March 16: A Weekly Word - Prayer and Fasting

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The message today is A Beautiful Resistance – Meditation.

This Sunday, March 20, is the Second Sunday of Lent.

This week’s sermon will be: Knowing the Enemies of Your Soul – The Flesh pt. 1

This week’s readings are:

Ezekiel 33:7-20

1 Corinthians 10:1-13

Luke 13:1-9

Psalm 85

Message: Devotion to Prayer and Fasting

Challenged with Fasting

  • Richard Foster’s A Celebration of Discipline
  • Luke 5:34-36 - 34 And Jesus said to them, “Can you make wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? 35 The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days.”
  • The purpose - to focus our prayers

“Devotion is the deep reverence of an individual for a particular article of the Christian faith, often expressed in a variety of contemplative and active practices that manifest the working of the Spirit in that time and place.” – Rev. Dr. David Schmitt, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis

Danger of Spiritual Disciplines

  • Tempted by Devil and our own pride to see these as ways we earn something from Good
  • Not usually so crass as to think we earn salvation
  •  Perhaps favor or blessings- still believe we have to do something so God will do good things for us instead trusting in our Heavenly Father’s love

Matthew 6:16-18 - “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

People who are devoted to Prayer and fasting give up food for a period of time to focus their hearts and minds on prayer – looking ahead to the return of Jesus.

Consider Two Fasts

  • Disclaimer: For health reasons, some people should to a doctor before fasting -  diabetics, pregnant women, ill. For healthy people fasting is generally very safe.
  • 24 Hour Fast - Biblical day - evening to evening - traditionally Wednesdays and/or Fridays.
  • Sunday Morning Fast - First food of the day - and of the new week - is the Lord’s Supper.

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