2025 Lent Devotional – Day 14

Lent Devotional: Day 14
How to fast?
J.N. Manokaran

The Lord Jesus Christ in the Sermon on the Mount, taught disciples about fasting. “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” (Matthew 6: 16-18)

1. Not gloomy. Those who fast should not go around with long faces. They should not reveal to others about their fast. Fasting is not for public consumption, but strict spiritual discipline. Sadly, some people advertise their fasting timetable, which is not necessary. Instead, the person who fasts should be normal in appearance and attitude. Fasting is a joy for it elevates a person into spiritual strength.
2. People as audience? Fasting is not for the people to see and applaud us. It is not a performance or entertainment show. If it ends in popularity, the reward for fasting is already received as an earthly reward. It is a sacred duty to be done in the presence of God and not human beings. That means, our fasting should be seen only by God and not human beings. To be behind closed doors, seeking his face alone is the reason to fast.
3. God is secret. God is invisible and children of God should approach him in secret. The prayer conversation during fasting has to be secret and not a public discourse. God is described as one who hears prayers, and all people from all nations will come to Him. (Psalms 65:2) Even what we whisper in the darkest night in a lonely place is heard by God. There are times when praying people are spiritually and emotionally exhausted. They may not be able to utter a word. He even understands our groaning and responds to the same. When believers go through inconceivable agony, not knowing the reason can trust in the Spirit of God to pray, by vocal utterances, without words. (Romans 8:26-28)
4. Reward in open. God hears the secret conversations and rewards or answers in the open. Prayer does not bring victory as some people think. It is a prayer answering God who gives victory. The creator and sovereign God chooses to answer, such feeble prayers of simple disciples of faith. People around us, will never know that we have prayed but see the glorious results of answered prayers. At that time, believers should be careful not to garner the glory of God but give glory to Him.

Challenge – Fasting is neither a tradition, nor a tamasha. Fasting should be for personal edification, flesh being disciplined, and willingness to listen to God’s voice and guidance by reading and meditating the scripture.