As a church, MSCF will be embarking on a season of prayer and fasting beginning next Sunday and lasting for three weeks (21 days).  There is a pattern for this in Daniel 10:1-4.  For 21 days Daniel did a partial fast, abstaining from “pleasant food” and having no meat or wine.  There are many ways to participate in the spirit of this.  Perhaps you will try a Daniel fast.  Perhaps you will fast one meal a day and spend that time praying and seeking God.  Perhaps you will fast one day a week.  We will talk more about this as the week progresses.

Today let’s look at Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 6.  This is part of the Sermon on the Mount.  Those of you who have been to the Galilee in Israel have been to the place where Jesus was teaching – the Mount of Beautitudes overlooking the Sea of Galilee.  A beautiful spot.

In Chapter 6 Jesus discusses three important aspects of living in the Kingdom of God:  doing charitable deeds, praying, and fasting.  Two important points Jesus raises about these disciplines of the Christian life. 

First is that we are to do all of them.   In each case He says “when” not “if.“  “When you do a charitable deed” in verse 2.  “When you pray” in verse 5.  “When you fast” in verse 16.  Jesus assumes that these important activities will become part of the normal Christian life.   We are to give, we are to pray and we are to fast.  Some find fasting easier than others, but there is a way for all Christians to do it in some way.

Secondly Jesus addresses the heart attitude of His followers.  In each case we are not to draw attention to ourselves (like the Pharisees did) as if to say to everyone “I am more spiritual than you.”  In each of these it is between us and the Lord.  It is easy to fall into the trap of thinking that we are more spiritual than others if we give more or pray more or fast more than others.  Of course this leads to pride and ruins the whole thing.

More tomorrow as we prepare for this adventure at a crucial time for the nations and for us as well.