"Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance...." (Matthew 6:16a)
During the early days of the charismatic renewal we heard a lot about "the early Church," and how we should be more like that Church. Well, one thing they did regularly was to fast twice a week, Wednesdays and Fridays. I wonder what would have happened in the "renewal" if the Church would have taken this seriously.
Jesus does say, "Do not fast." He said, "When you fast," and, when you do, don't do it the way many religious folk do, viz., "Look at me, how spiritual I am." He then added, "Assuredly I say to you, they have their reward." I call you and me today to aspire to the "reward" in Jesus Christ, the "reward" which comes from a walk of obedience. In the "physical" sense, "the Bridegroom is taken away....Then they will fast." Of course, "Jesus Christ is in you", but we do not see Him now in His Glorious Resurrected Body; hence, "....then they will fast."
I have decided to add Friday to my regular fast day of Wednesday in view of world events and the coming US Election. Now what I do is if someone wants to have breakfast or lunch on one of those days, I usually accept the invitation. I simply take one of the other days of the week to keep the two day fast schedule.
Not everything which the Pharisees and Sadducees did was hypocritical and without the "sanction" of the Godhead, e.g., prayer, fasting, giving alms. These spiritual graces are ours also. Will you join me in 2020? Maybe the Church will obtain 2020 vision.
Father, in Jesus' Name, I say with David, "When you said, 'Seek My Face,' my heart said to You, 'Your Face, Lord, do I seek.'" Amen.
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I am praying about how we could fast and pray during this coming, world-changing year. Perhaps we could have a conference-call prayer time together on each of the fast days. "Selah."
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
Hebrews 12:2
Hebrews 12:2
