A Prayer and Fasting Devotional
Dear friend in Christ,Congratulations on making it to the 40th day of the fast, whether your fast has been every day, liquids only, or one, two, three or more daysper week, or whether you joined in for a dedicated stretch of a few days to many days. I praise God for you and am honored to have sought the Lord with you for these many days.
Though unknown by some Christians, , humbling ourselves through fasting is characteristic of what godly men and women do periodically in order to draw closer to God. This is never to be done in a boastful or self-righteous manner, but it does indeed characterize the righteous. Matthew 6 verses 1 and 16 make plain that fasting is something done by the righteous, and God loves and responds to the prayers of the righteous.
The Lord is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous. - Proverbs 15:29
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. - James 5:16
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil. - 1 Peter 3:12
It has been encouraging hearing stories of answered prayers with some specifically pointing to the fast as a reason for answered prayers. It's also worth keeping in mind that God often answers prayers lifted up during a fast after the fast is over. I encourage you to be on the lookout for God's work in your midst as He brings to pass your requests.
Most of all, this fast has been about humbling ourselves for God to heal this nation. Except for improvement in race relations in the last 50 years, almost every Christian would agree that the spiritual climate has otherwise declined in the last decades. We need a profound turnaround, and your self-humbling through fasting is part of that incredibly important movement.
Thank you for your partnership in seeking God, and may He bless you and your family in every way.
Sincerely,
Matt Bennett
P.S. If it has been many days since you have eaten solid food, please remember to eat very small portions as your body readjusts to normal eating habits. It may take several weeks before you are eating normally again.
