Fasting

Fasting is one of the things I don't quite get about following God. I'm not sure if it's more for us or for God, but in some strange way it seems to accomplish something in the heavenlies. I just don't understand how not eating makes any difference; however, in the scriptures God calls his people to fast over and over again. This past week Daniel and I felt like God was calling us to do a little fasting ourselves. Fasting definitely gets you to focus. Someone once told me that fasting without prayer is just a diet. Well, it's the worst kind of diet I could think of. Who would want to fast without praying? Even Ian's peanut butter sandwich starts to look good after a couple of missed meals. And that nagging hungry feeling is a constant reminder in whom we are dependent upon and our need to pray.

As Daniel and I began to fast, we wrote down a few points of prayer to focus on. First, a deeper relationship with Jesus. Always and forever. Second, wisdom and guidance for our leaders over the Nazarene Asia-Pacific Region as they seek how to best fulfill God's great commission. Third, prayer for the WMC and it's outreach and vision and Daniel's role there. Fourth, God's further purposes and ministries for us here in the Philippines. Fifth, help in teaching and raising our kids that they may know a God in whom all things are possible. And last, but not least, a friend of ours shared a dream with us which seemed significant and probably was the catalyst for us starting this fast in the first place.

Each night Daniel and I spent some time talking and praying and Wednesday night we went over what we felt like God was speaking to us. One of things I felt like God was saying is that we are to stay here in the Philippines, specifically that we are not to go seeking other opportunities. God seemed to confirm this to Daniel as he spent time reading the book of Acts. Over and over again Daniel noticed that as God's people remained prayerful and open to God's leading, that God showed them what he wanted them to do when he wanted them to do it. Daniel and I are both in unity that we are where God wants us to be, serving where God wants us to serve and that we are to remain here until God calls us elsewhere. At this point, that looks like it could be a few years.

I have also had a special burden for the children who show up at our gate on a weekly, if not daily basis. Some want to sweep our sidewalk for a few pesos, others come collecting our empty plastic bottles to recycle and almost all of them ask for food. My emotions swing back and forth from compassion for these kids and a desire to help to annoyance and frustration at them knocking on our gate all of the time and targeting us as the place to go to ask for things. I know that God has provided for us abundantly and given us the means to help others. I just want to be wise in how we go about it. One specific thing I have felt God asking me to do is to learn their names and ask them specific things I can pray for them. It seems like such a small start, but I know it is what God wants. Daniel and I have prayed that each time we answer the gate that God would show us how He wants us to minister to this person.

After we finished praying, I went to look up Isaiah 61. Earlier in the evening a friend sent me a text asking me what my "life verse" was. This chapter of Isaiah has been significant to me for years. As I flipped through the pages the title above chapter 58 seemed to leap out at me: Fasting that Pleases God. Mere coincidence? I think not. Once again it confirmed that God is into taking care of "the least of these" and with God there is "always enough".

-M

Isaiah 58:6-9

6 “ Is this not the fast that I have chosen:
To loose the bonds of wickedness,
To undo the heavy burdens,
To let the oppressed go free,
And that you break every yoke?
7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,
And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out;
When you see the naked, that you cover him,
And not hide yourself from your own flesh?
8 Then your light shall break forth like the morning,
Your healing shall spring forth speedily,
And your righteousness shall go before you;
The glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.
9 Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer;
You shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’