"Is this not the fast that I have chosen:
To loose the bonds of wickedness,
To undo the heavy burdens,
To let the oppressed go free,
And that you break every yoke?
Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,
And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out;
When you see the naked, that you cover him,
And not hide yourself from your own flesh?
Then your light shall break forth like the morning,
Your healing shall spring forth speedily,
And your righteousness shall go before you;
The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.
Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer;
You shall cry, and He will say, 'He I am'." Isaiah 58:6-9 NKJV
My pastor has recently been promoting the idea of 40 days of prayer and fasting over the Lenten Season this year. He has been sharing the importance of fasting in our Christian walk with the Lord. As I have been praying and studying this again, chapter 58 of Isaiah has once more drawn me closer to the Lord's will and way of fasting and prayer.
I want to encourage each one who reads this post to prayerfully read all of chapter 58 and see what God is saying to you. As I have read and prayed and studied this passage of Scripture many things have been revealed to me but I would like to bring out a few important things that this passage shows us. If you have read all of chapter 58, you will notice that the beginning of this chapter gives us some warnings about fasting. Fasting is not a way to manipulate God to get something from Him. Fasting is what we do to draw closer to God and seek His will and way. It is not a spiritual discipline we do just because it is expected of us, but our hearts must be pure and our motives sincere.
When we fast with a pure heart and pure motives, He sees us and hears us and is delighted. Then He will answer prayer. Before you decide on what to do for Lent, pray and seek God's will for you. Does He want you to fast one meal a week, one day of meals a week, one item of food, or something else? There are those - for medical reasons - who cannot fast and I want to tell you that God knows and understands that. Maybe, He will direct you to give up a TV show, or coffee, or something else that is taking your focus away from Him. I urge you to seek Him and His direction for you in this. As you pray ask God to reveal anything in your life that is keeping Him from answering your prayers. Pray for courage and strength. Pray for forgiveness for any unconfessed sin in your life and accept His forgiveness.
When you are fasting, remember the second part. Prayer. It is no good to fast without praying. That is a diet. We are looking to grow deeper in the knowledge, wisdom and power of our Lord and Savior. We are storming the gates of heaven to break the bonds of sin and Satan in our lives and in this world. Prayer and fasting will overcome anything that is holding you down and captive. Pray in faith knowing that God is able to do "exceedingly, abundantly above all we can ask or think," (Ephesians 3:20 NKJV).
May He bless you in this season of Lent and draw you nearer to Him. I am praying for you dear one, and thanking God in advance for all He will do in your life. Praise His name. Natalie
