Devotional Guidance
My beloved children, when we consider the practice of fasting, we see it is much more than simply abstaining from food. It is a profound way for our souls to connect with the heart of God. Fasting is an opportunity to look beyond the physical and focus on the deepest truths of our hearts, seeking to loosen the heavy burdens of the world and bring freedom to the oppressed.
When we fast sincerely, we are not seeking attention, but rather a true alignment with divine will. It is a time to quiet the noise of our worries and allow the Spirit to reveal where we need to change our ways, prompting us to seek justice and genuine compassion. True fasting is an act of deep prayer and repentance, allowing us to find true pleasure in God’s presence and experience His grace in our lives.
Isaiah 58:5-7
5. Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him ? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD? 6. Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
Deuteronomy 16:8-10
8. Six days thou shalt eat unleavened bread: and on the seventh day shall be a solemn assembly to the LORD thy God: thou shalt do no work therein . 9. Seven weeks shalt thou number unto thee: begin to number the seven weeks from such time as thou beginnest to put the sickle to the corn.
Matthew 6:15-18
15. But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. 16. Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 17. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;
Isaiah 58:3-5
3. Wherefore have we fasted, say they , and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours. 4. Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high.
2 Samuel 12:21-24
21. Then said his servants unto him, What thing is this that thou hast done? thou didst fast and weep for the child, while it was alive; but when the child was dead, thou didst rise and eat bread. 22. And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether GOD will be gracious to me, that the child may live? 23. But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.