Those who have consecrated themselves to prayer and worship . . . and fasting . . . are privileged to consider the privileges of a fasted lifestyle. Let us look at just two verses and see the promises of God to those who fast “the Lord’s fast.”
Isaiah 58:8, 9 … Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, ‘Here I am.’
Not a bad trade off for butter and cheese, is it?
What we must do, of course, is accept the terms of the fast. The Lord clearly states earlier in the chapter that the fasting that touches His heart is not the bowing down of one’s head for a day and sitting in an ash heap, while the issues of the heart continue in selfishness, quarrelsomeness, and control over others. That kind of abstinence, as He tells us so plainly, will not cause our voices to be heard on high.
This powerful word gives us hope, nevertheless. It gives us the assurance that there is a fast that will cause our voices to be heard, and as we investigate, we see that there is fasting that touches the very soul of God.
The Lord’s fast DOES THE WORK OF THE LORD more than just adjusting our food intake. To fast certain foods, to fast meals, is powerful when we remember the Lord’s compassions and purposes, and that is what we are about during these special days. We have entered a season of holy and sober celebration, and our love will prove our preparation, here in Cor Unum Abbey.
Please allow this Abbey to encourage a season of special fasting and prayer, and in the company of people all over the world and of all sorts of denominations. Though few in number, there are monastic men and women in cloisters and monasteries and convents who will begin their Lenten fasts tomorrow, and while vocations are rare in our day, these are many, cumulatively. Multiplied millions more will join in to fast with their families and churches. Let’s make ours purposeful and joyful.
One wise Sister always reminds us that she never wants to behave while fasting the way that the Israelites did as they traveled to the Promised Land, grumbling and blaming and ungrateful. Isn’t that a great perspective? Let us for joy choose the fast that will help the oppressed to go free, and break every yoke, and that our own light will break forth as the dawn and our health be restored. Lord God, we believe … you reward those that diligently seek you, and you reward what is done in secret. We close ourselves in now with You, Father, on behalf of those we love, and for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
Isaiah 58:6 … “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?
Matthew 6:6 … But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place;and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
Hebrews 11:6 …But without faith it is impossible to please Him,for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Cor Unum Abbey 