May 9, 2024 Devo

May 9th, 2024

“It’s All About Jesus!”
Jesus on Prayer
“And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.” – Matthew 6:16-18 (NLT)
“Slow Down and Fast”

The concept of fasting is not one that many Christians practice. In the Old Testament it was basically giving up a meal or a day or more of meals to spend dedicated time in prayer. Jesus pointed out that a lot of religious leaders made sure that everyone knew they were fasting by exaggerating their hunger and other fasting symptoms. But they missed the point. Fasting is personal, private, and powerful.
Fasting can be skipping a meal or meals, but it doesn’t have to be. It can be the trading of anything that we give time and attention to for the opportunity to focus more intently on God. For instance, let’s say I feel that God wants me to cultivate more gratitude in my life. I might pick a week where I skip breakfast, lunch, or dinner and spend that time at soup kitchens or homeless shelters helping to feed those who are underprivileged. Feeling my own hunger while I feed those who live daily in hunger reminds me of how blessed I am and how much I have to be thankful for.
Or maybe I’m in the process of making a major decision. I’m not sure what to do, and I feel the need to seek the wisdom of God more aggressively than I normally do. I might fast for a half-hour or an hour each evening for a week by giving up television time or social media time. I can spend that time in prayer and searching the scriptures, asking God to guide my mind and help me understand His will in my decision. Times of concentrated prayer and reflection like that can help bring clarity and a better sense of the guidance of God.
Fasting isn’t punishing yourself to find favor with God. It’s giving up something human to focus more intently on the Divine. It’s not a flag to wave to prove how holy we are to other people, but a step of faith we take to show our sincerity to God. Jesus says that God knows our hearts and sees our intentions and is moved by our faith-action of fasting. At its core, fasting is about slowing down to draw closer to God, which God loves. And when we draw close to Him, He draws close to us. That’s God’s Word for you today.

Posted in Daily Devotional
Posted in Jesus, Prayer, fasting