Week 4 Guided Prayer

Pause (From Lectio 365)

As I enter prayer now, I pause to be still; to breathe slowly, to re-center my scattered senses upon the presence of God

Our passage this week we’re meditating on is  Matthew 6:16-18

And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 

We make space to consider fasting, giving, and feasting for this week

Fasting

what need or desire will you abstain from and trust God with as you seek Him?  

Giving

Consider the ways you have offered or received generosity and its effect on you. How and what might God lead you to give?

Feasting

And what will you celebrate? Who will you invite to share in your celebration? What joy is waiting to fill your life as you remember God’s presence and faithfulness?

Let’s read our passage this week again and Listen to what may stand out and the Holy Spirit may be highlighting for you today

And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 

This week we’ll consider fasting a meal. 

Later in Matthew’s Gospel, John’s disciples had asked why Jesus’ disciples did not observe the customary fasts. Jesus replied, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast” In His response, Jesus associated fasting with mourning. Though there are numerous motivations and methods of fasting, today I invite you to experience what some refer to as a Bridegroom Fast as we reflect on the first time Jesus told His disciples of His soon-coming death. In this type of fast, the ache to eat an earthly meal serves to kindle an ache to partake of what the apostle John called the “wedding supper of the Lamb” (Revelation 19:9) 

(Excerpt taken from Alicia Chole's 40 Days of Decrease book)

Spirit where are you inviting me into deeper relationship with you through fasting? 

Where have I been most resistant to fasting?

I speak this out loud to you now

Spirit renew my mind with your word and invitation to something deeper and more fulfilling for me than any meal I might fast or thing in this world I’d give up. 

This week during the time you would have been eating, read Revelation 22:1-16 and then slowly read verse 17 multiple times. 

As we end we’ll read verse 17 where Jesus invites us to the greatest feast and the satisfaction of the deepest longing and desires of our very being. 

[17] The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.

Thank you for your invitation Jesus!