BEFORE YOU RETIRE FOR THE EVENING - PRAY THE PRAYER. CONSECRATE THE FAST.

LIGHT THE CANDLE. PRAY THE PRAYER. CONSECRATE THE FAST.

Lord Jesus Christ, I offer you this fast for your glory and my good. All I am and all I have I offer to you for your purposes in the world and my progress in your grace, Amen.

GUIDANCE FOR THE WEEK

Our focus for the forty days of Lent is Philippians 2:5-11:

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Prayer before Bed:
Father, as I lie down for sleep tonight, wash over me with the warmth of Your love. In Your mercy, soothe my pain, whether in my body, mind or soul. Grant me a restful night of sleep so that when I awake, I'm strengthened to do Your will. Amen.**

*Prayer from Seedbed Fasting

** Prayer from Hallow.com

Morning - upon waking up

Lord, as I begin this time of fasting, fill me with your strength. Help me to use this as a time of growth, renewal, and healing. Calm my anxiety about what I might be giving up or times of discomfort that I might face. Provide me with assurance that You will strengthen me during the difficult times and meet me for sweet moments of spiritual growth and surrender. Help me focus not on what is being taken away, but what I’m gaining as I use this as a spiritual discipline. With you leading, Holy Spirit, I am ready. I dedicate this fast to You, Lord, and to Your glory. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.*

KEY VERSE AND TEACHING

Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, Philippians 2:9

There are two primary ways to advance or make progress in life. The conventional option is to climb the ladder, work more, try harder, and so forth. The kingdom of God way of advancing and making progress in life is that of being lifted.

The human race, by virtue of its broken and sinful ways, is a climbing race. Did you see the double entendre there? We are a climbing race who always gravitates toward climbing races. We will climb over anyone who gets in our way in order to get to the top. We are taught from our earliest days that the goal is to make a name for ourselves.

We come by it honestly. Think back to the ill-fated tower of Babel.

Then they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth." Genesis 11:4

See the climbing instincts at work there-- a tower that reaches to the heavens. Note the overt self oriented ambition--so that we may make a name for ourselves. We all know where this went. The project was halted and the people scattered.

Now look at our text for today. Jesus was not a climber and yet--"Therefore God highly exalted him." Jesus never tried to "make a name for himself," and yet--God "gave him the name that is above every name."

In fact, Jesus did precisely the opposite of climbing to fame. He descended into greatness. He shows us that the way down is the way up; how God lifts up the humble and casts down the proud.

There are two ways to get to the top: To climb or to be lifted. It makes all the difference in the world which way you choose.

MEALTIME FOCUS

Fasting is a discipline of descent. It is a chosen weakness; the movement to humble oneself and willingly face hunger and need. Even the smallest deprivations, if done over time, can fuel enormous faith. I want to encourage you to feel the relative weakness of your hunger. Do some self reflection. Are you one who climbs or one who can be lifted? Is it difficult for you to receive from others? Could it be that deep down you would rather climb for it than have it given to you? What has "making a name for yourself" looked like in the past? What does humbling yourself look like today?

Our Walking Around Breath Prayers for the day:

"God emptied himself."

"God took the form of a servant."

"God humbled himself."

"God highly exalted him."

Read our Scripture for the day - Philippians 2: 5-12

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Reflect - How did fasting go for you today?

What has the Holy Spirit lead you to in the scripture today?

Take a moment to journal your reflections of the day.

Closing Prayer

God, the time of my fast is coming to an end.

Thank you for giving me the strength to carry this out. I have grown in strength and in my relationship with You. I know I could never have done this by my own power.

As this time of restraint finishes, lead me in my next steps. Help me move slowly and gently back into a regular pattern of behavior. Help me not to go crazy with pent-up desire but instead, move with grace and intention.

I trust Your guidance, Lord.

In Jesus name I ask this, Amen.*

*https://theholymess.com/prayers-fasting/