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(Matthew 4:1) "Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.”
In this series, we're delving deeper into the teachings that Jesus left us to follow. The ninth commandment leads us to our next focus: PRAYER AND FASTING ...
I've encouraged you towards prayer, so let's now explore fasting. Jesus fasted for 40 days and nights in the wilderness, as described in the Gospels, especially in Matthew 4:1-11. This period of fasting served as preparation for His public ministry. It was a way to strengthen His spirit, resist Satan's temptations, and demonstrate reliance on God. His fast exemplified His commitment and obedience to God's will.
So let's look at a Biblical definition of fasting... In the Bible, fasting generally refers to abstaining from food to seek GOD's guidance, express repentance, or deepen one's spiritual focus. Therefore, fasting is basically seen as a means to humble oneself and draw closer to GOD.
Let's look at some other examples of people who fasted in the Bible and why.
- Moses: Fasted for 40 days and nights on Mount Sinai while receiving the Ten Commandments (Exodus 34:28).
- Daniel: Fasted to seek understanding and mourn for the sins of his people (Daniel 9:3, Daniel 10:2-3).
- Esther: Called for a fast among the Jews to seek GOD's protection before approaching the king (Esther 4:16).
- Elijah: Fasted for 40 days and nights while fleeing from Jezebel, sustained by GOD's provision (1 Kings 19:8).
- David: Fasted to seek GOD's mercy for his child (2 Samuel 12:16).
These fasts were determined acts of seeking guidance, expressing repentance, and invoking Divine intervention...
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Let's pray, "Heavenly Father, I seek Your presence and guidance over the distractions that pull me away from You, whether they are food, habits, or other influences. Grant me strength and clarity as I focus my heart and mind on You. May this fast deepen my faith and draw me closer to Your love and wisdom. Guide my thoughts, renew my spirit, and help me to listen to Your voice. Let this time be a journey of transformation and spiritual growth." Amen!
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URGENT PRAYER REQUESTS (Please keep checking as more are being added almost daily)