JESUS PRAYS AND FASTS
40 DAYS IN THE WILDERNESS
INTRODUCTION
In our modern self-centered, self-indulgent, all-about-me world, the concept of fasting is very foreign and many Christians resist it. But according to Scripture and historic Christian writings (Tradition), fasting is supposed to be a ordinary part of our spiritual life here on earth….
We must deny ourselves if we are to choose God above all.
BACKGROUND
The Bible has a great deal to say about fasting and praying. Many of the Old Testament heroes and heroines of the faith, fasted and prayed. Prayer and fasting are combined in the Old Testament in times of mourning, repentance, and deep spiritual need.
DAVID FASTED AND PRAYED OVER HIS SICK CHILD
2 SAMUEL .
Early on in the New Testament of the Gospel of Luke we see the Presentation of Our Lord in the temple. In Luke’s account, Jesus was welcomed in the temple by two elderly people, Simeon and the widow Anna.
They embody Israel in their patient expectation; they acknowledge the infant Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah, Throughout the New Testament fasting and prayer are often mentioned together as with the widow, Anna, who worshiped day and night fasting and praying.”
PRESENTATION OF OUR LORD IN THE TEMPLE
There was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem. Luke 2:36-38
Fasting, joined together with fervent prayer from the heart, demonstrates just how serious our prayer is. When a Christian practices the sacrifice of self-denial, he is joining himself to the sacrifice of the Cross. The power for good is unleashed and miracles are allowed to happen.
REFLECTION
It was our appetite of the flesh that got us into mess we are in. “The woman saw that the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eyes, and the tree was desirable for gaining wisdom. So she took some of its fruit and ate it; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Genesis 3:6
God created us for a mission, Let’s not get in the way of that mission by putting our own desires and wants before God’s will.
Fasting, self-denial may include more than food and drink. There are many things we may deny ourselves from, for example, talking bad about someone, not watching your favorite TV shows, not gossiping on social media, etc.
Pray for the grace to fast. Pray that your fast will move mountains in your life and the lives of others. Pray in words of Scripture, pray from prayer books, pray in your PRAY!PRAY!PRAY!
Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test.
The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.
MATTHEW 26:41