The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 22 September 2024 — To Fast Or Not To Fast
TOPIC: To Fast Or Not To Fast
READ: Matthew 9:14-17 (NKJV)
- Then the disciples of John came to Him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but Your disciples do not fast?”
- And Jesus said to them, “Can the friends of the bridegroom mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.
- “No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; for the patch pulls away from the garment, and the tear is made worse.
- “Nor do they put new wine into old wineskins, or else the wineskins break, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But they put new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.”
THE MESSAGE:
The disciples of John the Baptist came and asked Jesus why they and the Pharisees fasted often but His (Jesus’) disciples did not. Jesus’ reply showed that His disciples would not fast while He was still with them. He also stated that one cannot use a new cloth to patch an old cloth or put a new wine in an old bottle. In both cases, the aim would be defeated.
However, if new wine is put in a new bottle, both are preserved. People have different reasons why they fast. Some fast because they want to slim down. The Pharisees fasted to be seen by men as spiritual leaders (Matthew 6: 16). The type of fast that God loves is found in Isaiah 58: 6-9.
Do not fast in order to fulfil all righteousness or because other people are fasting. Rather fast when you have a good reason to do so, especially for your spiritual growth. Let your fasting not be a “hunger strike” when you do not eat but do everything else without reading your Bible or praying. Decide today to start fasting when it is needful. Fast in a way that will glorify the Lord.
PRAYER: Grant me grace O Lord to fast the way that pleases You in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
PRAYER POINTS ON TODAY’S DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL
DATE: SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2024
TOPIC: TO FAST OR NOT TO FAST
- Father in the name of Jesus, thank You for the grace to see this day in good health and sound mind.
- Father, thank You for the special gift of life, many wished to see this day, but they couldn’t.
- Thank You Jesus for being there for us, Your children.
- Thank You Lord for Your plans for me this month and this year. They are plans of good, not of evil, to give me a successful and good end.
- Father, please forgive me all my known and unknown sins, and give me power to overcome sin and its lustful desires, in Jesus’ name
- Help me Holy Spirit to follow Jesus till the end, in Jesus’ name
- Holy Spirit, guide me to fast aright, in Jesus’ name.
- I receive grace to fast for my spiritual growth, in Jesus’ name
- Help me Holy Spirit, to fast when it is needful, in Jesus’ name.
- Henceforth, in my fasting God shall be glorified, in Jesus name
- LORD, help us to get it right in Nigeria, and let Your perfect will be enforced on us in Jesus’ name.
- Heavenly Father, let Your peace reign in this country,
- Whether the devil likes it or not, I will make heaven and receive my eternal rewards in Jesus’ Name.
- This is the day the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.
- Personal and family prayer requests.
- Confession: God bless the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), God bless the Universal Church, and bless our country Nigeria -1 Chronicles 17:27.
- Thank You Lord for answered prayers, in Jesus’ Mighty Name we pray. Amen.
