When You Fast, Do Not Be Like The Hypocrites
LENT 2023 | DAY 16
Matthew 6:16-18 (NIV)
(Shirley Koo, Chairperson, Wesley GYM)
READ:
Matthew 6:16-18 (NIV)
DAILY REFLECTION:
Fasting is a voluntary discipline between the individual and God. When I fast, I voluntarily abstain from food or other enjoyment for a specified period. Fasting trains me to stay focused, to be sensitive to His promptings, and to recognise my sinfulness and my need of God. It helps me to align myself to wait upon God and hear His direction for me. To me, fasting when combined with prayer, is a powerful spiritual discipline as it can bring about a spiritual re-awakening within me and is effective in spiritual warfare too.
I recalled a memorable time fasting and praying with others for someone who was addicted to gambling. The addiction had an overwhelmingly powerful grip on him and he failed to see the impact it had on his loved ones. His siblings were fervent prayer warriors but were making no headway until one day, in reading Matthew 17:21 (KJV), the words of Jesus enlightened us – “This kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.” Fasting proved to be the key in the breakthrough of our collective prayers.
Between January and May 2020, J was suffering from sharp crippling bouts of headaches. Compounded by his own fear of the possibility of brain tumour, he went on his knees in prayer. This occurred during the early months of the Covid-19 pandemic. We saw this as a timely reminder to fast and pray for J. Today, J is free of the crippling headaches and is a changed man. All glory to God for the power of fasting and prayers. His family is attending church together. His family claims Isaiah 41:20 (KJV) – “That they may see, and know, and consider and understand together, that the hand of the Lord hath done this….”
This episode reveals what an awesome God we have. He is our Resurrection, the One who has the power to renew and transform our lives. It’s my prayer that as I seek to grow deep in my relationship with Him, God will keep me humble, teachable and obedient. It’s a reminder for me to set aside time intentionally to fast and pray for those in spiritual bondage, especially in these days that we are living in.
FAMILY DISCUSSION POINTERS:
1. What do you understand about fasting? Check out biblical examples, such as Isaiah 58 on fasting. How does praying help us during fasting?
2. How can we pray and fast together as a family? Share with one another your personal and family experience?
3. When you fast, who are you doing it for – earthly or heavenly reasons, man or God?
