Prayer & Fasting

We talk a lot about prayer in our Christian circles. How often, how to, when to, what way, with what authority...you get the point.

Just because we talk about it often doesn't mean we're good at it, or that we pray often. We'll save that discussion for another time.

But we don't talk much about fasting. Why? What are we so scared of? Is it because we don't do it, or because we don't want others to know about it?

In Matthew 6, Jesus talks about 3 things we shouldn't do just for show: give to the needy, prayer, and fasting. Two of these (giving to the needy and prayer are in the forefront of our post-modern minds) the third...let's not talk about it.

In our over indulgent, self reliant, push until you can't anymore, the fasting needs a quick re-entry into the regular Christian practice. I admit- I'm not very good at it (and even if I was I wouldn't tell you about it right!). But I know there are times I have trouble focusing on my relationship with God. I also know from past experience that fasting allows you specific, set aside time to focus on Him. You may be distracted by the gurgling in your stomach, but can you allow that to put you into stronger communication with Him?

This Sunday we will continue our series on the Sermon on the Mount by Jesus. It is quite possibly the most important teaching in all of Christianity. With in it, we find some of the most difficult teaching in all of Christianity. Prayer and fasting, certainly fall into that category.

More next week on this...after I do some more, study, prayer, fasting, and preaching on it (Sunday @ Grace Crossing).