Wednesday 8 March 2023

Believers' Prayer Meeting with St. Akin | R 15 W 6 D 3.


Welcome to The Upper Room. So glad you came.

Happy Fifteenth Day of the Lenten Season.

We continue with our meditations in The Book of Daniel. We are on verses 2 and 3 of Chapter 10, The Daniel Fast. It reads,

"In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three full weeks. I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled."

We continue with our meditations and discussion on "A Fasted Life" as compared with "Intermittent Fasting," as we dissect Isaiah 58. Next, we look at verse 5. It reads,

"Is it a fast that I have chosen, a day for a man to afflict his soul? Is it to bow down his head like a bulrush, and to spread out sackcloth and ashes? Would you call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the Lord?"

God reiterates the question, "Is it a fast that I have chosen, a day for a man to afflict his soul?" He is saying, a day of fast is a day for a man to afflict his soul, not sheer afflict his body or make a show to others. The focus is on the soul, though it is not isolated from the body.

That which affects the soul affects the body, and vice versa. When I afflict my body, by way of abstinence from food and make be water, it has an effect on my soul. The effect on my soul is the intent of fasting, not just abstinence.

If the fasting stops at abstinence, it is a failure. It must have the desired effect on the soul for it to be fasting. Worth noting is that the desired effect on the soul can also be achieved by other abstinences other than food and water.

People get to fast other things that hitherto give them pleasure. Things like social media, Watching Television, Playing Video Games, etc. Remember the end purpose is the affliction (sobering, circumcision, controlling, quieting, humbling) of the soul.

One can choose at a anything time to do an intermittent fast of any of these either to rein the soul in for that purpose or for the purpose of prayers and worship. Fasting works the singular purpose of circumcision all on its own. It is not just because one wants to supplicate.

Fasting on its is a spiritual discipline for its own. I don't have to only fast when I want something from God. I fast and can fast for the sheer purpose of getting my life right and sorted out. God's admonition to us is that we be sober and be vigilant because we have an enemy. 

Fasting is one of the tools in our spiritual toolbox to wrought this. So, fasting is not only for the Lenten Season. It ought to be a part of our life - a lifestyle. It is in this wise we see the Pharisee proclaiming is twice a week fasting. 

Yours does not have to be twice a week. It needs be measured to fit your life.

Let us pray.

The Saint.

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