While they were
worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me
Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” So after they had
fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.
Acts 13:2
Have you ever been to an ice show with children? If you have
you know their favorite part of the show is often not the characters skating
around on the ice and all the special effects. No. Their favorite part of the
ice show is usually the Zamboni.
That’s right, the big machine invented by Frank Zamboni back
in the early 1940’s, often captures the imagination and wonder of children –
and adults – like nothing else on ice. I believe it is because it makes
everything like new again! If you don’t know, the Zamboni is a big truck with
warm water inside. It drives over the rough surface of skating rinks during
hockey games, figure skating competitions … and ice shows. It spreads a perfectly
even coat of warm water which flows smoothly over the existing ice and freezes
instantly. Like magic the ice behind the truck is flawless and ready to be used
again by the skaters.
Why am I telling you this? Because Jesus knows that our
souls and our bodies need an occasional Zamboni!.Except, He calls it Fasting.
Why is fasting so important? Because it puts us in harmony
with His Father. Along with prayer, fasting demands humility from those who
wish to be close to Him. Fasting humbles and cleanses the flesh. And we cannot
enter the presence of God unless we are pure in all ways. That is why we count
on Jesus and obey His commands.
We also do as He did. Jesus went into the desert to pray and
fast for forty days. He did this in preparation for His ministry. And this we
do, as Christians and as a church, in preparation for the year ahead.
Yes, you can go a certain distance in God, experiencing many
things, without fasting. But the greatest and most powerful blessings come to
those who together with other disciplines, fast in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Fasting is not magic. It works because God has a plan for
your life and He looks for those who urgently want to make the corrections necessary
to follow Him. Fasting simply gives you a clean
slate – a clean mind, body, soul and heart – onto which you can more
effectively place God's focus for your life.
If you’re up to it, there is no better time than right now
to fast and pray. What a great way to start the new year! For more information, here is a link to help you begin.
This Week’s Prayer
Dear Lord, this time is for You. Please make of me what You
will. Strengthen me as I fast and pray. Give me a pure heart and mind. Cleanse
my body and prepare me for the days ahead. I want to hear every word the Holy
Spirit has for me so that I may follow the beautiful plan You have made for my
life. Lead on, dear Jesus, lean on. Amen.
