you recommend for me, please let me receive the nudge of the Holy Spirit to encourage my soul. I want to grow and mature as a disciple of Jesus Christ and I am willing to try new things and commit to good practices. I read Matthew again, listening for the message You have for me today.

When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matthew 6:16-18

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

As I endeavor to learn about Real Christianity, Jesus speaks to me directly through His words in the Sermon on the Mount. This week I want to receive Jesus’ teaching and instruction on the spiritual practice of fasting. Perhaps God is revealing the next steps in my spiritual journey. Maybe there are disciplines I have ignored, neglected or forgotten. If fasting is not for me, what else might God be encouraging me to do to grow in my faith? If fasting is for me, what can I do to get started?

Pause and Pray

Lord Jesus Christ, come and reveal the limitations of my soul. Show me where I am lacking strength and when I fall short. Remind me that I can accomplish little in this world without You, but I can accomplish all things with You. Whatever you expect or require of me, I know the Holy Spirit can supply exactly what I need to do what You ask. You are the One who strengthens me. Amen.

While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off. Acts 13:2-3

I leave this time of prayer trusting in the God who loves me and sends me off to do His work and will in the world.

Amen