Thursday, 11^th January 2024

Alex Buabeng-Korsah

THEME: FAST AND PRAY

THEME SCRIPTURE: “But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days” – Luke 5:35

 

PREPARATORY QUESTION

1. Should the believer of Christ still fast when grace abounds?

It was an interesting question which was put forth for Jesus to answer: “Why is it that the disciples of John fast often and make prayers, and likewise the disciples of the Pharisees, but your disciples eat and drink?” (Luke 5:33). In His response, Jesus did not discredit fasting as an integral part of believer’s life. Rather, he made it clear that there is a time for it, and very soon the bridegroom will be taken away from them. At that time, they will be motivated to fast. Until then, why should they fast when the bridegroom is right with them [disciples]?

Beloved, fasting and prayer is important to the superior life in Christ Jesus which we have received.

“Prayer is reaching out after the unseen. Fasting is letting go of all that is seen and temporal. Fasting helps us to express, deepen, confirm the resolution that we are ready to sacrifice anything, even ourselves to attain what we seek for the kingdom of God”, said Andrew Murray. It is important that we fast according as God’s Spirit leads us. Hence, it is not that we have seen someone fast for 30-days and therefore we also want to achieve same as a feat.

Precious One, it is the case that some believers have the understanding that they need to fast to prove themselves to God or gain His favor.

Not so, beloved. God cannot love you more than He does now because you fasted and prayed for many days. Actually, God is not moved by our abstinence from food at all. Truly, fasting is not about denying one’s self of food. Rather, it is about making time to wait on God to speak, direct or come through for you such that you are willing to put everything on hold [including food] till you are done with God. This is why the early believers called fasting WAITING. You wait on the Lord and so breakfast, lunch or dinner can wait.

During times of critical decisions, planning or trials, it is worth embarking on a fast to [or wait on] God to provide you with His insight, and you will not go wrong.

Today, people fast and yet they do not wait on the Lord. They embark on hunger strike and call it a fast. As you begin the year, making time off your work duty to wait on the Lord will be of immense benefit. He [God] is able to renew your strength (Isa 40:31) for the year and reveal to you things to come (Jer 33:3) when you wait on Him. The young lions may lack and suffer hunger but those who seek the Lord shall never want any good thing (Psa 34:10). So, wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He will strengthen your heart. Wait, I say, on the Lord. Remain blessed.

 

FURTHER READING – Luke 5:33-35

Call to Salvation: Today is your day if you have not received salvation by turning over your life to Jesus Christ. Click here to do so

 

QUESTION TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD:

1. How much seriousness have you attached to prayer and fasting as a child of God over the years?

 

PRAYER

Eternal Father who dwells in me, thank you. You’re the one who works in me both to will and to do your good pleasure. I receive grace to fast according to your will and the humility to focus on you alone and what you can do with me. Hallelujah!

 

1-Year Bible Reading

Genesis 20; Genesis 21; Psalms 23; Psalms 24; Psalms 25; Matthew 13