What an incredible experience to fast and pray. There is not enough teaching or emphasis on this very special tool that has been given to us. Perhaps people have misunderstood Jesus' teaching to do it in secret and so keep it a private matter, not talking about it or encouraging others to enter into it. There is no better way to strip yourself of the useless things in your life and get a clear focus on Jesus.
There is a reason why we read in Scripture:
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:1-2)
This is definitely speaking about our daily living but our daily living gets bogged down with the unnecessary and useless things of our life. A fast brings into clear view what is and is not important. A fast cleans out the system. It reminds us that we are not living for our own pleasures. It reminds us that God has a plan and a will for our lives. How many of us have gotten trapped in this culture of entertainment, when our own needs have become more important than the needs of the lost for Jesus? How much does God's will even place in our daily thinking?
There is something amazingly wonderful about the clarity that missing 30 or 50 meals brings to your mind and perspective. It is that clarity that we are looking for, when the fog parts and we see God's glory, his purpose and his plan. The vast majority of the Body of Christ in North America has conformed to the pattern of this world and it is horrible. Millions of people are going to hell, but as long as we have our television and potato chips we are happy. How can God be pleased with his children?
We are suppose to renew our mind which happens through the Spirit and in the Word of God. There is nothing as renewing as a spiritual fast which cleans out the body, spirit and mind, as we set aside more time to be in worship, the Word and prayer. We have filled our days with so much junk how could we ever expect to know God's will? How can we hear his voice or the prompting of the Spirit over the ten murders and 20 sexual situations we will watch as entertainment on our televisions tonight?
It's time for the whole Body of Christ to return to fasting and prayer, to seeking the face of God and getting back to the reason we are still here. Forgive us Lord and show us the better way.
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