Lent is a religious custom in which some practitioners fast or abstain from eating red meat for a period of time. This practice is common among many practitioners of the Catholic Church. However, many practitioners who fast, neglect to pair it with the practice of praying; which is a dominant Biblical practice. In this part, I will address the subject of fasting and praying. Fasting
Fasting, in essence, is an abstinence from physical needs and desires in order to refine one’s focus on God and His will. A Biblical fast entails abstinence of food and water consumption. The Bible presents Jesus as fulfilling a full fast of forty days (Matthew 4:1-2, 11; Luke 4:1-2; Mark 1:13). However, the prophets Moses (Exodus 24:18; 34:18) and Elijah (1 Kings 19:4-8) also fulfilled a full fast of forty days. Interestingly enough they are noted as appearing to Jesus as He prayed one evening (Matthew 17:3; Mark 9:4; Luke 9:30-32). The Bible also presents people who fulfilled a partial fast. There is Queen Esther (Esther 4:15-17), the Prophet Daniel (Daniel 10:2-3), and the Prophetesses Anna (Luke 2:36); who served God in this manner. Furthermore, the Bible presents fasting by or for a group of people (1 Samuel 7:5-6; Jonah 3:3-10; Nehemiah 9:1-3) as well as by or for a nation (2 Chronicles 20:3-4; Ezra 8:21-23; Daniel 9:3-7). It’s important to note that simply because a person fasts it does not mean that their prayers will be answered (Isaiah 58:3-12; Joel 2:12-14). Furthermore, Jesus spoke a few times about fasting, but he never stressed it or mandated it from anyone (Matthew 6:16-18). Fasting and Praying Regarding prayer, praying is the practice of actively communicating with God. It is a means by which a believer maintains a healthy relationship with Him. Like with many personal relationships, it important to set a time and a place where this communication can take place (Mathew 6:5-7; Mark 1:35; Luke 5:16; 6:12). Praying also entails that we pray in the spirit (Ephesians 6:18) as well as with the help of the Holy Spirit (Jude 1:20). Lastly, as you pray, confess your sin (Daniel 9:20). Yet, if in the process of praying you are convicted to forgive someone, do so (Mark 11:25). If you face uncertainty about praying or both praying and fasting, then seek God about it, He won't mislead you. You must trust the Holy Spirit to help you pray (Romans 8:26-27). Then your prayers may be received by God like incense ( Psalms 141:2; Revelation 5:8) and you may receive “the peace of God” (Philippians 4:6-7). In closing, although praying can be practiced on its own, fasting should not; it should always be paired with praying. Yet too many believers are leaving out the later and turning it into a practice of self-vanity as oppose to self-denial with humility. It is important to remember that the incorporation of fasting with prayer is to draw closer to God and be able to learn and obey His will; especially in challenging times. Amen Comments are closed.
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