Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” Matthew 17:19-21 NKJV
Prayer and fasting go together powerfully. Prepare for God to bless this time with Him.
F – Focus on God. This is for you and God. You are doing this because God created you to know and love Him. You were designed to worship Him and Him only. Fasting narrows your attention from the world around you and your other connections to Him. You are seeking His favor and His presence.
A – Abstain from something valuable/vital to you. In Bible days, fasting was always associated with food, abstaining from a meal or multiple meals for a day or several days, as long as God directed. Food is a significant fast because it is a God-given craving. If for whatever reason you cannot fast from food, choose something similar. What do you crave that you can fast from? What could you give up to create more space for relationship with God? Be honest with yourself and God. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal places in your life He could use fasting to transform.
S – Surrender your time. Don’t take the time you would use at dinner or watching TV or using social media or whatever to catch up on something else. Fasting is not simply denying yourself something you want; it’s having something better. Instead of feasting on food (or whatever), use the time to feast on God. Pray, read, draw close. Skipping a meal doesn’t mean you fasted; it is adding the time with God that elevates it to the spiritual. Alone is merely a disciplined choice.
T – Taste and see the Lord is good. The whole idea of fasting is this – tasting deeply of God so you can discover just how good He is. He’s better than any gourmet or comfort food you might try. He’s better than whatever else you might want to do. It comes from intimacy, and intimacy comes from fasting and prayer.
I want to urge you to take these coming days to draw near. I’m going to.
- God, more than I want food, I want intimacy with You. More than anything else, I hunger for You. I want my hunger to be satisfied. I want your Kingdom to come and Your will to be done in me. I want to be part of your Kingdom coming on earth, through our communities. Help me honor You and follow Jesus more and more. Amen.