Jesus said that after His ascension His followers would surely fast. Today, Friday, is the traditional fast day for Christians. Are you fasting today? On what day or days have you fasted this week? Do you fast completely, eat only one meal for the day, or just have bread and water? Do you feast on prayer and God's word when you fast from food? Do you experience solidarity with the world's poor and starving when you fast?
Jesus calls us to fast in a new way which is so powerful that it is incompatible with the old lifestyle of the world. Fasting in Jesus' name can cause an explosion (Lk 5:37), inaugurate a ministry (Lk 4:2ff), raise up leaders (Acts 14:23), defeat the devil (Mt 17:21, NAB), or begin a mission of world evangelism (Acts 13:3). Because New Testament fasting is so powerful, it's a privilege to be chosen by the Lord to fast. Fasting is one of our best opportunities to serve the Lord, change human hearts, build the Church, and reconcile a broken world. Ask the Lord for the privilege of fasting more.
| PRAYER: | Father, I thank You for fasting even more than I thank You for food. |
| PROMISE: | "It pleased God to make absolute fullness reside in Him and, by means of Him, to reconcile everything in His person, both on earth and in the heavens, making peace through the blood of His cross." –Col 1:19-20 |
| PRAISE: | Stephen not only fasts on Fridays but for fifteen years has spent an hour in adoration every Friday. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College