“So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer.” – Ezra 8:23
In his book “Celebration of Discipline,” Richard J. Foster writes: “More than any other discipline, fasting reveals the things that control us. This is a wonderful benefit to the true disciple who longs to be transformed into the image of Jesus Christ. We cover up what is inside of us with food and other things, but in fasting, these things surface. If pride controls us, it will be revealed almost immediately. David said, “I humbled my soul with fasting” (Ps. 69:10) Anger, bitterness, jealousy, strife, fear—if they are within us, they will surface during fasting…. We can rejoice in this knowledge because we know that healing is available through the power of Christ.”
Fasting reminds us that we are sustained “by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Mt 4:4). Food does not sustain us; God sustains us.”
We become more attentive to the Lord’s will when we fast and pray. Today in prayer, praise Jesus that He desires to answer your prayers and seek His will through fasting and prayer.
“Prayer is reaching out after the unseen; fasting is letting go of all that is seen and temporal. Fasting helps express, deepen, confirm the resolution that we are ready to sacrifice anything, even ourselves, to attain what we seek for the kingdom of God.” – Andrew Murray
God’s Word: “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.” – Matthew 4:1-2
A Few Clouds, 61°