Daily Office Day 4 - Fast with Purpose...to express concern for the work of God

*Fast with Purpose…to express concern for the work of God

1 ) Silence, stillness, and centering before God (2min)

2) Scripture Reading – Nehemiah 1:1-11 Click to Read

3) Devotional Just as a parent might fast and pray out of concern for the work of God in the life of a child, so we may fast and pray because they feel a burden for the work of God in a broader scope. One might feel compelled to fast and pray for the work of God in a place that has experienced tragedy, disappointment, or apparent defeat. This was the purpose for Nehemiah’s fast when he heard that despite the return of many Jewish exiles to Jerusalem, the city wall had no wall to defend it. After his fast, Nehemiah then went to work to do something tangible and public to strengthen this work of God.

A devoted believer in this rhythm of fasting, David Brainerd’s concerns for the work of God frequently found expression in fasting and prayer. In his journal entry for June 14, 1742, he demonstrated his concern for the work he believed God had called him to do.

I set apart this day for secret fasting and prayer, to entreat God to direct and bless me with regard to the great work I have in view, of preaching the gospel…God enabled me to wrestle ardently in intercession for absent friends…The Lord visited me marvelously in prayer; I think my soul never was in such an agony before.  I felt no restraint, for the treasures of divine grace were opened to me. I wrestled for absent friends, for the ingathering of souls, for multitudes of poor souls, and for many that I thought were the children of God, personally, in many distant places.

Although, we will not fast continually, the Lord may at least may occasionally give us a concern for His work so great that our normal concern for food or other things we fast from will seem secondary in comparison. 

4) Questions to Consider

Can you think of any place of God’s work that has experienced tragedy, disappointment, or apparent defeat? Do you find yourself in a similar situation? How is God leading you to serve or to pray in the work He is doing?

5) Prayer

Lord Jesus, I know You are working in me. Thank you for loving me. I want to be right with you, to be close to you, and to know you. Help me to be sensitive to Your Holy Spirit and guide my hand, my path, and my prayers in what You are doing. I love you. In Your Name. Amen.

*portions of today’s Daily Office have been taken from “Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life” by Donald S. Whitney

Daily Office Day 3 - Fast with Purpose...to overcome temptation

1 ) Silence, stillness, and centering before God (2min)

2) Scripture Reading – Matthew 4:1-11

 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.  The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

3) Devotional
Ask Christians to name a fast by a biblical character and most all probably think first of the supernatural fast of Jesus prior to his temptation.  In the spiritual strength of that prolonged fast, he was prepared to overcome a direct onslaught of temptation of Satan himself, the strongest he would face until Gethesmane.  It was also during that fast that he privately dedicated himself to the father for the public ministry he would begin soon thereafter.  There are times we struggle with temptation or we anticipate grappling with it, when we need extra spiritual strength to overcome it.  Often we face decisions that place unusual temptations before us.  Do we take a new job that will mean much more money but much less time with family?  In times of exceptional temptation, exceptional measures are required.  Fasting for the purpose of overcoming temptation and of renewing our dedication to God is a Christlike response.

4) Questions to Consider

Think about the areas in your life where you have been tempted in the past.   What areas in your life do you find yourself tempted today?    Are there lies behind those temptations you need to apply God’s truth to and overcome them?

 5) Prayer

Father God, help me in times of temptation.  Help me to hide your word deep within my heart so that I may apply truth in my walk.  Lord forgive me in times when I have given in to temptation, but grant me more courage and strength in the future, so that I may flee from those temptations.  When I am weak, I can be strong through the power of Christ.  Thank you for your presence in this time I have with you.  In Jesus’ name. Amen.

*portions of today’s Daily Office have been taken from “Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life” by Donald S. Whitney