Prayer and fasting

14 December 2011

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

In the Christian walk today very little is taught about prayer and even less about fasting, yet when we read the Bible and observe the behaviour of the disciples the only thing that they asked Jesus to teach them was how to pray. The question for us is do we really know how to pray?

To fast is also a concept in this world that seems to be strange and eccentric, when we have so much available to us and the volume of food, why fast? Fasting is to close ones mouth so that we cut out the thoughts of food in order to focus on a deeper relationship with God. Fasting is not just forgetting to eat, but to consciously refrain from food and to seek the face of God in prayer, from this we then pray for others in the time of fast.

Both prayer and fasting should be the normal behaviour of Christians and each member of the Church is required to do so on a regular basis. The need for prayer and fasting today is greater than we are actually aware of, and when we neglect this in the Body of Christ, we are neglecting our relationship with God.

Be encouraged today to seek God’s face through prayer and fasting.

David

Point to ponder: Holy Spirit power comes through prayer and fasting.  

  

Question to consider: Have you ever prayed and fasted?