Fasting. Growing up Catholic, what I knew about fasting was all about food and was mainly associated with Lent. Fasting was also required before taking communion. When I was very young we used to fast from food starting at 12:00 a.m. on Sunday in order to receive communion on Sunday morning. That meant no breakfast before Mass. As I grew older, the church changed this requirement to a one hour fast before taking communion. Lenten fasting (and abstinence) rules also changed with the times. Isn’t it funny (sad, typical) how man changes things to accommodate himself and his selfishness? So I've asked myself, was this God’s intent for what fasting is meant to accomplish? The Bible talks about fasting – but always connected with prayer and becoming closer to God. (I couldn’t find anything about fasting before receiving communion. hmmmm…)
Maybe what God really wants is for us to fast so that we can minimize the distractions that deter us from being in prayer and becoming ever closer to Him. Fasting might just mean purposely dedicating time for God and God alone. I don’t think that necessarily means not eating food, although it certainly could. In Biblical times, there wasn’t much else to give up. For us, it might mean giving up something else – an activity, TV, social media, video games. So that’s the fasting part. Dedicated, purposeful prayer is what should result. Prayer replaces what we give up. Is it hard to fast? Sure! Nothing worth achieving is accomplished without work. I believe that the however small sacrifice I make will allow the time I spend each and every day throughout our corporate fast to provide me with maximum refreshment and rest in The Lord. He will grant me strength to make it through. I will turn my eyes and my heart to The Lord and watch Him do marvelous things for Cornerstone!
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