BEFORE YOU RETIRE FOR THE EVENING - 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.*

Read Scripture Colossians 3: 1-17

1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your[a] life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

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.*

Read Colossians 3: 12 - 14

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Take time to reflect and journal on this passage

Start your day

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

Open time with this prayer

Lord, I am in the middle of a fast. There have been moments that were easier than I expected. My desires weren’t as strong as I thought they would be. The temptations that I was dreading…weren’t so bad. Other times, I’ve been caught off guard by moments that I thought would be no problem, and instead, they have proved incredibly difficult.

Right now, I still have a ways to go, and the end feels far off. Give me the supernatural strength to keep going by Your power, Lord. Grow me in the fruit of the spirit that I need to endure this, like patience, peace, and self-control.

In Your holy name, I make these requests, Amen.*

Read Colossians 3: 12 - 14

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Reflect on this:

A seed of love is planted into each of our souls, a deep longing to be loved, but it can only be awakened by being deeply loved. Our deepest longing is to be loved by our Creator. If we knew we were loved, truly loved by God, as we are our souls would be whole.

The cross of Jesus Christ shouts that we are loved -- as we are, not as we should be. Guilt does not produce holiness, only shame, hiding and separation. Jesus came one of us to reconcile us to God, to remind us that Love itself has created us and calls us home.

Our lives are called to be a response to God's self-grig love. Every good thing we do in this life -- love, forgive, serve -- is merely an echo of the love of God.

Question -

Why is the fundamental truth (That we are God's beloved) so difficult for so many of us to believe?

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

** James Bryan Smith "Hidden in Christ: Living as God's Beloved"

Read Colossians 3: 12 - 14

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Reflect - How did fasting go for you today?
What has the Holy Spirit lead you to in the scripture today?

If you are journaling, take a moment to write down 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/