In Matthew 4, we read the account of Jesus, led by the Spirit, heading into the wilderness. In this time, Jesus seeks after greater intimacy with his heavenly father, which provides Him with the strength to overcome the temptations of the enemy. The means by which he does this is through prayer and fasting.
It is interesting to think that these two seemingly separate acts work in tandem to provide Him with such clarity. In our 21st century framework, we would view prayer as a “spiritual” activity, while fasting is seen as something quite personal. One is for God; one is for us. You would think that Jesus, being the son of God and all, could simply take 40 days to pray alone, without the need to fast. Yet, this isn’t the case. Fasting is a central aspect to his time in the wilderness. Why is this the case?
In James K.A Smiths book “You are What You Love”, Smith discusses the idea that since the emergence of enlightenment thinking, we have seen ourselves as primarily “thinking things”, meaning, we are led by our intellects. We are like human containers; whose primary goal is to absorb information and then withdraw it when needed. However, the conclusion Smith comes to is that we aren’t led by our head, but instead by our desires (our heart). All you have to see is someone who is experiencing pain or great love to see that something other than their intellect is leading them. Our desires then in turn end up forming our daily habits. With that in mind, our daily habits tell us much more about our heart than our head.
I think it is in this truth that we find the answer as to why Jesus paired fasting with praying. As much as we want to compartmentalize our lives into neat and tidy separate spaces, we are simply unable. Our daily habits leak into our mental activities such as prayer. You and I are whole beings. This means that what we consume, be it food, shopping, relationships or Instagram will inevitably have an effect on our prayer life.
The act of fasting is taking time to process what we intake and take account of how it may be pulling us away from the most important thing. It is releasing what can so easily take the spot that belongs to God. It reminds us of our limitations, and our need for God.
What better way to begin this new year (and new decade) than by reflecting on our consumptions and their relationship with our awareness of God. We have the opportunity to prioritize what is truly important. Today, let’s choose to receive God’s great love over our base desires. Let’s resolve to focus on what we are gaining in this time, over what we have given up. As tempting as it is to focus on the latter, let’s remember that given the choices, Jesus is a better pick. Always.
Brandon Donnery
Youth and Young Adults Director
TODAY’S PRAYER:
DAY 4 - JANUARY 9
Pray for: Community
Romans 12:5
Pray for the people God has brought into YOUR circle. Ask him for unity, and ask that He would bring others to the table. Ask God who, specifically, he’d have you friend, serve and encourage in this season. Pray for our Relate Groups and those whom God is connecting. Pray that we would be a community that reflects the love of Jesus through our care for one another. Pray that true life change would happen this season in the context of close fellowship.
