Wednesday October 19, 2022

Today is Wednesday, October 19 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 seek God and Him alone and rejoice with the words of Psalm 16.

Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. Psalm 16:5-6

Pause and Pray

Methodists have long advocated regular fasting, yet the practice has all but been abandoned in our day and time. What is religious fasting? Fasting is to not eat or to abstain from food for a certain period of time. Although several people in the Bible (including Moses, Elijan and Jesus) fasted without intermission for forty days and forty nights, the time of fasting, more frequently mentioned in the scriptures is one day from morning until evening. Another common length of a fast is “unto the ninth hour” which is about 3:00 p.m.. In other words, after eating the evening meal I only drink water until 3:00 p.m. the following afternoon. If I am new to fasting, I might begin by trying a shorter period of time and I might also consult my physician. According to Jesus, I am to fast in private.

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

Once I understand what fasting is, I next consider the when and how of this spiritual practice. John Wesley says I am to fast with my eye singly fixed on the Lord Jesus. My intentions are to glorify my Father in heaven, express sorrow for my transgressions, wait for an increase of sanctifying grace, draw my heart to things above, become more earnest in prayer, and receive God’s precious promises offered in life with Christ.* Christians have traditionally fasted on Fridays and/or Wednesdays. Fasting is always combined with prayer.

Ask: If I am ready to try the spiritual practice of fasting, what is my first step? How might I seek the guidance and support of the Holy Spirit?

Pause and Pray

Blessed Lord, You continually challenge me to grow in new ways as Your disciple. Whisper Your truth to me about fasting as a spiritual discipline. Help me examine any reluctance or resistance on my part and grant me the grace of Your Holy Spirit to live as an obedient and faithful disciple. Remove any pride that says I can do this in my own power and not rely on Your grace. 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

This week I seek to learn about Real Christianity and listen to Jesus speaking directly through the Sermon on the Mount. What might God be revealing to me about the spiritual practice of fasting? If I chose to practice fasting, what is at the root of my motivation? If I choose to not try fasting, what is the reason for my decision? I consider what it might mean for me to put oil on my head and wash my face so that others will not know that I am fasting. I also consider what it might mean for me to be hypocritical, look somber or disfigure my face. Will fasting make me in a bad mood or ruin my day? What changes would I need to make for this to become a weekly practice?

Pause and Pray

Lord Jesus, come and sit beside me on the hillside of Your love and speak words of truth into my soul. I desperately want to grow closer to You and mature as a follower. Reveal the places where I am lacking and send the power of the Holy Spirit to strengthen and renew me in grace. Teach me how to be a true disciple and walk in the way of holiness. Amen.

Declare a holy fast; call a sacred assembly. Summon the elders and all who live in the land to the house of the Lord your God, and cry out to the Lord. Joel 1:14

*Resources: Sermons on Several Occasions, Volume II – Upon Our Lord’s Sermon on the Mount, by John Wesley, edited by William J. Abraham, 2021.

I leave this time of prayer with a heart full of God’s love, joy and peace. I go to love and serve others in the name of Jesus.

Amen