Fasting Prayers
Fasting… the word in a religious context may begin to conjure up all manner of rigid resolutions of giving up something for a season. Regrettably, this is a narrow and incomplete view. The practice of fasting is rooted in a focused effort of intention to remove distractions in order to best experience the fullness and presence of God. Think of fasting as a journey that leads to a greater freedom rather than a giving up of freedoms.
Tell the story of Esther – read and mainly focus on chapter 4 and the concept of fasting in verse 16.
Pray together and ask God to show you something that is distracting you from loving God more.
Consider fasting from this option – grumbling and complaining. Think of ways to use your words to build others up, to speak truth in loving ways – to offer compliments instead of complaints. And when something does not go your way, instead of grumbling and complaining, be silent, pray, and then fast from your natural inclination to grumble.
As a fun practice, do the following activity – think of three people you can compliment. Use a pad of sticky notes and write words of encouragement on them and leave them in a place where these people can see them – what a gift of words this will be!
Content inspired by Faithful Families for Lent, Easter, and Resurrection by Tracy Smith – Chalice Press: 2021. All rights Reserved.
