Read Matthew 6:16-18
Just as “I” is found in the middle of sin, so “I” is found in the middle of pride. Pride is a killer. Pride is like a corrosion that destroys our heart, our outlook and our ministry.
When Jesus talked about fasting, He again talked about pride. Rather than disfiguring our faces and walking around moaning and groaning and rubbing our bellies because of our aching and hunger pains, we are to put oil on our heads and not let people know we are fasting. We are to wash our faces and look refreshed. Jesus wants us to avoid pride. The Pharisees often boasted and took pride in their piety as they fasted. They had ticked off another religious achievement and felt self-assured. Jesus declares that such people have received their reward in full. God will not pay attention to their fasting and he certainly will not answer their prayers and cries from the heart.
Rather, we are to cover our fasting and fast to the Lord. Jesus is not decrying corporate fasting at this point. He is not saying that churches must not fast together. He is decrying pride. When God sees you fast in humility and with a contrite heart He will answer your prayers and pay attention to your fast. When God sees that we seek not approval from men but from Him alone, He will hear and respond. When God sees our utter dependence upon Himself, He will draw near to us and answer our prayers. Fasting, like prayer and giving and oath taking etc, is not for show or public performance. None of these things are designed to make us look good in the eyes of others. None of these things are given to us to boast in. They are designed to draw us near to God and when executed in a right spirit with a right heart, they are a powerful means of drawing near to God and communing with Him.
If you want to draw near to God, if you want to have intimate communion with God, if you want to move beyond your current level of relationship with God try humble and contrite fasting and prayer. If you’ve never fasted, start small. Fast for one meal and spend the time that you would have spent preparing, eating and cleaning up in prayer and fasting. Next time, fast for two meals in the day. After that, fast for three entire meals and then see if you can work your way up to one entire week. Perhaps you might talk to your physician first, if you have any concerns. What you’ll find is a depth of relationship and intimacy with God that you’ve rarely, if ever, experienced. You’ll grow and mature and draw nearer to God than you’ve ever been.
Prayer:
Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¥ Pray that God would grow your congregation though conversions. Ask the Lord to put evangelism on the heart of every believer and pray that each one would have the courage to speak up and invite people into the kingdom. Pray that through these initiatives we would see the Kingdom grow.
¥ Pray for the people in your life that are currently hell bound without Christ. Pray that God would be merciful to them and that he would bring salvation to their house. Pray that you would be the person that brings the Word to them
Discussion Questions For Families and Groups
1. Would you commit to fasting and prayer regularly? Why or why not?
2. What factors do you need to consider and be aware of before starting?
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