Ezra 8:23 – So we fasted and earnestly prayed that our God would take care of us, and He heard our prayer. (NLT)
Nineteenth-century author Andrew Murray once said, “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.”
Fasting is not a Christian diet even though you may lose weight. It is a call to starve your old Adamic nature, your flesh, your carnal self in order to become sensitive to the voice of God and the things of the Spirit. It is the opportunity to give ourselves completely (body, soul, and spirit) to Jesus in order to commune with Him and hear clearly what the Spirit is saying to us.
Fasting is not easy but let me encourage you to give yourself to: prayer instead of gourmet fare, the upper room instead of the supper room, and living with lack rather than another snack.
We may become hungry but let’s turn our physical hunger over to God, and He will satisfy us with spiritual satisfaction. A full spirit is better than a full belly. When we are touched in our spirit man, we will be fulfilled in our soul and in our bodies as well.
May you discover the wealth of goodness that accompanies letting go of the weight of this world through fasting. And may you resolve to experience all that God has for your increase, as the cares of the world slip away.
Commit to fasting whatever you feel would be beneficial for you. You don’t have to start with too much! This isn’t meant to be a religious exercise but rather an action performed out of a longing for more of God. Go deeper today.
Read: Luke 5:1-11; 1 Samuel 1:9-20
Bible Reading Guide: Psalm 11; Matthew 13:36-58; Genesis 38; Genesis 39
