Lent 2024 | Day 3

Day 3 (Friday, Feb 16)
As I enter prayer now, I pause to be still; to breathe slowly, to re-center my scattered senses upon the presence of God.¹

Pause and pray.

“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
 to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke,
 to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?
 Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
 when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
 Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear;
 then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.
 Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
(Isaiah 58:6-9)

Think about it.

Yesterday we asked you to consider some form of fasting during Lent. I’d like to think a bit more with you today about why fasting could be a good choice. The prophet Isaiah reminds us that God doesn’t want us to fast if it’s just checking off some box. He has a much bigger agenda—things like injustice, oppression, hunger, poverty—in a word, righteousness. Today, would you join me in praying about fasting this Lent, not only for personal growth, but also as a first step toward participating in God’s greater Kingdom purposes?

Pause and pray.
Consider.

I’ve often dismissed challenges to fast because it’s uncomfortable or inconvenient. It feels like it’s someone else’s idea, not my own. But as I think about my own selfish reasons for not participating in a fast, isn’t that exactly the kind of attitude God wants to change in me? What about you? Are you willing to give God space to change you in ways that might be uncomfortable?

 Pray.

Come, Lord Jesus.

Don’t just fast with your mouth, but also with your eyes, and your ears, and your feet, and your hands, and all the members of your body. (John Chrysostom)²

Notes
(1)  Prayer used daily in Lectio365 found at https://www.24-7prayer.com/resource/lectio-365/
(2) Quoted by Redeemer Presbyterian Church, https://www.redeemer.com/learn/prayer/prayer_and_fasting/fasting_basics