FASTING, PRAYING, STUDYING and LIVING FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD
APRIL 15, 2021
The High Priests of the Restoration Branches as well as many other groups and branches have asked the Saints to observe each Sunday as a day of fasting and prayer. There are many reasons for asking the Saints to fast and pray. The ultimate objective, however, is for the return of Jesus Christ in His Glory and the establishment of His Kingdom (Zion) on earth.
Jesus is our chief example regarding fasting and prayer, as he fasted and prayed often, as indicated in the scriptures. In our efforts to grow spiritually, we always hear fast, pray, and study. So, what is fasting?
We understand "fasting" to be the practice of deliberately abstaining from food for spiritual purposes. Fasting is a means by which a believer brings his body into subjection. Fasting breaks down the barriers in man's carnal nature that stand in the way of the Holy Spirit's omnipotence. (All powerful)
The scriptures are full of examples of fasting, the reasons for it and the results. There are a number of different types of fasting: absolute which means no food or water; partial which means no food, but water is permissible; types of food; see Daniel 1:8-15 and 10:2-14. Scriptures also indicate where people fasted one meal, one day, three days, seven days, up to forty days.
Fasting is, for the most part, an individual practice. Therefore the person decides how, when, and what to fast and for what purposes. Fasting is a covenant or commitment to the Lord. Pray about it before you start. Write out your plan for fasting indicating why you are fasting, how you are fasting, the times to start and end your fast and perhaps a scriptural reference. Keep a journal so you can record your efforts.
Many saints are fasting the Wednesday evening and Sunday morning meals in preparation for worship. Again, it is between you and the Lord, but in this case, the Saints, as a body, are being asked to observe each Sunday as a day of fasting and prayer. There are many good books on the market about fasting. Three that I have found helpful are: Fasting for Spiritual Breakthrough by Elmer Towns; Shaping History through Prayer and Fasting by Derek Prince; and The Miracle of Fasting by Paul Bragg. All of these and many more can be found on the internet.
Critical times have always called for critical measures to meet the circumstances. You can find such things in all the scriptures and Church History. A temporary situation in the world is the virus. The real critical need of the world is to know Jesus Christ. A verse in a hymns states:
Church of Christ, in Latter Days, Rise, fulfill your destiny,
Meet the challenge of this hour, Serve in love and unity.
Excerpt from an article in Daily Bread April 15, 1970: "During one of our congregational prayer services a widely traveled church official told of meeting with Saints who really lived their religion. Their nonmember neighbors recognized the quality of life manifested by them and were drawn to learn more about the gospel they saw demonstrated. But the Saints weren't listing their good deeds day by day in order to attain a reward, they were simply witnessing (living) the faith they professed in the things they did.
The following prayer is from "A Diary of Private prayer" by John Baillie It is for the 15th day of the month. O God who art from eternity unto eternity, and art not at one time in one place because all times and places are in Thee, I would now seek to understand my destiny as a child of Thine. Here I am, weak and mortal, amid the immensities of nature. But blessed be Thou, O Lord God, that Thou hast made me in Thine own likeness and hast breathed into me the breath of Thine own life. Within this poor body Thou hast set a spirit that is akin to Thine own Spirit. Within this corruptible Thou has planted incorruption and within this mortal immortality. So from here, I can lift up my mind beyond all time and space to Thee, the uncreated One, until the light of Thy countenance illumines all my life.
Almighty God, who didst raise from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ and didst set Him at Thy right hand in glory everlasting, I thank Thee for this hope of immortality with which through many ages Thou hast cheered and enlightened the souls of Thy Saints, and which Thou didst most surely seal through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. In His Name, Amen.
God bless
Paul Gage
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