Fasting

 Daniel 9-10; Psalms 123; Luke 5

“So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes…’At that time I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over.’”

Daniel 9:3; 10:2, 3

Fasting was a regular part of Daniel’s worship and prayer life. His public duties continued while his body was humbled before God.

Are we valuing communion with God with the same intentionality?

Fasting, or abstaining from certain things, can take many forms. The most basic is abstaining fully or partially from food for a set period of time. Daniel’s revelations came both during periods of fasting, and during prompted fasting. As we humble ourselves before the Lord our flesh is subjected to our spirit, and the Holy Spirit receives our full attention. In a world full of distractions, noise, entertainment, and pride, the Lord invites us to humble ourselves and seek his face. We will not be disappointed.

“Lord Jesus, you fasted and instructed me to fast as personal worship, for your glory.”