Fasting
Fasting — part of 40 Days for Life
Fasting is giving up something that we like as an offering to God for an
intention we are praying for. It can be giving up coffee, sweets, soda,
television or even being silent when someone isn’t nice to me, giving up
speaking when it is better to be silent and most of all giving up sin.
We prove our love of Jesus when we
give up something that we like for love of Him and it helps us detach
ourselves from worldly things and gain spiritual strength to say NO to
things I want (including wanting to talk when it is better to be silent).
It strengthens us to be strong to give up sin also. There are many ways we
can make sacrifices also. A sacrifice can be giving up something (fasting
from something) or it can be doing something positive for love of God (often my
will prefers not to do it). Making a special dinner for your family when you would rather not cook tonight and offering it up to Jesus through Mary for the 40 days for Life intentions or cleaning the house when I would rather relax or sitting with my child who is
having trouble keeping her attention on school. Instead of losing my
patience, to sit and help her/him out. Read Matthew 25: 31-40 “The last
Judgement”. God will judge us on how well we have treated one another and
therefore it is a very pleasing sacrifice to show patience and love to
others, but especially our own family because they are in the most need of
our kindness. The most perfect sacrifice is doing the will of God at each
present moment. Example, I know God would want me to do this at this
moment, but I really don’t want to or a feeling of guilt inside of me because I
am not doing my duties as a mother, father, student, etc but I ignore the
inspiration inside of me. Listening to your conscience makes you more
in tune with the will of God and united to Him throughout the day and teaches
us to listen to the voice of God within us and when we fail to listen, stop
and say sorry to Jesus and trust in His forgiveness. As humans we fail
often.
David Bereit on Fasting for 40 Days for Life
While there is much excitement and enthusiasm about
the many good things God may provide as a result of
this fall’s efforts, an important question we all
have to ask ourselves on the eve of this campaign is:
“What am I prepared to give?”
The scripture verse most often cited in relation to
40 Days for Life offers a classic if/then statement.
IF we humble ourselves and pray, God tells us in 2
Chronicles
heal our land.
There is a reward, but there is also a price. If we
focus on the reward, but neglect to pay the price…
well, in the end there is no reward.
God has promised to heal our land, but FIRST we must
humble ourselves and pray.
That is the primary focus of 40 Days for Life –
prayer, coupled with fasting.
Prayer, because with God all things are possible. And
fasting because scripture tells us that some demons
can only be driven out through prayer AND fasting.
Prayer and fasting can be humbling experiences –
especially prayer offered in a public location such
as the sidewalk on a busy street in front of an
abortion facility.
But it’s worth it!
It was worth it for the volunteer who had no car, but
who regularly took public transit to pray at the
abortion facility — a route that required transfers
to four different trains and finally a bus — because
he was called to action on behalf of those who
couldn’t help themselves.
It was worth it to the man who lost his job right
before a 40 Days for Life campaign, and took it as
his duty to stand vigil at the abortion center for 19
hours a day to challenge the evil taking place in his
community.
It was worth it to the campaign director whose family
lost their home to foreclosure during a 40 Days for
Life campaign. However, she kept her commitment to
keep speaking out for the unborn and was able to help
save many lives.
At the center of the call to participate in 40 Days
for Life is a call to sacrifice. It’s hard. But it’s
necessary — and it’s worth it. God has promised
victory… IF we will humble ourselves and pray.
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SCRIPTURE
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“If My people who are called by My name will humble
themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from
their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and
forgive their sin and heal their land.”
– 2 Chronicles 7:14