Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but Your disciples do not fast?” And Jesus said to them, “The wedding guests cannot mourn as long as the Bridegroom is with them, can they? The days will come when the Bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. Matthew 9:14-15
Our prayers for ourselves, for strife in and between Nations, for our Nations leaders, and for others are strengthened by fasting. Fasting is a holy and personal choice from which you receive a call to fast from Holy Spirit. Many at Alpha Church are fasting in prayer for the war torn situation in Ukraine, for seventeen missionaries kidnapped in Haiti, for famine and droughts to be relieved, for children and teens with dire illnesses, and others.
In our Scripture today John the Baptist's disciples go to Jesus with the question about His disciples not fasting. They see that Jesus' disciples do not fast and need to understand the reason behind their actions. Jesus is the Bridegroom and those who believe on Him with their whole hearts are the Bride-- the Bride is His Church initiated with the Son of God's Presence among them.
The spiritual discipline of fasting is marvelous! When food is taken out of your day on a temporarily basis you may experience the pure Power of Holy Spirit anointing your prayer. your senses may be heightened to the guidance of Christ as God's will is directed, and you may deepen your responsive love transactions with Heavenly Father. And the spiritual gifts that Apostle Paul directs us to in 1 Corinthians 12 are clarified and used within you to produce outward expression of faith in Jesus Christ.
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