HOW YOU SHOULD FAST AND PRAY
Jenna Worsham
Today’s Scripture: “This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.’” Matthew 6:9-10, ESV
Theme: When we fast, our prayers need to begin with a focus on worship and recognition of God for Who He is, not on what we want.
FASTING IS FOR PRAYING
In “The Lord’s Prayer,” Jesus shows us a model for the composition of a simple and direct prayer. Our pastors and others have explained each line and its purpose. I’m thankful Jesus prayed an example prayer. It gives me comfort when I don’t know what to pray and gives me direction when I feel like I’m “doing it wrong.” Fasting is a tool we use to help us connect with God. I can’t imagine fasting without prayer because the reason I fast is to find deeper connection with God; it is certainly not to find a deeper connection with my stomach. Fasting helps us to pray sincerely, with purpose and enthusiasm. When it seems that prayers “aren’t working,” maybe we need a new perspective to be delivered from apathy. Regardless of why our prayers may become rote or insincere, fasting can help us break the cycle. Because Biblical fasting is not separate from prayer, but instead part of it, the Lord’s Prayer can help us to know what to focus on first when we fast.
PREPARATION
Days before a planned fast, my mind begins to change. This week, I have planned activities around fasting. My son’s birthday is this week. Thankfully it didn’t fall on exactly the day and time we plan to fast. An unexpected request to provide a ride for a friend to a difficult appointment came up the morning I plan to fast and pray. It was easy to decide to help because the day is already set aside for God to work, not for my convenience. I appreciate each meal this week in a new way. I have been intentional about providing healthy and nourishing options for my family – on Monday kale salad (and a regular salad for my picky ones), creamy risotto and grilled salmon on Sunday, from scratch chicken and veggie tortilla soup with homemade salsa on Monday. And I’m looking forward to breaking the fast in a meaningful way on Thursday. Though I haven’t planned that meal yet, I hope it will include homemade bread and grape juice (for celebrating the LORD’s Supper).
START WITH WORSHIP
Worship has definitely been part of previous days when I have fasted, but I am not sure if worship was first. The Cove Church family was invited to join our Lead Pastor in fasting during the month of January, beginning each Wednesday evening around 6 p.m. until Thursday evening around 6 p.m. – roughly 24 hours. In addition, we were invited to attend a worship service each Thursday morning in January at the Mooresville campus at 7 a.m. This is a powerful example. First thing Thursday morning, our leaders plan to worship to begin the day. We are invited to do the same whether in person at the building or on our own when we begin our fast. The first line in The Lord’s prayer is in adoration or worship (today’s scripture Matthew 6:9-10). When we worship, we reorder our priorities and our hearts, a good thing to do first. God is greater, stronger, wiser, and more powerful than we often acknowledge with our choices and our words. Worship first helps us align our minds and wills when that’s what we desire to do. It may sound like allowing worship to change us takes individuality from us, yet instead it is life-giving to worship, removing wrong ideas, needless worries, and ultimately allowing us to see God more clearly for Who and what He is.
Make It Personal: When you fast and pray, this is how you should start: with worship. How can you make it so in your prayers and fasting this week or this month? Consider attending one of the 7 a.m. worship services if your schedule allows or can be modified to accommodate.
Pray: Heavenly Father, I worship You for Your unending love, abiding faithfulness, generosity, goodness, kindness, and compassion. You are enough. Thank You for teaching me to depend on You more as I offer my own weakness, allowing myself to be hungry and needy, frightened and poor, strengthened and encouraged. In Jesus’ Name, amen.
Read: Deuteronomy 26:9-11; 1 Chronicles 29:10-20
Weekly Memory Verse: “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19, ESV