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

to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2: 11b

It's one thing to confess, "Jesus Christ is Lord." This was the first creed of the church and it shall be the last. It's another thing to confess, "Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.

While it is always a good thing to say and it is always true these words must be spoken not merely by lips but by a life for, "to the glory of God the Father" to actually ring true.

To the glory of God the Father is a life, a human life. "To the glory of God the Father" is the life of Jesus Christ. And it is our life as we live and move and have our being in him.

To the glory of God the Father is the great calling of all of our lives. It's both our identity and our vocation; who we are and what we do. It's the word spoken in the heavens at our birth and it's the word we want spoken on Earth at our death.

And that's what fasting is all about. Fasting is a means of experiencing and appropriating the grace of God in ways that cause the glory of God to be made manifest in our lives. It's showing up over and over, again and again in the places where the Holy Spirit slowly but surely transforms us until we "have the same mind in us that was in Christ Jesus."

To the glory of God the Father is our mission and manifesto. In the end, what could be a more fitting exclamation and epitaph over our lives.

MEALTIME FOCUS

Today let's give our meal time to an appreciative examination of our lives. Where in our past can we see "to the glory of God the Father" expressing itself? Where do we see the "mind of Christ" beginning to break through in our life? Where have I witnessed the humility of Jesus in my own life? In the lives of others?

Our Walking Around Breath Prayers for the day:

"To the glory of God the Father"

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/