I know that many who have been reading my blog are reading to see how we might be doing these days. It is only 8 days since our son received a new name and body. For those looking here for Matt and Marlene grieving updates, “Yes, we are still grieving and sensing loss. There are periodic “grief bursts” (the psychological term used for having unpredicted swelling of emotion, generally due to seeing or hearing or remembering something sparking tears) mingled with times of extraordinary joy and elation.” I will likely write more about this life changing experience for as many years as I am writing this blog.
But, today is a day we have asked people throughout the church to pray and fast for our brothers and sisters in
India-
for justice and mercy to simultaneously come in the situation of our persecuted friends. We are on the cusp of a persecution wave that has the potential to spread, if unchecked, far beyond the confines of a few districts and cities. They need us to fast and pray for them from the safe confines of our more comfortable places.
Fasting, coupled with prayer, has a tendency to do several things that many, who have not learned to fast and pray, may not know or have experienced. It . . .
-raises a sense of urgency in our prayer- intensifies it
-reorients our day and subordinates other interests of our day to one thing
-gives us occasion to pray more frequently (when hunger pangs hit)
-elevates our prayer itself- I don’t know how it does, but I know it does from personal experience (Matthew 17:21; Daniel 9:3; Acts 14:23)
-brings body, soul and spirit together in a comprehensive focus/activity
-residually heightens our spiritual sensitivity (I have often become more aware of personal sin or need during times of fasting that otherwise seem imperceptible or small that can then be removed like a thorn to make my prayer more effective)
God answers prayer. He often answers mine in very tangible and visible ways. Jesus implied that fasting would be a part of our prayer regimen (Matthew 6:16-18; 17:21; Mark 2:20). Yet it isn’t coupled with prayer for many people. However, he expected it to be. I would encourage you to allow God to elevate your prayer life today and intensify your help in an area that desperately needs your contribution today.
[Interstingly, I remember not too many years ago (before cancer hit) offering food to my son, Mitch, and learned through his refusal to take the food, that he was fasting for a friend in crisis. God answered in a truly confirming way. But, today he is feasting at heaven’s banquet table. So, we will fast here for the crisis here.]