Transcript
Throughout scripture, the people of God repeatedly observe the practice of fasting, a time set aside to abstain from food so that they might lean further into God
As the practice of fasting was a means of God\\\'s grace to his people, then it is still a means of grace for his people
Today, when trials weigh us down, fasting reminds us to pray
The hunger of our bodies reminds us to pray for wisdom in the challenges we face
It reminds us to pray for strength, that we could endure the obstacles ahead of us
And it reminds us to pray for God\\\'s deliverance because we know it\\\'s not the things of this world that will ultimately deliver us, but God
And when tragedy interrupts our lives, fasting invites us to bring our grief to God
The groans of our hungry body join together with the groans of our soul, crying out for God\\\'s restoration
And these physical needs are an opportunity to express our spiritual needs, saying, Lord, we need you to comfort us, and we trust that you will
When temptation threatens to pull us into sin, fasting strengthens us to live for righteousness
Our hunger serves as a constant reminder to resist the devil and draw near to God
As our body aches, we recall the mortality of our flesh, and we turn to God
Independence, acknowledging our weakness,
Because his strength is made perfect in weakness, in every temptation, tragedy and trial
Fasting is an opportunity for every Christian to live out the words of scripture, man must not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God