I am teaching a class on the "Life of Prayer" and last night I introduced the idea of fasting. I don't know about you, but I started fasting for Lent and I thought it was going to be hard, but I am finding that the one day a week that I have committed to the Lord is not as hard as I thought it would be. I remember reading a conversation that Jesus had with his disciples when they could not cast a demon out of a young boy and they were perplexed as to why they couldn;'t do it. Jesus told them that this kind would only come through fasting and praying. I wondered about this statement as I began my fast...what did he mean by "this kind.," and if you have to have a demon to fast. What I have discovered is that fasting must be purposeful and more than not eating. There are also certain situations in our lives that keep us in a vicious cycle ,like I would imagine was happening to this young boy. Until we have deliberatly spent time seeking God as to how to handle a situation, we may also find ourselves going around in circles, as well. No, you don't have to have a demon to fast is the point that I would make, but fasting can provide us with the time that we spend not eating to spend in prayer, study and meditation with God. This can help prevent us from spinning our wheels and getting on the right track again. I really needed the concentrated time that I have devoted to the Lord. It has helped to sharpen me. Bless you.
This year I just took on a "modified fast". But next year I am thinking about doing something other than necessarily not eating something. A total 24 hours one day each week with no computer which means no e-mail can be read. Also no TV in that 24 hour period. If doing both of these is more than you want to you could chose one or the other but I think both would be better. This way you could better focus on reading, meditating or talking to your family. It is just a thought that I thought I would pass on.
Great idea, Reike! How about no cell phone for one day? Matter of fact that would be good to do year round, one day a week. We always jump to get our phones when our friends call but how about when the Lord calls? How can we hear Him if we're always on the cell phone, computer (whoops, here I am) or watching TV.
Lord, may we make the precious time you have given us on this earth count and use it wisely to draw closer to you.
As for fasting, Peola, this Lent I have given up eating after dinner because I used to eat right up to bedtime. Sounds wimpy but it was my first meager step to try fasting. And I won't wait for next year's Lent either! Thanks for the encouragement! (But I will eat at least 20 chocolate Easter eggs on Easter; I gave chocolate up too!)
