Jesus promised that after His Ascension His followers would fast. Consequently, throughout history Christians have fasted frequently, regularly, and joyfully. Pope St. John Paul II has even taught that prayer and fasting are the first and most effective weapons against the forces of evil (The Gospel of Life, 100; cf Mt 17:21, NAB).
Fasting is a powerful privilege through which we can be in the forefront of the Lord's great plan of salvation. The Lord has made fasting so important that the devil attempts to rob us of the graces of fasting. Satan tries to sabotage our fast by tempting us to:
Fast, as led by the Holy Spirit, for each of the forty days of Lent. Let nothing ruin your precious fast.
| PRAYER: | Father, grace me to fast in truth and love. |
| PROMISE: | "Would that today you might fast so as to make your voice heard on high!" –Is 58:4 |
| PRAISE: | St. Casimir, born of Polish royalty, dedicated himself to lifelong celibacy at a young age. He often prayed throughout the night and slept on the ground. |
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