a light-fast
"Let the prisoners' sighing come before You; with Your great power free those doomed to death." —Psalm 79:11
Daniel "turned to the Lord God, pleading in earnest prayer, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes" (Dn 9:3). After Daniel fasted, he confessed his sins, and the Archangel Gabriel revealed to him the application of one of Jeremiah's prophecies (Dn 9:20ff).
Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert where He fasted forty days (Lk 4:2). After this fast, Jesus revealed that His public ministry would be the fulfillment of a prophecy of Isaiah (Lk 4:18-19).
The prophets and teachers of the church of Antioch were fasting (Acts 13:1-2), and "the Holy Spirit spoke" in prophecy "to them" regarding doing one of the first Christian missionary outreaches (Acts 13:2).
Fasting is often a catalyst leading to the light of divine revelation. Therefore, fasting helps us begin a ministry or mission, or it will reveal to us how we can return to the Lord, if we have strayed from the missions He has given us.
We have now been fasting for the first twelve days of Lent. The light of divine revelation may be about to "break forth like the dawn" (Is 58:8). In the northern hemisphere, it is getting lighter each day of Lent. This should not only be true naturally but also supernaturally. Fast into the Light.
Prayer: Father, during this Lent, may I repent, lose weight, and greatly improve my spiritual eyesight.
Promise: "Give, and it shall be given to you. Good measure pressed down, shaken together, running over, will they pour into the fold of your garment." —Lk 6:38
Praise: By studying the Scriptures while fasting, Philip has found that his spiritual eyes have been opened and that he has insights he has never had before.
Reference: (To register for our Youth Retreat, March 9th, call 937-587-5464, e-mail retreats@presentationministries.com or register online at www.presentationministries.com)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, August 18, 2001
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, August 25, 2001