Lenten Word 3: Fasting

Daniel 9:3: Then I turned to the Lord God, to seek an answer by prayer and supplication with fasting and sackcloth and ashes. "Go without eating," may have been the words of that first individual who sought to know more about God and asked a friend what he/she could do. The practice of fasting was seen in ancient cultures as a medical remedy to help with some ailments, and in the spiritual world, to neglect physical food and seek spiritual food would help in finding answers to challenges and questions. In the story of Daniel, we find a young man who loved and sought God in all things. His life is a testimony to the power and presence of God in the most difficult and adverse of conditions. Early in the story when given a seat at the king's banquet table, Daniel chose to eat only vegetables and water to drink (Daniel 1: 12), a fasting from the rich meats and wine offered to the other captives. Daniel sought God during this fasting, and it was God that blessed his life with the answers and strength that he needed. So as chapter 9 comes along, Daniel knows that great devastation is coming to the people of Israel and so he turns to God seeking an answer by prayer and supplication with fasting and sackcloth and ashes. The sackcloth and ashes was to humble oneself to the lowest possible level, seeking to make know the will of God for oneself. So, by praying which replaces the physical food, Daniel knew that he would receive an answer. Lent allows for people to fast from certain things; true fasting would be to completely deny oneself physical nourishment for a time or a meal, and instead seek to nourish ones spirit with food. A fast longer than one day would require, in my opinion, a trip to the doctor to get his/her approval and supervision for extended periods of fasting. Our Lord, of course, fasted forty days and forty nights and thus prepared Himself for his ministry. Our Lenten Journey is a walk with Jesus to more deeply understand who we are and Whose we are. Whatever you may have given up, take up something spiritual to take its place. PRAYER: Lord, You are the Bread of Life and the Living Waters; satisfy me in all my needs, make clear my mind and renew my heart during this Lenten Journey. This is my prayer in Thy name, amen.