Filled By Prayer

I grew up with Lent being a time of giving something up; cutting out soda, screen time, or some other vice. A few years ago, a pastor asked me to consider looking at Lent as a time to add something of value to my spiritual life instead of giving something up. Going to an additional worship service, a daily Bible study, or being consistent with prayer were some of his suggestions. Taking this advice, I began studying the Bible, intensely, and learned about fasting. Today, we may scrunch up our face at the idea of fasting; wondering to ourselves why we would deprive ourselves of comfort. Our lives are focused on finding comfort in the tangible things of this world and not on depravity. The thing is, fasting is a real biblical concept and a way to deepen our spiritual connection. We see examples of fasting throughout the Bible in men and women like Moses, Hannah, David, Daniel, Ezra, Esther, Elijah, Nehemiah, and the Jews. More importantly, Jesus fasted and told us to fast. Fasting is not an extra step we take during our day to make ourselves appear pious. To disfigure our faces and let those around us know we are enduring the struggles of a fast is not what Jesus had in mind. Fast humbly. Fast quietly. Seek out a small network of faithful brothers and sisters for support but don’t boast.

By replacing food with prayer, studying, and seeking out God in His Word, you become satiated with His presence in your life. There are many things besides food that may obscure our relationship with God. Fasting from anything that takes up space from God will forge an invitation for God to come in. Fasting is a way for us to eliminate distractions and fill ourselves with our Creator. Take a moment and think about the distractions that bombard you daily. Fasting is not meant as a burdensome task that will earn favor with God. While fasting and eliminating things that satisfy our appetites, we will begin turning to God, depending on Him, and desiring Him. Seek out the spiritual buffet of food offered by God in denying yourself physical food. There is power in self-sacrifice for God’s intimacy. There is power in surrendering things of this world and making space for God. Start small. The next time you pick up that bag of chips, replace it with time with God. Do a Bible study, pray and invite God in. Work yourself up to finding nourishment in God in place of that snack or meal. Maybe take it a step further and deny yourself something of this world for a day and feast on God. Hunger for God.

Prayer: Father, God, help us to grow closer to you and to develop a deeper relationship with you. Give us the strength to recognize worldly “things” that interfere with our time with you. Give us the wisdom to recognize this and begin a feast with you, alternatively. Help us draw near to you, depend on you alone in place of the worldly things we rely on. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.