Scripture Reading
Isaiah 58:3-5
"Why have we fasted, and you see it not? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you take no knowledge of it?" Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure, and oppress all your workers. Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to hit with a wicked fist. Fasting like yours this day will not make your voice to be heard on high. Is such the fast that I choose, a day for a person to humble himself? Is it to bow down his head like a reed, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? Will you call this a fast, and a day acceptable to the Lord?
Reflection
God rejects performative fasting — religious theater that leaves the heart unchanged. The fast he desires creates space for encounter with him and action for others. Lenten discipline is not about accumulating spiritual achievement but about clearing the clutter that separates us from God and neighbor. Ask today: what am I actually hungry for?
Prayer for Today
Dear Father,
How priceless is Your unfailing love.
You have fearfully and wonderfully created us. You have ordained all our days and written them in your book before we were born. All your thoughts towards us are precious.
We praise You because we are Your handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, ones You have prepared in advance for us to do.
We come before You today to humble ourselves before You, submitting to Your will for our lives. Because of You, Father, surely goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our lives.
Let us be devoted to living out Your will on earth, to be more concerned with storing up treasures in Heaven than on earth.
Lead us, Lord, in the way we should go. Direct our steps and fulfill Your plans for our lives. Let our feet run swiftly to follow after You.
In Jesus name,
Amen
How priceless is Your unfailing love.
You have fearfully and wonderfully created us. You have ordained all our days and written them in your book before we were born. All your thoughts towards us are precious.
We praise You because we are Your handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, ones You have prepared in advance for us to do.
We come before You today to humble ourselves before You, submitting to Your will for our lives. Because of You, Father, surely goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our lives.
Let us be devoted to living out Your will on earth, to be more concerned with storing up treasures in Heaven than on earth.
Lead us, Lord, in the way we should go. Direct our steps and fulfill Your plans for our lives. Let our feet run swiftly to follow after You.
In Jesus name,
Amen
Amen.